NOVA Wild

NOVA Wild (formerly the Reston Zoo) in Vienna, Virginia, is a Northern Virginia zoo that earns its audience through direct animal interaction rather than distance viewing. While the National Zoo in DC offers world-class animals in impressive exhibits, NOVA Wild offers something the Smithsonian can't: actual physical contact with many of the animals, through feeding stations, petting yards, and guided encounters.

The giraffe feeding experience is the standout. Families can purchase food tokens and feed giraffes directly from elevated platforms — the experience of a giraffe's enormous tongue pulling leaves from a child's hand is the kind of specific, physical memory that kids carry for years. Goat petting areas, bird interactions, and other hands-on animal encounters round out the experience.

With 4.2 stars from nearly 3,000 reviews, NOVA Wild has a solid reputation in Northern Virginia. The rating reflects genuine family satisfaction with the hands-on format, even if some visitors note that the zoo is smaller and has fewer species than the National Zoo. Manage expectations accordingly: this is a farm-zoo hybrid rather than a major metropolitan zoo.

For families staying in Northern Virginia suburbs — Tysons, Vienna, Reston, Great Falls — NOVA Wild is a practical local zoo alternative without a trip into DC. Free on-site parking is a significant logistical advantage. Plan for 2-3 hours and budget extra for feeding station experiences.

The zoo is primarily outdoor, which means weather matters significantly. Spring and fall mornings offer the best animal activity and most comfortable visiting conditions. Hot summer afternoons in Virginia can make outdoor zoo visits genuinely uncomfortable — arrive early.