What a beautiful and easily access Botanical garden. There are several areas for each of the plants…read morelike tropical, desert, Hawaii, etc. Great place to sit and enjoy the flowers and some shades after a long day of walking around the national mall or capitol hill.

Never having been to the botanical gardens in DC, I decided to venture there with a friend. I don't…read moreknow what I was expecting, but the vastness of the plants and climate regions were shocking--as well as the humidity of the inside. Overall, the gardens is something to visit. However, (and maybe it was just us) the way one ventures thru the different areas/rooms was confusing as it felt as though when we left one area for another, we missed out on other areas. It wasn't an easy "loop" to follow.

Bartholdi Park is kind of forgotten about. It's right next to the Botanical Garden. These are both…read morenext to the National Mall, so it has a convenient location. It has a very beautiful fountain. The park is usually pretty quiet. It gets hidden among the National Mall. Since there's so many popular sites, it often gets overlooked. This is next to the Botanic Gardens, which can often get overlooked too. Look for this if you're close to the Capitol Building. The most obvious thing about it is the fountain. It has an interesting history that predates the park and where the fountain is currently. The fountain was created as part of the 1876 Worlds Fair. It was sculpted by Auguste Bartholdi. The fountain was given to the U.S. and placed near the Capitol Building, then moved to its current location. With so many parks around you could forget about it. If you're here to see the memorials and monuments, take a moment to see it. The fountain is as beautiful as anything on the Mall, and the park is often peaceful.

When visiting the Botanical Garden, make sure you walk across the street to the spectacular…read morefountain. The gardens here are just as manicured and when we were there the emphasis was on vegetables. Really spectacular plantings.

In the back of the Botanical Garden is a little jewel…read more I'd like to learn more about the connection between Marvin Gaye and this little Heritage Green. Butterflies must love all the flowers here.

This is one of my favorite Smithsonian Gardens. It's the 4.3 acre garden that is nestled between…read morethe National Museum of Asian Art and the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building. It also sits above the underground quadrangle complex in what used to be known as the South Yard. We happened to enter it from a walkway on the side of the Freer Gallery of Arts building. The path of beautiful tropical flowers lead us to the Smithsonian Castle and The Parterre. It felt like just another hidden garden on the National Mall until we saw the Renwick Gates on the way out to Independence Ave. It's a very grand entrance to the castle. There's even more to discover as you walk around Enid A. Haupt Garden. Make sure to continue your walk around the pavilion entrances of the Sackler Gallery and the National Museum of African Art. You'll come across the Moongate Garden that is inspired by the Temple of Heaven Garden. The gates and walkways are made of pink granite. There's a black granite pool surrounding it. There is also a Moorish fountain that faces the Museum of African Art. You wouldn't even know that it's all there unless you walk through the garden. This beautiful garden restoration of the quadrangle was made possible through a generous donation from horticultural philanthropist Enid Annenburg Haupt. I didn't know who she was until doing a little research. She's credited for partly funding Gerald Van Der Kemp's orchid project at Monet's Garden in Giverny. She is best known for her $34 million gift to the New York Botanical Garden & Conservatory. Her name lives on through many of these projects.

This is a peaceful and gorgeous garden which is directly behind the Smithsonian Castle. Although…read morethe garden is hidden from the Mall, you can catch a glimpse from Independence Avenue. The garden also has a direct entrance to the National Asian Art Museum (Sackler Gallery entrance) as well as the National Museum of African Art. In the fall, the colorful leaves are gorgeous and well worth a visit. If it's warm enough outdoors, you can find a few benches here and there to sit down and admire the garden. Enjoy!

One of my favorite gardens in the city. The Ripley Garden is beautiful and provides a bit of…read morerespite between the busy National Mall and the Smithsonians. This gorgeous garden is lushly landscaped and includes seating and a centerpiece fountain. I come here often for reflection. Tours are offered and I hope to take advantage soon.

