The U.S. Capitol Grounds and Arboretum In-person Tour (Smithsonian Associates, Politics & Prose)

Please Note: Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for participation on all tours; additionally, current CDC and Smithsonian COVID-19 guidelines (at the time of the tour) will be followed, including but not limited to masks on the bus and indoors.

Join naturalist and author of City of Trees Melanie Choukas-Bradley for a spring walking tour of the historic and botanically diverse trees of the U.S. Capitol Grounds and Arboretum (the new official name of the site). The visit offers the chance to admire trees in verdant June foliage including several species of magnolia, maple, centuries-old oaks, pecans, giant sequoia, and the intriguing jujube. View seasonal-blooming trees such as southern magnolia, golden rain-tree, catalpa, lindens, and Lady Bird Johnson’s kousa dogwood.

Learn about the trees representing states and get an overview of Frederick Law Olmsted’s design for the Capitol landscape, which shares elements of his plan for Central Park. Stop at notable sections of the grounds, including the five crabapple trees planted to honor the five Sullivan brothers who died when their naval ship went down during World War II; a horse-chestnut propagated from Anne Frank’s tree in Amsterdam; and a white oak planted by House Speaker Sam Rayburn.

In addition to City of Trees: The Complete Field Guide to the Trees of Washington, DC, Choukas-Bradley is the award-winning author of six other regional nature titles, including The Joy of Forest Bathing: Reconnect with Wild Places & Rejuvenate Your Life and Finding Solace on Theodore Roosevelt Island, available for sale through Politics and Prose.

Book Sale Information

• Purchase your copy of City of Trees by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
• Purchase your copy of Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
• Purchase your copy of Resilience: Connecting with Nature in a Time of Crisis by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
• SPECIAL NOTE: Politics and Prose is offering a 10% discount to Smithsonian Associates ticket-holders. To claim your discount, enter the code SPECIAL10 (no space between letters and numbers) in the “Coupon discount” section on Politics and Prose’s check-out page.

General Information

• Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 31, 2022.
• The tour meets in front of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, at the base of Capitol Hill (Metro: Federal Center SW, Orange, Blue, Silver lines).
• This tour requires significant walking and standing.
• For additional tour information:
  • Study Tour Policies
  • Refund/Cancellation Policy