U.S. National Arboretum
Free admission, 451 acres of living collections, bonsai, the Capitol Columns, gardens, and meadows make the National Arboretum a full-scale outing whose access and hours must be planned by destination.
The 2026 summer schedule extends weekday grounds hours June 8–August 28, but gates, last entry, visitor center, museum, and restrooms close on separate schedules. Collections peak in different seasons, some lack accessible trails, and a Boxwood parterre is under development. Check destination access, hours, gates, and work zones.
- Best for
- Living collections + bonsai
- Size
- 451 acres
- Highlights
- Bonsai + Capitol Columns
- Admission
- Free
2400 R Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Northeast Washington · Directions
The free 451-acre National Arboretum combines rolling forested terrain and meadows with the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, National Herb Garden, National Capitol Columns, Asian collections, azaleas, native plants, conifers, dogwoods, hollies, and magnolias.
Access varies by destination: the Administration Building has accessible parking and restrooms, Friendship Garden has wide brick paths, and much of Fern Valley has accessible gravel, while the Holly and Magnolia and Gotelli collections explicitly lack accessible trails.