NOVA Wild (formerly Reston Zoo)

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🦒 Zoo · Vienna

2.5 hours · $$ · Check website for reservations

age fit
0–1 yr
★ 4.0
1–3 yrs
★ 5.0
3–5 yrs
★ 5.0
5–10 yrs
★ 4.0
  • 🚗
    About 30 min drive
    From Rockville · Parking: Free lot; the walk-through zoo and drive-through Safari are priced separately, about $15–25 per person each (check the website)
  • 🍼
    Stroller-friendly
    Flat surfaces — bring the stroller
  • 🌳
    Some shade
    Great on sunny days · Good on cool days
  • ⏱️
    Typical visit: 2.5 hours
    Best seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall

A small zoo between Reston and Vienna: the walk-through area has sheep and goats you can go in and pet, giraffes to feed, and all sorts of small animals, and for extra ($) you drive your own car through the Safari section, where bison, zebras, and camels poke their heads in the window begging for food. A 2-year-old is terrified and delighted at once.

💡 Tips
Buy a bucket of feed for the Safari and be ready to get licked when you roll the window down. Weekend mornings are quieter and the animals are hungrier and more active. Admission isn't cheap, so look for combo tickets on the website.

What this place offers

✓animal feeding
✓drive-through safari
✓petting zoo
✓small zoo
✓restrooms
✓stroller friendly
✓giraffe feeding

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in Vienna

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

🌦️
Sat 10/17
Drizzle · 45–58°F · 49% rain
☀️
Sun 10/18
Sunny · 42–62°F · 3% rain

Location

Vienna, Virginia

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