Absolutely gorgeous gardens and the best part is that admission is completely free…read more Rain or shine, the gardens were stunning and exceptionally well maintained. We were impressed by the variety of plant collections, some of which rivaled gardens we had previously paid admission to visit. Parking was free and we chose to park at the Visitor Center. However, those planning to visit the Butterfly Experience should park closer to the Conservatory, as the walk between the two was fairly substantial. The map was detailed and pathways were well maintained, making the grounds accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. We purchased tickets for the Butterfly Experience and check in was quick and seamless. I did find the additional $2 service charge unfortunate, especially since there was no option to purchase tickets in person. Thankfully, staff were flexible with entry timing. The volunteers were incredibly kind and guided visitors through the double door system efficiently. Inside, butterflies freely flew around the conservatory and many rested on the ground, so we had to stay mindful of where we stepped. I especially appreciated the bulletin board displaying all the butterfly species currently housed inside. The Children's Garden was relatively small but wonderfully colorful and dense with greenery. The vibrant artwork throughout added a whimsical charm that made the area feel playful and inviting. Nearby, the Winter Garden and Camellia Garden were similarly well maintained, though neither was particularly abundant in blooms during our visit. I still appreciated the many art installations scattered throughout the surrounding trails. The Fragrance Garden absolutely lived up to its name and ended up being one of my favorite sections. Beyond the floral aromas surrounding the garden, the entire area felt incredibly serene and the air itself felt remarkably fresh and crisp. The Japanese Tea House was beautifully simplistic, featuring plain wooden benches along the exterior while overlooking still water framed by lush Japanese trees. The Anderson Pavilion offered a similar tranquil atmosphere on the opposite side of the Visitor Center, though surrounded by a different collection of trees and landscaping. The Visitor Center contained a small gift shop, though I did not notice many customized or particularly memorable souvenirs. The building otherwise seemed primarily dedicated to educational programming and exhibits. The grounds were incredibly well maintained and there was an impressive variety of gardens to explore and interact with. While I found the Butterfly Experience somewhat expensive, it would absolutely be worthwhile for those who have never visited an active conservatory before. Otherwise, the free portions of Brookside Gardens alone make this an easy and worthwhile stop for anyone in the area.

This is a lovely park and served as a great alternative to going downtown to see the cherry…read moreblossoms. They have areas to sit with various views of the lake. Dogs are not allowed unless they are service animals. There are centers on the premises that have bathrooms in addition to events and programs they give yearly.

I found this place by randomly zooming in on Google Maps! TikTok kept recommending all the popular…read morespots in D.C., but this turned out to be a true hidden gem. I loved exploring the different artifacts and seeing how they represent cultures from various time periods around the world. The exhibits are incredibly unique, diverse, and thoughtfully displayed. It may not look like much from the outside, but once you step in, you'll be surprised by how spacious it is. Definitely worth a visit! Your friendly neighborhood museum, with items you wouldn't expect to see. All the items are incredibly beautiful!

I purposely visited recently (winter season) because entrance to the gardens is free, otherwise…read moreit's $15. The gardens are interesting even in the cold months. The couple most closely associated with this Georgetown estate, Mildred and Robert Bliss, clearly loved and thought deeply about this parcel of land when they owned it (1920/30's). Their efforts to preserve and share the space with the public are to be commended. It must have been quite something in its heyday. There's a lot of research that's supported here, as well as other activities. The website explains all that. It's a low-key sightseeing spot; quiet, contemplative.

The downspouts in the back of my yard had no run from their termination points, and the one that…read moredid collapsed a few weeks ago. I contacted Nature's Friends to sort out my issues and Cliff was over at my house in no time. He talked through any prior water retention issues I had, and came up with a plan to future proof our house from any flooding that could happen with big storms. The crew were back out within a few days and executed the plan as Cliff specified. The laborers placed one of the pop-ups a little too close to the house, and without any intervention, the day-of-supervisor spoke with me to let me know they would extend it according to plan, and corrected everything. They also replaced my sump pump, which was not the easiest thing due to a seized grate closure (see pics), and at a fraction of the price quoted by plumbers. I was really impressed with how quick everything was completed, and for a job like this (digging long trenches to run PVC), my yard looks nearly immaculate. They gave me instructions to heal the grass patches so my lawn would look as it did before in no time. After the work was done, Cliff reached out to make sure all was working well when it rained. I highly recommend reaching out to Nature's Friend for any of your needs -- you can tell they really care about their customers, and I will be reaching out to them for any future landscaping needs.

Very prompt in responding and kept us in the loop for all decisions and details. Highly recommend.read more

This is a remarkable museum in suburban Washington DC. . It was owned and donated by Marjorie…read moreMerriweather Post, at one time the richest woman is America. She was married to a diplomat stationed in Moscow just after the Russian Revolution. The revolutionaries were selling tsarist treasures to fund their new communist government, so she helped herself to some magnificent pieces. So also did she collect French pieces from the high royalty days. Room after beautiful room is filled with exquisite paintings, dishware, flatware, furniture and artifacts. Entrance is free, parking is a breeze, a dining room is available.

