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Nat Geo's highly anticipated museum opens in June

The $300 million transformation of Nat Geo's campus has been years in the making — and it's not your typical museum.

News

D.C.&#x27;s most-anticipated new museum finally has an opening date: the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Geographic Museum of Exploration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/10/21/national-geographic-museum-of-exploration-dc" data-vars-content-id="db25e91d-8729-4a9f-a6b9-6f798bde8033" data-vars-headline="Nat Geo&#x27;s highly anticipated museum opens in June" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/10/21/national-geographic-museum-of-exploration-dc" target="_self">National Geographic Museum of Exploration</a> debuts June 26.Why it matters: The $300 million transformation of Nat Geo&#x27;s 140-year-old campus near downtown has been years in the making — and it&#x27;s not your typical museum. Think high-tech, hands-on and built for all ages.

Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump's White House project faces a pivotal week

President Trump <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told reporters" data-vars-click-url="https://rollcall.com/factbase/trump/transcript/donald-trump-press-gaggle-air-force-one-march-29-2026/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rollcall.com/factbase/trump/transcript/donald-trump-press-gaggle-air-force-one-march-29-2026/" target="_blank">told reporters</a> aboard Air Force One on Sunday that the military &quot;is building a massive complex&quot; under <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the White House ballroom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/02/9000-pages-public-comments-slam-white-house-ballroom" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/02/9000-pages-public-comments-slam-white-house-ballroom" target="_self">the White House ballroom</a> that&#x27;s under construction — adding fresh intrigue to an already controversial renovation.Why it matters: Major <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="changes to the White House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/white-house-trump-changes-photos" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/white-house-trump-changes-photos" target="_self">changes to the White House</a> are rare — but Trump is rapidly reshaping the complex in his second term, often sidestepping traditional approval processes.Driving the news: Trump said the $400 million ballroom &quot;actually becomes a shed for what&#x27;s being built&quot; underneath by the military.<ul><li>Outfitted with bulletproof windows, &quot;drone-proof roofs&quot; and his favored <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Corinthian columns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/03/15/white-house-columns-ionic-corinthian/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/03/15/white-house-columns-ionic-corinthian/" target="_blank">Corinthian columns</a>, the ballroom is weeks &quot;ahead of schedule and under budget,&quot; with &quot;not one dime of government money going into the ballroom.&quot;</li><li>A closed porch will have views of the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial and Lincoln Memorial.</li></ul>What he&#x27;s saying: &quot;I&#x27;m so busy that I don&#x27;t have time to do this,&quot; Trump said. &quot;I&#x27;m fighting wars and other things. But this is very important, because this is gonna be with us for a long time … I think it&#x27;ll be the greatest ballroom anywhere in the world.&quot;<figure><img alt="Donald Trump in a dark suit and red tie leans over, holding a large print of a white neoclassical government building with American flags, set against a blue sky." height="1409" id="a8a1fa15-647b-433a-80f5-910fb45d32ca" src="https://images.axios.com/dba4u91VFdoP1iLkqoHraYMCL3A=/2026/03/30/1774895014223.jpeg" width="2000"/><figcaption>The East Wing modernization project faces a final vote — and possible court decision — this week. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The intrigue: White House officials told reporters that the underground complex is a matter of national security and declined to offer further details.Context: Subterranean White House facilities aren&#x27;t new. The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Presidential Emergency Operations Center" data-vars-click-url="https://interestingengineering.com/culture/a-look-inside-the-us-presidents-top-secret-white-house-bunker" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://interestingengineering.com/culture/a-look-inside-the-us-presidents-top-secret-white-house-bunker" target="_blank">Presidential Emergency Operations Center</a> (PEOC) was created during WWII to protect <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Franklin D. Roosevelt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.whitehousehistory.org/secret-spaces-at-the-white-house" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.whitehousehistory.org/secret-spaces-at-the-white-house" target="_blank">President Franklin D. Roosevelt</a> in case of an attack.<ul><li>It&#x27;s been used during crises like 9/11 and in times of unrest, including the 2020 George Floyd protests, when Trump was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moved" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-violence-b3817623ef861818803b5676d43741ea" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-violence-b3817623ef861818803b5676d43741ea" target="_blank">moved</a> to the bunker.