It was a beautiful Sunday, 86 degrees and very little clouds in the sky, and the only plans I had was to get my nails done and prepare my meals for the week. I texted my friend to see if she had any plans, she didn’t. I had not seen her in a couple weeks and wanted to catch up, and I knew just the perfect place to spend Sunday afternoon.
The U.S. National Arboretum is home to world famous collections of azaleas, Bonsai and Penjing, dwarf conifers, and much more. It is a garden, a park, and a botanical research institution. The Arboretum is also home to the Capitol Columns, which were originally part of the Capitol building, these columns now stand in the middle of the Ellipse Meadow.
We weren’t able to explore the entire Arboretum in its entirety. It is 446 acres which is more than 300 football fields long. You could walk to each garden, however it could take you hours, you can also drive to each garden allowing you more time to park and explore! The park is located about 2 miles from the Capitol, it is also accessible by bus and metro.
My favorite part of the park was the Asian collections. The Red Pagoda was so peaceful that you could hear your thoughts. It is the perfect place to escape life’s worries, make a hard decision, or a place if you just want to be alone. It is the best place to just sit, think, and meditate.
The Arboretum is a great place to spend any afternoon. There is so much space to bring your blankets for a picnic, play in the open fields, and take pictures. It was a nice way to spend Sunday afternoon having girl talk and being one with nature.
Takiyah Travels 