Photo by Tom McGovernThere’s something magical about D.C. in the spring. And honestly? It’s the one time of year that I’m sad that I no longer live there. While the Cherry Blossoms attract visitors from near and far, there are so many other beautiful places to explore in the city during this time.
If you’re headed to the Nation’s Capital, don’t forget to pack your cameras. Here are some of the best places in DC to take pictures this spring!
Top 4 Best Places in DC to Take Spring Pictures
Photo by Tom McGovern1. The Tidal Basin
The first D.C. destination is probably the most obvious on the list, but checking out the Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin is always a must. Peak bloom dates vary from year to year, so it’s a little challenging to plan a trip to visit them if you’re visiting from somewhere that’s not within driving distance. Keep your eye out on the Cherry Blossom Watch website to nail the perfect date for peak bloom.
I like to Uber to the Martin Luther King Memorial for the easiest access to the Tidal Basin. If possible, I would highly recommend visiting at the crack of dawn: the Tidal Basin tends to fill up quickly, and the earlier you get there, the smaller the crowd you’ll encounter.
Photo by Ashley @historyinhighheels2. Dumbarton Oaks Gardens
Dumbarton Oaks is one of D.C.’s best-kept secrets, located at the highest point of Georgetown. Here, you can explore sixteen acres of terraced gardens and vistas.
Dumbarton Oaks is home to various plants, trees, flowers, and more. Some of my favorite blooms to catch here in the spring include the Magnolia Trees and the Wisteria. They have their average bloom times listed on their website so that you can plan your trip accordingly.
To enter Dumbarton Oaks, you will need to purchase timed tickets ahead of time. You can also consider buying a season pass to enjoy the gardens throughout the year.
Photo by Allie Provost3. Georgetown (North of M Street)
Georgetown is one of my favorite places to shoot in D.C. year-round, but there’s something magical about it in the spring. In particular, I love taking a stroll through the residential streets north of M Street and gawk over all of the beautiful homes in the area.
One thing I love about Georgetown in the spring? All of the homes with ivy. You’ll see them start to come back to life again, along with the blooming trees lining the streets. Grab your camera, take a stroll, and fall in love with one of the most beautiful, historic neighborhoods in town.
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4. National Arboretum
This is one thing on my D.C. spring bucket list that I haven’t quite crossed off yet, but the National Arboretum is an absolute must during the season. One of the premier attractions here in the spring is the Azalea collection. Usually, these enter peak bloom in May, but you can spot some azaleas in April and June, depending on the year.
Put on your walking shoes: the best way to see the blooms at the National Arboretum is on foot, and you can expect a rustic (and somewhat rugged!) short hike.
Photo by Tom McGovern
This is such a great post! I’m actually heading to DC in a few weeks and was seeking out some great spots. You look amazing by the way!
yay thank you! I hope you have the best time!!
So many great photo options in here. I’ve lived in DC for 4 years and still have never been to Dumbarton Oaks!! Will have to fix that.
it’s such a hidden gem! I honestly never visited until last year either and it’s BEYOND gorg!