For the third Thanksgiving we've been here, we've also visited the U.S. Botanical Gardens the following day(s) after the holiday. This year we went on Friday. Not to break tradition, we've also taken another ton of pictures. We were blessed that Aunt Cari, cousins Jesse and Niki, and Niki's boyfriend, Dave, were also able to join.
Here is outside looking to the west (semi-towards the Mall area):
Here is looking towards the east with the Capitol behind (McKenna had already had enough picture taking) but hey, we did get a parking spot in the lot right there...that's rare!
Allison and Parker waiting in the "foyer area" to go inside (we always wait for this time of year because it is when they bring out all the handmade, natural, themed items--this year it revolved around fairies, but the trains are always a highlight):
Inside the area that is transformed for the holiday season (and yes, that train is Thomas!):
Here is one of the fairies. As previously mentioned, they are natural. So all elements come from nature...moss, acorns, feathers, sticks, bamboo, etc.:
They did add Mount Vernon, Neuschwanstein, (from previous years) and Monticello:
We then traveled into the "Jungle Room." There isn't anything set up in here for the holidays, it always looks like this. We enjoy the different levels of observation and the fun flowers you can find:
We then proceeded out to the "main gathering area." This is where they have a tree decorated and everybody takes a picture of themselves in front of it. It is also where they display the natural-made buildings from around the D.C. area. I added one statue that is new, and I hadn't yet taken a picture of the American Indian Museum:
They have a wonderful area dedicated just to orchids...all types and varieties:
We then decided to fill the remainder of our day eating at McDonald's at the Air and Space Museum about a block away, and wandering through a bit of it. Then, we went home, ate left-overs and Aunt Cari graciously watched the kids and put them to bed while the other grown-ups hit the mall (okay, just one store and the food court), and then proceeded home to crash on the couch for the balance of the night.
In case those were not enough pictures for you, you can view the other two years of the Botanical Gardens here:
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