About this episode

The episode explores the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, D.C., celebrating unusual gardens and the arrival of spring.

Today we visit a hidden gem of Washington, D.C.: the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, an oasis of ponds filled with lotuses and waterlilies. This unusual National Park – the only aquatic gardens that are a National Park – were first dug in the 1800s by a Civil War veteran. This week, we’re celebrating the arrival of spring with new and classic stories about unusual gardens around the world. This episode is brought to you in partnership with washington.org.

People in this episode

Host: SiriusXM and Atlas Obscura

Topics covered

• gardens
• national parks
• spring
• lotuses
• waterlilies
• Washington D.C.
• history

Keywords

• Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
• Washington D.C.
• national park
• lotuses
• waterlilies
• spring gardens
• Civil War veteran

Sponsors

washington.org

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: SiriusXM, Atlas Obscura

Places: Washington, D.C., Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

More episodes of The Atlas Obscura Podcast

• Rita’s Place · April 28, 2026 · 11 min
• Wonder in Your Backyard: The Aztec Ruins · April 27, 2026 · 10 min
• Garden Week: Cementerio Municipal José María Azael Franco Guerrero · April 24, 2026 · 12 min
• Garden Week: Underwater Sculpture Gardens · April 23, 2026 · 15 min
• Garden Week: A Sound Garden · April 21, 2026 · 16 min
• Garden Week: Alnwick Poison Garden · April 20, 2026 · 11 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Atlas Obscura Podcast podcast page.