Photo by philliefan99

Many say that the unofficial start to spring is peak bloom. I argue it is when you stumble upon a long line of people and discover that it isn’t for whatever the latest dessert craze is, but rather good old Ben & Jerry’s on Free Cone Day.

The days of that happening in Dupont Circle or at Union Station are over, but the Georgetown shop is still going strong. There are also stores in Silver Spring, Alexandria, Rockville, and National Harbor. They are open between noon and 8 p.m.