United States National Arboretum

The best things in life – or this city – require a little effort. In this case, you need wheels to reach the greatest green space in Washington, almost 450 acres of meadowland, sylvan theatres and a pastoral setting that feels somewhere between bucolic Americana countryside and a Romantic artist’s conception of classical Greek ruralscapes. Stop at the Administration Building near the R St gate for a map and information. Highlights include the Bonsai & Penjing Museum (10am-4pm), east of the Administration Building, and the Capitol Columns Garden, south along Ellipse Rd. The latter is studded with Corinthian pillars removed from the Capitol in the 1950s. The best times to visit are spring (March to May, when the azaleas bloom) and fall (September to November, for colorful autumn leaves). No direct buses serve the gardens and they’re hard to negotiate on foot, so drive or cycle.