Fur Good Howl-o-Ween Fun, Migrate Your Flock to Boo at the Zoo

Since 1998, the Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) have offered metro-area families and safe and fun haven for trick-or-treating with their annual Boo at the Zoo event. From Friday, Oct. 26, through Sunday, Oct. 28, the National Zoo will welcome kids aged 2-12 and their families to enjoy the zoo in a completely different way. The event runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m. each day.

Kids will receive a recyclable bag to fill up with goodies like ice cream, organic snacks and, of course, candy at more than 30 trick-or-treat stations located around the zoo.

The zoo will be adorned with fall and Halloween themed decorations, including the popular graveyard of endangered species and many of the animals will be enjoying Halloween-themed enrichment activities. A number of traditional zoo attractions—Bird House, Small Mammal House, Great Apes House, Think Tank and Kid’s Farm—will keep the scary fun going.

The Reptile Discovery Center will feature a Mad Scientist giving brave trick-or-treaters tours of the slithering reptiles and creepy crawlies, including the aptly named Hellbender salamander.

FONZ’s communication specialist Devin Murphy offers event-goers fearful of that trek back up the steep hill after house of Boo at the Zoo fun the following tip:

“Break up the walk back up the hill by visiting animal houses, as you go—they even have little benches in them where you can rest.”

Proceeds from Boo at The Zoo benefit conservation science and animal care.

Tickets and parking passes are sold out for Saturday, Oct. 27, but you can purchase tickets for Friday and Sunday online or at any national Zoo gift shop. Prices are $20 for FONZ members, $30 for non-members. Regular parking passes (if available) are $5 for FONZ members, $10 for non-members. There is also VIP parking available for $20.

Visit the zoo’s website for more information about Boo at the Zoo.