Each year for April Fools Day, DC-area institutions and businesses poke a little fun, proving that even a city known for taking itself a bit too seriously at times still has a sense of humor.
Here are a few favorites we spotted today.
Coming soon to a Metro near you: The Metro bed collection. All orders ship Neveruary 1.
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Good luck spotting the Potomac Overlook cougar in the Arlington suburbs:
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Take a stroll along the National Mall to spot the ever-so rare red, white, and blue blossoms.
Unbelievable! The legendary cherry tree cut down by young George Washington has regenerated on the Washington Monument grounds and is patriotically blooming red, white & blue blossoms, possibly sensing our approach towards the 250th anniversary of American independence in July.… pic.twitter.com/XeewrotDbe
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) April 1, 2026
Perhaps eating artificially-dyed candy in bulk balances all the red meat?
— HHS Rapid Response (@HHSResponse) April 1, 2026
If only all parking tickets could be redeemed for a tasty freebie.
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Jenae Barnes previously reported and fact-checked for Capital B Gary in Indiana, 5280 Magazine in Denver, Forbes in New York and ABC News in Washington, D.C. She is a 2024 Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellow. As a DC-area native, she received her Bachelor’s from George Mason University and Master’s degree from Columbia Journalism School.