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CNN reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/politics/east-wing-secret-bunker-construction-details" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/politics/east-wing-secret-bunker-construction-details" target="_blank">CNN reported</a> in January that the existing PEOC had been &quot;dismantled&quot; during Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Wing demolition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/trump-white-house-east-wing-renovation-backlash" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/trump-white-house-east-wing-renovation-backlash" target="_self">East Wing demolition</a> and that a new, modernized facility was in the works.</li></ul>More intrigue: Officials have suggested the classified underground work is why White House construction moved ahead without National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approval.<ul><li>White House official Joshua Fisher told the NCPC that the overall project would boost &quot;mission-critical functionality,&quot; make &quot;necessary security enhancements,&quot; and create &quot;resilient, adaptive infrastructure&quot; for future needs, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CNN" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/politics/east-wing-secret-bunker-construction-details" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/politics/east-wing-secret-bunker-construction-details" target="_blank">CNN</a>.</li><li>In a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="court filing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/26/us/politics/judge-white-house-ballroom-trump.html" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/26/us/politics/judge-white-house-ballroom-trump.html" target="_blank">court filing</a> to stop the East Wing demolition, officials warned that halting the work would &quot;endanger national security.&quot;</li></ul>Between the lines: In a city where it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="difficult to build up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/05/trump-height-act-dc-legalize-skyscrapers" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/05/trump-height-act-dc-legalize-skyscrapers" target="_self">difficult to build up</a>, the Trump administration is going underground. Earlier this month, it sent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncpc.gov/files/projects/2026/8763_White_House_Visitor_Screening_Facility_Submission_Materials_Apr2026.pdf" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncpc.gov/files/projects/2026/8763_White_House_Visitor_Screening_Facility_Submission_Materials_Apr2026.pdf" target="_blank">a proposal</a> to the NCPC for a 33,000-square-foot screening facility for White House visitors below Sherman Park.<figure><img alt="After the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush met with this National Security Council in the East Wing bunker, which was reportedly dismantled in the East Wing demo. Photo by Eric Draper, Courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library" height="2048" id="4a41f4d2-e8d4-4c18-9775-476bbecc0a48" src="https://images.axios.com/q8FE_boHRGDKkfpyWfvthBHyBos=/2026/03/30/1774895233562.jpeg" width="3072"/><figcaption>After the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush met with this National Security Council in the East Wing bunker, which was reportedly dismantled in the East Wing demolition. Photo: Eric Draper, courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library</figcaption></figure>Friction point: The ballroom design got more than 9,000 pages of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="negative public comments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/02/9000-pages-public-comments-slam-white-house-ballroom" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/02/9000-pages-public-comments-slam-white-house-ballroom" target="_self">negative public comments</a>, but the NCPC, chaired by a top Trump official, is expected to vote to approve the project at its<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Thursday meeting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncpc.gov/review/agenda/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncpc.gov/review/agenda/" target="_blank"> Thursday meeting</a>.<ul><li>Local officials like D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, a member of the NCPC, are still voicing concerns about the addition overwhelming the White House: &quot;I am disturbed about the height,&quot; he told reporters Monday.</li></ul>Meanwhile, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Trust for Historic Preservation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/12/trump-ballroom-white-house-lawsuit" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/12/trump-ballroom-white-house-lawsuit" target="_self">National Trust for Historic Preservation</a> has sued to halt the project, arguing that the president skipped over congressional approval.What&#x27;s next: In addition to the Thursday vote, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, who&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expressed skepticism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/22/trump-ballroom-approval-lawsuit/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/22/trump-ballroom-approval-lawsuit/" target="_blank">expressed skepticism</a> over the project and its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="private donor funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/16/trump-white-house-ballroom-ethics-donors" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/16/trump-white-house-ballroom-ethics-donors" target="_self">private donor funding</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signaled" data-vars-click-url="https://www.courthousenews.com/federal-judge-likely-to-block-brazen-white-house-ballroom-construction/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.courthousenews.com/federal-judge-likely-to-block-brazen-white-house-ballroom-construction/" target="_blank">signaled</a> that a ruling on the National Trust&#x27;s lawsuit will come early this week — potentially halting the ballroom construction that&#x27;s set to start in April.

