Smithsonian Gardens

Haupt Garden open daily dawn to dusk except Dec. 25; other outdoor gardens open 24 hours

Free, no passes needed

About

The many gardens that surround the Smithsonian are a “museum without walls.” All have been designed to complement the museums they border and to enhance the overall museum experience of learning, appreciation, and enjoyment. See the map of all Smithsonian Gardens.

Highlights

Gardens including a formal parterre, a pollination garden, a WWII vegetable garden, seasonal plants and more.

We encourage the use of public transportation.

Metro Station: Gardens surround our museums, please see Metro information for the museum you are visiting.

Parking

There is no public parking facility for Smithsonian museums on the National Mall. A limited number of city-operated metered parking spaces are available, including several accessible parking spaces.

View a map of accessible parking spaces.

Reserved parking near the museums can be purchased in advance through ParkWhiz.
Note: ParkWhiz is a third-party vendor (ParkWhiz Privacy Policy).

My Visit

Common Ground: Our American Garden

This exhibition shares the stories of plants and how they are important to Americans.

June 28, 2017 – Permanent

Smithsonian Gardens
My Visit

Urban Bird Habitat Garden

This garden is an oasis for many bird species; it provides for their basic needs; food, water, shelter, and a place to raise their young.

July 25, 2012 – Permanent

Smithsonian Gardens
My Visit

Native American Landscape

By recalling the natural landscape environment that existed prior to European contact, the landscape embodies the theme of returning to a Native place.

September 21, 2004 – Permanent

Smithsonian Gardens
My Visit

Victory Garden

The Victory Garden represents a typical vegetable garden planted during World War II, when growing food for home consumption was an important part of the war effort.

Spring 2001 – Permanent

Smithsonian Gardens
My Visit

Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden

Enjoy roses in a rainbow of colors, along with selected annuals, perennials, and woody plants chosen for year-round interest.

October 7, 1998 – Permanent

Smithsonian Gardens
My Visit

Pollinator Garden

Stroll along the walkways in the Pollinator Garden to see four habitats of native plants that attract a variety of colorful butterflies spring through fall.

June 30, 1995 – Permanent

Smithsonian Gardens
My Visit

Mary Livingston Ripley Garden

Meander along the unusual curvilinear serpentine walkway in the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden to view more than 200 varieties of plants.

May 25, 1988 – Permanent

Smithsonian Gardens
My Visit

Enid A. Haupt Garden

A 4.2-acre rooftop park, named for its donor, features an embroidered parterre in a geometric design of plants and flowers rotated seasonally.

May 22, 1987 – Permanent

Smithsonian Gardens
My Visit

Freer Gallery of Art: Courtyard Garden

The Courtyard Garden is an elegantly designed outdoor space that invites relaxation and quiet contemplation within the gallery.

May 9, 1923 – Permanent

Smithsonian Gardens