Washington D.C. Thirteen Smithsonian Gardens on or near the National Mall enhance the famous Smithsonian museums they surround while engaging, informing, and inspiring visitors.
Known as the “museums without walls”, the Smithsonian gardens engage people with plants and gardens, inform on the roles both play in our cultural and natural worlds and inspire appreciation and stewardship.
SMITHSONIAN GARDENS IS UNIQUELY SITUATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART, SCIENCE, CULTURE, HISTORY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT. AS PART OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST MUSEUM COMPLEX, WE HAVE A GLOBAL PLATFORM TO INSPIRE THE WORLD ABOUT PLANTS AND GARDENS.
Smithsonian Gardens Strategic Plan 2017-2021
Whether you are planning a trip to the Smithsonian Gardens, or just interested in seeing them from afar, this post will show you the gardens to experience and where to find them. To assist in planning your trip, a Garden Travel Guide to the Smithsonian Gardens is located at the end of the post.
Where are the 13 Smithsonian Gardens Located?
The gardens are grouped on the National Mall, making them easy to visit, and all are FREE. (The Kogod Courtyard Garden is located about a 10-minute walk north of the National Mall and is definitely worth the detour). Most can be experienced from dawn to dusk; a few keep museum hours.
With over 180 acres of outdoor gardens, this tour starts on the southwest corner of the National Mall and loops around to the northeast side of the Mall.
1. Smithsonian Courtyard Garden at Freer Gallery of Art
Address: 1050 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560, USA. Freer Gallery of Art courtyard.
The Courtyard Garden is located in the center of the Freer Gallery of Art. Recently renovated, visitors can look forward to a renewed space with arches and walkways surrounding the courtyard fountain, creating a tranquil, reflective space.
2. Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden at the Quadrangle
Address: 1000 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC 20560. Located behind the Smithsonian Castle, covering the ground to Independence Avenue.
Located on the Quadrangle, The Smithsonian Enid A. Haupt Garden features a Parterre, a Moongate Garden, and a Fountain Garden. The four-acre public garden was built on the roofs of three other museums, but you’d never know it from looking around. For a closer look, see Uncovering the Hidden Treasures of the Enid A Haupt Garden.
2a. Haput Moongate Garden
The Moongate Garden is a zen place surrounded by water and inspired by the gardens and architecture of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China. It is located on the west side of the Parterre.
2b. Haupt Fountain Garden
The Fountain Garden is modeled after a 13th-century Moorish palace and fortress in Granada, Spain. The garden includes a central fountain and water channels, suggesting a walled paradise.
3. Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden
Address: 900 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, DC 20560, USA. Located between the Smithsonian Castle and the Arts and Industries Building facing the National Mall.
The Smithsonian Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden is an ornamental garden providing interest in all four seasons. The Garden displays roses classified as “modern”, that is, roses created after 1867. All the garden roses are highly rated by the All-American Rose Selection Association. Perennials pick up the slack in the off-season, making the garden beautiful year-round.
For a closer look, see Discover the Beauty of the Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden.
4. Mary Livingston Ripley Garden
Address: 850 Jefferson Drive Southwest, Washington, DC, USA. Located between the Hirshhorn Museum and the Arts and Industries Building.
The Smithsonian Mary Livingston Ripley Garden is a jewel box sandwiched between the Hirshhorn Museum of Sculpture and the Arts and Industries Building. Garden visitors follow the brick pathways into a profusion of color, texture, and fragrance. Clever garden art delights.
For a closer look, see The Magic of the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden
5. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Address: Jefferson Drive and 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20591, USA. Located in front of the Hirshhorn Museum.
The Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden displays more than 60 works of art on the 4.5 acres around the museum grounds. There are two Hirshhorn gardens to explore: The Plaza (the landscape directly surrounding the museum) and the Sunken Garden across Jefferson Drive on the National Mall.
For a closer look, see The Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden: Exploring the Beauty of Nature and Art
6. Gardens at the National Air and Space Museum
Address: 600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560, USA. Located on the South side of the National Mall surrounding the National Air and Space Museum.
The landscape surrounding the National Air and Space Museum was closed for renovation of the building during my visit. For a look at the Flight Garden at the National Air & Space Museum in 2020, check out the Smithsonian Gardens Video below features a shade garden, annual displays, a meadow garden, and tropical plants.
