The blooming of the Cherry Trees, a rite of Spring in Washington DC, has become one of the biggest events for tourist and travelers to come visit in Washington DC. Each year, an estimated 1.5 million people flock to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which began as a modest affair but has since grown to a three-week-long extravaganza.
Read MoreThroughout the blooming of the cherry blossoms and the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Urban Atlas will be giving updates of the status of the Cherry Blossoms, as well as some of the day's pictures.
Today was a beautiful if chilly day. Urban Atlas was down at the Tidal Blossom at sunset taking pictures. It's crazy that the blossoms have been at peak for a week at this point; the cold weather does have its advantages!
Read MoreThroughout the blooming of the cherry blossoms and the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Urban Atlas will be giving updates of the status of the Cherry Blossoms, as well as some of the day's pictures.
While today (Monday) was another below average temperature day, like much of March and April thus far, it's actually great for cherry blossom viewing.
Read MoreThe National Cherry Blossom Festival one of the biggest festivals in Washington DC; every March and April the city celebrates the gift of Japanese cherry trees from Tokyo - donated to celebrate the friendship between the United States and Japan. It's definitely a worthwhile visit, The blossoms are a fleeting and uniquely beautiful moment in Washington DC; there are only a few weeks every year that one can see the blossoms, and that timing is dependent on the weather.
These beautiful blossoms manage to bring out 1.5 million visitors every year. However, so the crowds of people can make it tough to appreciate the full beauty of the blossoms. To help guide your day, we here at Urban Atlas have designed a one-day all-cherry blossom itinerary that will let you go all in on the blossoms.
The Washington Monument and cherry blossoms from East Potomac Park - CC: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The most dense pack of cherry blossom trees it at the Tidal Basin, and the most scenic time to take in these blossoms is at sunrise or sunset. However, while sunset will be overflowing with people, sunrise is quite serene. So get out of bed early, and get down to the Tidal Basin and appreciate the serenity and beauty of the cherry blossoms at dawn.
The DC Wharf is new on the cherry blossom scene this year - the multi-year development project opened it's first phase in the fall of 2017. These are now the closest restaurants and bars to the Tidal Basin - and you should definitely take advantage of them. The only real option at this early hour is Kith and Kin, the African-Caribbean outpost in the new InterContinental Washington DC at The Wharf. Another option, if you happen to be a bit later (or a bit patient) is the more reasonably priced Pearl Street Warehouse's Diner, which opens at 8:30 AM.
Kith and Kin; 801 Wharf Street, SW; https://kithandkindc.com/; opens at 6:30 AM.
Pearl Street Warehouse; 33 Pearl Street SW; https://www.pearlstreetwarehouse.com/diner/; opens at 8:30 AM.
Bikers amid the cherry blossoms in East Potomac Park - CC: Rudi Riet
Once you have digested breakfast, it makes sense to dive back into the Cherry Blossom festivities. The 3+ mile circle circuit of East Potomac Park down to Hains Point and back is packed with Cherry Blossoms but they are more spread out, leading to a much more relaxed blossom viewing experience.
At this hour, Capital Bikeshare is a great option; you can get a 24-hour pass for just $8, and that will cover you for unlimited 30 minute rides. There are some stations on East Potomac Park, make sure to download the app first.
Click here for more information on Capital Bikeshare.
During the Cherry Blossom Festival, DC Cruises runs a ferry that is half sightseeing and half transportation between the Georgetown waterfront and the Tidal Basin. On the route between these stop, the route will treat you to great views of the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin as well as the numerous monuments along the path. The ferry costs $25, and gets you a round trip that can be used in both directions. For those preferring to stay on land, it's only a little more than a 2 mile trip along the water, an easy bike or walk.
