U.S. Botanic Garden

One of the lesser-known attractions in the nation’s capital, the U.S. Botanic Gardens is a fantastic repository of extraordinary floral displays, especially the unusual orchids, Birds of Paradise, and a warm jungle area complete with mist and croaking frogs. It is the nation’s oldest operating public garden.

During the late 18th century, George Washington had a dream of a national botanic garden and was instrumental in establishing one on the National Mall in 1820. Washington’s letter where he wrote in support of a botanic garden in the new federal city is in the archives of the Library of Congress.

In May 1820, with the signing of a Congressional Bill by President James Madison, land was designated for the garden to the west of the Capitol Grounds, from First Street to Third Street between Pennsylvania and Maryland Avenues. The Victorian Conservatory opened to the public in 1850, and the U.S. Botanic Garden has been in continuous operation and open to the public since this date.

After being closed for the past two years, the Botanic Garden has re-opened with special new exhibits such as “Cultivate: Growing Food in a Changing World.”

Come join architectural photographer E. David Luria as he guides you through the Conservatory to do macro photography on the flowers and portrait photography in the sylvan forest.

Our safari also includes a visit to the tulip gardens of the adjoining Bartholdi Park, with its fountain sculpted by the man who crafted the Statue of Liberty, Auguste Bartholdi.