United States Botanic Garden
National Mall—sample rating
Andreas Praefcke, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About United States Botanic Garden
The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America, established by Congress in 1820 to demonstrate the importance of plants to the young nation. Its glass Conservatory, at the foot of Capitol Hill, houses collections ranging from a tropical rainforest canopy to desert cacti, orchids, medicinal plants, and rare and endangered species. Adjacent to the Conservatory, the outdoor National Garden features a rose garden, regional native plant collections, and a butterfly garden, while Bartholdi Park across Independence Avenue includes a historic fountain designed by the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty. Admission is free and no tickets are required for either the Conservatory or the outdoor gardens, and the Garden occasionally hosts special evening hours events with extended access.
Why visit
A free, lush indoor escape near the Capitol featuring plants from rainforests to deserts, ideal for any season or weather.
Best time to visit
Visit on a cold or rainy day to enjoy the warm, humid Conservatory, or check for free summer evening hours events.
Recommended duration
Allow about 1 hours (60 minutes).
Opening hours
- Every day
- 10:00-17:00
Conservatory 10am-5pm daily; gated outdoor National Garden open 7:30am-5pm daily. Closed Dec 25. Free, no tickets required.
Information may change — verify details before visiting.
Location
100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20001
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Nearby attractions
National Mall
A vast open-air national park stretching between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, lined with iconic monuments and Smithsonian museums.
Washington Monument
A 555-foot marble obelisk honoring George Washington, offering sweeping views of DC from its observation level.
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
A domed neoclassical monument on the Tidal Basin honoring Thomas Jefferson, surrounded by famous cherry blossom trees.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
A granite memorial on the Tidal Basin featuring a colossal carved likeness of Dr. King emerging from a 'Stone of Hope.'
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
A sprawling outdoor memorial along the Tidal Basin divided into four outdoor 'rooms' representing FDR's four terms in office.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
A stark black granite wall inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 U.S. service members who died or went missing in the Vietnam War.
Nearby restaurants
Zaytinya
Mediterranean · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Ben's Chili Bowl
American / Comfort Food · $ · U Street
Mi Vida
Mexican · $$ · Navy Yard / Waterfront
Ambar Capitol Hill
Balkan · $$ · Capitol Hill
Centrolina
Italian · $$$ · Downtown / Penn Quarter
Maketto
Cambodian / Taiwanese · $$ · Capitol Hill
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Stay near National Mall
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