Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Washington DC
The only aquatic gardens managed by the National Park Service in the country is a marvelous off-the-beaten-path destination in D.C.
The only aquatic gardens managed by the National Park Service in the country is a marvelous off-the-beaten-path destination in D.C. The Kenilworth marsh is all that remains of the vast marshlands that once covered the riverbanks of the Anacostia (before being dredged for development), and is the only place where you can really imagine the District before it became America's capital. The prime attraction are the cultivated ponds, full of waterlilies, but it's also a worthy destination for the riverfront trail, greenhouses, and birdwatching. The best time to visit is without a doubt on an early summer morning, when the waterlilies are in full bloom. Free summer garden tours are available Sa-Su 9AM & 11AM (Memorial Day-Labor Day).
Hours
Sun
8:00
16:00
Mon
8:00
16:00
Tue
8:00
16:00
Wed
8:00
16:00
Thu
8:00
16:00
Fri
8:00
16:00
Sat
8:00
16:00
About Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
1550 Anacostia Ave NE, Washington, DC 20019, USA
+1 202-692-6080
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and Nearby Sights on Map
The Big Chair
The Big Chair is Anacostia's most recognized landmark, and it sits right in downtown Anacostia on MLK Jr Ave
National Arboretum
This is the biggest hidden gem of the city (quite literally)
Gallaudet University
Gallaudet is the nation's and the world's first university for the deaf, and remains the world's only university where all classes and services are tailored to the needs of the hearing-impaired
Blair House
The Blair House was built in 1824 for Surgeon General Dr
Mount St Sepulchre Franciscan Monastery
This monastery is an odd one
Congressional Cemetery
All sorts of notables from American history found their final resting place here, from composer John Sousa to FBI founder J
National Shrine
This massive, stunning Catholic Basilica is not only the perfect place for any American Catholic to make a pilgrimage; people of any faith will be in awe when they see the sheer size of this church
National Postal Museum
The Smithsonian's own philatelist Shangri-La has one of the world's largest collections of rare stamps, as well as exhibitions of how mail has been delivered throughout history, and other ways that the mail shapes culture
Supreme Court
The awe-inspiring Neoclassical Supreme Court Building is the seat of the hallowed institution of the Supreme Court of the United States and the nerve center of the Judicial Branch of government
Mount Vernon Square
This mammoth square, which causes all sorts of disastrous navigational problems for motorists unfamiliar with the intricacies of New York and Massachusetts Avenues, is dominated by one beautiful and similarly mammoth Beaux-Arts building at its center