Elizabeth and I headed to the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, DC in mid-May for a day-long retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Even though the Arboretum is in DC, it’s quiet and peaceful. And we were lucky enough to catch some of the azaleas in bloom. The weather was perfect – not too hot or humid, a rare occurrence around here – and it wasn’t very crowded. There was even a wedding happening by the dogwood trees.
The National Arboretum is free, accessible by public transportation, open every day (except December 25) from 8 am – 5 pm, and with 446 acres, it’s so big that it’s rarely crowded. If that’s not enough to convince you to go, maybe our photos will.
On a related note, recently I read a depressing Washington Post article about the hardships the arboretum faces after the federal government cut $2 million from its budget this year. The budget shrinks more every year and the arboretum is having to cut back on staff and programs.
You can pitch in. Donate to support the U.S. National Arboretum or, if you’re in DC, volunteer to be a gardener or tour guide, among other positions. Training is provided.
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I read that same Washington Post article and found it equally depressing as I’m a big fan of the arboretum. What most surprised me was that if they have to cut back on hours, they said they’d close on weekends. While I understand the arboretum is a working research facility and the staff wants to work a regular work week, it’s hours are already not visitor friendly. To really shore up support from the public, they need to be more accessible, definitely remaining opening on weekends, and perhaps also adding some weekday evening hours, maybe just in spring or spring/summer when it’s really at its best.
@Theresa – I agree that the arboretum’s weekday hours make going there nearly impossible for anyone who works 8-5. But their weekend hours (as of right now, anyway) are still reasonable – 8 am to 5 pm. Maybe they if they added an evening event like the National Zoo’s Sunset Serenades in the summer, they could afford the extended hours during the week.