Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Lotus Bloom at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington DC

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Summer is a great time to visit the Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens. The gardens are located just off Kenilworth Avenue in Northeast DC. Itโ€™s just a short drive from downtown, so prepare to drive or take an Uber.

Additionally the gardens are easily accessible by bike via the Anacostia River Trail.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Lotus Flower Inside
Blooming lotus flower at Kenilworth Gardens

Youโ€™ll see plenty of insects and wildlife, including dragonflies, turtles, herons and ducks. The gardens contain over 30 acres of ponds and wetlands.

The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are free to visit year-round, just be sure to get there early; on busy days the parking lot fills up quickly.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens on Google Maps
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Wooden Walkway
Wooden walkway through the marsh at Kenilworth Gardens

In addition to the main lotus ponds youโ€™ll also find a short wooden walking path over the marsh. This is a great spot for bird watching as well so be sure to bring binoculars if you have them.


Photos of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in DC

Here are all of my photos from my trips to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Pack a macro lens for your camera if you have one! There are plenty of close up photos you can get of the lotus bloom and the insects that land on them.


Frequently Asked Questions about Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

What are the hours of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens?

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are open from 8am to 4pm every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Yearโ€™s Day. Go to their website for more information about their hours.

When is Best Time to Visit Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens?

The Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens are famous for their Lotus flowers which usually reach peak bloom for two weeks in mid-July. This makes summer the best time to visit Kenilworth Aquatic.

What is the admission fee for Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens?

There is no admission fee to enter Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. It is free for all visitors.

Are pets allowed in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens?

Yes, pets are allowed in Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens but must remain on leash.

Can I bring food and drinks to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens?

Yes, visitors are allowed to bring food and drinks to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. However, they must dispose of their trash in the designated bins.

Are there any events or programs held at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens?

Yes, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year, including bird watching, plant identification, and gardening workshops. Check the parkโ€™s website for upcoming events.


I hope you enjoyed my guide to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens! For more information about Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens check out their official website and Yelp page.


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1 comment on โ€œLotus Bloom at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington DCโ€

  1. So much beauty comes through in your photos. I love nature photography and wildflowers. Actually all flowers, and your post just blew me away with what you were able to bring to life. It is like I am there looking at them. Great job, my favorite due to my interests. Keep inspiring us all with your great photos. Wish you could photograph my gardens. Over 30 different varieties of flowers, wildflowers and it is now Mushroom Land in the woods. Keep inspiring us all with your great photos.

Silky skies over the Reflecting Pool this morning ๐Ÿ™Œ๐ŸŒ…
Perfect sunset last night at the U.S. Capitol ๐Ÿ”ฅ
Finally made it to Lake Louise for that classic sunrise view ๐Ÿ™Œ๐ŸŒ„explorebanff travelalberta stayandwander
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A great 4th of July ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐ŸŽ†๐ŸŽ‡
Spent the whole day scouting out this spot with my buddy anthonyquintano and it all worked out in the end. Cheers to all the friends we made along the way ๐Ÿ˜‚๐ŸปShot on Canon R5 edited in Lightroom and Photoshop

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Spring is here! The Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin are long gone but I just uploaded my video photographing them at peak bloom ๐ŸŒธ๐Ÿ“ธ (YouTube link in bio). Also if you love the Cherry Blossoms as much as I do consider making a donation to the trust for thenationalmall to keep the trees healthy.Edited with Photoshop & Lightroom

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First time trying lightning photos was a success โšก๏ธ It only took 1,500 shots to get this one at the end of the night. ๐Ÿ˜‚Shoutout to heyitsboat for shooting in the rain with me, Iโ€™ll have more pictures from the night on my story.

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While the streetcar on H st might only go 12mph it feels like 100mph to me ๐Ÿ˜‚
Edited with Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom
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