ZooLights is one of D.C.'s festive holiday traditions. The zoo gets completely decked out with a huge lighting display, featuring light-up animals and Christmas-inspired designs (attendees can even duck into the petting zoo or small mammals building and visit some animals while they're seeing the lights).
The event runs through January 1 from 5-9 p.m. Here are some places to grab dinner or drinks before (or after) to make a night of it. All are less than a mile walk from the National Zoo. Go even further and there are even more options, from pizza at 2Amys to whiskey at Jack Rose. And if you're really into something quick, grab a slice at Vace, one of the city's best pizza joints (but there's nowhere to sit).
Have another favorite dining or drinking destination near the zoo? Share in the comments.
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