6 Gorgeous Free Gardens to Visit in D.C. This Spring

April is National Garden Month! That is the perfect inspiration for a springtime adventure exploring natural spaces.

To celebrate, I visited several free garden spots in Downtown Washington, D.C. All the gardens I explored are free and open daily.

Whether you're planning a solo stroll, a spring date, or a scenic outing with friends, these gardens offer the perfect backdrop for seasonal joy and natural beauty.

Good to know: All the gardens except the Kogod Courtyard are located along the National Mall. They make for a fun walk to get your steps in. It’s an afternoon adventure waiting for you to explore.

DC Garden Spots Video

Learn more about the DC gardens I visited in the video below.

U.S. Botanic Garden

A Living Plant Museum by the U.S. Capitol

Tour the conservatory and wander through outdoor gardens blooming with vibrant plant life. Don’t miss the iconic Bartholdi Fountain, especially as it lights up at sunset. Check out their cell phone audio tour to guide your visit.

My Adventure: Explore the conservatory with me in my YouTube Short.

Kogod Courtyard

Sunlight Garden Space in the Heart D.C.

Located inside the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum, the Kogod Courtyard features a stunning glass canopy, flowing water features, and lush greenery.

A thriving community hub, there’s always something going on in the courtyard. This garden is home to tours, events, study sessions, and remote work.

My Adventure: See the Courtyard’s garden area in my YouTube Short.

Fun fact, I was a founding member of the National Portrait Gallery’s Teen Museum Council. We hosted an evening art ball for teens, called the Paint Ball, in this Courtyard!

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

Where Art Meets Nature
A quiet escape along the National Mall, this garden offers a self-guided tour of contemporary sculptures and greenery. Grab a treat from the Pavilion Café or take in the scene by the circular fountain. It’s a lovely rest stop between museum visits.

This is my favorite garden on the National Mall. Easy bathroom access on the National Mall, refreshing breezes from the water fountain, and Jazz in the Garden events in the summer.

If you’re here in the winter, stop by for ice skating. The water fountain is turned into an ice rink for free skate and kids classes.

Enid A. Haupt Garden

Historic and Cultural Spaces
Located behind the Smithsonian Castle, this garden features three culturally inspired garden spaces:

The Parterre: Walk to the center of the Haupt Garden to see the Parterre--a formal Victorian garden intricately decorated with colorful plants in symmetrical patterns. This Victorian garden was placed in front of the Smithsonian Castle to reflect its historic style.

See the Parterre: Watch my YouTube Short to get a look at this Victorian garden.

The Fountain Garden: Enjoy the Fountain Garden next to the National Museum of African Art. The Moors' 13th-century Court of Lions in the Alhambra Palace and Islamic garden design were the inspirations for this geometric water-centric garden.

The Moongate Garden: Stroll through the National Museum of Asian Art's Moongate Garden. This garden is inspired by the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and Chinese culture.

Smithsonian Gardens says,

“The Haupt Garden’s design brings together the cultures and architecture of the surrounding museums and buildings.”

Bonus: Recharge your devices at the garden’s solar-powered charging stations!

Smithsonian Pollinator Garden

Educational Walkthrough Garden
Learn all about pollination while walking the garden path beside the National Museum of Natural History. Fun fact, all of the plant life was selected to nourish and protect pollinating insects.

Mary Livingston Ripley Garden

Peaceful Garden Blooming with Life
Wander into a fragrant garden next to the Hirshhorn Museum. It’s rich in sensory experiences. Inviting scents, colorful blooms, curved pathways, and peaceful water fountains make this a hidden oasis on the National Mall.

Smithsonian Gardens says,

“The garden’s ‘goal’ is to expose visitors to a wide variety of plants and inspire people to expand their plant palette.”

There is so much to explore. You can really get a close up view at all the blooming plants. Flower beds are raised to eye level, nature baskets hang from above, and information plaques share insights on the plant life.

Final Thoughts

This is just a taste of all the free natural spaces around Washington, D.C. Visiting gardens is a rejuvenating way to enjoy spring in the city.

I loved visiting all of these gardens and highly recommend them for your next spring adventure.

Planning a spring day in D.C.?
Save this guide for your next sunny weekend—and don’t forget to pack your favorite drink for the stroll!

Originally posted on alexisrenaemedia.com in 2023. Updated for Explore by Lexi readers in 2025.