United States Botanic Garden

One of the oldest botanic gardens in North America, established by Congress in 1820 and sitting at the foot of Capitol Hill. The Lord and Burnham conservatory of 1933 contains a jungle room with a catwalk under the glass roof, desert, orchid and Hawaiian rooms and a collection of rare plants. Outside, the National Garden and Bartholdi Park with its 1876 fountain are pleasant places to sit with the Capitol dome in view. Free, no ticket needed, and a good rain or heat refuge within two minutes of the Capitol Reflecting Pool.