Long TSA lines abound — but not everywhere in the DMV

What to know before heading into peak spring break travel time.

Uncertainty is the feeling du jour for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="airline travel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" data-vars-content-id="256bc906-2025-4f6a-a938-8e78ded5b274" data-vars-headline="Long TSA lines abound — but not everywhere in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" target="_self">airline travel</a> heading into peak spring break and Easter — as the partial government shutdown continues to strain TSA staffing.Why it matters: If you&#x27;re about to ditch town, you&#x27;re likely on edge about reports of hours-long <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="security lines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/21/musk-trump-tsa-ice-airports" data-vars-content-id="256bc906-2025-4f6a-a938-8e78ded5b274" data-vars-headline="Long TSA lines abound — but not everywhere in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/21/musk-trump-tsa-ice-airports" target="_self">security lines</a>. But so far in the DMV, delays have been hit-or-miss.

Peak cherry blossoms are here — go now

Peak typically lasts a few days, but rain and wind could shorten the show.

Peak bloom <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burst this morning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/bloom-watch.htm" data-vars-content-id="9a235364-98f4-4995-afe8-0e13a769112f" data-vars-headline="Peak cherry blossoms are here — go now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/bloom-watch.htm" target="_blank">burst this morning</a> at the Tidal Basin — which means the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cherry blossom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/20/best-cherry-blossoms-without-crowds-dc-arboretum" data-vars-content-id="9a235364-98f4-4995-afe8-0e13a769112f" data-vars-headline="Peak cherry blossoms are here — go now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/20/best-cherry-blossoms-without-crowds-dc-arboretum" target="_self">cherry blossom</a> clock is ticking.Why it matters: Go soon, and you may catch thousands of cherry trees at their peak before the biggest crowds descend.

Poll: Which cherry blossom is the next Stumpy?

Vote for your favorite short king in our poll.

Things to Do

Glorious <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Stumpy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/03/15/stumpy-cut-down-cherry-tree" data-vars-content-id="43042002-44f8-4694-bc49-c87efa948902" data-vars-headline="Poll: Which cherry blossom is the next Stumpy?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/03/15/stumpy-cut-down-cherry-tree" target="_self">Stumpy</a> news: Cuttings from D.C.&#x27;s favorite lil&#x27; tree (<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="RIP to our short king" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/03/15/stumpy-cut-down-cherry-tree" data-vars-content-id="43042002-44f8-4694-bc49-c87efa948902" data-vars-headline="Poll: Which cherry blossom is the next Stumpy?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/03/15/stumpy-cut-down-cherry-tree" target="_self">RIP to our short king</a>) bloomed for the first time this spring at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Arboretum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/20/best-cherry-blossoms-without-crowds-dc-arboretum" data-vars-content-id="43042002-44f8-4694-bc49-c87efa948902" data-vars-headline="Poll: Which cherry blossom is the next Stumpy?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/20/best-cherry-blossoms-without-crowds-dc-arboretum" target="_self">National Arboretum</a> — and could make their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grand Tidal Basin return" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/Interior/status/2037208947203957084" data-vars-content-id="43042002-44f8-4694-bc49-c87efa948902" data-vars-headline="Poll: Which cherry blossom is the next Stumpy?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/Interior/status/2037208947203957084" target="_blank">grand Tidal Basin return</a> as early as next year.👑Yes, but: It will take years for Stumpy&#x27;s saplings to fill his royal roots, so we must crown a successor in the meantime.

Your D.C. Weekend: Bloomaroo, kite festival and blossom pop-ups

Kite Festival, Bloomaroo, international soccer, pop-ups and more.

