Bartholdi Park

Bottom Line: A quaint corner park with lovely landscaping but the Bartholdi Fountain steals the show!
It is the summer 1876 and the Centennial International Exhibition, better known as the first World’s Fair, is taking place in Philadelphia. Some totally awesome inventions were on display like typewriters, sewing machines, guns, pneumatic tools and the first telephone. Also on exhibit were some less pragmatic, although culturally significant, items — statuary from a 42-​year-​old French sculpture named Auguste Bartholdi. Bartholdi displayed one of his designs in process, an arm holding a torch for his piece entitled «Liberty Enlightening the World» (better known as the Statue of Liberty) and a completed work entitled «Fountain of Light and Water» (now known as the Bartholdi Fountain).
Upon conclusion of the Exhibition, Bartholdi offered the Fountain of Light and Water for sale for $ 12,000 but it didn’t sell. Subsequently, the United States offered Bartholdi $ 6,000 (about $ 117,000 in today’s money) for it. A deal was made and the fountain was placed in front of the United States Capital building. Later, about the time the current day US Botanical Gardens were being built, the Bartholdi Fountain was relocated to its present location.
Since electricity did not debut at the World’s Fair for another two decades, the «light» part of the The Fountain of Light and Water consisted of gas lamps. Later, these gas lamps were converted to electric lamps. Moreover, the United States has done a great job of maintaining this great bronze work of art and keeping the three 140 year old classical ladies looking as eloquent and romantic as they did in 1876.
Not only do I think the fountain and statue is breathtaking, but I think its fitting that one of Bartholdi’s designs sits near the Capital as I understand that he greatly admired America’s democracy.
Although I think Bartholdi Park is worth visiting any time of year, it is probably best visited in the warmer months when the water is flowing on the fountains. Like other fountains in DC, the Bartholdi Fountain is drained for the winter, probably to protect the pipes and artwork from freezing.
The closest Metro stop to Bartholdi Park is Federal Center SW on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines. Another Unilocaler or two noted, with so many Govenrment buildings nearby, this is a popular spot for an outdoor lunch. If you didn’t brown bag it, there is a Pot Belly Sandwich Shop and Starbuck’s nearby by the entrance to the Metro station.

What a fantastic little park! A true hidden gem right across the street from the Botanic Garden.
There is a running fountain in the middle with some benches and reclining chairs around. It’s beautiful and peaceful, and reminded me of my favorite hidden gardens in European cities.

I love this fountain and park so much. A little historical knowledge about the fountain is pretty interesting. For starters, the creator of the fountain, F.A. Bartholdi, was the same man who designed the Statue of Liberty later on in his career. The fountain itself was created specifically for the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia also known as the World’s Fair… this was the first world’s fair ever held on the 100^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Moving forward 100 years, Bartholdi created this beautiful creation with the intention of selling it at the fair. Unfortunately there were no takers. No one wanted to pay the asking price of $ 12,000 that he was asking for. It wasn’t until a year later that Congress bought it off him for half of the asking price for $ 6,000. It was placed on the lawn of the Capitol and considered a very modernistic fountain for its time. It was very beautifully lit at night during the Victorian era. Very romantic, and often frequented by couples during the 1880s. The fountain was illuminated by gas lamps that were later converted into electric lamps in the early part of the 20^th century.
It wasn’t moved to its current location beside the United States Botanic Garden until 1932. Since then it has been restored in 2008 – 2011, and has been updated with modern pumps and lighting that is more energy efficient for the time.
I come here often. It is a lovely place to reflect and relax. You see many couples come here get their pictures taken for engagement or wedding photos. It is a little random where it is placed because it is not on the main side of the Botanic Gardens, but it is not far away from it. It is located more on the backside of the Gardens. with an exit from the Botanic Gardens to the Bartholdi Park. The park itself has ample bench seating, and tons of flower beds with different types of flowers surrounding it with the name of the flowers that encompass the park.
I learned all the history of the park when I was a DC tour guide. I hope you come and enjoy the visit here. It truly is lovely, and in my opinion overlooked.

Come and enjoy a nice stroll through the gardens to your lunch time its relaxing.
It’s a great place to refresh and go back to work.

This is the best park in Washington, DC. It has my favorite fountain, which I have nicknamed «Favorite Fountain» (I’m not very creative). In the spring it is full of bees and butterflies. It’s located right next to the Capitol and is adjacent to the US Botanical Gardens. The best way to visit is to cycle over, or to walk from the Mall/​Botanical Gardens. It’s just a perfect place to relax.

