The National Arboretum is one of the best-kept secrets in DC. Located in an otherwise industrial/warehouse area in the northeast quadrant along the banks of the Anacostia river, it doesn’t see many tourists, but is very popular with locals. It is a major botanical research facility, but also a lovely park.

Today, we saw the azalea collection in bloom. We enjoyed a picnic under a shade tree afterwards, then walked over to see the Japanese garden and a pretty grove of dogwoods. Another item checked off on the DC Bucket List. Photos posted without comment just because they are pretty!