The national mall lined by Smithsonian museums was designed to evoke open vistas of this great land…read moreand to impress with its wide, open spaces stretching out. However, in truth, the scrubby grass fields in the middle seem non-functional unless you are a frisbee team. Lacking any distinguishing architecture for visual interest, shade for respite, or even whimsical snack stalls for gathering spots, the mall isn't particularly pedestrian-friendly. That's where the gardens tucked into tight spaces between the massive museum blocks, provide a refreshing counterpoint. This Ripley Garden in particular, is an exquisite treasure trove of wondrous botany. You'll find it in a corridor abutting the Hirschorn Sculpture Gallery, and across the street from the historic carousel. A cornucopia of plants with staggered bloom times provide a dazzling array of textures and colors. Plant labeling makes the display more interesting. I feel that this garden could stand toe to toe with the best botanical gardens anywhere (well a miniature one at least!). I take lunch breaks in this garden, and despite the fact that it is a relatively small corridor, it has nooks and spaces with benches for people to pause and ponder the complex abundance of the natural world around them. Every time I walk through, my eye is drawn to a seemingly endless variety of curiosities that delight and amaze, more so because they are drawn from the ever-shifting, ever-evolving natural world, and are not man-made, predictable, and static. By design, it represents the infinite complexity and renewal of the natural world. It's funny how I easily tire of things, in general, but I return to this garden day after day, and find it novel. I've also been able to learn quite a bit about plants. I contemplate the vigor and complexity of plants from Africa and South America and compare them to the native plants of this continent. There's much here to open your mind in wonder. The best part of this garden might be that its a free gift thanks to the Smithsonian! What's not to like? Tip to tourists: Grab lunch from the l'Enfant Plaza food trucks, about 2 blocks away, and bring your grub to eat here.

Dear reader, It is…read moreonly fair that I report the National Arboretum remains one of the coolest places in DC. It is massive, gorgeous, and the kind of place that makes you feel like you have briefly escaped the city without actually going very far. There is so much space to walk, relax, and just be outside for a while, and it never really feels crowded. Every time you turn a corner there is something new to look at, which makes the whole place feel like a very peaceful little adventure. The bonsai museum is easily one of the crown jewels. It kind of blows my mind every time that there are so many bonsai there, and some of them are up to or over 400 years old, including the famous Yamaki Pine. It is one of those places that really makes you slow down and pay attention because the amount of care, history, and detail in everything is just incredible. A very quiet flex, if you will. I also love that the Arboretum is not just about plants, although those alone would be enough. We saw bald eagles, there are beavers on the grounds, and it always feels like some kind of wildlife cameo could happen at any moment. Between the trees and plants from all over the country and the world, the Capitol Columns, the bonsai, the gardens, and all the open space, there is so much to take in without it ever feeling overwhelming. Dogs are welcome too, which feels very civilized, though they cannot go into the bonsai museum. Overall, this place is just such a gem. Beautiful, relaxing, and full of little surprises. I will absolutely keep going back, and frankly, I think society should too.

According to their website, this is a collections-based research facility and public garden of the…read moreUS Dept of Agriculture. The Arboretum is home to the world's first museum dedicated to the art of bonsai, and that's where we started. These bonsai trees are between 30 to 100-200 years old. There is one that is 400! This section alone is impressive. We also walked over to the columns that were once a part of the State Capitol building. With 451 acres the collections are based on categories which is nice. You want to look at conifers all day? Go right ahead. Azaleas and magnolias? Knock yourself out. Pick your spot. Don't feel like you can see everything AND enjoy it in one day...because you can't. Pick 1-3 things and enjoy the day. Stop by the the visitor center for a map and events for the day. Today there were Ikebana classes. Do a restroom call with the gang there before you venture out. There are portables throughout if you need to go. Read the website for areas that are wheelchair accessible or you could drive through to assess your beginning and endpoints.

