Great Ape House
📍 Northwest Washington, DC
Great Ape House at the Smithsonian National Zoo features gorillas, orangutans, and other primates. The famous O-Line lets orangutans travel overhead between the Great Ape House and the Think Tank — visitors walk directly beneath the cables.
Great place near the entrance of the zoo to watch some primates. The orangutans always get me laughing and I could watch them for hours.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with kids ages 4 and up who want an up-close primate experience. The O-Line crossing generates genuine excitement from children and adults alike — position near the pathway for the best overhead view. Reviewers note spacing could be larger for the animals, so manage expectations for enclosure size.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →81 Google reviews
Henry Goldberg
“Great place near the entrance of the zoo to watch some primates. The orangutans always get me laughing and I could watch them for hours.”
Ed Vigezzi
“Great exhibit featuring many of the various apes, including gorillas and orangutans. Fun to watch orangutans move across o-line from the Great Ape House to the Think Tank. They do cross over the pathway, so make sure you are looking up to ensure that they do not go to the bathroom on you!!!!”
Cristian Romero
“Sinceramente me parece que les falta más espacio.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Great Ape House sits near the Connecticut Avenue entrance of the Smithsonian National Zoo, making it one of the first major exhibits visitors encounter. The resident gorillas and orangutans are the main draws, with the O-Line cable system a unique spectacle — orangutans voluntarily travel the overhead cables between the Great Ape House and the Think Tank building, passing directly above the visitor pathway. Reviewers advise looking up when the orangutans are on the move.
