United States Botanic Garden

The United States Botanic Garden is the best free rest stop on the Mall and a genuine attraction in its own right. It sits at the foot of Capitol Hill, run by the Architect of the Capitol, and its centerpiece is the Conservatory, a historic glass-and-iron greenhouse opened in 1933 that holds a remarkable living collection in a series of themed rooms. The Jungle is the star, a tall, humid rainforest room with a catwalk high in the canopy; around it are rooms of orchids, desert and arid plants, carnivorous plants, medicinal plants, Hawaiian species, and plants with economic uses such as chocolate, coffee and spices. The current special exhibition, America's State Flowers, celebrates the official flower of each state and territory through living plants, art and botanical illustrations, as part of the nation's 250th anniversary. Outside, the National Garden adds a rose garden, a regional garden of Mid-Atlantic plants, a butterfly garden and a lawn terrace, and across Independence Avenue is Bartholdi Park, with its ornate fountain by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty. Admission is free, no tickets are required, food and drink are allowed in the gardens, and the Conservatory is open daily except December 25. In winter, the garden's holiday exhibition usually fills the Conservatory with model trains and Washington landmarks built from plant materials, which is one of the city's favorite seasonal traditions. The honest note: it is small compared to major botanical gardens, and the Jungle room is hot and humid year round. Fit: families, couples, anyone needing a break between the Capitol and the museums, and plant lovers in any season.

The garden's roots go back to the early republic, when Washington, Jefferson and Madison imagined a national garden for collecting and studying plants. It took shape after the Wilkes Expedition returned in the 1840s with plant specimens from around the Pacific, some of which are believed to have descendants still in the collection. The current Conservatory was built in the 1930s and renovated at the turn of the century, and it is one of the oldest continuously operating botanic gardens in the country. Today it focuses on education about plants and sustainability, with frequent free programs, tours and talks. The collection includes a number of rare and endangered species, and some of the garden's oldest plants are believed to have been in the collection for well over a century. The Garden Court near the entrance, with its fountain and seasonal displays, is one of the calmest indoor spaces near the Capitol, and the children's areas outdoors give younger visitors room to explore. Staff and volunteers are available to answer plant questions, and the garden's website lists free walking tours and workshops.

Visit craft: enter the Conservatory and go straight to the Jungle, then climb to the canopy walkway for the view down. Move through the orchid and desert rooms, then step outside into the National Garden for fresh air and views of the Capitol dome. In spring and early summer the rose garden peaks; in fall the regional garden turns color; and from late November through early January the holiday show draws crowds, so go on a weekday morning. Bring a picnic for the outdoor terraces in good weather.

Practicals: 100 Maryland Avenue SW, at the southwest corner of the Capitol grounds, with Bartholdi Park across Independence Avenue. The Federal Center SW Metro is a short walk away. The Conservatory is open daily; the outdoor gardens open earlier and stay open later in spring and summer. Restrooms and water fountains are available. Allow an hour. Pair it with the Capitol tour, the Library of Congress, or the National Museum of the American Indian next door.