A Guide to Spending a Day in Washington DC during the Cherry Blossom Festival

The magnificence of nature is insurmountable, and this is quite evident in Washington DC during the Cherry Blossom Festival. This celebration marks a day in U.S. history when the country was gifted 3000 cherry blossom trees by Tokyo’s Mayor (Yukio Ozaki), marking the formation of a strong bond between the U.S. and Japan. The free festival typically takes place between late March and early April, depending on when the peak bloom will occur. In 2022, the cherry blossom festival took place from March 20^th to April 17^th. Peak bloom was falling on March 21^st. This guide reveals how to spend a day in Washington DC during the magical Cherry Blossom Festival.

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This Guest Post was written by Supriya from Supriya The Explorista (author bio below)

Cherry Blossoms: A Quick Snapshot

A memory from four years ago: A small heart-shaped bubble gum pink blossom flutters down, landing right in the middle of a large aqua-green pond, the impact creating a ring of outward ripples. The sun is glaring, and it is not yet 10 AM. Beams of sunlight pass through a channel created by a part in the trees. As the light filters through a network of branches, it casts intricate shadowed patterns across the grounds. Almost like origami patterns, or the images viewed from a kaleidoscope. It is a stunning portrayal of the unique artistry of natural phenomena.

Several kinds of cherry blossoms exist, but the two most common varieties planted around the Tidal Basin include the Yoshino and Kwanzan. The Yoshino cherry blossom tree (constituting 70% of the trees) carries 5-petal flowers with a light rose tone, while the Kwanzan cherry blossom tree has double blossoms of deep magenta (13% of the cherry trees). There are several other kinds of cherry blossom trees as well, including Somei Yoshino, Yaezakura, Shidarezakura, Shogetsu, Kanzan, Kanzakura, and Ukon.

The flowers borne by these tree varieties vary on a wide color gradient. They range from a cream flower tinged with light pink to a deep magenta, and everything in between. Moreover, several of them originate in Japan, which holds several breathtaking cherry blossom festivals throughout the nation during the spring season. The national park service publishes an encyclopedia with more information on the different types of cherry blossoms to allow identification of the different types.

History

Cherry Blossoms or sakura, have a significant history, namely in Japan. As they flower during a very limited window of time during the spring, cherry blossoms signify the ephemeral nature of time, inspiring individuals to savor single fleeting moments of precious time. The flower also marks new beginnings. In Japan, there is a special verb designated for flower viewing. Hanami refers to the act of enjoying the transient floral beauty of cherry blossoms. Every spring, Japanese individuals, children, and families spend time picnicking under the pink glow of cherry blossom trees, appreciating their beauty and connecting with others. It is a magical scenario. Today, the DC Cherry Blossom Festival provides Americans with a similar opportunity to enjoy a custom celebrated by many across the globe.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC is one of a few in the U.S. In fact, some alternatives include the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, GA, and the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco. However, DC claims the prize for being the very first one in U.S. history. When planning a day in Washington DC during this unique festival, remember that the blossoms appear most spectacular during peak bloom.

What is peak bloom?

Peak bloom refers to the point when 70% of the cherry blossoms have bloomed. Although nature is never truly predictable, there are several tools available to track the progress of the cherry blossom bloom. These are helpful to be able to plan a day in Washington DC at the opportune time, with the best chance of catching the prettiest views. A few popular and reliable trackers include:

• Cherry Blossom Festival Foundation publishes its own bloom watch
• DC Cherry Blossom Watch is a web and Instagram page. It tracks the progress and blooming of the cherry blossom. This page is constantly updated, which is very helpful
• National Park Service Bloom Watch

How to Spend a Day in Washington DC During the Cherry Blossom Festival

Following this narrative of the significance behind the stunning cherry blossom festival, here is a complete detailed guide on how to spend the day capturing the brilliance of this festival.

Travel to the Tidal Basin

Start the day early by traveling down to the Tidal Basin, the heart of the festival. The Tidal Basin is an artificially made water reservoir with a mean depth of 10 feet. It’s located in West Potomac Park in DC. Early morning hours are perhaps the most ideal times to enjoy the blossoms without having to endure large crowds and the sun. Average temperatures during the time of the festival range from a cool 51 degrees to 62 degrees, but it is possible to reach highs of 74 degrees.

How to get to the Tidal Basin

The best way to navigate travel to the tidal basin area is by Metrorail, Metrobus, or the DC Circulator. You can also rent bikes to cruise the tree-lined pathway along the Tidal Basin. They are a great option to enjoy the blossoms once at the destination.

