Best known for its vast collection of azaleas, (a popular porch-flower), this 446-acre (180-hectare) garden park has much else to offer. Fountains, pools and open space separate a series of focused gardens at the United States National Arboretum. The National Bonsai Collection, a gift from Japan, is a fascinating exhibit of tiny trees. Other notable sections are the aquatic garden (filled with lotuses of many varieties) and the National Herb Garden.
The gorgeous United States Botanic Garden presents botanical variety, from the desert to the tropics, along a series of calm and gently meandering paths. A particular waterfall and garden display the flora of the dinosaur age. Seasonal displays include Christmas greens and poinsettias in December and January, chrysanthemums in autumn, and blooming flowers at Easter. Additionally, within the beautiful expanse of the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), the National Garden was inaugurated in October 2006 and includes the carefully designed Butterfly Garden.
One of two Smithsonian museums that feature Asian art, the Freer Gallery houses more than 26000 works from all points of the Asian continent, including China, Japan, Korea and India. These works include Asian porcelains, Japanese screens and Islamic art. The works of American artists influenced by Asia are also featured. The most spectacular of these is James McNeill Whistler's Peacock Room, designed for a British shipping magnate and moved to the United States from London in 1904. The Sackler Gallery is interconnected with this gallery via underground exhibition space and houses an impressive collection of Chinese paintings, ceramics and jades.
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is a national park that offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty and diversity of nature in an urban setting. The park is known for its unique aquatic gardens, which contain a variety of water lilies, lotus flowers, and other aquatic plants. Visitors can explore the gardens on a walking path or rent a canoe or kayak to explore the park's waterways. In addition to the aquatic gardens, Kenilworth Park offers a range of other recreational activities, including fishing, birdwatching, hiking, and picnicking. The park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including bald eagles, beavers, and a variety of fish species.
The Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens is the legacy of Marjorie Merriweather Post, a famous socialite and founder of General Foods. Consisting of numerous rooms, this mansion dates back to the 1920s and houses an outstanding collection of art, jewelry and other decorative artifacts that belonged to her. View rare Faberge eggs, historic portraits, exquisite tapestries and priceless ceramics, among others, at this stunning museum. Visitors can also enjoy a leisurely stroll through the landscaped estate, which notably features a French parterre garden, a rose garden, and even a cemetery that inters many of Post's pet dogs.
Constitution Gardens is a park located on the National Mall. It covers an area of approximately 50 acres (20 hectares) and includes a lovely lake, walking paths, and several memorials. The park was established in 1976 to honor the United States Bicentennial and is named after the United States Constitution. The centerpiece of Constitution Gardens is a clear pond surrounded by walking paths and benches. The pond is home to several species of fish and waterfowl, and visitors can rent paddleboats to explore the water. The park also features several memorials, including the World War I Memorial and a memorial to the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Brookside Gardens is a public garden located inside Wheaton Regional Park. It is open for public visits without any charge. Spread across 500 acres (202 hectares), major features of the garden include an aquatic park with ponds and a gazebo, a azalea garden, a butterfly garden and a children’s garden. Some of the other highlights include a dazzling fragrance garden, a Japanese tea house when visitors can sip on a variety of tea, a nature center, a lovely woodland walk, and much more.
Best known for its vast collection of azaleas, (a popular porch-flower), this 446-acre (180-hectare) garden park has much else to offer. Fountains, pools and open space separate a series of focused gardens at the United States National Arboretum. The National Bonsai Collection, a gift from Japan, is a fascinating exhibit of tiny trees. Other notable sections are the aquatic garden (filled with lotuses of many varieties) and the National Herb Garden.
One of two Smithsonian museums that feature Asian art, the Freer Gallery houses more than 26000 works from all points of the Asian continent, including China, Japan, Korea and India. These works include Asian porcelains, Japanese screens and Islamic art. The works of American artists influenced by Asia are also featured. The most spectacular of these is James McNeill Whistler's Peacock Room, designed for a British shipping magnate and moved to the United States from London in 1904. The Sackler Gallery is interconnected with this gallery via underground exhibition space and houses an impressive collection of Chinese paintings, ceramics and jades.
The gorgeous United States Botanic Garden presents botanical variety, from the desert to the tropics, along a series of calm and gently meandering paths. A particular waterfall and garden display the flora of the dinosaur age. Seasonal displays include Christmas greens and poinsettias in December and January, chrysanthemums in autumn, and blooming flowers at Easter. Additionally, within the beautiful expanse of the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), the National Garden was inaugurated in October 2006 and includes the carefully designed Butterfly Garden.
A lovely Victorian-style green space spread over 4.2 acres (1.2 hectares), Enid A. Haupt Garden is a welcome respite for tired National Mall visitors. Located off Independence Avenue near the entrances to the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and the National Museum of African Art, the park is easily accessible. With a rooftop garden with a three-story building lying beneath, the park is designed to delight and be aesthetically pleasing. Visitors will love taking a leisurely stroll here amidst the 19th-century style benches and urns along the park's brick paths.
Head to the Tidal Basin if you're seeking something to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Set in picturesque surroundings, it is truly a visual treat. Found between the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, it covers a vast area of 107 acres (43 hectares). Also utilized as a means for flushing the Washington Channel, it is maintained and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Thus, explore the Tidal Basin for a leisurely activity and have a unique experience.