Representing 50 states (and the District of Columbia), 51 trees are spread across 30 acres of the United States National Arboretum in Northeast Washington, D.C. Comprising groups of each state’s official tree (or alternate species suited for the Mid-Atlantic climate), the National Grove of State Trees includes California redwoods, Wisconsin sugar maples, Virginia flowering dogwoods, and New Mexico pinyon pines.

While most people crowd around the Tidal Basin, head to the U.S. National Arboretum for a more serene experience. Admission to the 446-acre park is free and includes natural wonders both large and small: the Grove of State Trees, nesting bald eagles, and centuries-old specimens at the National Bonsai Museum. Lesser-known are the 70 varieties of cherry trees that blossom here annually; visitors can locate the blooms using a free, self-guided tour available on the Arboretum’s mobile app.

The National Arboretum is a huge oasis in the city. The highlight for many visitors is seeing the old columns from the Capitol Columns dating from the 1800s now sitting in a grassy knoll. Don't miss the extensive bonsai exhibit and state trees.

Many say the Arboretum is under utilized, but you’re in the know thanks to us and we say, don’t miss one of the most beautiful gardens in our area. Located two miles northeast of the Capitol building, with entrances on New York Avenue and R Street, DC’s Arboretum is home to more than 400 acres of woods, trails, ponds and display gardens, plus the captivating National Bonsai Museum.

At the lush arboretum, abundant tables adjacent to a parking area make for an easy, impromptu picnic. Located at the National Grove of State Trees, the picnic area, ironically, offers more sunshine than shade. While this grove is the only part of the arboretum where you can picnic, the 412-acre preserve also features gorgeous floral gardens, wooded trails for walking and biking, a collection of bonsai trees, and the National Capitol Columns—22 Corinthian columns that once formed part of the US C

A hidden gem in Washington, DC, complete with the original footprint of the U.S. Capitol building, this national park is the perfect place for picturesque strolls, photoshoots, and outdoor meals.

The striking National Capitol Columns monument is the highlight of the National Arboretum. Originally part of the Capitol building, the 22 Corinthian columns here are arranged in a way that recalls an ancient temple in Greece. The arboretum is a living museum that attracts visitors from all over the world, especially in the spring, when the popular Azalea Collection is in bloom.