Christmas in Washington,DC

The scene as we walked from our car.

This past week we were in the DC area visiting our son, daughter-in-law, grandson and newest baby grandson. One rainy night we decided to go see the National Christmas Tree. (It had quit raining by the time we got there.) The National Tree comes from Minnesota this year so it was especially meaningful.

Can you see the White House in the background?

As we got closer we saw that the National Tree was surrounded by smaller trees. Each tree has a sign by it naming a state. Since the trees were covered with a frame of lights you couldn't really see the tree. I'm not sure if these trees were supposed to have come from that particular state? I wondered if Hawaii had evergreen trees?

Actually US territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam had a tree too.

There were also wooden frames in the shape of Christmas trees that had ornaments from each state. They looked like small clear plastic beach balls filled with stuff. We weren't sure what Minnesota's had inside. We weren't impressed with these at all. I didn't even take a photograph of any.

Love this little train village!

I was wishing my grandson, Jack would have been with us. He loves trains! Around the National Christmas Tree are train tracks and several villages. We were there on a Tuesday evening and the train wasn't running. I'm not sure if it only runs on weekends or not.  It would have been really fun to see the train in action. Interesting to note that people have thrown pennies on the village platforms and around the tracks. (like a wishing well?)

The first night of Hanukkah.

There was also a giant Menorah that had the candle for the first night of Hanukkah lit. Nearby was a building labeled "Santa's workshop". It is only open on the weekends. So we peeked in the windows--saw what looked like a real toy workshop. I couldn't tell where Santa would be sitting but it looked really fun. And sadly, tucked way back in a corner was a life-size plastic Manger scene. 

A few of the decorations in the Gaylord Hotel.

I've been to DC many times but never at Christmas time. We drove around a little bit more after we left this area but there weren't too much other Christmasy things to see. We did go down to the National Harbor which had a giant ferris wheel all lit up and lots of other Christmas lights. We walked through the Gaylord Hotel. It was really beautifully decorated. Really helped put us in the Holiday spirit.

As much fun as it is to travel it is always good to be home. The Christmas lights in our own neighborhood welcomed us back.