What) The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum is easily one of the more unique museums in the Washington D.C. area.  The National Bonsai Foundation operates this museum with the mission of educating the public and encouraging others to appreciate the various methods and results of bonsai. The museum can be found on the United States National Arboretum grounds and is open to the public.  The best and most extensive collection of mature bonsai outside of the country of Japan can be found here.  This was the first bonsai museum established in the world and it remains one of the best today. (1)

    Where) 3501 New York Avenue North East   Open daily from 10am - 4pm

    Why) In my early twenties, I went through a phase where I was interested in plants and Bonsai.  I even owned a bonsai tree at one point but it turned out that I did not have a talent for it.  I have retained fond memories of it though and I thought this would be a neat place to stop in and see what professionals are able to accomplish.

    Sadly, we did not end up stopping in because of time constraints and the timing of our drive through Washington.  I was still interested enough to get us some pictures from the internet.

This American Beach tree has been in training since 1979. (2)

This Buttonwood tree has been in training since 1975. (2)

This Chinese Banyan tree has been in training since 1971. (2)

These Foemina Juniper trees have been in training since 1948 and they even have their own Wikipedia entry. (3)

This Japanese White Pine tree has been in training since 1625 and it survived the nuclear blast at Hiroshima. (2)

I don't know anything about this tree but it might be my favourite one of the bunch. (2)