Virginia Railway Express
Got time to kill in downtown DC? The sculpture garden adjacent to the National Gallery of Art is proving as much an attraction as a park as it is an exhibit area for sculpture. Nevertheless, sculpture abounds in the garden, with objects such as Alexander Calder's "Cheval Rouge" (Red Horse) and Coosje van Bruggen's 20 foot "Typewriter Eraser".
The outdoor setting of these and other objects invite visitors to touch and interact with them, as children love to do by knocking on the door or looking in the windows of Roy Lichenstein's "House I".
Iron and steel are not the only attractions in this new setting; the park features winding paths and a myriad of trees, bulbs, shrubs, and perennials surrounding a central fountain highlighted by 20 foot shooting jets of water. The park-like setting, framed by the backdrop of the Washington Monument, the Capitol and the National Gallery itself, creates an inviting place for people to make themselves at home. Students, visitors, residents and area employees use the setting for lunch or as a place to relax by picnicking, frolicking or playing in the fountain.
The sculpture garden, located at Seventh Street and Constitution Avenue, is open 10 to 5 Monday through Saturday, 11 to 6 on Sunday, and is only a two block walk from VRE's L'Enfant Station in Washington. Upon arrival at the L'Enfant Station, take the 7th Street exit and turn right as you leave the station. Follow 7th Street north two blocks to Constitution Avenue and the sculpture garden.