Guide to Sping in D.C.

The Cherry Blossom Festival is a very popular attraction in the D.C Good A. Here are 9 more things you can do this Spring. 

Springtime in the nation’s capital is simply unmatched. Springtime in the city is the perfect time to enjoy a plethora of festivities, galleries, and trips to local markets in the Washington, D.C. area.

Whether you’re looking to get out by yourself or with family and/or friends, these activities will have you making monumental memories right here in the District. Below is a list of 10 of the best activities to enjoy this spring in the D.C. area. 

1. Cherry Blossom Festival

The Cherry Blossom Festival, which celebrates the gift of  3,000 Cherry Blossoms to the United States from the Mayor of Tokyo in 1912, runs annually from March to April. The trees planted over 110 years ago, still proudly sprout all over the district, and truly encapsulates the beauty and friendship formed between two countries during the springtime! This year’s festival from March 20, 2022-April 17, 2022 will showcase a variety of events that will honor both American and Japanese cultures. Additionally, this year’s festivities will also allow for in-person activities that will allow families to enjoy the  Blossom Kite festival, Annual parade (April 9). Anacostia River Festival (April 10), Petalooza (April 16) and so much more! For the full list of this year’s activities with dates/times, make sure to follow the Guide to the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. on https://washington.org .  

                        Image courtesy of: Smithsonian National Zoo  

2. Enjoy a trip to the National zoo!

Visit one of the oldest zoos in the United States, by visiting the Smithsonian National Zoo with little ones, family and friends. With over 2,000 animals, the zoo is the perfect date to enjoy the sights of giant pandas, elephants, tigers, etc.While admission into the zoo is always free of charge, consider also visiting on April 16th and April 17th to celebrate 50 years of Panda conservation at the Smithsonian. The 50th Pandaversary will be a fun time to learn more about the giant pandas, and the importance of protecting our animals and wildlife. For more information on the Pandaversary celebration and to view admission tickets and passes for the zoo, visit https://nationalzoo.si.edu. 

                                  Image courtesy of: Rachel Hopper 

3. Travel to Rock Creek Park  

The perfect date for a stroll in the park, explore one of D.C’s  most sacred treasures! This 1, 754 acre city park is the perfect place to relax, enjoy time away from the busy work life and enjoy D.C.’s weather. Located in a cut off area near the city, this is the perfect oasis  that you can enjoy for a solo date or with your partner. 

                                     Image courtesy of: Brad Mills-USA Today Sports 

4. Support Local Sporting Events 

Enjoy this year’s spring weather by watching baseball games from Nationals Park cheering on the 2019 World Series Champions Washington Nationals with families and friends.Spring training games will continue through April 5th, with regular season games presiding every day for the following months. Visit the Washington Nationals official website page via mlb.com, to view the team’s full schedule for this season and access ticket pricing as well. 

Photo Courtesy of Broccoli City/Facebook 

5. Broccoli City Festival

Broccoli City Festival is an annual event hosted by Broccoli City, a Black owned social enterprise. Broccoli City “fosters creative and community growth by building innovative experiences that intersect music, art and social impact.” This year the two-day festival will take place May 7-8th at the RFK Festival Grounds. Some of the artists in this year’s lineup include Summer Walker, Ari Lennox, Lil Durk, Wale, Gunna, 21 Savage, Tems, Don Toliver, Masego, Jeezy and Rico Nasty, Muni Long. General admission tickets start at $149.50 and VIP passes start at $499. 50.  To find out more information about the festival and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.bcfestival.com.                                   

                  Image courtesy of: Culture Tourism D.C.                                                  

6. Passport DC

A 31 day journey filled with exciting programming, festivals, and events from 70 embassies, passport DC is the perfect time to experience a special cultural infusion in the DC area . As the month of May celebrates International Cultural Awareness Month, those in the area can also enjoy open houses, special performances, and workshops celebrating cultures from all over the world. Events will begin May 6-7, and will last until the end of May! For a full list of this year’s activities, visit PASSPORT DC – www.culturaltourism.org (culturaltourismdc.org), !

Photo Courtesy of National Gallery of Art

7. Visit the Art Museum 

The National Gallery of Art is a great place to visit this Spring. The neoclassical West Building of the National Gallery of Art houses one of the best collections of paintings, sculpture, and other works of art from the 13th to the 20th centuries. The East Building is a four-story structure that houses predominantly modern and contemporary art. The East Building is currently closed due to renovations but is set to reopen this upcoming June. The National Gallery of Art is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is always free. For more information visit https://www.nga.gov/index.html.

Photo courtesy of the White House/Pete Souza

8. White House Easter Egg Roll

This activity is perfect to get out with the kids and the rest of the family! The Easter Egg Roll is a time where children and families from across the country assemble on the White House’s South Lawn for egg rolling, storytelling, photo opportunities, entertainment, and other fun activities. The Biden Administration will hold its first Easter Egg Roll on April 18th. Children who attend are also given a special souvenir wooden egg as a keepsake. Tickets for the Easter Egg Roll are free and made available via an online lottery. There is also an online lottery available for adults who want to volunteer. To enter the lottery for tickets visit https://whitehouse.gov1.info/easter-egg-roll/.

Photo courtesy of @tylerkcalder on Instagram

9. National Botanic Garden 

The National Botanic Garden is a live plant museum that educates over one million people each year about the importance of plants to not only humans, but all of the earth’s ecosystems. The museum offers many different exhibits such as the famous Conservatory, a greenhouse with two courtyard gardens and ten glass-enclosed garden rooms. The Botanic Garden offers an experience to explore a diverse range of plants and settings, providing a full sensory experience that includes sight, smell, and sound. The Botanic Garden is always free and open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you want to fully immerse yourself in nature this Spring, this museum is the place to be! For more information visit https://www.usbg.gov.

Photo Courtesy of www.washington.org

10. Anacostia Riverwalk Trail 

This activity is for all the nature lovers this Spring! If you’re looking for a new outdoor area to walk, run or bike, then you will love this new trail. The Riverwalk Trail is a recreational amenity and transit alternative that runs for 20 miles on both banks of the Anacostia River. The trail is suitable for a variety of users, including bikes, runners, skaters, and walkers, and includes benches, system maps, bike racks, and interactive maps. For more information on the trail visit https://ddot.dc.gov/page/anacostia-riverwalk-trail.