DC Cruises; picks up near the Tidal Basin at the intersection of Ohio Drive SW and West Basin Drive SW; http://www.dc-cruises.com/cherry_blossom_cruises.php
As you transit between the Tidal Basin cherry blossoms and the Dumbarton Oaks cherry blossoms, Georgetown in the sensible stopping point for lunch. We have two suggestions, Chaia for relatively inexpensive vegetarian but extremely flavorable tacos; or Pizzeria Paradiso - a great local wood-fired pizza chain with a great selection of beers and wines. Both should be quick, though Chaia will definitely be faster.
Chaia; 3207 Grace St. NW; opens 11 AM Monday-Friday, and 10 AM Saturday and Sunday; https://www.chaiadc.com/
Pizzeria Paradiso; 3282 M St. NW; open 11:30 AM Monday - Saturday, noon on Sunday; https://www.eatyourpizza.com/
Magnolia in the foreground, Cherry Blossoms in the background at Dumbarton Oaks. CC: DC Gardens
The Dumbarton Oaks historic estate was the residence of Robert and Mildred Bliss. In 1940 the The Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection was founded, and the research institute was donated to Harvard University in 1940. It supports research in the fields of Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, and garden design and landscape architecture studies.
While being only a few blocks from the the commercial center of Georgetown, it is a quiet and serene place. Most importantly, the garden houses a great collection of flower, trees, shrubs, and other plants - to include a beautiful collection of Cherry Blossoms. For only $10, you can take your time wandering the garden and enjoying the quiet and that isn't available at the Tidal Basin at this hour. If you need a break from the outdoors, the museum is free to access and currrently features a Cherry Blossom rare book collection and an exhibition in Machu Picchu in popular culture among others.
Dumbarton Oaks Garden; 1703 32nd St. NW; open Tuesday through Sunday; the garden is open between 2 PM and 6 PM; the museum is open from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM; https://www.doaks.org/
The Wharf as seen from East Potomac Park
Catch the Union Station-Georgetown circulator on Wisconsin, and hop off at Washington Circle. Here you can either walk back to the Tidal Basin or grab Metro to the Smithsonian station. Once you arrive, our suggestion is to enjoy East Potomac Park and Hains Point - the sunset colors, along with the lights of Washington National Airport or the Wharf DC, is a great and quieter way to enjoy the sunset than Tidal Basin, which will be packed a this hour.
Once you arrive, our suggestion is to enjoy the setting sun from East Potomac Park and Hains Point; the colors, along with the lights of Washington National Airport or the Wharf DC, make it a great place to enjoy the blossoms amidst the sunset. It will also be significantly more quiet than the Tidal Basin as well.
Hailing from Japan, along with the Cherry Blossoms, is Ramen. Fortunately, Washington DC is going through somewhat of a Ramen revolution, with many different and excellent options. However, the ramen shop on the first floor of Daikaya remains the best (and most accommodating) ramen in town; from the more sedate Shio and Shoyu ramens, to the Spicy Miso, their ramens never dissapoint. Vegetarians and Vegans also have a great option with Vegetable Ramen as well. One of the challenges is that the ramen shop does not take reservations and the line can often be long. If waiting isn't your preference, you can make a reservation at sister-ramen restaurant Haikan, up near the U Street corridor.
Daikaya (1F Ramen); 705 6th St. NW; https://www.daikaya.com/; no reservations
Haikan; 805 V St. NW; https://www.haikandc.com; reservations encouraged
Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Bar - CC: Joe Flood
To finish your cherry blossom filled day, there is no better option than to grab a drink, say a Cherry Blossom Gin and Tonic in a room with 90,000 individual blossoms. The bar, playing on the Japanese-American relationship, incorporates numerous elements of Japanese culture into the design and the drinks. One bar resembles a teahouse, another is made to resemble Tokyo's Memory Lane, and there is a 10-foot animatronic Godzilla that blows smoke out of its mouth.
Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Bar; 1839-1843 7th St. NW; open 5pm to 12:30 AM Sunday through Thursday, and till 1:30 AM on Friday and Saturday; Through April 30th. https://popupbardc.com/
Peak cherry blossoms have arrived!
