Spring in Washington, D.C., is without a doubt one of the most iconic times of the year.
From the District’s signature cherry blossoms to the lush wisteria vines, every year, the District explodes with bright, colorful life starting around mid-March.
Now, being one of the most quintessential spring blooms, getting a good photo in front of some blooming tulips has become one of the first things Washingtonians want to check off their spring bucket list.
So, here are a few places around the District where you can see blooming tulips for free!
The Netherlands Carillon in Arlington
If you’re unfamiliar with the Netherlands Carillon, it’s a monument of sorts that the Dutch government dedicated to the United States as a symbol of freedom and friendship between the people of the Netherlands and the United States.
It is located in Arlington, just across the Potomac, near Arlington National Cemetery.
The Carillon grounds are open all year from 6 am until midnight, offering an incredible view of Washington, D.C. that you may not have experienced before!
It is also filled with sloped grassy areas and several large trees, making it the ideal area for outdoor picnics on sunny spring days.
The Navy – Merchant Marine Memorial on Columbia Island
Still considered inside Washington, D.C., the Navy – Merchant Marine Memorial, located in Lady Bird Johnson Park on Columbia Island, is surrounded by some breathtaking tulips that make the view of D.C. from across the Potomac River unforgettable!
The memorial is surrounded by iconic flowers that bloom every spring, turning this often-overlooked memorial into one of the most beautiful spots around the District.
Enid A. Haupt Garden
The gardens by the Smithsonian Castle often have an array of blooming flowers throughout spring, as well as some iconic magnolia trees that create a stunning atmosphere that only comes around once a year for a few weeks while they are in bloom.
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America
Truly, one of the hidden gems of the District is the gardens at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America.
The monastery hosts a special tour of its gardens every Saturday at 11 am from April to September, an experience we truly consider to be underrated.
Floral Library on the National Mall
Often called the ‘Tulip Library’, this small garden next to the Tidal Basin is filled with 93 unique beds, each with its own variety of blooming flowers.
You can easily swing by the Floral Library and take some iconic pictures alongside the tulip blooms with some of D.C.’s most iconic monuments in the background.