Cherry blossoms are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="popping" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/26/dc-cherry-blossoms-peak-bloom-early" data-vars-content-id="f268b81a-2ce9-41f7-97b7-a9b18a03f044" data-vars-headline="Your D.C. Weekend: Bloomaroo, kite festival and blossom pop-ups" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/26/dc-cherry-blossoms-peak-bloom-early" target="_self">popping</a>, kites are flying and pink fireworks are set to light up the Wharf — D.C.&#x27;s biggest blossom weekend has arrived.Why it matters: The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs through April 12, but this is peak spring energy — with big events to match.

A local's guide to Cherry Blossom Festival events in D.C.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Cherry Blossom Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/19/cherry-blossom-things-to-do-this-weekend" data-vars-content-id="23c1b889-ac30-459d-84df-2c6f1cecf4f2" data-vars-headline="A local&#x27;s guide to Cherry Blossom Festival events in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/19/cherry-blossom-things-to-do-this-weekend" target="_self">National Cherry Blossom Festival</a> kicks off today (through April 12) — and no, it&#x27;s not just for tourists.The big picture: Millions flock to D.C. every year (and drop serious green at hotels and businesses), so it&#x27;s easy to write the official fest off as a visitor thing.

Skip the Tidal Basin: D.C.'s best cherry blossoms are blooming here

This park has a bigger variety, a longer bloom season and space to actually enjoy the splendor.

Hot pink take: The best <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cherry blossoms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/05/cherry-blossom-peak-bloom-date-2026-march-29-april-1" data-vars-content-id="73275fa6-dd3b-4a01-9207-aaa427fc95af" data-vars-headline="Skip the Tidal Basin: D.C.&#x27;s best cherry blossoms are blooming here" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/05/cherry-blossom-peak-bloom-date-2026-march-29-april-1" target="_self">cherry blossoms</a> in D.C. aren&#x27;t at the Tidal Basin.<ul><li>They&#x27;re at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Arboretum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/03/19/guide-dc-cherry-blossoms-2022" data-vars-content-id="73275fa6-dd3b-4a01-9207-aaa427fc95af" data-vars-headline="Skip the Tidal Basin: D.C.&#x27;s best cherry blossoms are blooming here" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2022/03/19/guide-dc-cherry-blossoms-2022" target="_self">National Arboretum</a> — where you can actually enjoy them without the crowds.</li></ul>

Weekender: Cherry Blossom Festival opening ceremony and more

Good riddance to the coldest winter in decades, hello blue skies and spring. <ul><li>It&#x27;s time for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cherry Blossom Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/event/opening-ceremony/" data-vars-content-id="22c3c930-58e7-420e-8c68-df099ee50dfe" data-vars-headline="Weekender: Cherry Blossom Festival opening ceremony and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/event/opening-ceremony/" target="_blank">Cherry Blossom Festival</a> — and the opening ceremony is this Saturday, celebrating Tokyo&#x27;s 1912 gifting of the trees to D.C.</li></ul>What&#x27;s new: The annual ceremony is moving from the Warner Theatre into DAR Constitution Hall, D.C.&#x27;s largest concert hall.

How to watch DMV teams during March Madness

Sports

March Madness is back, and the DMV is well represented — with 9 men&#x27;s and women&#x27;s NCAA teams facing off.🏀 Here&#x27;s a quick guide to who&#x27;s playing in the coming days and how to watch.

Best Irish pubs around D.C. for St. Patrick's Day

Think morning pints, Irish breakfasts and live music.

Food and Drink

St. Patrick&#x27;s Day is March 17, which means it&#x27;s time to find a proper Irish pub.Why it matters: St. Patrick&#x27;s Day is a major celebration for the Irish and their descendants — and a handful of D.C.-area pubs keep the traditions alive.

Your D.C. Weekend: St. Patrick's Day celebrations

Grab a pint, catch live music and dancing. Plus: other weekend happenings.

St. Patrick&#x27;s Day is Tuesday — but the celebrations start this weekend, from a waterfront festival and pub takeovers to dog-friendly trivia and Irish cooking.

Things to Do 🗓

Find under-the-radar cherry blossoms in D.C.

Poll: Which cherry blossom is the next Stumpy?

Your D.C. Weekend: Bloomaroo, kite festival and blossom pop-ups

Peak cherry blossoms are here — go now

Nat Geo's highly anticipated museum opens in June