BREAKING: The National Park Service has declared the cherry blossoms reached peak bloom today, April 5. https://t.co/v350ij44OR
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) April 5, 2018
The best viewing for the main cherry blossom trees will be until early to mid-next week.
Mom Nature put us through the wringer this year - roller coaster temps, wind storms, late season snow - but she always comes through! Best viewing of the Yoshino trees will be for the next 4-7 days, but under ideal conditions they can hold their blossoms for up to two weeks. pic.twitter.com/utELzaqRaS
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) April 5, 2018
Cherry Blossom on the Tidal Basin - picture from this morning @capitalweather @SteveRudinABC7 @CherryBlossFest pic.twitter.com/KTnxEXvfhE
— Matt Labovich (@mlabovich) April 6, 2018
#CherryBlossoms at sunset #DCwx @capitalweather @NWS_BaltWash pic.twitter.com/O60Rj3RshR
— Alek Krautmann (@AlekKrautmann) April 5, 2018
As it has been all Spring, the Washington DC weather just keeps us on our toes. Today was a beautiful clear day, if a bit cold. The weather tomorrow (Friday) is supposed to be partly cloudy with a high of 66 degrees - another great day for taking in the Cherry Blossoms. Saturday, chances of significant snow have decreased greatly as well.
Friday's digit: 7/10: Warmth goes a long way. Not sure how much windy conditions and clouds might bother. Quick AM shower? TGIF!
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) April 6, 2018
Snow potential index: 2/10 (↓) A warm lead-up and a weak system make for a very challenging attempt at accumulation Sat morning.
-Camden, CWG
All this week, Urban Atlas will be giving daily updates of the status of the Cherry Blossoms, as well as some of the day's pictures.
As promised, today's weather was all over the place - warm in the morning but then a front came through midday. While it cleared later, it was cold and windy. I stopped by the Tidal Basin just before sunset, and the trees are really starting to bloom.
The wind was really blowing this afternoon, but the cherry blossoms proved resilient and managed to stay attached to their trees.
@capitalweather the cherry blossoms are taking a beating but are hanging in there pic.twitter.com/fzyY5wfjro
— Joe Flood (@joeflood) April 4, 2018
The bloom period has begun, meaning 20% of the Yoshino trees are at full blossom. Peak bloom, occurring when that figure reaches 70%, now projected for April 5-8, thanks to last weekend's warm temps. Keeping an eye on gusty winds tomorrow, enemy of the blossoms! #CherryBlossomDC pic.twitter.com/huB8QcOaoQ
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) April 3, 2018
The weather remains challenging this year. March in Washington DC was colder than February for the second year in a row. April continues to challenge us with cold weather and potentially snow, mixed precipitation, or rain on Saturday. In the near term, Friday looks to have the best weather to take in the blossoms. However, there could be an opportunity to see a rare combination of snow + blossoms Saturday morning. We will keep you updated.
Thursday's digit - 4/10: Brisk is the word, spring deferred; pleasantly warmer tomorrow (Friday) but Saturday wintry mix brings sorrow. David, CWG
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) April 5, 2018
All this week, Urban Atlas will be giving daily updates of the status of the Cherry Blossoms, as well as some of the day's pictures.
The weather remained tough for Cherry Blossom viewing - today the weather was cloudy and was between between threatening to rain to lightly raining. However, the blossoms continue their march towards opening.
According to the National Park Service - we have reached the bloom period; 20% of the Yoshino trees are now in full blossom.
The bloom period has begun, meaning 20% of the Yoshino trees are at full blossom. Peak bloom, occurring when that figure reaches 70%, now projected for April 5-8, thanks to last weekend's warm temps. Keeping an eye on gusty winds tomorrow, enemy of the blossoms! #CherryBlossomDC pic.twitter.com/huB8QcOaoQ
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) April 3, 2018
The Washington DC weather remains super-variable - it will be warm early - reaching 70, but in the afternoon the temperatures will drop quickly.
