Top Secret Location! Cherry Blossoms Blooming at the Lesser Known U.S. National Arboretum!
Cherry Blossoms Blooming at the U.S. National Arboretum. If you have missed seeing the Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, then there is still time to see the late blooming Cherry Blossoms in all varieties of colors at the U.S. National Arboretum. The park is dog friendly and less crowded. Great day to take a picnic lunch and practice Hanami under the flowering cherry blossom trees.
One of the lesser known secret places off the beaten path to view the Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC is the United States National Arboretum.
I love going there with my dog Harry The Traveling Whoodle and walk the trails! It’s springtime and the Cherry Blossoms at the Arboretum are exploding in a euphoric sea of all shades of pink and white blossoms. Those blossoms typically start several weeks before the Tidal Basin cherry trees in March and also last for a bit longer into May so you may still have a chance to see the cherry blossoms even after they are gone from the Tidal Basin area.
Beautiful picturesque fields of Cherry Blossoms at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC
If you can, it is worth it to take a visit and inhale the splendid sight and remarkable beauty of over 20 varieties of ornamental cherry trees stretching over 9.5 miles across the 446 acres.
The trees are marked by a numbered stake place strategically under each tree. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many cherry blossoms in a variety of colors and diversity in various stages of bloom in different parts of the park.
The Capitol Columns at the U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC
Another centerpiece is the Capitol Column, I saw a group of 22 Corinthian columns reminiscent of Greek architecture …they were the columns at the Capitol building from1828-1958. The Capitol Columns now stand on the hill in the center of the Arboretum overlooking the Ellipse Meadow beneath it.
Magnolias and more flowers blooming in Washington, DC
Apart from the Cherry Trees, The U.S. National Arboretum also features many more trees including magnolias and azaleas and also has the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum with various collections of plants.
Many schools organize field trips to the Arboretum to educate their students about the amazing world of plants. Teachers can find an Educator’s map on the website to help with planning your curriculum and organize trips for both younger and high school students.
Walking among the blooming Cherry Blossoms in various colors at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC
The outside grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum are open daily to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Christmas. The Arboretum is located on the eastern side of Washington, DC and is about a 10 minute drive from the U.S. Capitol.
I usually drive there since there is no metro close by.
Every time, I visit the U.S. National Arboretum during the Spring months, I am always totally enthralled by the stunning blossoms. The Arboretum is not usually crowded and is one of the few places to enjoy the beauty in silence all around me and the opportunity to take wonderful photos.
The U.S. National Arboretum is a dog-friendly place where you can see the blooming Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC without the crowds.
It is indeed a great place to take your pet for a little outdoor exercise and walk the trails as you absorb the wonderland of cherry blossoms in full bloom.