National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is the most recent addition to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is located on the National Mall between the National Gallery’s West Building and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History.
At the free Jazz in the Garden series on Friday evenings in summer, enjoy live music and public art, like Robert Indiana’s renowned AMOR.
There is an entrance on Constitution Ave NW around 5th Street NW and one on the National Mall side. The closest Metro to the National Gallery of Art is Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter Station on the Green and Yellow lines.
The sculpture garden is FREE to visit. Skating fees for two 45-minute sessions (beginning on the hour): – $9 for adults and children age 13 and over – $8 for skaters age 50 and over, children age 12 and under, military, and students with a valid school ID The skate rental fee is $4; lockers are available for $0.50 ($5 deposit required). Season passes are available for $195.
Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens
Horticulturists have the utmost respect for the gardens at Hillwood, the former estate of cereal company heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. See a Japanese garden and trek through a rose garden that blooms in five colors.
Open Tues through Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays, National Holidays and several weeks at the end of January. The museum shop (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Merriweather Café (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) are also open for business.
U.S. Botanic Garden
More than 200 years ago, George Washington had a vision for the capital city of the United States that included a botanic garden that would demonstrate and promote the importance of plants to the young nation. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1820, the U.S. Botanic Garden is the oldest continuously operating botanic garden in the United States. Since 1934, it has been administered through the Architect of the Capitol.
Think of this free conservatory as a museum of plants: from orchids to cacti. Outside, the First Ladies Water Garden and the nearby Bartholdi Fountain are must-sees.
Enid A. Haupt Garden
The Enid A. Haupt Garden is a 4.2 acre public garden in the Smithsonian complex, adjacent to the Smithsonian Institution Building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It was designed to be a modern representation of American Victorian gardens as they appeared in the mid to late 19th century.
The highlight of the Smithsonian Castle quadrangle, this free-to- wander garden covers four flower-studded acres.