One of my favorite national museums…read more The museum makes a strong first impression, with sculptures and a rushing waterfall surrounding the exterior. Inside, the soaring ceilings create a grand sense of scale. The walkways were accessible and easy to navigate, though the elevators were a bit slow. During our visit, the museum was not particularly crowded, allowing us to take our time reading the exhibits and fully appreciating the displays. What I appreciated most was the museum's emphasis on the differing perspectives of American Indians and Americans throughout history. Many exhibits presented both viewpoints side by side, highlighting how dramatically interpretations of the same events could differ. The timelines were thoughtfully organized and I learned about numerous Indigenous nations and communities that were rarely discussed in my prior education. The Americans exhibit was particularly memorable. It explored the representation of American Indians throughout popular culture, including television, sports mascots, advertising, food branding, and more. At the end, visitors were invited to write postcards reflecting on examples of Indigenous representation in modern life. Pocahontas was a recurring figure throughout the exhibit and I gained a much deeper understanding of both her historical significance and how her story has been commercialized and reinterpreted over time. The Nation to Nation exhibit focused more on cultural and historical artifacts, showcasing clothing, household items, tools, and musical instruments. Meanwhile, Water's Edge explored the importance of water through both artistic expression and its relationship to Indigenous life and traditions. The gift shop was easily one of the best I encountered among the national museums. It featured a wide variety of unique and meaningful souvenirs, and the lighter crowds meant several items sold out elsewhere were still available here. I was surprised by some of the lukewarm reviews, as I found this museum engaging and informative from start to finish. It easily filled two to three hours and I left with a far greater appreciation for Indigenous history and perspectives. I would love to see future exhibits further explore Native American music, art, and cultural expression.

I came for the taco and stayed for the art! After researching a few places for lunch, the reviews…read moreof the Mitsitam cafe here were amazing for their fry bread taco. The museum itself is gorgeous, inside and out. The grounds area has lots of plants and shrubbery to observe. It's kind of serene and takes you away from the capital craziness which isn't too far away. Inside, you'll find multiple floor with displays about history, conflict, and art. I took the elevator to the top then worked my way down each level via the stairs. It's an awesome place and the gift shop had some of the coolest stuff too. It's right next to the super popular Air and Space Museum so if you don't feel like walking too far after exploring that one, check this one out.

This is a nice little rose garden tucked away in front of and to the side of the Smithsonian…read more"Castle". It looks like they have a range of varieties so that something is blooming at all points during the summer. It isn't huge, but is nice, and is a good place to grab a peaceful minute a step away from the crowds on the mall. There are a few benches that would be nice for a rest. There are signs labeling the varieties which is always great for identifying a favorite for those who might want to try to grow some at home.

This garden is located just east of the Smithsonian castle, and in front of and behind the Arts and…read moreIndustries building. When walking on the Mall in the summer, you've probably stopped to smell the beautiful roses that grace the front of the building, but if you haven't explored what's to the sides and behind you are really missing out on one of DC's most gorgeous and peaceful places. This is a perfect place to take some great pictures, read a book, or, ah, you know, make out. Not that I've done that before, I'm just saying . . . After what can be the chaos of battling school groups through museums, this is the perfect place to relax and regroup.

Had a wonderful time here. This was the top museum we wanted to visit on our trip to DC. I could…read morehave stayed and wandered for hours, but I let my kids lead the way. Some of the things I thought for sure they would love, were not a hit as I had expected: namely dinosaur bones and the animal displays- but it was also very crowded and a lot to take in. Every where we turned there was more info, more interesting things to see- beautiful, fascinating, interesting- but I think it can be overwhelming- it is almost too much, if that is possible! We had to pace ourselves. A museum is designed for all ages in mind, so it is difficult to know what exhibits will appeal to whom. The part my kids loved the most was the live bug displays. So many species, and so fun to try to find each creature. We stayed here a long time. The exhbits are built with children in mind, many at eye level for little ones. The exhibits with glow in the dark species were so fun! I had to block the way at the end of the exhibit so they didn't move into the mummy section, as just seeing the hint of this display really scared them. I had a blast in the gems section, but my kids were not as excited about this section as I had hoped. We had to take breaks by going to the eatery on site, perusing the gift shop (I let them fill a bag of gems, which was incredibly exciting for them!), and chill out watching a documentary in a screening area.

What a great museum! How can you not love going here? I didn't have time to read a lot or explore…read moretoo many things in detail, but walking through, I could tell I wanted to come back. It has a decent layout and the maps guide you to the various areas nicely. Obviously dinosaurs are cool and prevalent in any Natural History museum. But they had lots of other cool things too. Probably the biggest draw is the Hope Diamond... It's big and beautiful diamond (BBD) and just something you should check out if you're here. This is one of the more popular of the museums straddling the National Mall, so plan accordingly if you want to get in and spend more time exploring. The crowds can get a little crazy. I got there at 3p and there was a line to get in.