Washington DC is home to some of the best botanical gardens, parks, and green spaces on the East Coast. For a relatively small city, the variety is impressive: conservatories full of tropical orchids, 400-acre arboretums, hidden magnolia groves, and waterfront parks with views of the monuments.
You just gotta get out there and explore them. This guide covers 17 of the best gardens in DC and the surrounding area, from well-known spots like the U.S. Botanic Garden to quieter picks that most visitors miss. Pack your camera and put on your walking shoes.
U.S. Botanic Garden
By far one of the most unique botanical gardens in DC is the U.S. Botanic Garden. The orchid exhibit is not to be missed, but our favorite is the conservatory room. Spoiler alert: Mrs. Peacock did, in fact, kill Professor Plum with the lead pipe here. Just Joking. But definitely take the time to explore this part of the Botanic Garden. It can get a little hot and steamy in here, but the vegetation is overwhelmingly beautiful.
Located on the east side of the National Mall near the Capitol, it’s one of the easiest gardens to visit. Admission is free and the conservatory is open daily from 10am to 5pm. The outdoor Bartholdi Park across the street is also worth a quick walk through, especially during spring when the flower beds are in full bloom.
U.S. Botanic Garden on Google Maps
National Arboretum
Fun fact: the current U.S. Capitol dome is way bigger than originally planned. The larger dome couldn’t be supported by the columns that had already been built, so they scrapped the columns altogether. The National Arboretum benefited from that error, and now you can see the original Capitol columns standing in the middle of 412 acres of land.
Beyond the columns, the Arboretum has an incredible bonsai collection (some trees are over 400 years old), azalea fields that peak in late April, and miles of quiet roads for walking or biking. Admission is free, open daily 8am to 5pm. It’s a bit off the beaten path in Northeast DC, so it never feels crowded.
National Arboretum on Google Maps
Meridian Hill Park
Meridian Hill Park is one of DC’s most central parks. Located just a few blocks from U Street, it’s a popular spot to enjoy some greenery. Built in the early 1900s, this 12-acre park features a cascading 13-basin fountain on the south side (one of the longest in North America) and hosts a legendary drum circle every Sunday afternoon during warmer months.
The upper terrace offers a nice view and plenty of shade, while the lower level is perfect for picnics. Free and open daily.
Meridian Hill Park on Google Maps
Congressional Cemetery
One popular row of cherry blossom trees in Congressional Cemetery is often Instagrammed. When you visit, the front gate will appear closed, but all you have to do is flip a switch to get in during the day. You’ll notice plenty of people walking their dogs since it’s one of the few places in DC where dogs can roam off-leash (with a membership).
Beyond the cherry blossoms, the cemetery is a fascinating piece of DC history with graves dating back to the early 1800s. Free and open dawn to dusk daily.
Congressional Cemetery on Google Maps
Constitution Gardens
If you ever needed a quiet place to just sit and watch some ducks swim past, check out Constitution Gardens. Located near the WWII Memorial on the National Mall, it somehow stays tucked away enough that it’s rarely crowded. The small island in the center of the pond has a memorial to the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
It’s a great place to sit and relax with a view of the Washington Monument. Free and open 24 hours.
Constitution Gardens on Google Maps
Enid A. Haupt Garden (Smithsonian Gardens)
If you think the DC Cherry Blossoms are beautiful, you are definitely going to fall in love with the Magnolias at the Enid A Haupt Garden behind the Smithsonian Castle. It is as if you’re walking around in a pink cloud of dreams. The Magnolias typically bloom a couple of weeks before the Cherry Blossom peak bloom.
Enid A. Haupt Garden on Google Maps
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Theodore Roosevelt Island is a 91-acre nature preserve in the middle of the Potomac River, full of walking trails through forests, swamps, and marshland. A large statue of Roosevelt stands in the center of the island. You access it via a footbridge from the Virginia-side parking lot (there’s no entrance from the DC side).
The trails are flat and easy, making it a nice escape from the city without driving far. Free and open daily 6am to 10pm. Best visited in spring or fall when the foliage is at its peak.
Roosevelt Island on Google Maps
Anacostia Park
With basketball courts, tennis courts, and a roller-skating pavilion, there’s plenty to do at Anacostia Park in Southeast DC. This 1,200-acre green space along the Anacostia River is one of the largest parks in the city, with open fields for picnics and a waterfront trail that connects to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (also on this list).
The park is managed by the National Park Service and is free and open daily. It’s less visited than the National Mall parks, so you’ll often have plenty of space to yourself.
