HELPFUL HINTS FOR VISITING THE CAPITAL DURING ITS ANNUAL BLOOM
Seeing the city of Washington DC and its most famous monuments accented with pale pink blossoms is a beautiful sight. This annual bloom has been celebrated since the first 3,000 trees were gifted to the US in 1912 as a sign of friendship from the people of Japan. Today the trees attract over a million visitors each year and a have a full festival thrown in their honor. While this is a special time to visit America's capital city, it comes with plenty of challenges from timing your visit right to navigating the crowds. Keep reading for my top tips & tricks for seeing DC's cherry blossoms!
KNOW WHEN TO GO
Peak Bloom Varies from Year to Year
That said, it usually happens in late March or early April. For a better idea of when peak bloom is going to happen, there are several groups that track the progress of the blooms, including the NPS, Cherry Blossom Watch, and the Capital Weather Gang.
Click here for the official NPS prediction of peak bloom (usually announced around March 1st):
Check out this chart for the history of peak bloom over the last two decades:
If You're Going to Miss, I'd Miss Slightly Early
It's really hard to time the blooms just right at peak bloom, which is when 70% of the trees are in bloom. With that in mind, if you are wavering between two weekends for planning your trip, I'd pick the earlier one. Here's why:
Things can change quickly. It often only takes a brief warm stretch to push the blooms from their final phases to peak, sometimes only a day or two.
The bloom builds up over time, and the puffy white phase just before peak bloom can be really beautiful. Additionally, other species, like the beautiful saucer magnolia, bloom earlier - if you don't time the Yoshinos perfectly, those trees should still be looking great.
Peak bloom is fleeting. Once the trees bloom they are very fragile. A cold snap can be very damaging and wind and rain can knock of the delicate petals. Once bloom hits, the peak phase may only last a week or sometimes as little as a few days.
Not All Trees Bloom at Once!
Blooms will occur in stages; this refers to both trees of different species and trees within the same species.
VARIATION ACROSS DIFFERENT SPECIES
When most people refer to the "cherry blossoms," they are usually talking about the Yoshino cherry trees. But, there are also other varieties of cherry trees (and magnolias that strongly resemble cherry trees) that bloom at different times.
Check out this timeline for when some of the popular species bloom relative to the Yoshino cherry trees:
Also, check out this Field Guide from the NPS to learn more about the 11 different varieties of cherry trees:
WITHIN THE SAME SPECIES
All of the Yoshino trees will also not all bloom at once, which takes some pressure off of timing peak bloom perfectly. Even if you don't catch it just right, it's likely that you'll see an early or late bloomer that is looking its very best!
You Can Follow the Progress Online
If you want to follow along from afar or want to see how the bloom is progressing before your trip, check out the official NPS Bloom Cam here:
KNOW WHERE TO GO
The National Mall is the Most Iconic Spot...
With over 3,800 cherry trees of multiple varieties spread across the park and the monuments at their backdrop, it's easy to see why the Mall is a fan favorite. The Tidal Basin is arguably the most iconic spot, with cherry trees wrapping around the edges of the basin and framing gorgeous photos of the MLK and Jefferson Memorials. The Washington Monument also has a solid number of trees around the base, and adjacent Potomac Park has the most variety of trees.
...But There Are Also Other Places to Go
The Mall may be the most famous place to see the trees, but that also makes it one of the busiest. You might want to check out some other options for fewer crowds or to see varieties of trees other than the Yoshino, which are the main trees at the Mall.
This list shows some of the best places to see the blooms:
CHERRY BLOSSOMS
Tidal Basin
National Mall near Washington Monumnet
East & West Potomac Park (particularly for Kwanzan Cherries & other non-Yoshino varieties)
Arlington
National Cathedral
National Arboretum
Georgetown (Dumbarton Oaks)
Oxon Run Park
Anacostia Park
Random places around the city
SAUCER MAGNOLIAS
Also check out this map, which shows the detailed locations of different cherry trees at the National Mall:
KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT
It Will Be Really, Really Busy!
When we visited, we happened to time peak bloom just right - that meant we also experienced peak crowds. At times, it was almost unpleasantly crowded. This is somewhat unavoidable, but there are a few things you can do to help find some breathing room. First of all, set your alarm clock early to avoid the crowds that will be at their highest in the middle of the day. This can also help you catch the blossoms in the interesting light of the morning. Also, check out alternative places around DC to see the blooms other than the Tidal Basin and the Mall (see my list earlier in this article for some ideas).
As hard as it can be to predict the peak bloom, it's still important to make your hotel reservations in advance to avoid problems with availability and / or pricing.
Also note that with crowds comes traffic, so I wouldn't even consider trying to park near the Mall. Even rideshare can problematic; we had to walk a very long distance before we could get out of gridlock traffic where a car would be able to pick you up. We chose to leverage the metro instead, and you can also try bikeshare or good, old-fashioned walking.
This Time of Year Can Be Cold & Wet in DC
Obviously, make sure you are dressed appropriately, in warm, comfortable shoes (I made that mistake!), and carry an umbrella. Also know that the weather impacts the water features on the Mall. When we visited, the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial was drained and the fountains at FDR weren't running. It's nothing terrible, but a few things didn't look like I remembered from previous visits in the Summer and Fall.
The Bloom is Paired with a Whole Festival
The multi-week National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the trees and an ongoing friendship with Japan. Events span from cultural performances and ceremonies to parades and "pink tie" parties. Our personal favorite was the Kite Festival, where hundreds of fliers launched colorful kites on the Mall between the Capitol and the Washington Monument. There were spots where you could catch the kites, the blooms, and the monuments all in one view. We could've stayed and watched all day, the variety of people and kites was fascinating. Kids were out flying for the first time while experts launched elaborate creations that required multiple people to fly.
For more information, check out the Festival's official website:
You'll Probably Walk a Lot!
The Mall is bigger than it looks! This can add up to a lot of walking and a lot of time outside when the weather may not be at its best. There is a Circulator bus which runs through the park if you want to get off your feet. You could also consider leveraging a bikeshare.
Check out this map of the Mall and beyond, which has tons of details about the monuments, the circulator bus route stops, metro stations, and approximate walking times:
A FEW FINAL THOUGHTS
Respect the Landscape!
Just like any natural sight, you should follow the principles of Leave No Trace. That means don’t pick the blossoms! It's illegal! Don't even pick up the blooms that have naturally fallen to the ground - they too play a role in the natural ecosystem. Also be careful where you walk. We saw people trampling all over the place, going off paved paths into soft, wet areas under the trees, leaving a muddy mess in their wake. It's really not worth destroying the landscape just because you want a photo or are too impatient to wait for others.
If You Want to Learn More, Check Out These Resources
For even more pictures, maps, and data - or just to back up what I've already said here!
General Visitor Guides
Washington, D.C. Cherry Trees: The Complete Guide (tripsavvy.com)
Where to See Cherry Blossoms in DC: Map & Insider's Guide (thehaphazardtraveler.com)
Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in D.C. in 2023 (travelandleisure.com)
The Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms In Washington D.C. (southernliving.com)
Cherry Blossoms DC 2024: Peak Bloom Prediction and Travel Guide (ihitthebutton.com)
Arlington National Cemetery Spring Cherry Blossoms (arlingtoncemetery.mil)
5 Places to Find Beautiful Magnolias in Washington DC - Sea of Blush
Where to See Magnolia Trees in Washington D.C. (Photo Guide) (ihitthebutton.com)
Kwanzan Cherry Trees Near the Tidal Basin in Washington DC (cherryblossomwatch.com)
Bloom Predictions
Info About the Trees
Info About the Festival
Maps
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