The National Arboretum isn’t exactly unknown. It’s operated by the Department of Agriculture and is a major center of botanical research. But even though most people know it’s there, it’s one of those places that DC locals sheepishly admit they’ve never seen. The biggest reason for this is because the Arboretum is a little bit out of the way. In the Northeast corner of DC, there’s no metro stop close by and not many buses go up there, except for the B2 Metrobus. But the National Arboretum is worth the effort to get there for it’s natural beauty and stunning flora and fauna.
The Capitol Columns are a crowning achievement at the Arboretum.
The columns were part of the original US Congress building and moved to the arboretum when the Capitol was expanded in the 1950s.
The Arboretum is 446 acres and has many garden collections with a wide variety of specialities, including an herb garden and the National Grove of State trees, among others.
The collection began in 1976 when Japanese bonsai enthusiasts donated 53 bonsai as a gift for the US Bicentennial and the collection has grown steadily.
There’s also stunning birds, bugs, and fish at the Arboretum, including a koi pond and butterflies and various birds throughout the grounds.
