The Space Shuttle Discovery hitched a ride on NASA’s modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft for the flight from the Dryden Flight Research Center in California, to Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on August 19, 2005. Image Credit: NASA/Lori Losey

As museums continue to celebrate Japan and the 100th anniversary of the gift of cherry blossom trees to Washington, D.C., many of March’s exhibitions continue through April, plus a few new surprises.

>> April 17 marks the anticipated arrival of Space Shuttle Discovery to its new home at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center, and the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has a four-day welcoming party planned, and you’re all invited. From August 30, 1984 through March 9, 2011, Discovery flew 39 successful missions in 27 years, including flying the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit in 1990. As the shuttle arrives at Washington Dulles International Airport around mid-morning April 17 via a modified Boeing 747, BYOB (bring your own breakfast and binoculars) to the Udvar-Hazy Center parking lot beginning at 8 a.m. to view its fly-over, or participate in Spot the Shuttle viewing activities around town. After the two-day de-mating process, Discovery arrives at the Museum at 11 a.m. April 19, when NASA officially hands the shuttle over to in an outdoor ceremony followed by a full day of activities. The celebration continues with Student Discovery Day on April 20 and Family Weekend April 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Admission to the museum is free, but parking is $15.

>> The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery presents Art of Darkness: Japanese Mezzotints from the Hitch Collection, a collection of prints representing the Japanese interpretation of the mezzotint printmaking technique, which achieves halftones without cross-hatching. The exhibit, from the collection of Ken and Kiyo Hitch, opens on April 4 and includes approximately twenty prints and copperplates by Hamaguchi Yozo and Hamanishi Katsunori.

>> Baseball historian Mel Marmer shares the rich history between Baseball and the Presidency at the American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery at 12 p.m. on April 5 to kick off the 2012 baseball season.

>> Take 5! on Thursday, April 19 and celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with a relaxing concert by The Jolley Brothers Group. Let the music inspire your very own paintings created in ArtJamz’ temporary studio ($40, pre-register). 5 to 8 p.m.

>> If you didn’t win a coveted spot in the White House Easter Roll, you’re in luck – On April 7, Madam Tussauds’ hosts its first annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 7 from 8 to 10 a.m. This fun and educational “eggs-ploration” of American History through The Presidents Gallery highlights the 19th President of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes, who started the tradition in 1878. Tickets are only available at the museum box office the day of the event, beginning at 8 a.m. Bring your own Easter basket and hunt for one of the Golden Eggs to win prizes, including a set of personalized wax hands. Free for kids 12 and under, $10 for ages 10 and above.

>> On April 12, the American History Museum debuts their latest permanent exhibit, American Stories. Covering over 5,000 square-feet, the collection features a mix of artifacts and objects culled from the Museum’s holdings to illustrate the history of our country beginning with the founding of Plymouth Rock in 1620 (along with a piece of the actual rock!). Visit Kermit the Frog, Dorothy’s ruby slippers, and a part of the first transatlantic telegraph cable between Queen Victoria and President James Buchanan on August 16, 1858.

>> The Textile Museum presents Japan’s Noh Costumes: An American Appreciation, a lecture on the early forms of collecting the poetic drama costumes in America, presented by Joyce Denney, Assistant Curator for the Department of Asian Art at the Metropolitan Art Museum, April 12, 6 p.m., $25 (nonmembers). Next, attend a two-part workshop on Japanese Embroidery: Cherry Blossoms Along the Tidal Basin with Japanese embroidery teacher Tonie Evans who will guide participants through demonstrations of the technique to create their very own cherry blossom embroidery on silk. 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., April 15 and 22. $75 (non-members). Call (202) 667-0441 x 64 to register for both lecture and workshop. Then on April 26, PM @ The TM returns with Hapi Hour starting at 6 p.m. and a film a 7 p.m. (bring your own blanket for the garden screening). Tickets are $15 and include one drink.

>> On April 28, the African Art Museum offers a Kids & Families workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Use coiled weaving techniques to make baskets using natural materials. Free, but call 202-633-4646 to reserve your spot!

>> Conductor and composer Rob Kapilow with violinist Keng-Yuen Tseng and the Peabody Chamber Orchestra perform Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61 and then break it down during a question and answer session with the audience. The discussion will provide insight into Beethoven’s works and why they are considered masterpieces. Tickets for the Sunday, April 29 performance at the American History Museum’s Baird Auditorium are $18. 6 to 8 p.m.