7. Native Landscape at the National Museum of the American Indian
Address: Independence Ave SW & 4th St SW, Washington, DC 20597, USA. Located around the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
The eco-sensitive gardens of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian offer an immersive landscape experience. The garden’s natural environment recalls a landscape that existed prior to European contact, reflecting the close connection between indigenous cultures and the land.
For more photos and details, see Exploring the Native Landscape at the National Museum of the American Indian.
Note: The United States Botanic Garden is located right across the street from the Native Landscape at the National Museum of the American Indian. It is not one of the Smithsonian Gardens, but it is a must-see. Be sure to check out: A Visitor’s Guide to the United States Botanic Garden.
8. Pollinator Garden at the National Museum of Natural History
Address: 850 Madison Drive Northwest, Washington, DC 20004, USA Located on the east side of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
The Smithsonian Pollinator Garden and the National Museum of Natural History have teamed up to educate visitors about the critical importance of pollination in our world while providing actionable steps on how to help.
Previous garden visitors may remember this area as the Butterfly Habitat Garden. It was renamed the Pollinator Garden in 2016 to showcase a wider diversity of pollinators and highlight native plants for year-round interest.
To see a closer view and to learn techniques to attract pollinators to your garden, see Explore the Smithsonian Pollinator Gardens with Tips to Create Your Own.
9. Urban Bird Habitat at the National Museum of Natural History
Address: 12th Street Northwest & Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA Located on the northwest side of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
The Smithsonian Urban Bird Habitat wraps around three sides of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The garden plantings and grounds provide birds access to food, water, shelter, and a place to raise their young.
By providing for the basic habitat needs of these birds, Smithsonian Gardens hopes to preserve and promote bird diversity in the heart of the Nation’s Capital.
A closer look at the Urban Bird Habitat is included in Explore the Smithsonian Pollinator Gardens with Tips to Create Your Own.
10. The Victory Garden at the National Museum of American History
Address: 1200 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560, USA Located on the east side of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
The Smithsonian Victory Garden at the National Museum of American History is a re-created World War II-era planted with “heirloom” vegetable and flower species. The garden maintains its relevance today as the desire for high-quality organic locally grown produce is increasing demand. The Victory Garden at the National Museum of American History shows home gardeners what is possible.
For more background on the Victory Garden, see Hit and a Miss: The Victory Gardens & Common Ground.
11. The Common Ground Garden at the National Museum of American History
Address: 1300 Madison Drive Northwest, Washington, DC, USA Located in the front planters of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
The Smithsonian Common Ground: Our American Garden continues the stories of plants and their importance to the American people.
For more about the Common Ground gardens, see Hit and a Miss: The Victory Gardens & Common Ground.
12. The Landscape at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Address: 1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560 Located at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture offers broad, sweeping paths and open views. The plantings are layered with trees native to the Southeast.
13. Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum
Address: 8th St NW & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States Located in the courtyard in between the American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery (10 minutes north of the National Mall).
The Kogod Garden Courtyard is the signature element joining the north wing of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the south wing of the National Portrait Gallery. A massive glass and steel canopy encloses the 28,000 square-foot space that lets in natural light while maintaining a temperate courtyard garden. The architecture steals the show, but it is definitely worth the walk to see the gardens under the canopy.
For a closer look at the gardens, see The Stunning Kogod Courtyard Garden
Other Smithsonian Gardens in Washington D.C.
Anacostia Community Museum Landscape
Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl SE, Washington, DC 20020. This garden was designed to protect the waterways and restore native habitat with plants native to the area while providing food and shelter for native birds, insects, and other animals.
Gardens at the National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008. The zoo is located on 163 acres and displays thousands of plants. The zoo was designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), who created an expansive landscaped setting for the animals. It is the oldest zoo in the United States and is FREE to visit.
More Resources for the Smithsonian Gardens
Visit the Smithsonian Garden’s Website.
Read about the Smithsonian Gardens in this well-researched book with over 160 color photographs A Guide to Smithsonian Gardens by Carole Ottesen.
This video by the Smithsonian Garden Institute gives a 2-minute inspiring Intro to the Smithsonian Gardens, National Mall.
Subscribe to the Smithsonian Gardens Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter
Visitors Guide to the Smithsonian Gardens in Washington D.C.
How to Best Experience the Gardens
The Gardens are meant to complement the museums that they surround. Enjoying the museum inside and then the “living museum” outside elevates the experience of both.
