Here are some of the things that we look forward to, or hope for, or will miss in 2025:
Things we are looking forward to
The pandas!
The new pandas go on view to the public starting on January 24th. One of the new cubs is the son of our beloved Bao Bao, who was born at the zoo in 2013 and left for China in 2017.
RFK Stadium redevelopment
In one of the last Congressional actions of 2024, the RFK stadium site was transferred from the Federal government to D.C., so the city now will control redevelopment of its largest unused tract of land.
World Pride
D.C. will host World Pride in June. The only other U.S. city to have hosted World Pride was NYC in 2019, where the crowds more than doubled from normal Pride crowds, so June should be a very special month here.
Things we have lost
The D.C. Circulator bus service ended on December 31st. As a very convenient way to get around the Mall and to other locations, we will really miss it.
Stumpy
Stumpy, the valiant tree that lived year after year, had to be chopped down with other cherry trees on that side of the Tidal Basin to help buttress the area against flooding damage. The good news is that NPS took clippings from Stumpy and are going to plant those seedlings around the basin.
Manny the tamandua
Manny died at the National Zoo in May. At 19, Manny had been the oldest tamandua in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.
Things we probably won’t get
A great championship year like we had in 2019
Arts and Industries Building used
The Arts and Industries building on the Mall was closed for renovations from 2004 to 2021. While it has hosted a few events and exhibitions since then, it is not fully opened or in any regular use, and the funding issues are problematic.
Things we still have to wait for
The Smithsonian Carousel
The carousel was removed from the Mall for renovations, and is not scheduled to come back until 2026.
The National Geographic Museum
The National Geographic Museum is being redesigned and will not reopen until 2026.
The Smithsonian Castle
The Castle closed in early 2023 for renovations, and is not expected to reopen until 2028.
Lincoln Memorial Undercroft
Under the Lincoln Memorial is a cavernous space that will open in 2026, with museum exhibits and a view of the structural underpinnings of the memorial.
Great flight cage at the National Zoo
The historic bird house at the zoo was reopened in 2023 after a six-year redevelopment project. The huge outdoor flight aviary at the zoo, however, has not yet reopened and little information is available – this spectacular 90-foot high structure was built in 1964 with winding paths to walk among the birds.
Uncertainties
The future of PBS
Who knows if PBS will survive the new administration? The last time PBS was threatened to the same extent, back in 2012, Big Bird came to lobby and PBS was saved.
New births at the Zoo?
It’s usually hard to predict which animals might give birth at the National Zoo. 2024’s surprise birth was a baby wallaby.
