Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossoms

Travel | Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossoms

Visiting the cherry blossoms, during peak bloom, in Washington, D.C. is a rewarding experience. Fortunately, I live in close proximity to the city and was able to make my way in for a visit at just the right time during the April bloom.

The Tidal Basin was a bit crowded, but not nearly as busy as anticipated. My visit was early on a Friday morning and I was back on the metro, heading home, around noon.

Resources

The blooming periods shift each year, making it a little tricky to travel in from afar for peak bloom. There are, however, great resources available for forecasting and planning.

• National Park Service - this website is dedicated to the Cherry Blossom Festival. There are webcams, a bloom schedule, schedule of events as well as maps, brochures and directions for planning your visit.

• National Cherry Blossom Festival - this website is dedicated to the official events surrounding the cherry blossoms. This is a great place to book hotels, view events, keep up to date on festival news and get an idea of everything taking place in the area during the blooming period.

Viewing Areas

Here are a few different areas where the cherry blossoms may be viewed:

• East Potomac Park - cherry blossoms line the outskirts of the park.

• Tidal Basin - you may walk around any portion of the Tidal Basin and find cherry blossoms. Memorials and monuments along the way include the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

• Washington Monument - there are small clusters of trees surrounding the Washington Monument.

• From the water - if you have access to a boat, kayak or canoe, viewing the cherry blossoms from the water is a lovely experience. The Potomac River, Washington Channel and the Tidal Basin all provide unique views.