DC: Don't be caught in the cold tomorrow. In the morning, you may think you don't need a jacket when you head out. It may hit 70 midday. But temperatures then drop 20 to 30 degrees during the afternoon/evening. pic.twitter.com/Ze3jZh4yrz
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) April 4, 2018
Also be prepared for significant wind gusts tomorrow as well.
A strong cold front will cross the area on Wednesday with wind gusts up to 50 mph possible into early Wednesday evening. A Wind Advisory (brown shading) is in effect: https://t.co/VnQiO4r9pL #DCwx #MDwx #VAwx #WVwx pic.twitter.com/HlHsK7fSdh
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) April 3, 2018
It's a possibility for Saturday morning.
NEW: Wet spring snow is possible this Saturday in Washington region: https://t.co/st5eRP6P3j
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) April 3, 2018
Cherry Blossoms aren't the only beautiful tree that is blooming - Magnolias are in bloom too!
@capitalweather magnolias are still the undisputed queens of spring right now! pic.twitter.com/5wuALwtvvd
— Jenn W (@jenn_wurz) April 3, 2018
All this week, Urban Atlas will be giving daily updates of the status of the Cherry Blossoms, as well as some of the day's pictures.
Today wasn't the prettiest day, cold and cloudy, but there are plenty of Cherry Blossoms to see already, and the weather is looking to improve later in the week.
The peak blossom is forecast to be on the move again - forward this time - both NPS and the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang are forecasting peak bloom to be this weekend.
It's no April Fool! Cherry blossoms have advanced to stage 5 - puffy white. Next stop is peak bloom, expected by the end of the week given the continued mild forecast. Plenty to see now - weeping cherries in full bloom, 20% of Yoshinos at peak. #BloomWatch #CherryBlossomDC pic.twitter.com/hofcwIhR22
— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) April 1, 2018
The cherry blossoms are closing in on peak bloom this week. We wish the weather was a *little* warmer but Wednesday evening and Thursday should be nice for a trip to the Tidal Basin! https://t.co/5kkkcGRf0C
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) April 2, 2018
National Park Service sign
people enjoying the Cherry Blossoms - CC: Al Jazeera English
To help you get the most out of your visit to the Washington DC Cherry Blossoms, we have developed the following suggestions to help you plan your trip and navigate throughout the day.
Urban Atlas is here to help tourists and travelers get the most out of their travel, and major events like the National Cherry Blossom Festival provide a great opportunity design the best experience possible. As with any major event, there are best practices: ways to make your experience better; ways to avoid crowds, and assist in getting the best views and best pictures. Our goal is that you enjoy yourself more and waste less time. We also recognize that people have different preferences and constraints.
This article gives insider tips from those of us who have experienced the Cherry Blossom Festival over a number of years. This is the second in a series of articles about the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Cherry Blossom Crowds at the tidal basin - CC: Chicabandita
An estimated 1.5 million people visit the National Cherry Blossom Festival every year. Most of these people focus their time at the Tidal Basin. This means for most of the day, the Tidal Basin ends up being packed, slow moving, and not as enjoyable as it should be.
The best way to deal with this is to visit the Tidal Basin first thing in the morning. It is by far the quietest time of day, you will be able to appreciate the views better, and you are much more likely to get a cherry blossom photo without tons of stranger crowing your pictures.
Tidal Basin with cherry blossoms just before dawn - CC: Nicholas Schooley
As with most things, the Cherry Blossoms are at their most scenic in the colors of dusk or dawn. Check out the Tidal Basin at dawn, but Haines Point is a great option for enjoying a beautiful Cherry Blossom sunset.
