Stroll through a tropical rainforest and surround yourself with lush greenery at the U.S Botanic Garden where you will find a beautiful collection of plants to explore. After a visit to Capitol Hill, visit the neighboring garden and immerse yourself in this oasis of foliage and floras. Since 1934, the U.S. Botanic Garden has served as a living plant museum dedicated to informing visitors of the importance of plant conservation and earth’s fragile ecosystem. At the garden, you can take a tranquil walk through the various exhibits and experience the different environments. Along the way, their will opportunities to learn about the various plants and their history and function.
The Botanic Garden features plants from all around the world and a variety of exhibits, including The Tropics, Rare and Endangered Species, Hawaii, Orchids, Garden Primeval, Mediterranean, Southern Exposure, and more. A unique and popular exhibit at the conservatory is the corpse flower which has a distinct odor and impressive height. This month, the flower bloomed to a height of 7’4″ and grew from July 22nd to August 5th. In addition to the indoor conservatory, there is also the beautiful and expansive National Garden outside that highlights the beauty of the mid-Atlantic environment. The third portion of the Botanic Garden is the Bartholdi Park located just across Independence Ave.
When can I visit? The U.S. Botanic Garden is open daily from 10 am – 5 pm and the National Garden stays open until 7 pm up to Labor Day. Admission to the Botanic Garden is always free. It is located at 100 Maryland Ave, SW, about a 15-minute drive from our Washington DC accommodation. The garden regularly conducts tours, program, and events ranging from workshops, lectures, cooking demonstration and more. Check out their calendar on their website to see which events are coming up.
Shannon Stiles, Innkeeper at American Guest House
