doing DC: the U.S. botanic garden

Did you know you could visit the jungle, desert and view 5,000 types of orchids all in one day at one place in the Capitol? D.C.'s really great for things like that, and a trip to the U.S. Botanic Garden just outside of the Capitol building can bring you all of that and more.

Growing up I watched my mom spend hours and hours every weekend and nights after work in the summer playing in her flowers. Although I haven't quiet yet acquired the same appreciation for dirt under the finger nails and sweating through a shirt in the blazing sun (read - not at all) I have gained an appreciation for beautiful flowers and the talent it takes to grow them and nurture them into living.

Needless to say, I enjoyed my time there sending pictures to my mom saying "Next time you come we have to come here because you'll love it!"

Getting to the Garden is easy. Take the Orange/Silver/Blue line to Federal Central SW metro stop and follow it along Third Street SW for two blocks, cross Independence Avenue and continue one more block to Maryland Avenue. Look toward the Capitol and you will see the glass dome of the Conservatory. The Conservatory entrance is on Maryland Avenue. The Conservatory is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. while the National Garden (the outside part of the Conservatory) is open until 7 p.m.. 

*all images taken by me with my trusty iPhone