Dear reader, It is only fair that I report the National Arboretum remains one of the coolest places in DC. It is massive, gorgeous, and the kind of place that makes you feel like you have briefly escaped the city without actually going very far. There is so much space to walk, relax, and just be outside for a while, and it never really feels crowded. Every time you turn a corner there is something new to look at, which makes the whole place feel like a very peaceful little adventure. The bonsai museum is easily one of the crown jewels. It kind of blows my mind every time that there are so many bonsai there, and some of them are up to or over 400 years old, including the famous Yamaki Pine. It is one of those places that really makes you slow down and pay attention because the amount of care, history, and detail in everything is just incredible. A very quiet flex, if you will. I also love that the Arboretum is not just about plants, although those alone would be enough. We saw bald eagles, there are beavers on the grounds, and it always feels like some kind of wildlife cameo could happen at any moment. Between the trees and plants from all over the country and the world, the Capitol Columns, the bonsai, the gardens, and all the open space, there is so much to take in without it ever feeling overwhelming. Dogs are welcome too, which feels very civilized, though they cannot go into the bonsai museum. Overall, this place is just such a gem. Beautiful, relaxing, and full of little surprises. I will absolutely keep going back, and frankly, I think society should too. read more

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According to their website, this is a collections-based research facility and public garden of the US Dept of Agriculture. The Arboretum is home to the world's first museum dedicated to the art of bonsai, and that's where we started. These bonsai trees are between 30 to 100-200 years old. There is one that is 400! This section alone is impressive. We also walked over to the columns that were once a part of the State Capitol building. With 451 acres the collections are based on categories which is nice. You want to look at conifers all day? Go right ahead. Azaleas and magnolias? Knock yourself out. Pick your spot. Don't feel like you can see everything AND enjoy it in one day...because you can't. Pick 1-3 things and enjoy the day. Stop by the the visitor center for a map and events for the day. Today there were Ikebana classes. Do a restroom call with the gang there before you venture out. There are portables throughout if you need to go. Read the website for areas that are wheelchair accessible or you could drive through to assess your beginning and endpoints. read more

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The National Arboretum is a free, public garden perfect for learning and education or leisure activity. A family-friendly destination, it is 451 acres of botanically-rich flora along rolling, forested terrain. Featured are beautiful Asian collections and North American plants. The arboretum is home to a vast collection of azaleas, hydrangeas, and evergreens, however, it has been my experience that the some of the species experience less than magnificent blooms in some years due to heat stress and/or damage. For example, in spring and summer 2025, the blooms were not very prominent. There are plenty exhibits and gardens to explore. The museums are beautiful; especially the bonsai museum. I recommend visiting during mid spring to experience peak blooms. If visiting for leisure, there are benches and seating areas throughout the park, strategically situated near exhibits and open areas. People frequently picnic here, shoot photography, and simply relax on seemingly endless acres of pasture. I've visited on weekends when small scale markets were set up, featuring food trucks, plant merchants, and other items for sale. TIPS: I recommend arriving early to get good parking. Entering from R Street NE can be a tight squeeze on a narrow street, but it is the best ingress and egress from the main entrance. Another good option is to enter from New York Avenue which allows you to pass by beautiful azaleas and open pasture, but unless you are familiar with the access roads, this entrance can present challenges getting to the front of the park, so follow signage intently. Consider driving from garden to garden if it will help to reduce walking fatigue. I recommend wearing comfortable footwear as the terrain is rolling hills. During the summer, pack plenty of fluids and snacks (please clean up after yourself to preserve the environment and its beauty). Prioritize shaded exhibits after midday and the rest of the exhibits during cooler hours. If you can break up your visit in two days, it might be your best option to see the entire park. Overall, a fun experience for adults and families. read more