If you are short on time and can only visit a few gardens, I suggest seeing the cluster of gardens around the Smithsonian Castle. They are some of the most spectacular and all within a few minutes walk of each other. These include the Freer Courtyard Gardens, the Enid A. Haupt Garden, the Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden, the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden, and the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden.
Parking at the Gardens
There is no dedicated parking for the gardens and very limited on-street parking. You can book guaranteed parking in nearby garages in advance with ParkWhiz, but public transportation is your best bet. View a map of the closest Metro stations.
Smithsonian Garden Hours and Admission
Admission to all the gardens is FREE! Most are open from dawn until dusk. A few close with the museum (such as the Kogod Courtyard and the Freer Courtyard), or are gated and have regular hours (such as the Enid A. Haupt).
Where to Eat Near the Gardens
The best Smithsonian cafes are highlighted below.
Mitsitam Cafe
The National Museum of the American Indian cafe, Mitsitam, means “Let’s eat!” Enjoy the indigenous cuisines of the Americas. Five food stations—Contemporary Native; Mountains and Plains; Native Comfort; Oceans, Sea, and Streams; and The Three Sisters use ingredients and flavors found in both traditional and contemporary dishes. Cafeteria style with a gorgeous view of cascading water. Entrance to the museum is free.
4th Street and Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC, 20560. Inside the National Museum of the American. Open daily 11 AM–4 PM
Sweet Home Cafe
Located in the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Sweet Home Cafe showcases the rich culture and history of the African American people with traditional, authentic offerings as well as present-day food traditions.
1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20560. Inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture. 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (opens at noon on Monday).
Dolcezza
Dolcezza is a destination coffee stop in the Hirshhorn museum lobby. Come for locally sourced and handcrafted gelato, specialty espresso drinks, and gourmet pastries. Admire the stunning contemporary setting designed by world-renowned artist Hiroshi Sugimoto.
Independence Ave SW &, 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20560 Free to enter the museum and lobby.
If you want a more upscale experience outside the Smithsonian Museums, try these highly-rated restaurants. All north of the National Mall, within walking distance of the Kogod Courtyard Gardens.
Central Michel Richard
Central Michel Richard is an American Bistro with a French Accent. Highly rated Washington DC restaurant for lunch and dinner. Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan, and Gluten Free Options.
1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC, 20004-2505. 11:30 am -10:30 pm Mon-Fri, weekend hours vary.
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
Recipient of the Travelers’ Choice Award 2022. The Beaux-Arts style façade invites guests into a space featuring two levels of dining, expansive bars, and soaring wine displays. Fogo elevates the cooking technique of churrasco – the art of roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame – into a cultural dining experience. Gluten-Free Options. Lunch, Brunch, and Dinner.
1101 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC, 20004-2514 Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 am – 2:30 pm; Dinner Mon-Fri 5 pm-10:00 pm. Weekend hours differ.
Rasika
Rasika the “Best of the Best” Travelers Choice Award in 2022. Enjoy Indian food that is Vegetarian-friendly, and has Vegan and Gluten Free Options. Open for Lunch, Dinner, and Late Night Dining.
633 D St NW, Washington DC, 20004-2904. Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2:30 pm; Dinner 5 pm-9 pm Mon-Fri; Weekend hours differ.
Where to Stay in Washington D.C.
The following suggestions are centrally located and within walking distance of the Kogod Courtyard and the Smithsonian Gardens on the National Mall.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC
A Conde Nast Readers Choice Award winner in 2021. Centrally located Penn Quarter hotel — a beautiful juxtaposition between old and new elegance-meets-whimsy style.
700 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004.
Riggs Washington DC
Recognized as the Best Hotel in Washington, D.C. in the World in the Travel + Leisure 2022 World’s Best Awards. Located in the historic former Riggs National Bank building, details throughout the hotel draw on a narrative inspired by the golden age of banking.
900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004.
Motto by Hilton Washington DC
Uniquely urban hotel featuring smart tech with a smaller, more efficient footprint in travel-sized rooms. Across the street from Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro station with links to Reagan National Airport.
627 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001.
Author’s Note: My recommendations are not sponsored; they are my personal experience or researched suggestions.
Other Gardens in Washington D.C.
The United States Botanical Garden
One of the top botanical gardens in the U.S., the United States Botanic Garden is the oldest continuously operating botanic garden in the United States. A fascinating journey through the connected glasshouses will take you from the tropics to the deserts, then outdoors to beautiful gardens of local plants. See A Visitor’s Guide to the United States Botanic Garden for more details.
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