National Christmas Tree & Pathway of Peace

About this adventure

The premier national holiday tradition at President's Park features the majestic living National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse surrounded by the Pathway of Peace—58 smaller evergreen trees representing every U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia. Each state tree is decorated with one-of-a-kind handmade ornaments designed by youth artists from across the nation, making it a wonderful scavenger hunt for children to locate their home state or family roots. Paved walkways wrap around the entire display, accommodating strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs with ease. Little ones will be mesmerized by the outdoor model train layout circling the base of the towering main tree, where miniature freight trains and passenger cars loop through snow-dusted tunnels and bridges. Bundle up warmly against the winter breeze off the Potomac, and visit at twilight to see the dazzling musical light show that synchronizes the trees to classic holiday melodies every 30 minutes.