Spring into DC

Washington DC has been in the news these past few months for political events, but politics aside, the US capital city is teeming with beauty, history, architectural wonder, and pulsating energy. Why visit Washington DC? Easy, it’s simply the most exciting city in the United States. And the best time to visit DC is definitely in spring when the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom.

Marred by a global pandemic, most of us are unable to travel anywhere at the moment. In the meantime, this article is a tribute to DC and hopefully a bookmark for those who are planning a future trip to this amazing city.

DC can be experienced quite extensively in a five-day trip. I’ve grouped attractions within walking distance to one another so that you can easily plan your itinerary. One of the best parts about visiting DC is its unexpected affordability. A vast majority of museums and monuments are free to visit for everyone and it doesn’t matter if you’re from out of state or an international tourist. DC museums and monuments are temporarily closed due to Covid-19 so check their websites when they will safely reopen again.

National Portrait Gallery

Founded by Congress in 1962, the National Portrait Gallery houses more than 23,000 pieces of paintings, photographs, drawings, engravings, sculpture, and digital media of people who have greatly contributed to the history, culture, and development of the United States. The gallery started commissioning paintings of US presidents since in the late 1990s and they are displayed in the “America’s Presidents” series.

Tip: The indoor courtyard is a large space connecting two buildings. There’s a café there and floral displays (there were orchids when I visited). It’s a wonderful and relaxing place to grab lunch or a cup of coffee.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

A fairly new museum that opened in 2016, the National museum of African American History and Culture is a beautiful architectural wonder that is right across from the Washington Monument. It celebrates all the ways African Americans have contributed to the cultural, scientific, athletic, and educational landscapes in the United States, and gives a voice to those who have suffered atrocities as well.

Tip: Check out the building when it’s lit up in the evening, it’s really beautiful!

Washington Monument

Part of the National Park Service, the 555-foot marble obelisk is a tribute to George Washington, the first president and founding father of the United States. If you are interested in going up to the top of the monument, you will need to reserve a ticket in advance (when tours are open again). There’s a reservation fee of $1.50 but the tickets are free.  

Tip: It’s particularly beautiful in spring surrounded by cherry blossoms, and reflects a gorgeous orange glow during sunset.  

Tidal Basin Loop Trail

On March 27, 1912, the first cherry trees were planted along the Tidal Basin Loop trail. There’s a bronze plague on a rock showing the exact location where First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, the wife of the Ambassador to Japan planted the trees.

The bloom forecast varies but it typically happens at the end of March to early April. It can get crowded but it’s still worth seeing all the gorgeous cherry blossoms along the way. The Jefferson Memorial is conveniently situated along the trail.

There are other places in DC where you can view cherry blossoms without the crowds but the Tidal Basin is conveniently located close to the other monuments and museums.

Tip: Go early in the morning and on weekdays for a less crowded experience.

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is probably one of the most famous monuments in the nation, and it’s as stunning and imposing in real life as it is portrayed in movies. It does get very crowded in the afternoon so the best time to visit it is around 30 minutes before sunset. You can spend the first half of your visit with Lincoln himself and then marvel at the sunset lighting up the reflecting pool, casting an orange hue at the Washington Monument in the background.

Tip: While you are there you can visit the nearby Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the World War II Memorial, which are at the opposite ends of the reflecting pool. The World War II Memorial is beautifully serene all lit up at night.