 If you have visited Washington, DC during the spring, you know that the city comes alive as colorful pink blooms are front and center everywhere you look. But in addition to these iconic blooms, the city is home to gardens worth a peek all year. These garden spaces provide visitors and locals alike a chance to step into nature and take a break from the city noise. Several, like the Enid A. Haupt Garden and the United States Botanic Garden, are just steps away from popular DC attractions. Others, like the U.S. National Arboretum, are home to treasures like the National Capitol Columns and the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. As a bonus, I’ve included Meadowlark Botanic Garden in Northern Virginia, home to the unique Korean Bell Garden.
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 What do a bonsai museum, cherry blossoms, and the National Herb Garden have in common? Visitors can find all three and much more at the fabulous U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. A true gem in the city, this 451 acre facility less than 15 minutes from the U.S. Capitol was established by Congress in 1927 as a facility to conduct research for the U.S. Department of Agriculture while also providing public education programs and serving as a public garden. While slightly off the main tourist path, the National Arboretum in DC still draws over half a million visitors per year, and if you visit, you will understand why. It’s an easy drive from downtown DC, and there’s plenty of free parking in several lots found throughout the Arboretum. So here’s my 6 reasons to add a visit to the U.S. National Arboretum to your Washington, DC bucket list.
Now that the cold days of winter are here to stay, it’s a perfect time to daydream about spring weather and seeing the iconic Washington DC Cherry Blossoms. Any good DC bucket list should include a spring visit to see these beautiful trees in full bloom. You’ll find the majority of the trees, along with the largest crowds, near the Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park. Here’s 5 tips and things that we have learned over the years to help make the most of viewing DC's Cherry Blossoms. Be sure to read our helpful Guide to Visiting Washington, DC for more resources and things to do while you are in town.
 Do you ever need a bit of inspiration to get ready for the holidays? A holiday, weekend getaway with dazzling lights, an outdoor holiday market, and gorgeous plants and flowers in all their seasonal glory might be just the inspiration you need! That’s exactly what we found during a December getaway to Philadelphia and Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. The city sparkles with the scenes of the season during the holidays. The festivities kick off with the arrival of Santa at the end of the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country, then move into high gear with holiday light displays and seasonal outdoor shopping. Once you’ve taken it all in, leave the city behind for an afternoon/evening stroll at Longwood Gardens, home to the magical A Longwood Christmas. It’s a December weekend getaway sure to put you in the holiday spirit!
*Updated for 2024 
It’s been a few years since I wrote 5 Cities in the USA with Fascinating Street Art. Since then I’ve embraced the chance to search for interesting murals in cities all around the country, with 3 more cities standing out for their sheer volume of art—Philadelphia, Denver, and Long Beach. While searching for street art may not be the first thing you think of when visiting a place like Philadelphia or Denver, it’s worth planning time to see the amazing works of art scattered throughout these cities. And, year after year, week-long festivals have brought new murals to Long Beach, California. Artists are being commissioned in each of these cities as part of larger art initiatives to not only revitalize neighborhoods but to share messages of hope or detail the history of a community. Here are more details of what to expect when it comes to street art in these 3 cities. You can make your own decision about which city should be crowned the mural capital of the USA!
 Have you ever considered taking a cooking class while on vacation? While making a meal with the locals in a picturesque town in Italy is still on my bucket list, I hadn’t really thought about it when we were planning our November trip to New Orleans. It was hard enough trying to decide where to eat, with so many amazing restaurants to choose from. In a place where the local cuisine has made a name for itself, taking a class at the New Orleans School of Cooking was the perfect way to learn the history behind some of the city’s iconic dishes. Each class combines the hospitality and history of New Orleans cuisine in a fun and engaging way. Chef instructors guide you through the steps for classic dishes like Crawfish Étouffée, Jambalaya, and Bread Pudding, weaving in the layers of global influence to the local cuisine and culture. So as you make your list of things to do in New Orleans, don’t miss adding a cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking.
When you first arrive in New Orleans, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of restaurants and bars that seem to be on every corner. But if you read 8 Fun Things to Do in New Orleans, you know that visitors can also find other fun ways to spend the day. On our recent trip, we had a few new experiences on our to-do list to round out our New Orleans getaway, including a museum visit and cooking demonstration class. So whether you want to explore the historic French Quarter, or make a visit to City Park, here’s 6 interesting things to consider as you make your list of things to do in New Orleans. And in case you get hungry along the way, I’ve included a few places we enjoyed to grab a bite to eat while you are in the neighborhood.
Have you taken a day trip recently? When life gets busy, sometimes a change of scenery that doesn't require much planning or packing is just what the doctor ordered. Luckily in the DC area, it's easy to plan a quick escape, with many options for day trips from DC just a short drive away. So whether you want to step into the great outdoors, enjoy local food favorites, explore a new museum, or browse in fun shops, here are 5 of the best day trips from the DC area, each with something unique to offer.
Did you know that there is a place in Washington DC where you can find incredible stained glass windows, Gothic architecture, and intricately carved gargoyles? Just a few miles up the road from the popular National Mall and museums sits the massive Washington National Cathedral. Not far from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, the cathedral, considered to be the 6th largest in the world, is an amazing place to tour. Visitors can spend time searching for gargoyles and grotesques
around the exterior of the cathedral, then explore details of the magnificent stained glass windows and beautiful chapels. If you are lucky, you might hear the ringing of the bells. These photos will allow you to experience some of its beauty and interesting features we found on the Behind the Scenes Tour and hopefully inspire a visit. Read on to see what else we learned during our guided tour at Washington National Cathedral, and see why the Washington National Cathedral is included in our 20 Things to Add to Your Washington DC Bucket List. 
Is it just me, or does February often feel like the longest month of the year? No matter the month, a day trip is a great way to take a break from the daily routine. Recently we decided to take advantage of the unseasonably warm winter weather and make the drive to Richmond, Virginia. It’s just over 100 miles from the DC area—roughly a two hour drive on a weekend. The city is a funky combination of history, art, and a thriving food and beer scene. Then top if off with miles of hiking and biking trails, the 100 acre family-friendly Maymont, and seasonal water activities on the James River. With that in mind, my husband and I had simple goals for our recent day trip to Richmond—try a few new restaurants, find unique street art, and take advantage of a sunny, winter day to connect to nature. To make the most of our day trip to Richmond, we started with breakfast, strolled the nearby neighborhood for street art, explored the grounds at Maymont, took a 3 hour food tour in Carytown, and found more street art. By the time we left the city around 6:30 p.m., our stomachs were full and we managed to log around 18,000 steps!
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