As we discussed in the National Cherry Blossom Festival Basic Information post, cherry blossoms in DC are not restricted to the Tidal Basin. Once late morning comes, the vast majority of the visitors will descend on the Tidal Basin, we suggest that you enjoy the cherry blossoms elsewhere. The best additional options are:
While part of the larger National Cherry Blossom Festival, Hains Point and East Potomac Park are larger and significantly less trafficked than the Tidal Basin. This means that there is a lot more space to explore, and lead to a much more relaxed atmosphere. To do the roundtrip from the Jefferson Memorial to Hains Point and back is about a 3.1 mile walk (5 kilometers), so be prepared. You can also take the National Cherry Blossom Festival Shuttle.
Cherry Blossoms at the National Arboretum - CC: Cammy
The U.S. National Arboretum is one of DC's hidden gems - especially when it comes to seeing Cherry Blossoms without the crowds. It is operated by the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. The Asian Tree collection features both magnolias and cherry blossoms. It is free to enter.
The major challenge comes in getting there - it is not particularly metro accessible, although there area few options:
Dumbarton Oaks Garden Cherry Blossoms - CC: DC Gardens - dcgardens.com/dumbarton-oaks/
Much closer to the Tidal Basin, but also quiet, Dumbarton Oaks Garden is another great quiet place to enjoy the Cherry Blossoms. The garden is only open from 2-6PM, but if you do get the opportunity, it is a great garden to enjoy in historic Georgetown. While not free, those who want to see Cherry Blossoms in the afternoon without a crowd will find the admission fee worth it: $10 Regular, $8 Senior (60+), $5 Students and Children (ages 2–12).
It is also not particularly metro accessible, however, there are a number of easy ways to get there:
For more information on Dumbarton Oaks Garden or Museum, please click here.
Capital Bikeshare parked among the Cherry Blossoms - CC: Joe Flood
As you can see above, while there is a strong concentration of Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin, otherwise the blossoms are very spread out. Washington DC is a great biking city, having just been awarded Gold Bicycle Friendly Community status by the League of American Bicyclists - the only major East Coast city to receive this designation.
Capital Bikeshare is the established, docked bike sharing program in Washington DC. It is a great way to get around Washington DC, and perfect for seeing the Cherry Blossoms as there are multiple stations where there are Cherry Blossoms to include the Tidal Basin, East Potomac Park, the Mall, Georgetown, the National Arboretum; there are also hundreds of others stations in and around the city.
You can rent a single bike for 30 minutes for $2, but the better deals are $8 for a 24-hour pass, or the $17 for a 3-day pass; both come with unlimited free 30 minute rides. Beware - if you go above 30 minutes on a single ride (without getting an extension at a full dock), they will start charging you. However, you can have as many free back-to-back 30 minute rides in your time period as you would like.
For more information on Capital Bikeshare, please see their website. Also, be sure to download the app so that you can know where there are stations and how many bikes and/or docks they currently have.
Dockless bikeshare is a new concept in Washington DC; it began late in 2017 as a trial, and a number of companies can have up to 400 bikes in the city. The companies include Jump DC, Spin, OFO, LimeBike, and Mobike. It's another great option, but it's good to be flexible, with limited bikes, you may need to switch between companies.
Cherry Blossom traffic at the Tidal Basin - CC: Douglas Muth
Between Washington DC's usual traffic, tons of people going to see the Cherry Blossoms, and not a large number of alternative routes, there are a ton of people driving in the vicinity the Tidal Basin. This means traffic gets and stays bad most of the day; you should expect it to be very slow going. Beyond that, there is only limited parking, so unless you are going at a particularly odd hour, or have reserved a spot ahead of time, it will be tough going to try to park in the vicinity of the Tidal Basin.
Cherry Blossom Watch 2018 Parking for Cherry Blossoms
There are a large number of ways to organize your visit to the National Cherry Blossom Festival, to ensure you get the most out of your visit. A little planning goes a long way at this popular but time-limited event.
Do you have any National Cherry Blossom Festival tips and tricks? Any questions about the festival? Post them below and we will get back to you!