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We decided to visit to look at the featured bonsai. Some if these trees have been in training for hundreds of years. There are so many different types of bonsai to look at and there are also lots of other features. They had an art demonstration inside one of the buildings and a tour guide explained what the artists were trying to accomplish with their work, and why each piece was a little different. This place is amazing. You can easily walk around this place for hours on a good day. Definitely like to come back on a day when it's not rainy, so I can see the rest of it. I would recommend visiting if you're in the area. read more

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After weeks of cold weather and being snowed in, today was the perfect day for a little exploration. With three kids under ten in tow, this spot could not have been better. It truly feels like a secret garden tucked away in the middle of the city. The Capitol Columns have become an unofficial playdate hub--bring your little ones and let them run, explore, and even make new friends. I hadn't realized just how dog-friendly it was either; it was genuinely nice to see so many pups out enjoying the space. For those looking for something quieter, the arboretum offers plenty of benches where you can read a book, enjoy a snack, or catch up with a friend. A perfect mix of playful and peaceful. read more

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A wonderful place to spend as much or as little time as you want. There's plenty of places to park to walk around, or you can drive to the different areas and get out. Great place to read, have a picnic, or just explore. read more

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What a great way to spend a nice day out in the NE part of DC! I was out at Eastern market with my mom, and younger siblings for a stroll and to stop for a snack, then popped over to the Arboretum with our goods. We were pleasantly surprised at how well maintained it is. The grounds were in pristine condition, its a peak spring oasis (spotted a wedding being set up!!) It's really quite the space to take in nature and have a picnic, or even for professional photos which we also saw plenty of. Wear comfy shoes its a walking about situation for sure! We will be back for future picnics read more

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A DC gem for the outdoor aficionado. The National Arboretum was a much needed find, as I was literally having Longwood withdraw, since the move back to the DMV. I braved 495 and tourists, but I'm so glad I did. The Arboretum is laid out interestingly. Not all of the gardens are consolidated into one area - they are spread out a bit - which makes it fun for those of us who like to take time to explore (like me). I managed to scope out only two of the many areas on my first visit. There were many interesting subjects for photography, and plenty of picnic options as well. If you're solo, and you want an interesting and pleasant afternoon, this place is for you. If you are looking for a family outing, this place is for you. If you want something different than a bar for a date, this place is for you. Oh, and did I mention that its free??? No - you're right. Well, its free. Put this one in your "definitely going" queue. read more

US National Arboretum - Capital Building Columns circa 1837 - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Such a beautiful place! We came here on my birthday and had a fantastic time! So much to see and do! Lee could have spent all day here but we had other plans that night. Super convenient to get to and we drove around to the different areas. We also found a picnic table to eat our packed lunch. Beautiful trees and flowers everywhere! Was disappointed we don't get to see the koi fish in the koi pond but maybe next time!! read more

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Who knew this beautiful outdoor space was at the edge of DC? I certainly didn't until recently! I went out to the Arboretum to take some outdoor yoga photos for a friends project and fell in love. Parking was really easy to get on a Sunday afternoon (it was actually Easter Sunday when I went). The Arboretum is huge with different monuments and flowers all throughout. Some of my favorites within the park was the National Capitol Columns. I didn't get to visit the Dogwood or Asian Collections but I hear that they're also beautiful. 10/10 recommend if you'd like to get outdoors or maybe event enjoy a picnic. read more

US National Arboretum - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Beautiful, peaceful park ground with plenty of trails and parking. I highly recommend checking out the Arboretum when you need time away from the hustle and bustle of DC life. read more

US National Arboretum - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here at 4 pm on a Sunday but they close at 5 pm. Parking is free and we parked near the visitor center. The arboretum is free as well. They have bathrooms and water fountains. We wanted to go to the bonsai museum but it closes at 4pm which was disappointing. So we walked to the Abraham Lincoln inauguration columns and Washington youth garden. It is a lot of walking on grass so wear comfortable shoes and sun protection. We got to see so many butterflies at the garden which was so pretty. read more

