Popular Gardens in Washington DC

"While crowds are drawn to the smelly 'corpse flower' (Amorphophallus titanum – we'll let you translate that), which blooms every three to five years, the United States Botanic Garden is equally fragrant at other times. The greenhouse conservancy and the children's garden are particularly beautiful spots to stroll through."

"Having been established in 1820, this place is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the entire country. While it might not be a museum in the strictest sense of the word, it does provide a large area for your child to explore and burn off some energy. Likewise, it’s one of the best museums for kids in Washington, D.C."

"Kid spaces: The Children's Garden is a newly redone, outdoor children's playspace best for walkers and up. Children can plant, dig and water to their heart's content; explore a large climbing structure; and play in the misters. Only open in summer; be sure to bring a change of clothes!"

"DC’s Hirshhorn Museum is undoubtedly among the top contemporary art spaces in the United States. Founded in the 1960s from art collector Joseph Hirshhorn’s private collection, the museum exhibits artworks by some of the modern and contemporary art world’s greatest masters, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Francis Bacon, and Edward Hopper. Temporary exhibitions have showcased the iconic works of Andy Warhol, Yves Klein, and Ai Weiwei."

"The great Gordon Bunshaft conceived the landmark cylindrical building for this modern art museum established by collector Joseph H. Hirshhorn. Set halfway between the Washington Monument and the Capitol, the Hirshhorn was ready in 1974 and houses one of America’s best collections of modern and contemporary art. Think Picasso, Matisse, Henry Moore, Francis Bacon, Jackson Pollock, Edward Hopper and Franz Kline, just by way of introduction."

"The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is an art museum dedicated to contemporary culture and art. Located near the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the museum offers tours, a cafe, exhibits, monthly events, and a museum shop for people of all ages and all interests. They also have a storytime event for children (ages 6 and younger) that features book readings, arts, and crafts."

"A living exhibition just a short 2-mile hop from the Capitol, the US National Arboretum houses astonishing gardens in the heart of DC, a bonsai museum, and blossoming cherry trees, among other gems. During the summer, you can follow the Azalea Blossom Watching and, if you’re lucky, get a chance to see the July daylilies bloom. When: Year-round, 8am-4:30pm"

"It was established in 1927 and it functions as a major center for botanical research. *It’s free to the public and the arboretum boasts of trees, shrubs, & plants plus a picnic area!"

"A post shared by AJ Washington (@alfredjw_) on Nov 5, 2017 at 12:11pm PST. The expansive Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens of heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post in Upper Northwest is perfect for snuggling up with your sweetie as you stroll the gardens and take in the museum’s lavish treasures."

"Hillwood Estate is a heritage and decorative arts museum which opened in 1973. It was the former residence of Marjorie Merriweather Post."

"A historic estate in Georgetown, Dumbarton Oaks has delightful gardens and a house going back to the early 19th century, enriched with collections of Byzantine, Pre-Columbian and European art. These many works were gathered by former resident, the diplomat Robert Woods Bliss (1875-1962) and his wife Mildred (1879-1969). Most compelling are the Aztec, Mayan, Olmec, Veracruz, Teotihuacan carvings in stone and jade, ceramics from the Wari, Moche and Nasca culture and splendid gold, silverware and textiles from the Inca, Chimú and Lambayeque cultures."

"A post shared by Bojana Andrejevic (@boyannaalexander) on Aug 20, 2017 at 8:02pm PDT. The beautiful, serene and quiet gardens at Dumbarton Oaks are just a few minutes stroll from the hustle and bustle of Georgetown proper. Chart a course through the European designed garden to locate the ornaments and inscriptions."

"This 1801 Federal-style estate in Georgetown serves as a house museum. It boasts Byzantine and pre-Columbian collections, and features a variety of tapestries, furniture, and artwork. It also supports scholarly research."

