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United States Botanic Garden

Photo: Damien Harvey (DC Gardens) / CC BY 2.0

🎡 Attractions

United States Botanic Garden

Washington, DC · National Mall

About

Tucked at the foot of the Capitol, this living museum of plants is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the country, and stepping into its great glass Conservatory feels like trading the National Mall for a jungle, a desert, and a room of orchids all in one afternoon. Wander the steamy Tropics under a soaring iron canopy, find the carnivorous plants and a rare corpse flower that draws a crowd when it blooms, then head outside to the Bartholdi Fountain and the native gardens. Best of all, admission is free, no tickets required, so it is an easy, year-round detour between the museums.

Highlights

Free admission, no tickets requiredHistoric glass-and-iron Conservatory with tropics, desert, and orchid roomsRare corpse flower that draws crowds when it bloomsOutdoor native gardens and the Bartholdi FountainSteps from the U.S. Capitol on the National Mall

Getting there

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Washington D.C. Attractions23 places

Washington D.C. Attractions

No city packs more world-class attractions into a walk than Washington, and most of it is free. The Smithsonians line the National Mall like a museum mile, from the moon lander hanging in Air and Space to the Hope Diamond and the Wright Flyer. Between them stand the monuments and memorials: Lincoln gazing down the reflecting pool, the Washington Monument over the Tidal Basin cherry trees, the marble halls of the Capitol and the Library of Congress. Bring good shoes and a full day, and you still will not see it all.