Situated right near the city line is one of D.C.’s best-kept secrets: a stunning aquatic garden.
The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens—deemed a “hidden gem” by the National Park Service (NPS)—has a variety of beautiful flowers, greenery, and wildlife—and it’s about to be the best time to visit!
The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens’ “2023 Lotus and Water Lily Festival” is running from Saturday, July 15 through Saturday, July 22.
“The festival will feature eight days of cultural performances, classes, ranger programming, and more!” the NPS wrote in a press release. “Each day of the festival will feature a different theme and will highlight the different perspectives that make of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens beautiful.”
The gorgeous garden nestled within Anacostia Park is always serene, but it’s a true sight to behold in a city setting during July when its beautiful lotuses and water lilies hit peak bloom.
The Kenilworth Aquatic Garden traces back to 1879, when Civil War veteran Walter Shaw bought the marshy land near the Anacostia River. What began with Shaw planting his first water lilies in 1882, progressed to his daughter, L. Helen Shaw Fowler, expanding the garden with the addition of 42 ponds and additional vegetation (weeping willows, lotuses) by 1935. Over the years, Fowler created an irrigation system for the garden and cultivated more than 75 different types of water lilies and lotus flowers. Now, visitors use a series of boardwalks to wander through the gardens while preserving the land and vegetation.
“Deep within Kenilworth lies an oasis, hidden behind trees and cattails,” the NPS writes. “It’s a place where beavers build their homes and turtles sleep on logs. Lotus blooms rise from the muck and lilies sit on the water.”
Open daily at 8 a.m., the closing time varies based on the day of the week and events taking place. But get there early — parking both in lots and on the streets outside the gardens fill up fast!
You can see the full “2023 Lotus and Water Lily Festival” schedule below. For more information, please visit the NPS website.
Saturday, July 15th – Healthy Parks, Healthy People.
Event: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Special Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 16th – Asian Culture and the Lotus
Event: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Special Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday, July 17th – Ranger Day
Event: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Regular Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 18th – Birds of the Gardens
Event: 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Regular Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 19th – Kids Day
Event: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Regular Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 20th – Neighborhood Night
Event: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Special Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, July 21st – Honoring our Veterans
Event: 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Special Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 15th – Festival Grande Finale
Event: 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Special Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.