Enid A Haupt Garden

Visited in the beginning of April during my visit of the National Mall. It was a gorgeous garden that was opened in 1987 and meant to bring liveliness to the Smithsonian museums. There is no fee as it is behind the tour and information building. The flowers and design of it blew my mind and the colors worked so well together. I’m glad I stopped by to have a quick pretzel at it.

There are many gardens scattered throughout all the Smithsonian Museums, and this particular one is located behind the Smithsonian Castle (basically rear courtyard) near the Freer/​Sackler Galleries and Ripley Center. Designed to basically be «museums without walls,» this beautiful garden is absolutely gorgeous in the late winter/​early spring time with its beautiful pink colored flowers blooming on all the trees planted in the garden near park benches for resting visitors. Absolutely stunning when the weather is just perfect and there is a slight breeze that you almost feel like your strolling along the path straight out of a romance movie. I can speak so much more about this, but I feel pictures will probably do it more justice so check out my photos for some of the images I captured while I was there. I can’t guarantee that its like all the time, but just know that it has the capability to wow you for sure!

What a beautiful garden! A free spot offered to the visitors and citizens of Washington, DC, and it’s located in front of the aptly nicknamed «Castle» of the Smithsonian Institute.
Interesting fact: it is actually a roof top garden. Who knew?
When I saw the gardens, it was decked out in the last remains of the Christmas finery, with vases of Holly Berries set on pedestals surrounding the sculpted grounds. I especially loved the carved Fleur de Lis.

Bottom Line: A lovely garden behind the Smithsonian Institution Building, fondly nicknamed the Castle.
Sheesh, I really need to get out more as I didn’t realize until a few weeks ago that the Smithsonian Institution Building’s backyard is a four acre garden. I was here in the winter and it was beautiful so I imagine in the warmer months it must be absolutely mesmerizing. Aside from the flora and fauna, it is also cool to know you are standing over top of underground art museums.
The Enid A Haupt Garden is actually just one of Smithsonian’s many gardens. And within the Haupt Garden there are several «sub-​gardens.» The Parterre garden, which is a formal, flat and symmetrical garden, is the crowning jewel here. Even though the Haupt garden was not created until 1987 it looks like its original to the Castle which dates back to 1855.
Something else that is worth noticing here are the huge stone and cast iron carriage gates at Independence Avenue. Although these gates were built around 1979 they are based on James Renwick Jr.‘s design (as in the Renwick Gallery).
The Haupt Gardens are easily accessible from the Smithsonian Metro Stop on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines.

Great place to hang out & rest. and enjoy the autumn flora & fauna. It’s connected to the Freer gallery or you can head back into the smithsonian castle for some food in the café.

The Haupt Garden is named for Enid Annenberg Haupt (1906 – 2005) whose name is attached to a number of gardens and other charitable works. It is located among the buildings of the Smithsonian Institution, just off the mall. In addition to a modest number of specimen plantings, it features festival seasonal displays of flowering plants. The garden is open free of charge to the public.

It’s a pretty garden. Most of the African Gallery of Art and Sakler Gallery are underneath the garden itself. As far as the garden itself — it is situated right in front of the Smithsonian Castle. The name sake of the garden is after a woman who donated 3 million dollars to the project to be completed and is to represent a mid 19^th century Victorian garden. It is filled with flowers and sculptures and gives you a fun getaway into the past. Definitely recommended for a couple of photos for wedding or engagement pictures!

Just want a beautiful getaway, visit this place. If you want a place to meditate, visit this place. If you want to list to birds, this place has it. Photographers and models can great time here, there’s a lot of beauty to capture. This place I nicely placed by the African American museum and the metro. For those of you who work nearby this location, it’s great location to eat your lunch away from the workplace.

Not as specimen plant laden as adjacent secret garden next to Space Museum but still a nice respite from heat of Summer if stay close to fountains.

Beautiful architecture. Great to just stroll through, calm atmosphere and soothing.
The garden is the SOUTH entrance in case you are walking around and trying to find the front of the castle like I was. The security guard for some reason wouldn’t tell me if I was at the back end of the castle or not, he just said SOUTH entrance. So SOUTH = Back as an FYI. The garden was beautiful, not many people were there so it was a great picture op for us!
If you enter through side, you may reach the castle front as a straight shot. There will be a café/​food place to get some snacks, soups, sandwiches inside. Some benches for a break and BATHROOMS! Inside, there are display for more info about the garden and building. Great place to take a rest after all that walking!

This is a great spot for hanging out on a sunny day. The garden is beautiful and there are many benches to sit, read a book, people watch, or eat your lunch. It’s also a great location for picture taking. The Smithsonian castle itself is a beautiful photo-​friendly goliath. The area on the left offers a zen-​like pool and sculptures. If your into botany, there are a variety of plants and flowers to marvel at. I work in the area and often come here when i need a break. It also offers access to the Arthur M. Sackler gallery where you can see some really great asian art and the African art museum. Just past the zen garden is the national mall. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, it’s worth a visit.

