Guide to Washington, D.C. Gardens

Spending time in Washington, D.C. gardens is a great way to take a break from museum-hopping in the nation’s capital.

From the moment you enter the garden gates, you will find your mind switches to zen time. All the outside distractions seem to disappear.

You’ll be able to stop texting or scrolling on your social media to stare at a rose. Sit underneath a tree to read a book on your Kindle. Walk through a labyrinth and meditate. Relax in nature.

 “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.”—Luther Burbank

But the number one thing you need is a sturdy backpack. Luckily, adidas offered to send me a backpack to use for my city adventures. I chose the adidas backpack featuring a clean, minimal design. This lightweight bag works equally well for travel or work. I particularly appreciate the adjustable shoulder straps plus handles, so I have options for carrying.

For my visits to D.C. gardens, I fill my backpack with all the necessities of a day in nature: a water bottle, nuts, and fruit, and a poetry book. My favorite is Mary Oliver’s Devotions.

Consider this line from her book: “But all my life—so far— I have loved best how the flowers rise and open, how the pink lungs of their bodies enter the fire of the world and stand there shining.”  

Me too, Mary.

Bishop’s Garden

Address: Pilgrim Road, Washington, D.C.

Escape to an ethereal garden and contemplate the universe at Bishop’s Garden. This walled garden is located south of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. It is one of the most intensely cultivated areas of the 57-acre Cathedral Close.

“This walled garden was created to be suitable for a 14th-century Gothic cathedral, with plants of historical interest, plants of the Bible and Christian legends, along with plants native to the mid-Atlantic region.”—National Cathedral

This small garden “room” is called a Hortulus or “little garden.” The medieval baptismal font in front of the garden anchors it firmly in the 9th century. Specimens include Emperor Charlemagne’s list of plants (812 AD) and the Abbey of St. Gall’s planting plan.

Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens

Address: 245 1st Street S.W., Washington, D.C.

The Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens have been part of the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) campus since 1932. This two-acre garden showcases sustainable landscaping and design. It is located across the street (Independence Avenue) from the USBG’s conservatory.

“Just across Independence Avenue from the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory is a favorite ‘secret’ garden of many Washingtonians.”—U.S. Botanic Garden

The centerpiece of the garden is Fountain of Light and Water. But it is more commonly known as the Bartholdi Fountain in homage to its creator Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. During the summer months, tourists and locals can often be found eating lunch at the cozy tables.

One of my favorite places is the Kitchen Garden, which shows food cultivation in an urban environment. “Be it a large backyard or a small patch of ground, a balcony, or just a sunny apartment window, edible plants can be grown to use for home cooking,” according to the USBG.

Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens was redesigned in 2016 as a Sustainable SITES Initiative (SITES) pilot project, to include different garden styles and plant options that all can be achieved using SITES guidelines.

U.S. National Arboretum

Address: 3501 New York Avenue NE, Washington, D.C.

You can devote a day to exploring the 451-acre National Arboretum, as there are 9.5 miles of winding roadways. Over 600,000 visitors traipse through the Arboretum annually.

I visit the Arboretum year-round. Each season offers its special pleasure, such as hiking the snowy paths in the winter or watching the leaves on the trees change to orange, yellow, and red.

And come spring, there is no more special place to explore than the hilly trails where the azaleas and rhododendron burst into a rainbow of color—red, pink, orange, coral, and white.

Avoid the weekends when crowds clog the paths at Mount Hamilton. Head to the Arboretum with a thermos of coffee to hike the Arboretum’s Azalea Collection when the gates open.

“The first warm days bring out the flowers, and the slopes take on a surreal, almost luminescent glow. Few shrubs have more impact on the spring landscape than azaleas.”—U.S. National Arboretum

The Arboretum’s single-genus groupings include azalea, boxwood, daffodil, daylily, dogwood, holly, magnolia, and maple. Your dog cannot go inside the gated National Bonsai & Penjing Museum.

There is a necklace path that surrounds the National Capitol Columns. They now sit on a natural knoll in the Ellipse Meadow at the Arboretum. Their original 1823 home was the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol building.

U.S. Botanical Garden (USBG)

Address: 100 Maryland Avenue SE, Washington, DC

If you don’t have a car to drive to the National Arboretum, your best choice is to spend a morning at the U.S. Botanical Garden (USBG). You’ll find it near the U.S. Capitol at the end of the National Mall.

