Seasons Greenings at the U.S. Botanic Garden: A Holiday Tradition in Washington, DC
My (second) most favorite time of year has arrived in Washington DC – “Season’s Greenings” at the U.S. Botanic Garden! While I think the botanic garden is beautiful any time of year, it is especially gorgeous when transformed into the ultimate holiday wonderland. For over a month between Thanksgiving and after the new year they really go above and beyond, with outdoor trains whizzing through whimsical displays and the indoor conservatory filled with thousands of poinsettias, models famous DC landmarks and other holiday decor.
Even though it’s now one of my most favorite events of the Christmas holidays, I’ll be honest that we didn’t start going as a family until we started hosting exchange students over 12 years ago. Most likely because we were busy doing so many other things that we never took time to appreciate what was in our backyard. But then we started looking for more local things to share with our exchange students as they experienced their first American Christmas and now it just doesn’t feel like Christmas unless we go!
PLAN YOUR VISIT:
Where: U.S. Botanic Garden, Washington, DC
When: Late November through early January
Admission: Free
How long to allow: About 1–2 hours
Jacki’s Tip: Seasons Greenings is a popular holiday tradition, so expect larger crowds on weekends and closer to Christmas. If you can, visit on a weekday and give yourself time to explore the rest of the Conservatory while you’re there.
Please Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Jacki Goes Places!
Outdoor Model Train Display
The yearly model train display is always one of the main attractions at Seasons Greenings—and for good reason!
Before COVID, the trains were set up inside the U.S. Botanic Garden. That was great because it meant they could run no matter what the weather was doing outside. The downside? The lines. They would routinely snake through the building, out the doors, around the building and sometimes even down the street. If you were unlucky enough to visit at a busy time, you could easily wait more than an hour just to see the trains.
When the Botanic Garden reopened after the pandemic, they moved the train display outside to help with social distancing, and it turned out to be a great idea. There’s more room to spread out, you can wander through the display at your own pace and those incredibly long lines are a thing of the past.
We have even managed to convince my dad to come along with us! He’s a huge model train enthusiast with several train displays set up in my parents’ basement, but indoor crowds aren’t really his thing. Moving the trains outside meant he could finally come see Seasons Greenings with us—and, as you can probably imagine, the trains were definitely his favorite part.
The massive outdoor G-gauge train display changes themes each year, with trains winding their way across bridges and through incredibly detailed scenes. I’ve enjoyed all of the different themes over the years, but my favorite so far has to be last year’s dinosaurs.
I mean, let’s be real. Dinosaurs are cool, and photographing dinosaurs with the Capitol dome in the background is pretty iconic.
UPDATE FOR 2026: This year’s theme is National Parks and Historic Places, which I am super excited about! The Botanic Garden will stay open late until 8pm on December 8, 10, 15 ,17, 22 and 29 with live music.
Landmarks and Monuments of Washington DC
Showcased in the main court of the Botanic Garden is a beautiful display of famous DC landmarks and monuments made entirely out of plant materials. The detail and artistry of each piece is absolutely incredible. Each time I see them I think of the time put in to creating these little masterpieces. And the never-ending patience! Two years ago my daughter bought me a tiny kitchen model to assemble I practically gave up before I even started.
Don’t just stop long enough to take a photo or two of each display. Take a peek inside to see and you might just be surprised at what you see!
The Rest of the Gardens
Since you’re already here for Seasons Greenings, don’t make the mistake of seeing the holiday displays and immediately heading for the exit! Give yourself some extra time to explore the rest of the U.S. Botanic Garden.
The Conservatory is divided into several different sections, many of them highlighting plants and ecosystems from around the world. You can wander through tropical plants in the jungle, explore the desert environment of World Deserts, see beautiful orchids, and learn how plants have been used as medicinal remedies for thousands of years.
And after spending time outside looking at the trains in December, stepping into the warm, tropical jungle feels pretty amazing!
Know Before You Go
A little planning can make your visit to Seasons Greenings a much more enjoyable experience, especially during the busy holiday season!
🎟 Admission is free! One of the best things about Seasons Greenings is that you can enjoy the displays without adding another expense to your holiday budget.
📅 Check the dates and hours before you go. Seasons Greenings typically runs from late November into early January, but dates and hours change from year to year. Check the U.S. Botanic Garden website for the latest information before your visit.
🚇 Consider taking Metro. Parking around the National Mall can be difficult, especially during busy weekends and the holiday season. The easiest way to reach the Botanic Garden by Metro is by taking either the Orange, Blue, or Silver line to the Federal Center SW station.
🧥 Dress for the weather. The model train display is outdoors so you’ll be spending part of your visit outside.
⏰ Visit during the week if you can. Seasons Greenings is popular and weekends and the days leading up to Christmas can be especially busy. A weekday visit will usually give you a little more room to enjoy the displays.
🌿 Don’t skip the Conservatory. It’s easy to come for the holiday displays and trains and forget there’s an entire Botanic Garden to explore. Give yourself some extra time to wander through the Conservatory while you’re there.
📸 Bring your camera! Between the holiday displays, model trains, plants and views of the U.S. Capitol, there are plenty of fun photo opportunities.
Where to Stay When Visiting Washington, DC During the Holidays
If you’re coming from outside the Washington, DC area (or just want to turn your visit to the US Botanic Garden into a festive weekend in the city) staying nearby makes it much easier to explore more of DC’s holiday sights.
I recommend looking for a hotel around Capitol Hill, Penn Quarter, or the National Mall. These areas put you within easy walking distance or a short Metro ride of the U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian museums, the National Christmas Tree and plenty of other things to see while you’re in town! And if you’re planning a December visit, I’d book sooner rather than later. Popular DC hotels fill up quickly this time of year!
Make a Day of It: Things to Do Nearby
One of the best things about visiting the U.S. Botanic Garden is its location. You’re right in the heart of Washington, DC, with some of the city’s most famous landmarks, museums, and historic sites just a short walk away!
If you’re coming into the city specifically to see Seasons Greenings, why not turn it into a full day in DC? Visit the U.S. Capitol, explore one of the nearby Smithsonian museums, wander around the National Mall or stick around after dark to see Washington’s monuments lit up at night.
Want to see more of the city without planning everything yourself? A guided tour can be a great way to squeeze more history into your day, especially if you’re visiting Washington for the first time. Here are some of my recommended tours:
More Christmas in Washington, DC
Seasons Greenings at the Botanic Garden is just one of the ways to celebrate the holidays in Washington, DC! From iconic Christmas trees and festive displays to holiday traditions found throughout the city, there’s plenty more to see while you’re here.
Planning a Christmas trip to DC? Check out these posts for more holiday history, festive stops and ideas to add to your Washington, DC Christmas itinerary.
Add Seasons Greenings to Your DC Holiday List
Whether you come for the incredible plant-based landmarks, the model trains or just an excuse to escape the December cold inside the Conservatory, Seasons Greenings is one of my favorite holiday traditions in Washington, DC!
If you’re planning a Christmas trip to Washington, DC, make sure to add the U.S. Botanic Garden to your list. And don’t forget to leave yourself some extra time to explore the rest of the garden while you’re there.
Have you been to Seasons Greenings? What has been your favorite train theme or holiday display? Let me know in the comments!
And if you’re looking for more history, museums and unique places to explore around Washington, DC, stick around – there are plenty more places to discover!