I love gardens. I love to look at them and enjoy them but also gather ideas for my own gardens. This garden is wonderful and has some great little surprises hidden in it if you look for it.
Beautifully cared for.
FREE!!!

By far, this is one of my favorite gardens to come and visit. There are even sections there (near the Asian Museum of Art) where you can sit outside on a bench & read. It’s peaceful and just a wonderful surrounding to be in. I always take people here first when they’re visiting the museums downtown. You should too :-)

A great place for a quick stroll, photo opportunities, or to work/​read. Maybe even a summer mini picnic (on a bench though)! Although there is open grass, no picnicking is allowed on it. However, there are benches scattered throughout the gardens. Free Wifi!
This picturesque garden is actually comprised of three gardens in Chinese, Victorian, and Moorish styles. Currently, the Moongate garden is full of magnolias (
), the formal Parterre complements the beautiful Smithsonian Castle (
), and the Fountain Garden is a quiet paradise. Unfortunately, the Fountain Garden is currently under construction.
Tours are Wednesdays 1pm May to September.
Free admission, and open dawn until dusk. Entrance is located on Independence Ave SW north of DOE/L’enfant promenade, west of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, and east of Freer and Sackler. Just look for the Smithsonian Castle.

MY SUMMER LUNCH IN THE GARDEN Was wonderful today; a Five-​star visit. «It’s a great day for a walk over to the Friday Farmers Market @ USDA,» I said to self. On my way back to DOE, I crossed 12^th street rather than Independence, only because that light was green. When I came to the west entrance between the Freer Gallery and the Sackler Museum, I could not resist turning in to walk through the Moongate Garden. It was peaceful and lovely as usual. After a few steps up the walk, I turned right and came to a most inviting shaded bench. I had to take a seat just for a moment. As soon as I opened my bag to take a bite of my Spinach-​cheddar pie from the market, the birds started chirping. The breeze was perfect. The dappled sunlight made me so happy! Soon a family walked through and agreed to take my picture (you’ll see it later on my review) and I enjoyed a few more moments of respite from my busy day.
Upon my return to DOE, I enjoyed the fruits of my walk to the Farmers Market: fresh sliced tomato, spinach-​cheddar pie, iced tea sweetened with raspberry-​flavored honey, and a fresh-​made gingersnap. Preparing this review has also provided a nice break to an otherwise busy day!

I went to this garden on a sunny spring day, seeking a nice place to sit and read. At first it looks nondescript, but once you turn the corner it’s incredibly beautiful… as a sign mentions, there are different sections of the garden with different design «themes.» All of them are nice, but I especially love the more zen-​style garden by the fountain.
From my vantage point, I could have sworn I was not in the US. Between the insanely impressive architecture and the blossoming trees, it felt very much like Europe. I was blown away by how easy an escape this little garden is… so close to everything, but quite peaceful. If you need a place to rest in the Mall and it’s a nice day– come here! The garden isn’t huge, but if you find a corner to yourself, it can feel relaxing and private.

This is a quiet little hide-​away which can rescue you from the crowds of the Smithsonian and the Mall. The garden itself is lovely, but the location and the peacefulness cannot be beat.

What a beautiful garden. Too bad it’s on the south side of the Mall where almost nobody goes on a regular day.
You get to sit behind the red façade of the Smithsonian Castle and look at all the pretty flowerbeds and green grass. I was here in March and there were tulips in perfectly planted diamond patterns. They have some neat sculptures and fountains, many of which originate from models in other countries. Plenty of trees and benches. Give yourself an hour to enjoy it thoroughly.

I followed a segway tour and it led me here. hah Hmmm. I didn’t get to walk around much, but I’d definitely do a fair share of writing in this garden if I lived around here (especially since Gayle G. says there’s wireless). Flowers were in bloom and it made me actually think that spring was, in fact, coming! And sooner than June! PS — I posted some pictures! :)
Side note: I’ve lived in Boston for 6 years and the seasons are about a million years later than everyone else. heh
The fun information stuff because I love you:
Late May to August it’s open from 7am to 9:15pm
September to Mid May it’s open from 7am to 5:45pm
Admission is free and it’s closed on December 25^th. Take the Metro stop to Smithsonian. :)

This is one of my favorite places to take a break in the spring and when the tourons are hitting the Smithsonian in full force. Only in DC would you be able to get online in a garden (the space offers free wifi connectivity).
Just step off of Independence Avenue and you’ll see the garden when you head towards the Museum of African Art and the Sackler. The garden is actually a rooftop garden above the Ripley Center. There are some really beautiful turn of the century iron furniture and vases here. And in the spring, you can just sit on a bench and smell the flowers– lots of kinds to see and sniff!
TIP: To get access to Smithsonian’s connection, associate your wireless to the SSID named «public».