Hillwood estate, museum & Garden was a wonderful place to spend an afternoon…read morewith friends.  We enjoyed our guided tour of the house which is absolutely filled with Marjorie Post's collections of art, ceramics, jewelry and so much more.  There was no way our guide could do more than touch upon some of the treasures, including the famous Imperial Faberge eggs.  And, despite exploring some more on our own afterwards, there would be plenty more to see on a return trip.  The grounds are also full of beauty with multiple flourishing beds of colorful flowers and a greenhouse full of many, manynkinds of orchids.  When it's time to relax, the café is there with a delightful tea service, consisting of your choice of tea accompanied by numerous sandwiches and sweets.  The service was very helpful and having such a tasty treat on the patio was a great way to spend some really nice time with friends.

This place is fantastic!…read more So, I only have a 5' x 9' balcony in my condo in Bethesda on which to garden. In April, I had started some herbs, morning glories, and a San Marzano from seed. They seemed to be really liking the morning, Eastern-facing sunlight they've been provided with, since moving them outside mid-May. To this IPO of a garden, I wanted to add a "pollinator planter". I did a quick search for garden centers in the area, and American Plant popped right up. I made a note in my daily planner to visit, and I'm so glad I did. They made finding what I was looking for so easy! On display was a list of all the native pollinators, categorized by season, and how much light/shade they require. I picked up a coneflower, verbena, aster, bronze fennel, and a New Guinea impatient for good measure, + a 17" terra-cotta planter for about a hundred dollars...insane. Everything looked very healthy, the staff was pleasant/helpful, and it was definitely affordable. Gardening is okay as addictions go, right? You could go to one of those mega-stores (you know what I'm talking about), but they won't have any native species, a helpful staff, and you won't save any money. Do yourself a favor, and plan a trip to American Plant. Maybe I'll see ya there!

Great plant selection, outdoor landscaping equipment, trees and knowledgeable staff!…read more Pretty much you can find all things gardening, landscaping at this nursery. If you can't find it here, then it probably should not be in your garden. From the painted pots to the abundance of healthy and beautiful plants, this nursery is awesome. I came here looking for a few items for a landscaping project at my home and found everything I needed. The staff is super helpful and will go out of their way to get you the answers or whatever else you need. Prepare to spend a lot of time looking at the best selection of healthy, well taken care of plants in DMV...imho. If you need an idea of what to do in your outdoor space, this Nursery is the answer. Staff is so helpful and great to talk with! Highly recommend this place!

Gorgeous atmosphere and close to walking trails. Perfect for a fall day. Lots of parking and you…read morecan visit the cathedral as well

Bishop's Garden is part of the 59-acres around the National Cathedral in Northwest D.C. When we…read moredrive from Southeast D.C., we usually find two-hour parking on 34th Street NW. It's then about a 7-minute walk to the Bishop's Garden. The garden itself is right next to the cathedral, the third-largest church building in the country with beautiful Gothic Revival architecture. There are several entry points into the garden. Once inside, it transports you to a different world. There are flower beds, fountains, open grass, benches and a gazebo in the garden. A few benches are under shade and the gazebo with open windows is a great place to rest. During the day you can see families picnicking on the open grass on the west end of the garden. Behind the garden is a statue of George Washington on horseback. When facing the statue, there's a stone path leading through the Olmsted Woods with more benches and an amphitheater.

Great guy, hard working and affordable pricing. Used for fall lawn treatment. Will be using again.read more

I am so terribly unhappy. I have a horrible situation where my entire yard needs to be completely…read moreexcavated and I will then need to replace it and I will need a landscape design. It's actually a fairly small yard. It's not that big of a deal really Jon came out. He was late, but he came and now 67 weeks later. Still don't have an estimate. Yes I've texted him numerous times every time he says Yep, he'll have it to me next week. Yeah you'll have it to me this week. Yes it's coming and it never comes. It never ever comes so. It's just so sad because I did really like him when I met him and I do not have a very good good experiences history with contractors and I thought he was different but of course I think every single person I hire is different right I'm just a complete fool. I do not recommend this company. Maybe if you know you have $150,000 job maybe you'll get better attention I don't know.

I liked this place. Very helpful staff. Good layout and organization with ample parking. I bought…read moreseveral items.

Awesome store for anything you'd need for plants. Parking can get tight when it's busy, but they…read morehad someone directing traffic to help move things along. This is huge as the intersection right outside can get super busy and cramped. We bought a nice plant here, and after a few months, it's still doing great. They had both outdoor and indoor plants available

Amazing communication and service. They were very detailed and structured in their process,…read morecommunication and services. I wish others did the same. I'd totally use them again and highly recommend them!

They didn't just create a garden--they nurtured a legacy. From the first consultation, Love &…read moreCarrots approached our home with heart, care, and creativity. They listened. They understood what we needed. What emerged wasn't just an installation--it was a soulful beautifully organized transformation. Our backyard now bursts with joy: vibrant tomatoes, lush kale, fragrant herbs, and even bees that gift us fresh honey. But the most beautiful bloom? My 85-year-old mother's radiant smile. Her biweekly garden sessions bring her peace, presence, and purpose. They even installed two gorgeous rain gardens--eco-beauty with intention. Every element was tailored with excellence. If you're thinking about Love & Carrots--don't hesitate. They are not just gardeners. They are healers of homes and stewards of joy. The value of their service is worth their weight in gold. With gratitude, Erica J.