With the weather finally starting to feel like spring, travel throughout the District to dive into April and savor the remainder of cherry blossom season.
Kick off the weekend with the reopening of the U.S. Botanic Garden for the first time since the onset of the pandemic, cover a canvas with glow-in-the-dark paint on Saturday and check out local artisans while enjoying a cider in celebration of the cherry blossoms Sunday.
Friday
U.S. Botanic Garden reopening
Start the weekend in the U.S. Botanic Garden’s Conservatory’s newly renovated areas – now providing a more accessible space and displaying even more plant collections than before the facility closed. The garden, located next to U.S. Capitol Building, is fully reopening for the first time since COVID-19 struck more than two years ago. Check out exhibits like the Patrick Dougherty stickwork installation made from plant materials like Norway maple and Siberian elm in honor of the garden’s 200th anniversary. Take a walk through Bartholdi Park, a two-acre garden just across the street, offering secluded benches for visitors to kick back among the vibrant greenery. Get a feel for spring and a return to normalcy in the stunning plant museum.
U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave. SW. Conservatory open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including weekends and holidays. Free. Find more information here.
Saturday
Midnight Glow and Chill – The Blacklight Paint Social
Hang out at a glow in the dark and neon blacklight painting social in Northeast D.C., and prepare to unleash your creativity as you escape schoolwork stresses to design your very own glow-in-the-dark painting. Visitors will use neon blacklight paint to create their masterpiece at this laid-back event. No previous artistic experience or ability is required – the event is for amateurs and experts alike. All tickets include paint supplies, and outside food and drink are welcomed.
New Beginnings Vocational, 2060 West Virginia Ave. NE. Fridays and Saturdays 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Tickets start at $15. Get tickets here.
Sunday
Cherry Blossom Artisan Market
Swing by Capitol Cider House to meet a half dozen local vendors selling products like home goods and art at the Petworth neighborhood cidery. Browse through handmade and curated clothing at She Knows The Deal, explore various soy candle scents at Potomac Candle and discover your new favorite natural skincare product at Sōultry. As the event gets closer, more vendors will be added to the current half dozen. The market is the optimal opportunity to enjoy some lovely weather during the cherry blossom season, shop for one-of-a-kind goods and support local businesses.
Capitol Cider House, 3930 Georgia Ave. NW. 2 to 5 p.m. Free. Find more information here.