US National Arboretum - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great place to walk your dog. Although I don't have a dog, I saw a dozen or so people walking their dogs around. With its gently rolling hills and roads, it's a nice place to walk, jog, or run. It's wheelchair and walker friendly. Many acres to roam here. read more

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Every time I visit the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington DC, I'm amazed that a place this peaceful exists right in the middle of the city and that it's completely free. The Bonsai & Penjing Museum is my favorite part; some of these living works of art are over 200 years old, and standing in front of them feels like witnessing history alive in miniature form. It really makes you reflect on time, patience, and the beauty of care passed down through generations. The staff and curators are so welcoming and knowledgeable. I've had deep, spiritual conversations there that stuck with me long after leaving. It's more than just a garden; it's a sanctuary for meditation, reflection, and peace. I love that the trees symbolize friendship between the United States and Japan, showing how nations can share culture and beauty through nature. It's rarely crowded, making it one of DC's best-kept secrets , perfect for clearing your mind, taking photos, or even going on a peaceful date (seriously, fellas, this one's a win). Whether you live in the Capitol Hill / Northeast DC area or are just visiting, this is one of the most soulful and inspiring places you can experience in the city. read more

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I enjoyed the US National Arboretum as well. It was good to see historical items and landmarks. It is a huge place to explore good facts of history. I learned a lot stopping here and looking up on all the info I have always wanted to know. Very nice warming place. read more

Well returning to Maryland Washington DC area for memorial Day weekend vacation my niece and her boyfriend took me to the national arboretum here. Beautiful exhibit especially the coy in the ones I exhibit as well as the Corinthian ancient ruin pillars I would recommend anybody to come here best of all it's free it's not as big as the ones in Chicago but it's also a good exploration read more

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Wow, was this place beautiful in the spring. My friend and I stopped by because I had heard that many things were in bloom. If I lived close by, I would be here every week; taking walks, having picnics, riding my bike, etc. We went into the visitor's center first. This is a must so you can get a map, and look at their daily sign showing what is in bloom. The woman at the front desk actually wasn't very helpful when we asked where we should start-all she could do was point at the maps and the sign. Fortunately, another gentleman heard the question, and gave us directions to start at the bonsai exhibit, which we happily did. This exhibit was tucked away, but had a wide variety of cool trees to look at, with descriptions on them of what kind of tree and how old they were. From there we wandered around, eventually finding ourselves at the huge set of twenty two sandstone columns, that were moved here from the U.S. Capital. Many pictures later, we continued on a random path until we found massive amounts of flowering shrubs - the azalea collection. It was just stunning, with meandering paths throughout. We then headed back to the car to drive out, only to realize we must stop and look at the blooming dogwoods and camellia garden. This was worth a stop. This area is beautiful. This is definitely a must visit garden, and with free parking and free entry, there's every reason to go. read more

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A great & memorable place to get away from all the hub-bub of DC. Started off at the Capitol columns & stopped to wander around whatever caught our attention at the different plant/tree collections. The highlight was the bonsai garden with an assorted collection of bonsais ranging in age from centuries old to just a decade. Came in the morning, so it was cooler & peaceful. read more

US National Arboretum - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Beautiful location, free parking, only a few places to sit, scattered around but a great place to go for a stroll or look at plants. Hidden gem for an escape to take your dog read more

