Flower buds are blooming, blue birds are singing and it’s time to have some fun in the sun

BY DE’ANDRE DARBY, STAFF WRITER

The beginning of spring brings longer days and warmer temperatures, making it the perfect time to explore some of D.C.’s many attractions.

One of the most beautiful signs of spring are the cherry blossom flowers that sprout and decorate the landscape. Every year, this sight is celebrated in D.C. during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. This year’s festival, which takes place from March 20 to April 14, has a number of events, including the Blossom Kite Festival on March 30 and the Petalpalooza music festival on April 6.

Kyle Williamson/Fourth Estate

Anyone that attends the Cherry Blossom Festival is sure to find an activity to entertain them and their friends. More information about the Cherry Blossom Festival events can be found at nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

For those who’d like to explore the nation’s capital without walking everywhere, a Big Bus tour is a great option. The open top bus has three routes: one that tours D.C.’s iconic landmarks, another that visits Arlington Cemetery and the Pentagon and a third that journeys to historic Georgetown and the Smithsonian National Zoological Park.

A two-day ticket includes a free night tour displaying the nation’s landmarks illuminated in the night as well as a Free Admission ticket to the Madame Tussauds Museum. The Big Bus Tours’ itinerary is available at https://www.bigbustours.com/.

In addition to historic sites, the D.C. area has many locations dedicated to enjoying the outdoors, including Kingman and Heritage Islands. These man-made islands boast gorgeous landscapes that are home to diverse habitats.

Some of the most popular activities on Kingman Island include birding, biking and hiking on the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, boating from the Anacostia River to Kingman Lake, dog walking on the trail and fishing in ponds found throughout the parklands. Family picnics and photography are also encouraged activities. Visiting the Kingman and Heritage parklands has no cost, but plenty of reward. Be sure to check out these parklands on your next trip to D.C.

Another reason to head to D.C. this spring is to view the annual Smithsonian Craft Show, which occurs from April 25 to April 28. The show highlights multiple forms of contemporary art and will display work from 120 artists, including furniture, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, paper, wearable art, basketry and ceramics. Attendants of the Smithsonian Craft Show are also able to buy some of the divine works presented during the exhibition. To receive more information on the artists, go to http://smithsoniancraftshow.org/.

Make sure to check out all these great places as the sun comes out to stay—and Mason students come out to play.