Take a Stroll Through 5 Beautiful Gardens in the Washington DC Area

If you have visited Washington, DC during the spring, you know that the city comes alive as colorful pink blooms are front and center everywhere you look. But in addition to these iconic blooms, the city is home to gardens worth a peek all year. These garden spaces provide visitors and locals alike a chance to step into nature and take a break from the city noise. Several, like the Enid A. Haupt Garden and the United States Botanic Garden, are just steps away from popular DC attractions. Others, like the U.S. National Arboretum, are home to treasures like the National Capitol Columns and the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. As a bonus, I’ve included Meadowlark Botanic Garden in Northern Virginia, home to the unique Korean Bell Garden.  

​Enid A. Haupt Garden

When you first visit the National Mall in Washington, DC, you might wonder about the castle you see as you walk between the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. Completed in 1855, the building is the Smithsonian Institution Building, commonly referred to as The Castle. Before the recent closure for renovations, it served as the home to the Smithsonian offices and a visitor center, highlighting exhibits in the Great Hall. Outside, tucked between The Castle and Independence Avenue, is the beautiful Enid A. Haupt Garden. 

The beauty of this garden changes from season to season. During the spring, the garden comes alive when the saucer magnolias reach full bloom. Typically this happens just before the peak of Cherry Blossom season. The garden serves as a place for a quiet break from the city for both tourists and locals. Enjoy three aspects of the garden—the Parterre, the Moongate Garden, and the Fountain Garden. Each offers a unique design to complement the castle in the background and changes with the seasons. 

Just around the corner next to the Arts and Industries Building, the Mary Ripley Livingston Garden offers seasonal color and another spot to take a break from the hustle and bustle of DC. 
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Visit the Enid A. Haupt Garden at 1050 Independence Ave SW. 

READ: Explore a 3-Day Washington DC Itinerary 

​U.S. National Arboretum

Most first-time visitors to Washington DC spend most of their time around the National Mall. While there is plenty to do, including all the free museums, one of our favorite hidden gems in the city is the U.S. National Arboretum. Located in a residential area about a 15-minute drive from the U.S. Capitol, the arboretum is truly an oasis in the city (and it’s free!). 

What makes the U.S. National Arboretum special? Besides the beautiful seasonal gardens, it’s home to the National Capitol Columns and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. The columns were once part of the U.S. Capitol Building, and make for fun photo opportunities. The outdoor museum offers a unique opportunity to marvel at the special beauty of trees and plants of all shapes and sizes as you walk through the Chinese Penjing and Japanese bonsai collections.

Spring blooms include cherry trees, multi-colored tulips, and the Azalea Garden. Don’t miss a stroll through the Asian Collections, where the Camellia Collection blooms fall through early spring. Spread out over 9 miles of roads, biking is also a fun way to view the different collections. Unlike most of DC, visitors will find several free parking lots. The smaller lots can fill quickly. If you want to rent a bike, try the Capital Bikeshare station at 24th and R Street. Read 6 Great Reasons to See the U.S National Arboretum for more details.

Visit the U.S. National Arboretum at 3501 New York Ave NE.

​United States Botanic Garden

Not far from the U.S. Capitol sits the United States Botanic Garden. Land was designated for a national garden when President James Madison signed a bill establishing the garden in 1820. The Conservatory in the United States Botanic Garden is home to diverse exhibits from the desert to the tropics. The corpse flowers bloom every 2-3 years, attracting visitors who don’t mind the smell! Plus it’s a balmy spot to pop into in the middle of winter. Hours vary for both the Conservatory and the outdoor, gated garden.

​One of my favorite times to visit is during the holidays when the Season’s Greenings holiday exhibit is on display. For 2024, this will happen between November 28, 2024, through January 5, 2024. You can read more about visiting the United States Botanic Garden in December. 

Outside, visitors can stroll through a gated garden and see the Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens area, home to 10 rain gardens. Like many attractions in DC, the United States Botanic Garden is also free. 

Visit the United States Botanic Garden at 100 Maryland Ave SW.

​Dumbarton Oaks

If you are window shopping your way through the streets of Georgetown, take some time to visit Dumbarton Oaks. Who knew this expansive property was home to acres of thoughtfully designed gardens and a museum housing Byzantine and Pre-Columbian Art? We learned that Robert and Mildred Bliss purchased the property in 1920 and then made massive renovations inside and out. Mildred worked with Beatrix Farrand, a well-known landscape designer, to design the gardens.

The museum is free, but there is a small admission fee for the garden (get tickets well in advance during the busy spring season.) I highly recommend joining one of the tours to enhance your visit! Our guide was excellent and provided historical information and tidbits about the museum collections and the various “rooms” of the garden.

Spring brings an increase in visitors who come to see and photograph the gardens filled with colorful seasonal bulbs and wisteria. Visitors are reminded not to touch or pick any blooms. Dumbarton Oaks is truly a treasure in the city! 

Visit Dumbarton Oaks at  1703 32nd St NW.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Travel roughly 18 miles from downtown DC to find the expansive Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. Spread over 95 acres, visitors will find paved and unpaved trails for exploring, along with seasonal favorites for viewing like Flowering Cherries and Peonies. Stop at the Lake Carolina Gazebo to see turtles basking in the sun and koi swimming in the water. 

The most unique feature at Meadowlark Botanical Garden is the Korean Bell Garden. This area of the garden is home to the 3-ton Bell of Peace, two statues known as Jeju Dolhareubang that were gifts from Jeju, and Korean totem poles. 

The garden offers free parking, with an admission fee to enter the garden. The closest Metro Station is Spring Hill, but would still require additional transportation for the last leg of the trip. We have also visited as cyclists, using the connector trail off of the W&OD trail. Bring a lock, because bikes are not allowed in the garden. Dogs are only allowed inside the garden on special Pup days.  The Winter Walk of Lights around the holidays also brings in crowds! 

Visit Meadowlark Botanical Gardens at 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, Virginia.