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The National Arboretum is a 446-acre preserve dedicated to research, education, and conservation of trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants. Among the highlights are the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, which includes fifty-three miniature trees given to the United States by Japan as part of its bicentennial gift.

The arboretum also features a conservatory for tropical bonsai trees that includes a Japanese garden. Across the road from the bonsai collection, the National Herb Garden features an extensive spread of antique roses and ten specialty herb gardens sorted by their functions, from fragrance herbs to herbs used by Native Americans.

The largest planting of azaleas in the nation can be found at the arboretum, as well as a historic rose garden and the Franklin tree, which is a species of tree now extinct in the wild, discovered by a botanist friend of Benjamin Franklin in 1765. There is also a national grove of state trees.

The arboretum also has a lovely gift shop with all sorts of books about plants, as well as planting and gardening-related paraphernalia. If you call ahead, you can find out about any special workshops or lectures that may be offered on the day of your visit.

The Arboretum is located on New York Avenue, NE. To get there, take the Metro to Stadium Armory station (Orange or Blue Line), then transfer to the B2 bus to get to the intersection of Bladensburg Road and R Street, NE.

Hours of operation are 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. daily. The arboretum is closed on December 25. The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum is open from 10 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Admission and parking are free. There are water and restrooms, but no food service. Picnicking allowed in the National Grove of State Trees.

Tram tours are available on Saturday and Sunday from April through October. The forty-minute, narrated, open-air tram tour of the entire site starts at 10:30 A.M., 11:30 A.M., 1 P.M., 3 P.M., and 4 P.M. You can buy tickets at the ticket kiosk in the administration building. Tours are $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and $2 for children ages four to sixteen.