"Your profound respect for one another will abound while you both appreciate the excellent architecture of the National Cathedral and its magnificent gardens. Bishop’s Palace Garden pic:flickr,chris"

"This underutilized patch of grass, complete with flowers, fountains, and benches, sits next to the Smithsonian Castle, one of the more memorable looking buildings on the National Mall. While the hordes of tourists are huddled, drenched in sweat, on the steps of the various museums, in-the-know Mall-goers can escape to this oasis of green for some shade, a moment of peace, and the free Wi-Fi.Best for: checking your e-mail while smelling flowers.Photo by Flickr user cliff1066™"

"Hidden beneath the city of Washington, DC is a series of underground tunnels that are designed to mimic the religious catacombs of the Middle Ages. They’re only 100 years old, so they’re quite young by catacomb standards, but their cracked stone walls and curving, dimly-lit passageways will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook of some kind. Holy artwork covers the walls."

"Visit the Catacombs of Washington, DC at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America. This hidden gem is mostly for show, but it is interesting and fun. The monks at the Monastery are happy to give visitors a tour and explain the history of the Catacombs."

"Green Spring Gardens, spanning about 31 acres, is a historic garden featuring a plantation house constructed between 1777 to 1784."

"One of the city’s most noteworthy spots, the market is filled with artisan eateries. The famous Heart Wall is the perfect place to confess your love for one another. The Heart Wall is a mural created for International Women’s Day in 2015 by Los Angeles-based graffiti artist Mr. Brainwash."

"Home to more than 40 vendors, this artisan hub helps local businesses grow and scale as part of the D.C."

"This March, Dr. Zongmin Li brings the “soul food” of her childhood in China’s Yunnan Province all the way to North Old Town. To develop Yunnan by Potomac’s menu, the owner/general manager and her team traveled to southwest China to sample mixian rice noodles and glean secrets from local chefs. The silky, non-glutinous mixian noodles form the perfect base for braised beef, shiitake mushrooms and more comforting combos."

"Yunnan By Potomac Noodle House strives to be an ambassador for the people and culture of Southwest China and add to the story of what it means to be Chinese-American through our lens on contemporary Yunnan cuisine. Not your typical Chinese food, the Soul Food of Yunnan is Mixian - a light and...Más"

"The same mixian rice noodles that owner and general manager Zongmin Li ate while growing up in China’s Yunnan Province landed in Old Town this year. View this post on Instagram. A perfect bowl of comfort on a cloudy spring day."

"Restaurateur Med Lahlou has doubled down on the 14th Street NW corridor by placing a colorful new pizzeria next to sibling osteria Lupo Verde. Southern Italian street snacks steal the show at the bustling newcomer decked out in hand painted tiles and Italian flags. The open kitchen is well equipped to handle a full house."

"4 out of 5 stars Bars Breweries. Named after the hellbender salamander, which is the largest salamander in North America, Hellbender Brewing Company was founded in 2014 by Ben Evans and Patrick Mulane. The staff uses a Belgian mash filter system that’s more eco-friendly and efficient than others and it was said to be the first of its kind on the east coast back when it was installed."

"Hellbender Brewing Company was established by close friends Ben Evans and Patrick Mullane. The long-time DC residents named their brewery after the endangered Eastern Hellbender, the largest salamander in North America. The company is committed to environmentally safe brewing practices and dedicated to raising awareness about the Eastern Hellbender."

"The District’s first winery, in Navy Yard, has a huge footprint that includes a wine factory, event space, and a restaurant. Glass cases hold stacks of bottles and light streams into the sunny Ana dining room, which is decorated with colorful portraits of U.S. presidents. Try made-in-the-District rosé; it's a fan favorite."

"Billing itself as DC’s first urban winery, District Winery offers a rotating selection of wines at its tasting bar and tours of the blending and bottling process. Afterwards, enjoy the contemporary restaurant Ana, where you can choose from 15 wines by the glass to go with beet falafel and Pacific halibut."

"This Navy Yard winery and restaurant includes both tours and tastings. Choose from a seasonal pick, a winemaker’s choice tasting, or a custom flight. Don’t miss out on the D.C.-made dry rosé, either."

"The District’s modern beer boom can be tracked to DC Brau, which opened in 2009 as the city’s first packaging brewery since 1956. The brewery gained a following for its hoppy ales and has since expanded operations to cover store shelves and bars of all types, from upscale dining rooms to neighborhood dives. The production warehouse and tap room sits off an industrial stretch of Bladensburg Road in Northeast DC. The taproom remains closed to visitors, but curbside pickup and local delivery is available."