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 the commute overhead of a downtown hotel.
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 moved up. 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 Capitol Columns meadow is most photogenic at dawn, before the gates open to general visitors at 8 a.m. Staying within a mile of the entrance means you can walk or bike over without coordinating a rideshare at 6 a.m.
- Ivy City breweries, including Atlas Brew Works, sit 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, roughly 1 to 1.5 miles northwest of the Arboretum entrance, and Stadium-Armory on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines, about 1.5 miles southwest. 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. For the Fairfield Inn and Gateway Hotel, both at 0.47 miles from the entrance, a 10-minute walk along New York Avenue NE is the most direct route on a dry day.
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)At 0.47 miles from the Arboretum entrance and carrying the highest guest score among the closest options at 8.4, this Fairfield Inn gives horticulture visitors and azalea-season travelers a 3-star base with Marriott loyalty benefits at a fraction of downtown rates. Walk east on New York Avenue NE for roughly 10 minutes to reach the main gate at 3501, making it the most walkable option on this list for guests without a car or bike.
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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 Arboretum entrance, the Gateway Hotel is at 2700 New York Avenue NE, placing it on the same corridor but slightly closer to the gate by address number, and it offers the most budget-accessible nightly rate among the New York Avenue options for travelers who want proximity without a mid-range price point.
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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)At 0.85 miles from the Arboretum entrance, this Holiday Inn Express gives travelers a 3-star IHG property in the NoMa corridor with a guest score of 7.4, making it a practical base for visitors combining the Arboretum with Union Market, Ivy City breweries, or the RFK Stadium grounds, all reachable within a short rideshare from 1600 New York Avenue NE.
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Ivy City Hotel
1615 New York Ave NE
6.4903 reviews
13 min walk to Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood (Red)Across New York Avenue NE from the Holiday Inn Express at 1615, the Ivy City Hotel is 0.86 miles from the Arboretum and gives budget travelers a 2-star option in the Ivy City neighborhood, within walking distance of Atlas Brew Works and the Ivy City Smokehouse for post-Arboretum evenings.
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City Express by Marriott Washington, DC Northeast
1917 Bladensburg Rd Ne
7.61,152 reviews
22 min walk to Stadium-Armory (Blue/Orange/Silver)At 1.86 miles from the Arboretum entrance, this City Express by Marriott on Bladensburg Road NE is the farthest option on the list but carries a guest score of 7.6, the second-highest among all five hotels, and gives Marriott Bonvoy members a budget-tier redemption option with a 9-minute taxi to the New York Avenue NE gate.
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Frequently asked questions
Which hotel is closest to the US National Arboretum main entrance?＋
The Fairfield Inn by Marriott Washington D.C. at 3305 New York Avenue NE and the Gateway Hotel at 2700 New York Avenue NE both sit 0.47 miles from the main entrance at 3501 New York Avenue NE. Either one puts you about a 10-minute walk from the gate on a dry day.
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 roughly 1.3 miles northwest of the main gate, and Stadium-Armory on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines is about 1.5 miles southwest. 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 at dawn year-round, 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 10 minutes heading east 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 keeps the same hours. Parking on-site is also free, which makes it a practical day trip for families staying at any of the nearby hotels.
