Last Chance to see the National Christmas Tree
Christmas Eve is a great time to visit the National Christmas Tree across from The White House.
Around the tree are 56 smaller evergreens on the “Pathway of Peace”, with each representing one of the 50 U.S. states, plus the 5 territories and the District of Columbia.
If you get cold, stop by the National Yule Log, which gives visitors a change to warm themselves next to the roaring fire. There’s also a manger scene of baby Jesus.
The tree is a live Colorado Blue Spruce from Pennsylvania and was transplanted in 1978. Many trees in years past were transplanted annually, since the tradition of a National Tree started. President Calvin Coolidge lit the first national Christmas tree on Christmas Eve in 1923.
Afterwards, check out the Christmas trees at the U.S. Botanical Gardens and the US Capitol Tree or head over to the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden for some Christmas Eve ice skating.
National Christmas Tree
President’s Park, south of the White House south lawn
Between 15th and 17th Streets , NW, between E and State Pl, NW.
Washington, DC (map it)
Dates and Times - Open daily through January 1st, 2008, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The tree is lit from dusk until 11:00 p.m.
Tickets - Free, no tickets required.
Nearest Metro Subway Station - Farragut West, Blue and Orange lines, then a 3-block walk or use the DC Circulator.
Parking - Surprisingly, parking turns over often in the area of the Ellipse if you are willing to look for a bit. If not, there are garages within a short walk.
Images - personal collection
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