US National Arboretum - My dog at the arboretum - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We went here for engagement photos. Our photographer was very knowledgeable in the process, so she helped us a great deal with knowing about the permits and the different locations in which you can shoot photos. It took a while to get in touch with the people that handle permits... When we were able to get in touch, they issued us the wrong date and if we would've paid for it, I'm not sure if they would've changed it so we had to get that sorted out. The fees are expensive (for after hours) and they are very strict and sticking to the times and guidelines at their convenience, however they do waste your time when you go to get your permit, so make sure you get there super early if you actually want to have your full amount of time. We paid for our permit. When we went to pick it up, they weren't sure if they had it printed for us or not and we were supposed to receive an escort to get to the locations easier which we didn't. So once the park closed to the public, Security wasn't sure if we were supposed to be there and gave us a pretty hard time about being there and made us present the permit which wasted about 20 minutes of our photoshoot, because even though we presented it, they went to verify it since they weren't aware of us being there. Aside from the subpar service, the arboretum itself is absolutely breathtaking. The grounds are gorgeously maintained, and although we haven't received our official photos yet, our photographer showed us a few photos, and I was stunned. I'm very excited and looking forward to getting our engagement photos! We took pictures in the Rose garden, the columns, and a few other locations. If you're just going just to enjoy, take in the view, or take a few phone pictures, I would say definitely check out the Arboretum (it's beautiful), however if you're going for a specific occasion requiring a permit, other locations may give you an easier time . read more

US National Arboretum - Sneak peak... - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Need to isolate? Runaway from the DC work grinding hustle and bustle? Don't just settle for the National Mall or tidal basin for green space. Drive a few miles and the arboretum offers over 450 acres of green space, with multiple gardens and trails. you can take a self guided tour, plug in your ear buds and listen to a good tune or audio book and you are sure to get lost in nature. The ponds and trails are rich with stillness and sounds of nature in the springtime. Great space to have a picnic, ride your bike or walk your canine companion. Benches and restrooms can be found throughout the property and I guarantee you can get recentered with nature here! Visit the website for educational workshops, and be sure to visit the bee farm! read more

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A quiet getaway from the hubbub of the nation's capital. I've been visiting here for many years. It's an interesting place for a car tour; a big parcel of land which has many parts to explore. A bike ride or a walk are both easy to do and encouraged. The old National Capitol columns are lovely. I enjoy gazing at them from afar, then seeing them up close. Azalea Hill is radiant in full bloom; that occurs in May, when countless shades of pink blossoms pop. The Asian Collections are extensive. To see them, find "Hickey Hill". From this starting point, hike down a well-maintained trail to the Anacostia River. Along the path are the various plants and trees from the collections, with markers. Many think this is a National Park but that's not the case. The U.S. National Arboretum is a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes, plus a whole lot more. Check the website for all the details. It's open most days and closes its gate at 5 PM. read more

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I would drive by this constantly prior to taking public transit in the area. Then I saw a TikTok video that showed something of interest to me held within. I made my way here after seeing it to check it out myself. Honestly, it is kind of unusual to get here, at least the way I came. I went through a residential area full of speed bumps before traveling down some narrow roads. I know there is more than one way to enter here, but this was probably not the best way to get here. I had one thing in mind when coming here, and because of the weather that day, would end up being the only thing I saw that day. It was to be a beautiful day, but there was a downpour shortly after I showed up, needless to say, I was drenched by the time I left here. I came to see the original columns from the U.S. Capitol. The ones that were replaced when the Capitol was renovated. When you approach them, they look like an entrance into a ghostly world. Like one you would come across in a video game. If you look from afar at this, you end up missing a lot. One thing to note, if you came here to take photos for an event, you will need a permit to do so. Definitely take time to actually explore up close. Not only will you see the columns, but I believe they have used as the stairs to lay a very unforgiven walkway around the inside of the columns. What is kind of amazing here here is the water feature. The water feature starts at the center of the columns, then flows down a water step, and finally ends at a reflecting pool. It is kind of a magical place to sit...when it's not downpouring. I will return one day when I have time to explore and when the weather is a little less wet. read more

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I enjoyed exploring this arboretum which also had an Bonsai exhibit. I discovered flowers and grains I didn't know about like the red Hibiscus cotton flower and Sorghum. My husband and visited visited this park Monday late morning and spent a few hours here. It is being well maintained and there is lots to see. If you haven't been here before, you should definitely plan a visit. It's free and no reservations needed. The Bonsai exhibit was interesting and beautiful. I how to visit again and discover other parts of this park. read more