Wonderful little nooks to relax, and give your feet a rest. May be wonderful around dusk with a glass of wine :)

I ate lunch here every single day last summer when I was in DC. Bartholdi Park is absolutely gorgeous, and the staff are extremely nice. You can sit near the fountain in the middle of the park, or under a shade tree off near the sides of the garden. It’s the perfect escape from hectic city life, and also right across the street from the US Botanic Garden

What a hidden gem in downtown DC!
Located across the street from the Botanical Gardens and a block or so from the Capitol, this small garden is an oasis for federal workers on lunch break, smoke break, or any other type of sanity break.
It is walking distance from NASA, HUD, SBA, DHHS, FEMA, and many more offices. During the warmer months, federal employees empty out into the garden to enjoy lunch at one of its many sets of tables and chairs tucked throughout the garden.
In the center is a giant (and gorgeous) fountain. It runs constantly and provides a fresh air/​breeze to the immediate area. If you can’t manage to snag an actual table and chair, there are many benches hidden throughout the shrubbery.
The absolute best part, however, is that no tourist bothers to come in ever! They are so consumed with the Capitol or the National Mall, that this little oasis seems to fall by the wayside. Fine by me — more peacefulness to share!

The beautiful Park is the home home to an amazing fountian and garden landscaping that houses the National Botanic Garden and Capital in iits line of sight

Bartholdi Park is located just across the street from the U.S. Botanic Garden and is currently still undergoing renovation on the main area containing the fountain. Based on the only other reviews of this place it seems this has been going on for quite some time, with no visible progress. This is unfortunate as the old photos I’ve seen are stunning, and would make for a very relaxing evening getaway for folks working on the Hill.
As it stands presently you can still stroll around the perimeter of the park and view some of the English style gardens, which are actually still pretty stunning when in full bloom as they were when I saw them. The iris blooms are some of the largest I’ve seen, many so large the plants are actually toppling over, and they had a very rare black iris which was simply amazing to see. The back portion of the park is still closed off though, so you’re really limited to less than half of it as being visible.
I would really love to rate this park higher, and I think had I not come here and seen that it’s progress has been stalled for 3 years I would have, but I just can’t really recommend it as a destination to anyone other than folks leaving the Botanic Gardens until they complete the fountain restoration and open up the rest of the space.
As an aside, it’s been noted a lot recently (although not nearly enough) in popular media the rapid decline of the bee population in America and worldwide, and if anyone thinks it’s a myth and wants verification all you need to do is go to a large outdoor area like this with lots of flowering plants and have a look around. I saw at most 3 bees (
) over the entire spread, and I’m the kind of person who is definitely looking closely so that I get the best pictures possible. Now that the cold weather is gone I would have expected a significantly higher number, and this is indeed disconcerting not only as a plant lover but someone who understands the repercussions this will have on all of us if this trend continues.

Note: Fountain under rennovation… so pardon the construction. Plants are still viewable and the park is still open all the same, complete with at least one Cap Police car.
Variety of species of both perennials and annuals including trees, shrubs and grasses.
Benches and tables for reading, etc. A few steps here and there but otherwise flat.
Quaint views of the Botanic Garden Greenhouse, CapBldg, House Bldg and Native American Museum.
Tiny, but large enough for a nice stroll if you take the time to notice the variety of species, arrangements, seasonal changes, etc.
I believe it is technically closed at dark, though I’ve biked around before after sundown and spotted mallards in the fountain.

Sample take: «It also looks like a great place to come if want to get ideas for your landscaping project.»
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This is one of those little gems tucked away off of the Mall. You could pass it by this time of year and not even notice it. It’s right across the street from the Conservatory of the U.S. Botanic Garden on the Independence Avenue (south) side of the Capitol.
I don’t think it’s more than half an acre in size. At this time of year there’s no water coming out of the fountain, and most of the plants are dormant. In the spring and summer you’ll see the many benches filled at lunch time with office brown baggers enjoying some sun and fresh air.
The focal point is a nineteenth century fountain that was renovated last year, the statue having been restored by a metal works company in Alabama. It also looks like a great place to come if want to get ideas for your landscaping project. The park has a modest rock garden that might be reproducible in your yard. A sign promises the appearance of Bukhara tulips from Afghanistan in the spring.
Summer out-​of-​town guests might find it a welcome respite – dipping their feet in the fountain – after trekking from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol. It’s a convenient walk from there to Capitol South if you put them on the Metro.