U.S. National Arboretum
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/collections/collections.html
It is hidden just off Route 50 (New York Avenue) into town for motorists taking the Baltimore-Washington Parkway
446 acres of fabulous flora and fauna, especially azalea and Asian collections, a virtual inner city park, are fascinating
National Capitol Columns stood at the east portico of the United States Capitol Building from 1829 to 1958
50-acre Brookside Gardens in Wheaton Regional Park, Silver Spring, MD
full of colorful flowers in bloom and a wonderful green house installed with interesting art works in shapes of animals. “The artfully landscaped grounds, woods, formal gardens, aquatic gardens, a Japanese Tea House and conservatories displaying flowering plants and exhibits that change with the seasons.”
http://www.mc-mncppc.org/parks/facilities/wheaton_regional.shtm
Tour the Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge: generally closed to public uses and many people do not even know it exists.
located at the point where Neabsco Creek flows into the Potomac River. With 325 acres of upland forests and freshwater tidal marshes, the Refuge attracts waterfowl, wading birds and migratory songbirds. http://www.pwconserve.org/events/index.html
The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra performed "Swinging on the Waterfront" and the "1812 Overture" with cannon fire for the city's 257th birthday and the nation's 230th birthday celebration. 
A strenuous 9 mile hike with 2,300 feet of elevation gain to the top of Robertson Mountain with great views.
The berries are not yet ready for me or the black bears.
