I wrote this article as I sat by the Tidal Basin in front of the Jefferson Memorial, surrounded by hundreds of people here to take pictures of the newly bloomed cherry blossoms with the monuments in the background. We’ve camped out right under one of the trees, sitting in the shade and admiring the panoramic view of our beautiful capital.

Spring is most definitely my favorite season. The sun, the light breezes, and the warm days make it the best season to go on outdoor adventures, and you don’t have to travel far to do so.

It’s okay to be a tourist in your own city. As a college student, you’re normally cooped up on campus all week going to your classes, jobs, or internships. I rarely get to travel to the center of DC even though I have Tuesdays and Fridays free—those days are spent catching up on homework or babysitting.

It’s the perfect time to hop on the Silver, Orange, and Blue line and head to the National Mall or visit the memorials. Lay out a blanket with your friends and do homework on the grass. Drop by the many coffee shops and drink as many iced lattes as you want. If you're up for it, run the six miles from campus to the Capitol.

I get if you don’t want to. DC is packed now, and it’s a little annoying to have to navigate through the tourists and families with huge strollers. I get impatient very easily, especially when tourists don’t stand on the right side of the metro escalators and I’m trying to walk. However, it’s worth the trouble.

There’s this feeling of appreciation you get when you walk around the city. It’s different when you go during the daytime. When you go at night, it’s hard to see the landmarks that make this city so special. Walking around in the middle of the day and blending in with the crowd makes you realize why so many people travel here.

Take some time out of these last couple of weeks we have of the semester to explore DC. Whether you’re alone or with your friends, you’re sure to find a new level of appreciation for the city we now call home.