Cherry blossoms and beyond: Where to play and stay in Washington, DC now

The District is in full flower.

Take a trip to the capital to see some 3,800 ornamental cherry trees in peak bloom around the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial – and some equally stunning museum exhibits.

The spectacular explosion of pink and white petals appeared on March 26 and is expected to last about 10 days. The trees were a gift from Japan in 1921 to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Check the National Cherry Blossom Festival calendar for events (like the Blossom Bash on March 29) and bring a camera. The crowds admiring the landscape can be as dense as the delicate flower clusters, so early morning visits – as in sunrise – are advised.

And while you’re in D.C., take advantage of the incredible museums. Here’s a look at the latest must-see exhibits and a welcoming hotel:

Historical paintings by American women artists at the National Museum of Women in the Arts

NMWA marked Women’s History Month with a series of events, including an installation of historical paintings by American women artists from the museum’s collection. Admire elegant works from Lilla Cabot Perry, Jennie Augusta Brownscombe, Cecilia Beaux, Clementine Hunter, Sarah Miriam Peale, Anna Claypoole Peale, Jane Peterson and Grandma Moses, among other talents.

Then check out “Making Their Mark: Works from the Shah Garg Collection,” featuring about 80 masterpieces from the contemporary art collection of Komal Shah and Gaurav Garg. Admire works from female artists including Magdalena Abakanowicz, Cecily Brown, Sheila Hicks, Jenny Holzer, Joan Mitchell, Faith Ringgold, Amy Sillman, Lorna Simpson, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Pat Steir and Kara Walker.

All art-world trailblazers.

Into the Waters with Senju and Bingyi: Two Contemporary Paintings at the National Museum of Asian Art

Both Hiroshi Senju, a Japanese painter known for his giant waterfall works, and Bingyi, a Chinese artist and scholar famed for her massive-scale ink paintings, go deep.

H20 is both the muse and the motif of their meditative paintings. Senju transforms waterfalls into idealized images while Bingyi is inspired by nature and historical Chinese ink painting and philosophy.

Dip your toes.

Camouflage: Designed to Deceive at the International Spy Museum

Learn about vanishing acts at a new immersive exhibit at The International Spy Museum. Using artifacts, true stories and hands-on displays, this engaging show takes guests through the history of camouflage and its connections to espionage. From WWI “dazzle” ships to Tony Mendez’ quick-change old lady disguises to modern “deepfakes,” these displays detail deception at its deepest.

Could you be a secret agent? Test your observation skills on the giant screens with hidden-in-plain-sight photos.

Miro and the United States at The Phillips Collection

In broad strokes, this exhibit showcases cultural dialogue.

Catalan artist Joan Miró made seven trips to the U.S. between 1947 and 1968 and held retrospectives at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1941 and 1959. During his time stateside, he met artists in their studios, partnered on prints and architectural projects and participated in their creative community.

Co-organized with the Fundació Joan Miró in Barcelona, this show explores the cross-pollination betwen artists and features 75 works by more than 30 masters including Alexander Calder, Jackson Pollock, Louise Bourgeois, Elaine de Kooning, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, Arshile Gorky and Lee Krasner.

American artists helped shape Miró’s work, and he theirs.

The Dupont Circle Hotel

Looking out over the famous roundabout park and its white marble fountain, The Dupont Circle Hotel is centrally located in the city’s cosmopolitan hub. The five-star Doyle Collection property is steps from Embassy Row, art and mansion museums, top restaurants, unique bookstores, independent boutiques and the Sunday Farmer’s Market. The neighborhood is so fun it’s hard to leave.

The hotel serves as a meeting place for locals and visitors, starting with weekend brunch at The Pembroke (arrive early enough to get one of the 16 cinnamon buns baked per service), drinks at the buzzy Doyle bar (a new cocktail menu honoring D.C. luminaries like Duke Ellington debuts in mid-April) and then dinner at The Pembroke again. The Michelin-recommended hot spot serves modern American cuisine like fritto misto di mare, homemade lamb bolognese and duck breast with celery root.

The colorful restaurant has coral banquettes, floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views – and the scene inside is equally vibrant. A leafy terrace offers al fresco dining from spring to fall.

As for the elegant rooms, they’re large and light-filled with comfortable beds and spa bathrooms.

This lively hotel is the perfect base for a spring sojourn.