Snowmen in front of U.S. Capitol, March 21, 2018 - E
Despite initial predictions that the peak of the Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC would be first in mid-March, then in late March to the first few days of April, they are expected now to peak closer to mid-April. Both of the major forecasters, the National Park Service and the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang (CWG) now project the peak bloom window to be April 8 to 12. The CWG also expects the peak day to be April 10. Peak bloom is defined as when 70 percent of the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin are showing their colors.
The delays have moved what was expected to be a super-early bloom in mid-march to a late blooming towards mid-April. For any given year, the most likely time to reach peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April. The reason for the early first prediction and then all the delays is that while the Washington DC weather in February was warmer than usual, March has been very cold. Washington DC had a very late snowstorm where much of the city got 4-6 inches on March 21st!
Hopefully this will be the last revision this year, and people can start making their plans to see the beautiful cherry trees in bloom!
Cherry Blossoms with the Washington Monument in the background - CC Trevor Klatko
Springtime is definitely tourist season in Washington DC, and it's easy to understand why - the weather is often great for being outside and Washington DC's scenery is prettier than usual with blooming trees and flowers. If spring is peak tourist season, then the National Cherry Blossom Festival is the peak of the peak - when an estimated 1.5 million people flock to Washington DC to see these beautiful trees blossom. Washington DC is never quite as beautiful as when bathed in the pink glow of cherry blossoms.
To help you plan your visit, we are bringing you a series of articles that help you navigate Washington DC as you try to figure out where to go for the best views, how to get there, whats around, and what else to do while you are here. This article covers the basics on the National Cherry Blossom Festival. We will follow this up with tips, an itinerary, and other helpful articles.
Cherry Blossoms with the Jefferson Memorial in the background. CC - Victoria Pickering
The 3,000 cherry blossom trees that dot Washington DC were a gift from the Toyko, Japan Mayor in 1912 to the city of Washington DC. Most of the cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin are of the Yoshino variety. However, there are other varieties as well, including the Kwanzan, which usually bloom ten days to two weeks after the Yoshino - extending the time one can appreciate the Washington DC cherry blossoms.
The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open. Peak bloom varies annually depending on weather conditions. The most likely time to reach peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April. Extraordinary warm or cool temperatures have resulted in peak bloom as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958). Cherry blossom blooms only last a little while — which is part of what makes the peak bloom so special. The time from when those first early blooms appear on the trees to when they all begin to fall off the tree is only about two weeks.
Travelers who can’t make it to D.C. during the peak time have a small window in which they can play. For about two days before and two days after, the trees still appear like they’re in peak bloom.
Peak cherry blossoms bloom predictions: (Updated 3/25)
The majority of cherry blossoms are located near the Tidal Basin and along the shoreline of East Potomac Park, extending all the way to Hains Point. The preferred area for viewing he cherry blossoms is around the Tidal Basin - it is considered the most scenic and the eastiest to get to. Other places with Cherry Blossoms including Hains Point, the National Arboretum, Anacostia Park, Stanton Park and Oxon Run Park.
National Park Service National Cherry Blossom Festival Map
As you can tell by the map above, there is not a lot of parking around the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This means that the best way to get there is either taking Metro (or a Bus) and walking, taking a ride-share like Uber or Lyft, or other alternative means of transportation (biking, bike-share, etc...)
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is very accessible my Metro. The Smithsonian station, which is on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines, is only a half mile from the tidal basin.
Another good option to get down to the Tidal Basin is the DC Circulator - National Mall route. This bus runs from Union Station and along most of the length of the mall. It is a good way to get either to the Tidal Basin or directly to the Jefferson Memorial on the south side of the Tidal Basin. The DC Circulator only costs $1.
DC Circulator - National Mall Route.
For more information on the DC Circulator National Mall Route, please go to http://www.dccirculator.com/explore/where-we-go/national-mall/
For further information on the National Cherry Blossom Festival, we have included a few links below.
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