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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 MallFreeFree; no tickets required

About

A tropical forest grows under the 93-foot dome of the U.S. Botanic Garden's Conservatory, and a mezzanine runs out over its canopy. Outside, the amphitheater in the gated gardens is built with marble steps salvaged from the Capitol's East Front. There's no parking lot, but Federal Center SW Metro is about three blocks away. The garden posts an alert when one of its corpse flowers opens. The bloom lasts two to three days and smells strongest in the first 12 to 24 hours.

Highlights

Free admission, no tickets required1933 Conservatory, 10 rooms under glassTropics room under a 93-foot domeCorpse flower blooms, 2 to 3 daysOutdoor native gardens and the Bartholdi FountainFederal Center SW Metro, three blocks

Getting there

100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20001

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