The United States National Arboretum is a 446-acre federal garden in Northeast Washington DC, free to enter, and home to the National Capitol Columns, the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, and Azalea Collections that draw large crowds each April and May.
The five hotels near the US National Arboretum Washington DC on this list were chosen based on walking distance to the 3501 New York Avenue NE main entrance, guest satisfaction scores, and verified operating status.
Every property is within 2 miles of that entrance, putting you close enough for an early-morning walk to the Capitol Columns or a quick rideshare to the Bonsai Museum without a cross-town commute from downtown.
How we selected and ranked these hotels
Walking distance to the Arboretum's main entrance on New York Avenue NE determined the order. Where two hotels fell within 0.1 miles of each other, the higher star rating ranks first.
All five properties were confirmed open and operating under their stated names in 2026. The list covers a mix of segments, from a budget-friendly 2-star option on Bladensburg Road to a 3-star Marriott-branded property on New York Avenue, so travelers at different price points have a workable base near the Arboretum.
Quick comparison: hotels near the US National Arboretum
| Hotel | Stars | Distance to Arboretum | Neighborhood | Guest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Inn by Marriott Washington D.C. | 3 | 0.47 mi | Ivy City / New York Ave NE | 8.4 |
| Gateway Hotel | 2 | 0.47 mi | Ivy City / New York Ave NE | 6.8 |
| Holiday Inn Express And Suites Washington Dc Noma by IHG | 3 | 0.85 mi | NoMa | 7.4 |
| Ivy City Hotel | 2 | 0.86 mi | Ivy City | 6.4 |
| City Express by Marriott Washington, DC Northeast | 2 | 1.86 mi | Bladensburg Road NE | 7.6 |
Planning your visit around the Arboretum
- The Arboretum has no nearby Metro stop. From any of these hotels, a rideshare to the 3501 New York Avenue NE entrance takes 5 to 10 minutes and costs far less than National Mall parking.
- Azalea peak bloom runs mid-April through early May. Book at least 6 weeks ahead if your visit falls in that window, as hotels along New York Avenue NE fill faster than usual.
- The grounds open at 8 a.m. Staying within a mile of the entrance means you can walk or bike over for opening time without coordinating a rideshare.
- Ivy City breweries, including Atlas Brew Works, are within a 10-minute walk of the New York Avenue NE hotels, making them a practical evening option after a full day at the Arboretum.
Getting to the Arboretum without a car
The closest Metro stations to these hotels are Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood on the Red Line, about 1.5 miles west of the Arboretum entrance, and Stadium-Armory on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines, about 1.7 miles south. Neither puts you at the gate.
Capital Bikeshare docks on New York Avenue NE and Bladensburg Road NE give you a faster option for the last mile, and Metrobus routes pass through NoMa if you need a connection point.
From the Fairfield Inn and Gateway Hotel, the walk to the entrance along New York Avenue NE takes about 12 to 15 minutes.
The hotels
Fairfield Inn by Marriott Washington D.C.
2305 New York Ave Ne
8.4308 reviews
18 min walk to Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood (Red)0.47 miles from the entrance, with the best guest score of the closest options (8.4). The walk to the 3501 New York Avenue NE entrance is about 12 minutes.
View hotel →
Gateway Hotel
2700 New York Ave Ne
6.8140 reviews
20 min walk to Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood (Red)Tied with the Fairfield Inn at 0.47 miles from the entrance, and the cheapest of the New York Avenue options.
View hotel →
Holiday Inn Express And Suites Washington Dc Noma by IHG
1600 New York Avenue NE
7.4170 reviews
12 min walk to Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood (Red)0.85 miles from the entrance in the NoMa corridor, and a short rideshare from Union Market, the Ivy City breweries and the RFK Stadium grounds.
View hotel →
Ivy City Hotel
1615 New York Ave NE
6.4903 reviews
13 min walk to Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood (Red)A 2-star budget option across New York Avenue NE from the Holiday Inn Express, a walk from Atlas Brew Works and the Ivy City Smokehouse.
View hotel →
City Express by Marriott Washington, DC Northeast
1917 Bladensburg Rd Ne
7.61,152 reviews
22 min walk to Stadium-Armory (Blue/Orange/Silver)The farthest on the list at 1.86 miles, but its 7.6 guest score is second-best of the five, and it's a 9-minute taxi to the gate.
View hotel →
All 63 Washington DC hotel guides →
Frequently asked questions
Which hotel is closest to the US National Arboretum main entrance?＋
The Fairfield Inn by Marriott Washington D.C. at 2305 New York Avenue NE and the Gateway Hotel at 2700 New York Avenue NE both are 0.47 miles from the main entrance at 3501 New York Avenue NE. The walk to the gate takes about 12 to 15 minutes.
Is there a Metro station near the US National Arboretum?＋
No Metro station is at or near the Arboretum entrance. Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood on the Red Line is about 1.5 miles west of the main gate, and Stadium-Armory on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines is about 1.7 miles south. From any hotel on this list, a rideshare to the Arboretum takes 5 to 10 minutes and is the most practical option.
When is the best time to visit the Arboretum and do I need to book hotels early?＋
The Azalea Collections peak in mid-April through early May, drawing the Arboretum's largest annual crowds. Hotels along New York Avenue NE fill faster during that window, so booking 6 or more weeks ahead is advisable for azalea-season visits. The Capitol Columns meadow is worth visiting right at the 8 a.m. opening, and the Bonsai Museum draws steady traffic from spring through fall.
Can I walk to the Arboretum from the New York Avenue NE hotels?＋
Yes, from the Fairfield Inn at 2305 New York Avenue NE or the Gateway Hotel at 2700 New York Avenue NE, the walk to the main entrance at 3501 takes about 12 to 15 minutes along New York Avenue NE. The stretch has limited shade and some sections lack a dedicated pedestrian path, so a Capital Bikeshare bike or rideshare is a better option on hot days or when carrying equipment.
Are there things to do near these hotels besides the Arboretum?＋
The Ivy City neighborhood, accessible from the New York Avenue NE hotels, has Atlas Brew Works, the Ivy City Smokehouse, and the Crummb bakery within a short walk. Union Market is about 1.5 miles west in NoMa. The Anacostia Riverwalk Trail starts near the RFK Stadium grounds, roughly 1.5 miles south of the Arboretum, and connects to several miles of waterfront path.
Does the US National Arboretum charge an entrance fee?＋
No. The Arboretum is a federal facility administered by the USDA Agricultural Research Service and is free to enter. The grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking on-site is also free, which makes it a practical day trip for families staying at any of the nearby hotels.
