Nestled on the National Mall adjacent to the U.S. Capitol and nearly as old as Washington DC itself, the U.S. Botanic Garden is a fun place for children and parents alike.
The Botanic Garden has a conservatory (greenhouse) with interesting exhibitions for children, such as a tropical rainforest. Here, you can experience the feeling of being in a jungle tree canopy by going to the mezzanine level. The stepped waterfall flows into a narrow river that is traversed by a wooden bridge. There is also a children's garden.
The Botanic Garden also has a National Garden which features a seven-bed regional garden with plants native to the mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Atlantic Coastal Plains, a First Ladies' Water Garden, a formal rose garden, and a butterfly garden.
Across the street from the conservatory is Bartholdi Park, a beautifully landscaped flower garden that has as its centerpiece, a classical style fountain. The fountain was created by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the French sculptor who also designed the Statue of Liberty.
There is an annual orchid exhibit, gardening and photography classes, and a variety of walks and tours throughout the year. During the Christmas holidays, there is a special train exhibit, along with miniature replicas of all the major monuments in Washington DC.
Guided Tour: FREE 45-minute tours of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory are available. Check at the Visitor Information Desk upon your arrival. Groups of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 25 adults may reserve a free guided tour of the Conservatory. Guided tours are available Monday-Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Weekend tours are not available. NOTE: the Botanic Garden requires a 4-week advance notice for booking a tour. To reserve a tour, call (202) 225-1116.
Address: 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington DC 20001.
Hours of Operation: The Conservatory (10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.), the National Garden (10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) and Bartholdi Park are open daily, including holidays and weekends.
View area Map of the National Mall
Closest Metro to the U.S. Botanic Garden
DC Circulator's Smithsonian - National Gallery of Art Loop (Independence Ave & 4th Street SW)
DC Circulator's Union Station - Navy Yard via Capitol Hill (Independence Ave & 2nd Street SE)
