Washington D.C. Cherry Blossoms | One Day Itinerary & Tips
The annual Cherry Blossoms Festival in Washington D.C. is one of the most popular times of year for people to visit the nation’s capital – and for good reason! The Cherry Blossoms are some of our first indicators that spring has finally sprung for the year, and their colorful petals brighten the city.
If this is your first time planning a trip to Washington D.C. for the cherry blossoms, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading for our recommended one day itinerary, all you should know before you go, and things to do during the cherry blossom season!
When to See the Cherry Blossoms
First things first, if you’re planning a trip to D.C. to see the cherry blossoms, you have to know what dates you intend to stay there! The cherry blossoms will be in bloom at the start of the spring season, which is often around late March in Washington D.C.
However, the best time to see the cherry blossoms will obviously vary each year based on when the warm weather starts setting in. Luckily, there are actually sites dedicated to forecasting when peak bloom is estimated to occur each year! As a general rule of thumb though, if you shoot for late March into early April, you should be good to go.
How Long Will the Cherry Blossoms Last
In general, cherry blossoms usually stick around for about two weeks once they start blooming. This of course varies with weather conditions, as big storms may knock the petals off of their trees. However, if you’re able to visit in the couple weeks following their peak bloom you should still get a good show!
Where Are The Cherry Blossoms in D.C.
Okay, now that you know when to see the cherry blossoms, the next question is where to see the cherry blossoms. After all, Washington D.C. is a big city! The bulk of the cherry blossom trees border the Tidal Basin, a large reservoir south of the National Mall.
Some people assume the cherry blossoms are by the World War II Memorial, since it’s another popular destination with a vast pool of water, but be sure to go to the Tidal Basin if you’d like to see the trees.
Fortunately, the D.C. metro system is very accessible and runs frequently, so if you’re not staying right near the Tidal Basin you can always get off at the station closest to the mall and walk over.
Things To Do Near the Cherry Blossoms | One Day Itinerary
If you’re wondering how to make the most of your visit to see the Cherry Blossoms, we’ve done our best to compile an easy one day itinerary for you to follow below! Be sure to pack your walking shoes, because no matter how many of these stops you skip, I’m sure you’ll be putting in a couple miles throughout the day while exploring D.C.
Breakfast at Tatte’s Bakery
To start off the day, we recommend stopping by Tatte’s Bakery on Massachusetts Avenue. Not only is this a fun & famous D.C. breakfast spot, but you’ll also want to make sure you eat something substantial before your day starts!
The closest location of Tatte’s to the cherry blossoms is 250 Massachusetts Ave, which is only a 15 minute walk from the National Mall.
The Washington Monument
Once you’re ready to get going, walk towards the National Mall to begin moving towards the Tidal Basin. You’ll pass the Smithsonian museums along your way, but since those take hours to explore in their own right we recommend saving those for another day.
At the western end of the National Mall, you’ll come across the Washington Monument. This iconic landmark towers over the grass-covered mall and will be visible from the flowered Tidal Basin as well!
The Washington Monument is by 15th Street on the mall.
The Tidal Basin
Next up is the main event – the Tidal Basin! The basin is surrounded by approximately 2,500 cherry blossom trees and has a walking trail encompassing its entire perimeter. The most crowded area tends to be in the portion of the basin that is directly across from the National Mall, from which most people are walking from. So if you’re looking to break away a bit, we recommend walking farther along the path for a few minutes to escape the bulk of the crowd.
If interested, you’re also able to rent a paddle boat and get a view of the cherry blossoms from the water as well!
The trails around the Tidal Basin are relatively flat and well maintained, if you stay on them of course. If you go off of the trails to stroll in between the trees, you’ll just want to watch out for roots popping out of the ground to make sure you don’t trip – but we definitely recommend doing so! Some people even pack a picnic blanket, book, or painting easel to enjoy the day beside the water.
The address of the Tidal Basin is 1850 W Basin Drive in D.C.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
If you move clockwise around the Tidal Basin, the next stop along the walking trail will be the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. This tribute was completed in 2011, and features a statue of MLK along with many notable quotes from some of his most famous speeches.
Located along the Tidal Basin itself, the address of the Martin Luther King Junior Memorial is 1850 West Basin Drive.
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Next along the Tidal Basin you’ll come across the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Memorial. This area has a lot of open space with waterfalls scattered throughout it and plenty of benches to give your feet a rest after all of the walking.
The FDR Memorial is located at 400 West Basin Drive in D.C.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial
The last major monument along the Tidal Basin loop is the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. There might be a line for this one, as the statue is located inside of an intricate dome instead of woven into the outdoor walking path.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is located at 16 East Basin Drive.
Once you’re done at the cherry blossoms, we recommend either dropping by the Wharf or one of D.C.’s many delicious restaurants, depending on the weather. Let us know where you end up in the comments below! (PS: if you’re at a loss, we loved the Indian cuisine at Pappe on 14th Street).
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did cherry blossom trees come to Washington D.C.? The cherry blossom trees that surround the Tidal Basin were gifted to the United States by Japan in 1912 to celebrate the friendship & good relations between the two countries.
- What color are the cherry blossom trees? The cherry blossom trees in D.C. bloom with pink petals at their peak, which then evolve into a white color overtime. Some cherry blossoms start off blooming white as well, so it varies by the tree species!
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About the Author: Hi, I’m Jill! I am a biomedical & mechanical engineer who loves traveling during my free time. My hope is to help make it easier for others to plan their dream trips by providing firsthand experience from the places I’ve been! Read More.