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I was excited to visit the National Arboretum, but there sadly wasn't much to see in July. I really loved the Bonsai Museum, but it was very small, and I was hoping to explore a lot more of this massive park. We walked around the herbal garden, but there didn't seem to be anything else of interest. The map is poorly designed as there are no descriptions of the different sections of the park. There are just nondescript icons to represent the sections. There are some columns that were moved from the Capitol and placed on this random field. This was interesting to see, but it would be nice if there were gardens surrounding it or at least something to complement their appearance as they looked out of place. read more

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A beautiful place, offers peaceful paths among curated trees and blooming plants, where sunlight filters through leaves, wildlife thrives, and visitors enjoy nature's quiet beauty in every season. I am getting ready for the azaleas to blossom! read more

Amazing garden and displays. Highly recommend to nature lovers. We just arrived late and were not able to finish the Asian section. read more

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We enjoyed a lovely visit today at the immaculately kept arboretum. Parking was free and plenty. The weather was not too hot or muggy. A rarity in the nation's capitol this time of the year. My pooches relished having a sniffari. I was pleased to walk through anywhere because of little to no presence of bees. The grounds had no rubbish making it perfect to walk with scent hounds like mine. It was also friendly for those with mobility differences. Benches were placed throughout the ground to sit down. The pavements were flat without any cracks and had gentle inclines. I was thrilled to see many accessibility parkings available. The National Herb Garden and the Fern Valley were filled with beautifully singing birds. It felt tranquil and hard to believe it's close to one of the busiest part of the area. I'm looking forward to visit again in the future. read more

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We choose to come for fall photos with the kiddos! Perfect location for photos! While there we saw plenty of couples taking engagement photos, family photos and much more. Love that it was dog friendly. Plenty of green spaces. Perfect for a day out, walk or run, benches and sitting areas galore to sit and read a book on a nice day out. Will be returning and like most parks in dc, free!! read more

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Pure magic. One of my top favorite things to do in DC now! A must-visit, especially in spring. This space is absolutely massive - a green gem in the city. There is so much to explore! We visited on the annual Plant Sale day, so they had vendors and food trucks. The area was bursting with spring colors and energy! A few things we explored: BONSAI: You can't help but be drawn into the Japanese, Chinese, North American, and International Pavillions outside of the lobby exhibits with truly a shocking amount of the most magical bonsai I've ever laid eyes on. Some of these cuties have been "in training" for over 70 years!! We spent so much time looking at each of them. NATIONAL CAPITOL COLUMNS: This is a gorgeous area out in the prairie fields with a stunning water feature as well. It's beautiful from afar and up close! Folks were picnicking in the grass nearby. FRIENDSHIP GARDEN: Nearby the administration buildings with some awesome spring flowers in bloom. There's truly acres upon acres of stuff to explore here - you can't go wrong! Next time I want to check out the Grove of State Trees, Fern Valley, and Azalea Collections. Bike or drive to park, and have fun exploring. Pack a lunch :) read more

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I have loved the National Arboretum for a very long time & i always will. It's a place of peace and a staple in Washington, DC. It's one of the few places in DC that you can go to and feel like you're no longer in the city. Today I took my Wife, my oldest daughter, and my youngest there today and had an amazing time despite the fact that it was super hot. We got to take some cool pictures & vibe out in nature. I think that's what I like best about the Arboretum. Everybody there seems to be in a pleasant mood. It's almost like an escape. Do yourself a favor and check out one of DCs best gems. read more