Rock Creek Park
If you’ve only heard of Rock Creek Park from TV and movies, you may get a shady impression. In reality, it’s over 1,700 acres of beautiful trees, streams, and nature stretching from the National Zoo to the Maryland border. At any given time you’ll find dogs on walks, birds chirping, and people enjoying the hiking trails, horse trails, and picnic areas.
Rock Creek Park is especially popular during fall in DC when the canopy turns gold and red. The stone bridges throughout the park are some of the most photographed spots in the city. Free and open daily.
Rock Creek Park on Google Maps
White House Gardens
On the north and south sides of the White House are gardens open to the public during seasonal tours. During the spring and fall, the White House offers free garden tours that let visitors see the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, Rose Garden, Kitchen Garden, and South Lawn, which are only accessible through these ticketed events.
Tours are announced a few weeks in advance and free tickets go fast. Check the National Park Service website for dates and registration details. Even without a tour, the north-side gardens along Pennsylvania Avenue are pleasant to walk through year-round.
White House Gardens on Google Maps
Hillwood Museum & Gardens
Hillwood Estate is full of things to explore, including a museum and multiple gardens. The highlights include a formal Japanese garden, a French parterre, a cutting garden, a greenhouse, and even a putting green. The 25-acre property feels like an escape from the city.
Admission is by suggested donation (~$18). Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. The museum houses an impressive collection of Russian and French art, so plan to spend at least a couple of hours here.
Hillwood Estate on Google Maps
Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens
If you ever find yourself east of the river, check out Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. It’s the only national park dedicated to water-growing plants, and our favorite time to visit is mid-July when the lotus flowers are at peak bloom. Some of the lotus plants grow up to 6-8 feet tall, creating an almost surreal landscape.
Free admission. The gardens are open daily 8am to 5pm. Early morning visits offer the best light for photography and fewer visitors. Water lilies bloom earlier in the season (June), while lotus flowers peak in July.
Kenilworth Gardens on Google Maps
Washington National Cathedral Gardens
The Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral is a hidden favorite among DC photographers. Modeled after a medieval European garden, it features stone pathways, herb gardens, seasonal flowers, and the stunning Cathedral as a backdrop in every photo.
The garden is at its best in spring and early summer when the roses and boxwoods are in full bloom. Free and open daily during daylight hours. While you’re there, the Cathedral itself is worth exploring (it’s the second-largest church in the U.S.).
National Cathedral Gardens on Google Maps
Dumbarton Oaks
When people think Georgetown, they usually think trendy stores and coffee shops with college kids running amok. But Dumbarton Oaks adds another dimension to the neighborhood. Standing at one of the highest points in Georgetown, walking around this terraced property will make you forget you’re even in a city.
The gardens are spread across 10 acres of terraces, pools, and formal plantings. Spring brings wisteria, forsythia, and thousands of bulbs. Garden admission is $10 (March through October), free from November through February. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
Brookside Gardens
Located just outside of DC in Wheaton, Maryland, Brookside Gardens is a hidden gem of the area. The 50-acre property includes a Japanese tea house, azalea garden, aquatic garden, and a popular seasonal butterfly exhibit (“Wings of Fancy,” typically May through September, separate fee ~$8).
Brookside is also popular in the spring for their tulips on display, and during the winter holidays they host a spectacular “Garden of Lights” display. Free admission to the gardens year-round. One of the best botanical gardens near DC.
Brookside Gardens on Google Maps
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
A little less than 20 miles outside of DC, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia is a great place to spend a beautiful afternoon. With 95 acres of land, there’s plenty to see and admire. My favorite time to visit is in the springtime when the cherry blossom trees are blooming. It’s far less crowded than the Tidal Basin but just as beautiful.
Admission is around $8 for adults. One of the highlights is the lake in the center of the park, where you can sit in a gazebo that extends over the water and watch the Koi fish swim around. During winter, Meadowlark hosts the “Winter Walk of Lights,” one of the most popular holiday light displays in Northern Virginia.
Meadowlark Gardens on Google Maps
The Yards Park
If you’re looking to cool down on a hot day or just enjoy the waterfront, the Yards Park in Navy Yard is a perfect choice. It features a terraced waterfall, a public water channel for wading, and a unique arching bridge that makes for a great sunset photo.
The surrounding Capitol Riverfront area has plenty of ice cream shops, bars, and restaurants. Since it’s located right next to Nationals Park, we recommend stopping by the Yards if you’re heading to a game. Free and open daily.
DC has so many green spaces that it was hard to narrow this list down to just 17. If you’re looking for even more places to photograph, check out our guide to the most Instagrammable places in DC. And if we missed your favorite garden, let us know in the comments below!
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