Great Escape: U.S. Botanic Garden

Occasionally, you get a solid block of "you" time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier - maybe a whole lot easier.

This week's Great Escape?

The Smithsonian Institutions are the crown jewel of American museums. Stimulating, expansive and best of all, free, there's a reason busloads of octogenarians and intrepid young families journey to D.C. each spring to inch their way through acres of educational exhibits.

With all the air, space, natural, American and Indian history to uncover, it's no wonder the U.S. Botanic Garden often fails to make the agenda of most travelers. This is a mistake.

Though they are not part of the Smithsonian family, the gardens are affiliated with the U.S. government and cost nothing to enter. They were established by Congress in 1820, and moved to their present home in Southwest D.C. in 1850.

While the weather outside tends to be wily and unpredictable, the weather inside the conservatory greenhouse is always balmy and pleasant. As one reviewer on the website Yelp! phrased it, a visit to the Botanic Gardens conservatory is the "cheapest tropical vacation by metro."

Each section of the greenhouse has a theme -- Orchids, Medicinal plants, Primeval Garden, Hawaii and my personal favorite, Jungle, making the greenhouse an excellent place to visit whether you're a plant aficionado or just like escaping into a world of carefully curated nature.

Conservatory and garden hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including weekdays and holidays. Visit the U.S. Botanic Gardens website for more information.