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Luck is when you run into a beautiful place like this without planning. Better luck is when you get into it in the company of a person who used to volunteer at this place. We didn't really plan to be at the arboretum, considering that the Spring is still not Springy enough. We had seen enough of Cherry Blossoms in the Tidal basin area that we thought we could do something else. We just made it to this place on recommendation from one of our relatives, who also accompanied us. Since he was a volunteer here, he helped us navigate and gave us so much insights about the different kinds of plants, flowers, bonsais and the what the lovely people who work here, do. We drove around this place and still got to see more cherry blossoms, along with different other species of flora. The enchanting Bonsai museum is a must visit as it did take our breathes away. The old columns of the capitol and the grove of different state trees are some of the special features of this place. The flowers were not in full blossom and we definitely look forward to checking this place again in summer. read more

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Great place to walk around! We will definitely bring our dog next time. K wasn't aware you could bring dogs but it is a great place for a walk. The pathways are long and you can stroll through the many native trees and gardens. The pillars from the Capitol reconstruction are in the middle and make a beautiful setting. I will have to return in the spring when the indoor portions are hopefully open again. read more

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Haven't been here for a few years and the place has undergone a facelift with a new visitor center and nice landscaping around it. The grounds are cleaned up as well with picnic tables and a trail through the flower gardens. The pillars are as usual grand. The bonsai collection is a must visit. A beautiful outdoor green space accessible by metro - a bit of walk however. read more

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An oasis within northeast DC! Natural beauty in a space where you can walk, jog, bird watch, cycle or picnic (Been fortunate enough to enjoy all of these activities almost year round.) There's a visitor's center, large pond, a beautiful courtyard and a collection of giant columns with a water feature- all of which will keep someone engaged in nature for many hours of enjoyment. The arboretum is extremely accessible to the NY Ave/295 thoroughfare and minutes from all things DC. read more

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Beautiful park and well taken care of. I was surprised at how big it was. We went on a beautiful day and saw a lot of people have picnics - no picnic tables but people brought blankets, there's a lot of open fields. It is dog friendly and also has a big lot for parking. No cost to visit. read more

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This place is gigantic and I would say you do need more than half a day to cover all the ground of this place if you are walking through it without a car. This is what I did, I had no car so everything seemed a lot further when walking it. On the hot sunny day I felt like the sun was seriously cooking me, so don't forget to put on your sunscreen and also maybe a nice umbrella. Most people come here for the Capitol Collums so if that is all you want to see you will be able to finish it quite fast. But there is so much more to see! On the different sections, they have a lot of different and unique plants all around. Most have signs written in English on what the name of the plant is and where it came from. Like a specific country. They have an Asian section that has Chinese, Japanese, and even Korean plants in it. But it is quite far from the Capitol Collums. Tip- Bring some nice walking shoes if you are coming here without a car. read more

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Not a hidden gem but I feel like the U.S National Arboretum doesn't get talked about enough in DC! Gorgeous area with tons of trails to walk around and also cool stops like the bonsai museum, koi pond, the national capital columns, and so many fun gardens like the herb garden and friendship garden. I started out at the national capital columns and parked. After walking around I took a path towards the bonsai museum and spent a lot of time there. So many cool trees and lots of history. I didn't realize some of the bonsai trees are hundreds of years old! Next I walked over to the visitor center and grabbed some maps. There are several areas to have a picnic, or just enjoy the scenery. The museum and national capital columns were definitely my favorite stops. I also saw the herb garden which was cute, and inside the visitor center you there's a bald eagle cam and you can see what they're up to. I recommend going early in the morning when they open to avoid crowds. I went around 10am on a Sunday and it was easy to find parking, walk around and see everything without too many people. Overall it was a great way to start my day and get some nature in! I know there's more I could have done so I will definitely be coming back. read more

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Late summer is not the best time for our visit as Spring would be better with abundant blooming azaleas and spring flowers. However we really enjoyed the bonsai exhibit. Many varieties of decades old miniature trees were on display; it was like viewing museum quality art, so we spent a lot of time absorbing their uniqueness. Very serendipitous day. read more

This was a beautiful spacious area with lots of areas to enjoy with friends. I would recommend that everyone have the chance to come here. read more

US National Arboretum - Walking area - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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