National Gallery of Art – Sculpture Garden Walk I Trail Cooking

I had last been to Washington, D.C., back in 2003, so there was a lot to see on the day we went there this week. If you are walking in D.C., it is easy to see more things that you might not know exist versus being in a vehicle. I had a loosely knit schedule for us to follow – and things to see, but mostly it was a walking day. I wanted all three boys to see the Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the Mall.

We were heading along the edge of The Mall below Capitol Hill when Walker asked me about the National Gallery of Art and how he’d like to see it, as we walked by. We agreed to see it on the next visit to D.C., just the two of us. Taking the MARC train into D.C. is so easy—and affordable—so why not plan multiple trips?

But then we saw the National Gallery of Art – Sculpture Garden, and we had to walk in and check it out.

It is free to enjoy, and is open every day, 10 am to 5 pm.

The entrances are located off Constitution Avenue, at the corner of 7th Street and just before the sidewalk crosses over 9th Street.

Just wander in and enjoy both the gardens and the works of art.

I am sure that this piece is a magnet for young children who must be told to stay off.

One of my favorite pieces. It’s an optical illusion in some ways (and there’s another piece that really trips the eyes just beyond).

The garden was crowded at times, but mostly it was large school groups running kids through it quickly. Then it was quiet.

Made of stainless Steel and concrete, the tree was my favorite sculpture there.

The garden features a cafe at the end, making it a lovely spot to sit. The prices at the cafes in the National Art Museum are reasonable.

But the real charmer is to sit at the fountain inside the garden and just be. In the shade, the marble benches provide a cool respite. People watching, and the many ducks, will entertain you.

And I didn’t know, but in winter the fountain becomes an ice rink. Cool indeed.

~Sarah