The Top Five Activities to Level Up Your Spring Travel in Washington DC
Looking for a new destination to explore this spring? How about one with plenty of outdoor activities, tons of history, gastronomy galore, varied cultures, international flare, festivals and flowering trees? Sound good? Well, we have just the place for you then – our nation’s capital and another amazing East Coast destination we here at Beyond Times Square are super proud to represent – Washington DC. Check out our recommendations for the top five activities to level up your spring travel in Washington DC below!
******************************************************************
National Cherry Blossom Festival
There is no better time to visit our nation’s capital than the time of year when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom. It is then that the National Mall and the Tidal Basin are bursting with the precious pink perennials creating a picturesque backdrop of some of the most sought after sites in the city. It is also then that the four-week long National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place. Starting March 20th and continuing through April 17th, 2022 – the festival features an array of exciting events such as the Cherry Blossom Parade, the Blossom Kite Festival, Petalpalooza and more. And this year we are excited to announce that our amazing team here at BTSQ is debuting a brand new experience – the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival Limo Pedicab Tour. During this tour, guests will be chauffeured around DC in a private limo coach pedicab with an expert tour guide at the helm who will treat them to the history of not only the cherry blossoms, but of DC’s most famous memorials, monuments and other points of interest – making it a fun and unique way to take in the gorgeous pink blossoms that come to life here each spring.
Anacostia River Festival
Promoted as “the official closing event of the 2022 National Cherry Blossom Festival,” the Anacostia River Festival takes place on April 10th this year. This premier event is centered around – you guessed it – the Anacostia River, which flows from Prince George’s County in Maryland through Washington DC where it then empties into the Potomac River at Buzzard Point. Presented by the 11th Street Bridge Park and the National Park Service, the festival is filled with all sorts of fun activities for the entire family. While on land you can play some lawn games and enjoy musical performances inspired by – and honoring – the communities that line the Anacostia River including military bands, local drum lines and go-go music – just to name a few. If being on the water floats your boat then you are in luck because, well, it is a celebration of the river after all – meaning you can participate in various river events such as kayaking, canoeing and fishing. This celebration of the Anacostia River takes place at the Anacostia Park and admission is free.
Smithsonian Craft Show
From April 20th to the 24th the National Building Museum in Washington DC will be home to the 40th Smithsonian Craft Show with this year’s title being Future Focus. Featuring extraordinary innovators and contemporary artists, this is guaranteed to be unlike any craft show you may have attended in your neck of the woods. Live for the first time since 2019, as you-know-what made it a virtual event the past two years, categories include basketry, ceramics, decorative fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art and wood – and all crafts are created and produced in the good old USA. And speaking of the Smithsonian – did you know that The Smithsonian is actually made up of 19 magnificent museums plus a zoo? With BTSQ’s Treasures Of America you can pick two of them to get to know up close and personal courtesy of an expert tour guide. Which two you choose are entirely up to you – although in our humble opinion the Air and Space Museum and the American History Museum are the most unique. Bonus – you can even add a third option at an additional cost should you be so inclined.
Passport DC
If you have ever dreamed of visiting a multitude of foreign countries, but don’t have the time –it would take – or perhaps you just want to learn more about them before actually heading there – we have a great alternative. Just head to Washington DC instead, where each spring you can get a glimpse of numerous overseas destinations without ever leaving the United States. And how can I do that you may be wondering? All you have to do is plan your trip to DC in the month of May – which just so happens to be International Cultural Awareness Month – for an opportunity to get a peek inside of its seventy embassies thanks to the Passport DC festival. This month long celebration of international cultures features open houses complete with authentic food and drink and a look into the customs, music and dance that are unique to each. Want to take the experience a step further? Our Georgetown and Embassy Row Tour is the perfect way to check out not only Georgetown, which is the oldest section of the city and is filled with historic structures and quaint streets, but also Massachusetts Avenue – aka Embassy Row – while hearing all kinds of interesting facts from an expert tour guide and all from the comfort of a private luxury vehicle.
Day Trips to Arlington, Gettysburg, and Mount Vernon
Spring travel in Washington DC means you’re also in close proximity to other must see destinations including Arlington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon, Virginia and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. And, since they are within driving distance, BTSQ has made it convenient for you to check them out with three different experiences. First there’s the Arlington Cemetery & Old Alexandria day trip. You’ll start this excursion with a tour of Arlington National Cemetery – the final resting spot for US presidents and over 400,000 active duty service members, veterans, and their families as well as the famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame that burns at the gravesite of JFK. Afterwards you’ll head to nationally designated historical district Alexandria – which is situated between Arlington and DC along the Potomac River – where you’ll learn little known facts about our country’s history and take in the vibrant arts and culture scene. Next there’s George Washington’s Mount Vernon where you’ll tour the tribute to the Father of Our Country, including its stunning gardens, grounds and intriguing museum exhibits. And last but not least is our Day Trip To Gettysburg – the site of the bloodiest battle ever fought on US Soil. On this ten hour experience you will hear tales of the Civil War and learn the importance of the Battle of Gettysburg. You’ll also visit the Museum & Visitor Center and enjoy a two-hour private tour of the battlefield as well as numerous monuments – all while getting a history lesson of sorts from your professional tour guide.
******************************************************************
As you can see, spring travel in Washington DC is colorful, communal, crafty, cultural and classical and the fabulous team of destination experts here at Beyond Times Square cannot wait to curate the perfect trip for you and your travel companions. So, why not get in touch with them today and give yourself something to look forward to during those long winter days!