We can thank President George Washington, who wanted a national botanic garden planted in the capital city.

“Established by the U.S. Congress in 1820, the USBC is the oldest continuously operating botanic garden in the United States.”—USBG

Plan to visit for a minimum of three hours so you can walk through the conservatory, roam the three-acre National Garden, and sit outside in the garden rooms. On the weekends, you can purchase coffee or a beverage at the food truck.

If time permits, curl up for a quick nap on the lime green cushioned bench situated under a tree. You also should meander over to the Bartholdi Park & Fountain to eat an al fresco lunch or explore the Kitchen Herb Garden. It is located across the street on Independence Avenue SE.

U.S. Capitol Grounds

Beds of tulips burst into bloom each spring on the U.S. Capitol Grounds. There is no more beautiful outdoor garden in the city to explore.

The U.S. Congress commissioned the nation’s most famous landscape architect (Frederick Law Olmsted) to design the enlarged grounds.

“His symmetrical design incorporated park-like edging, low walls, lamps, careful placement of trees and simple shrubs, and a series of curved walkways that afforded attractive views of the Capitol.”—Architect of Capitol

Today, this quasi-park is one of the best D.C. gardens for jogging, biking, or dog walking. Meander down the curving paths. Rest at one of the historic streetcar shelters. Sit on a bench and meditate.

You can also cool off in the hexagon-shaped brick Summer House nestled on the hilltop on the Senate side of the West Front Lawn. Completed in early 1881, this naturally air-conditioned building features benches and respite from the heat.

Enid A. Haupt Garden

Address: 1050 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC

This 4.2-acre “rooftop” garden is part of the Smithsonian complex. Situated outside the Smithsonian Castle, the Enid A. Haupt Garden opened on May 21, 1987. It is named after the American publisher and philanthropist Enid Haupt.

“Few visitors to the Haupt Garden realize that they are standing on the roofs of the National Museum of African Art, the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, and the S. Dillon Ripley Center.”—Smithsonian Gardens

The cultural influences in the adjacent museums dictated such design elements as the Moongate Garden and the Fountain Garden. The centerpiece is the Parterre, which mirrors the Victorian-style architectural sensibility of the Smithsonian Castle. Smithsonian gardens frequently change the flowers and bushes in this manicured garden.

You won’t want to miss the Downing Urn, which celebrates the memory of landscape designer Andrew Jackson Downing. Outside the Haupt Garden is nestled the Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden. During the summer, there is a riot of roses profusely blooming and scenting the air.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Address: 1550 Anacostia Avenue NE, Washington, D.C.

Nestled by the Anacostia River in the northeast corner of DC lies a jewel that many Washingtonians (and visitors) don’t know exists. The exotic waterborne flowers at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens shine like gems—amethyst, morganite (fuchsia), and topaz—in the small ponds. You will need a car or an Uber ride to visit this garden.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is part of the U.S. National Park system. In addition, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

“The site has a distinguishable character as a once nationally-recognized aquatic water garden that was one of the first of its kind in the United States.”—National Park Service

Each July, the weeklong Lotus & Water Lily Festival is held. It celebrates these exotic flowers that grow in water instead of dirt. The best time to see the lotus flowers in bloom is in the morning in late June or July. They close up during the mid-day heat.

National Gallery Sculpture Garden

Address: 7th Street NW, Constitution Avenue NW, and Madison Avenue NW entrances

As early as 1790, it was the vision of Charles Pierre L’Enfant to create a public landscaped garden on the National Mall—known as “the great walk.”

The National Gallery of Art (NGA) is home to the NGA Sculpture Garden. This exotic garden promises adventures that turn back the clock for visitors. See a giant Typewriter Eraser, Scale X (Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen), or run from the giant Spider, 1996, cast 1997 (Louise Bourgeois).

“It’s a public garden of sorts, with art, sort of an outdoor gallery.”—Laurie Olin (designer)

Comprising 6.1 acres, NGA’s Sculpture Garden is located between 7th and 9th Streets. There are 33 different trees, ranging from Fragrant Snowbell to Weeping American Elm.

One of my favorite sculptures is the Metropolitain sign, which is a realistic replica of the classic Art Nouveau metro station in Paris.

Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens

Address: 4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

You must buy an admission ticket to see the home where Marjorie Merriweather Post once lived. Founded by the daughter of the Post Cereal brand company, Post acquired this property in northwest Washington, D.C. in the 1950s. The slogan for Hillwood is “the mansion that became a museum.”

But in addition to visiting this time capsule that includes her Russian art collection, be sure to explore the 13 acres of formal gardens. Post designed the gardens to flower in the spring and fall when she was in residence. In addition, the massive greenhouse features the orchid library.

“Set on 25 acres adjacent to Rock Creek Park, Hillwood’s gardens feature a diverse and fascinating array of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, offering something to see in every season.”

The formal gardens include a French Parterre, a Japanese-style Garden, and a Lunar Lawn. At the circular overlook, four statues pose at the Four Seasons Overlook. Magnolia, cherry, dogwood, crape myrtle, and witch hazel are planted in this tranquil grove. Hillwood’s 25-acre estate is located adjacent to Rock Creek Park.

Dumbarton Oaks

Address: 1703 32nd Street NW, Washington, D.C.

Located in historic Georgetown, Dumbarton Oaks was the country estate of Robert and Mildred Bliss, philanthropists and art collectors. They purchased the 1801 Federal-style home in 1920. A timed ticket is required to tour the mansion and gardens.

The owners chose a verse from Dante’s Purgatorio as the inscription for their wisteria arbor.

“Those who in old time sang of the Golden Age, and of its happy state, perchance, upon Parnassus, dreamed of this place.”—Dante

Landscape architect Beatrix Farrand designed this “oasis within the city.” Trek 16 acres of the wild meadows, wooded pathways, orchards, kitchen gardens, and formal terraced gardens. Around every corner, Farrand created vistas celebrating nature.

Today, Dumbarton Oaks is a Harvard University research institute and museum. The Bliss family gifted their estate and collections. They donated the 27-acre pastoral woodland to the National Park Service, which administers it as a unit of Rock Creek Park. The Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy was created in 2010.

Tudor Place

Tudor Place Historic House & Garden preserves the stories of six generations of descendants of Martha Washington, and the enslaved and free people who lived and labored here.

“For over 178 years, the Tudor Place garden has evolved from agricultural uses to recreational and ornamental purposes, reflecting the growth and changes both in Georgetown and the rest of the nation.”

Stroll through the garden at Tudor Place to see the beautiful blooms, historic boxwood, specimen trees, open lawns, and heirloom shrubs. You’ll see trees that have remained in place for decades or even centuries.

Today, the garden is made up of two parts: the North Garden, a collection of European-style formal gardens on the north side of the property, and the English-landscape-style South Lawn on the south side of the property.

Tudor Place represents the Federal-period architecture. The house sits on a nearly 6-acre lot in the heart of Georgetown. It houses over 18,000 decorative objects, including the most extensive Washington Collection outside of Mount Vernon. The garden is open February through December for self-guided visits.

Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America

Address: 1400 Quincy Street NE, Washington, D.C.

One of my favorite D.C. gardens is off the beaten path. You need to visit the Brookland neighborhood of DC to tour the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America.

Located in Brookland’s Little Rome, the monastery gardens are free to visit. “Discover a different DC.”

“The Franciscan Monastery . . . has been named one of the Top 5 places most tourists miss when sightseeing in Washington, DC.”–MyFranciscan.org

It indeed offers an oasis for local residents as well as travelers to Washington, D.C. The century-old gardens include native plants, roses, and sacred shrines. The Monastery also seeks volunteers to tend its vegetable gardens.

Franciscan friars designed the gardens over a century ago. The vegetable harvest program provides fresh produce to local food non-profits and parish food pantries.

The Garden Guild also conducts free tours of the gardens on Saturdays from April through September.

This walk connects with my collection of self-guided Washington DC neighborhood walks, where each area is explored on foot.

Explore More Beautiful Gardens Along the East Coast

If you love exploring gardens, don’t stop with the Washington, DC area. From the historic Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania and the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens to the colorful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Florida, the East Coast is home to some of America’s most spectacular landscapes. My guide to the 20+ Best Gardens on the East Coast highlights breathtaking botanical gardens, historic estates, and hidden gems that are well worth adding to your travel bucket list, whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer road trip.