There are several routes to reach the tidal basin area throughout the metro-DC region:

• From Fairfax, VA: A 35-minute drive or 1.5-hour metro/train ride. If taking the metro, there are several metro stations with routes leading to downtown DC. One option is to the orange line from University Dr/Main St to the Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro Station. Then hop on the train from Vienna/Fairfax-George Mason to the Smithsonian Stop, also on the orange line. The two closest metro stops near the Tidal Basin are the Smithsonian (Blue/Silver/Orange Lines) and L’Enfant Plaza (Blue/Silver/Orange/Yellow/Green lines).
• From Bethesda, MD: A 32-minute drive down Massachusetts Ave NW or a 45-minute train ride along the red line to the metro station, then on the green line to 14^th St SW and C St SW.
• From Arlington, VA: A 16-minute drive via Washington Blvd. or a 40-minute bus/train combo ride. After taking a bus to the pentagon city metro station, take the yellow line to L’Enfant Plaza and walk a mile to the Tidal Basin.

Another alternative is to take the National Mall bus line of the DC Circulator. If driving to see the blossoms, know that parking can often be a challenge, especially during the afternoon. East Potomac Park sometimes has free parking. So, it can be a good starting point to embark upon the walk around the Tidal Basin.

Grab a Coffee or a Blossom Themed Drink

Although the area directly in and around the tidal basin will certainly be a hotspot for touristy gimmicks and expensive food and drinks, it is possible to find less trodden cafes and spots to grab a coffee or other drink before heading down to view the blossoms. This would also be a great time to have a quick bite to eat. Therefore, you can spend the rest of the morning exploring the festival without having to take breaks. A few good choices include Café Georgetown, where it is possible to order a printed latte with an image of cherry blossom, Greenberry’s Coffee Company, or Bluestone Lane West End Café.

If a cocktail drink later in the day is preferable, there are several establishments that offer cherry blossom-themed alcoholic beverages to spice up the visit! A few honorable mentions include the “In Bloom” at the Quill bar at the Jefferson Hotel, a concoction of Wheatley Vodka, Sayuri Nigori sake, lychee, and grapefruit, and the “La Japonesa” at the El Tamarindo in Adams Morgan, which combines sake, reposado tequila, Martini Fiero, white peach puree, bitters, agave, and egg white. These drinks are usually only available for a limited time during the cherry blossom festival!

Marvel at the Blossoms

Spend a few hours touring the cherry blossom trees, with their fluffy blossoms casting the skies in a veil of pink. There is no experience like it! There is a pathway that lines the Tidal Basin where the 3750 cherry blossom trees are found. Along the 2.1-mile route, there are also several landmarks that are not to be missed. The three main ones are the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Other significant sights include the National Mall and the Japanese Pagoda. At a leisurely pace, it should take between 1-1.5 hours to traverse the loop trail. However, 3-4 hours would be a better estimate for those who have a deeper interest in investigating history and monuments.

Although one of the most common ways to explore the Tidal Basin is this leisurely “hike”, a different, more unique method is to rent a paddle boat and take it to the Tidal Basin’s waters! These are available for rental beginning March 15 from 10 AM to 6 PM and cost $18/hour for a two-passenger boat or $30/hour for a four-passenger boat. A trip to the lake can be a great place to capture beautiful shots of the cherry blossoms from a different vantage point and is a great alternative to the walk. It can also be an excursion after the loop is complete. Another great way to enjoy beautiful views over the whole city is to go on a Washington DC helicopter tour. A once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Catch a Unique Festival Event

There’s a schedule of the festival events posted on the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s website well in advance of the celebration. It’s a great guide to the special events that are occurring. For instance, there are parades, ceremonies, fireworks shows, the Petalpalooza art walk (art installations), and even a pink-tie dinner party. For those who bring their pets along, furry friends can partake in the fun by competing in the pet festival.

There is also an annual paws & petals cruise which is dog friendly. One of the most unique events is the blossom kite festival, wherein the Washington Monument grounds are opened for people to fly their own kites. The sight of the kites catching in the wind, tails fluttering, is a sight to behold! Check the website for the most updated schedule of events to plan ahead. Although most events are free, others may be ticketed and require reservations.

Grab Lunch at a Restaurant or Café

When in town for the cherry blossom festival, get the full experience by dining at a high-class restaurant. There are places for every budget. Moreover, the National Cherry Blossom Festival publishes a detailed listing of restaurants for every palette on its website. It is also divided by region. For Spanish fare, try Mi Vida Restaurante or Del Mar. Italian options include Lupo Marino and Grazie Grazie.

Final Thoughts on Spending a Day in Washington DC during the Cherry Blossom Festival

Overall, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the US nation’s most unique festivals celebrating the beginning of spring. It deserves a spot on everyone’s travel bucket list. Not only as a place to appreciate and marvel at the truly stunning cherry blossoms but also to realize their significance. It really does symbolize the country’s connection to Japan, to the arts, and to nature itself. If you want to explore more of DC than only the best Cherry Blossom spots, check out this 2-Day Washington DC Itinerary.

Author Bio: Supriya Jalukar is a University of Michigan alumnus, connoisseur of all things culture and travel, occupational therapist, and dog enthusiast. She spends her days dreaming of which place she will go next. Find more of Supriya’s writing on her travel blog.

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