Washington DC - Sightseeing amongst the Blooms

Discover Washington, D.C. During the National Cherry Blossom Festival

There’s no better time to explore our nation’s capital than during the breathtaking National Cherry Blossom Festival. Spend the day at your own pace in Washington, D.C., and use the information below—along with the Useful Links provided—to plan your adventure. While cherry blossoms can be found throughout the city, the Tidal Basin is especially stunning this time of year.

 

Memorials and Monuments 

Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memoria, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, National Mall, U.S. Supreme Court, Ronald Reagan Building, U.S. Capitol, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, …and many more iconic landmarks.

 

Museums and Galleries

Smithsonian Institution Museums (Free Admission), Air & Space Museum, Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African Art, National Postal Museum, National Archives, International Spy Museum, National Museum of American History (Free), U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (Free), …plus countless other fascinating collections.

 

Shopping Districts

Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Penn Quarter, Capitol Hill, Smithsonian Retail Shops, Union Station

 

Cruises and Tours

Spirit Cruises & Odyssey Cruise, Big Bus Tours (Double-Decker sightseeing), Arlington National Cemetery Tours

Background & History

• The festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to Washington, D.C., symbolizing friendship between the United States and Japan.

• The first planting ceremony took place on March 27, 1912, attended by First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador.

• The festival itself began in 1935 and has grown into one of D.C.’s largest annual celebrations.

 

Bloom Watch & Nature

• The peak bloom (when 70% of Yoshino cherry trees are flowering) usually occurs between late March and early April, but exact timing varies each year depending on weather.

• The National Park Service provides a Bloom Watch with updates on the stages of the blossoms, from bud to peak.

• Most trees are Yoshino cherry trees, but there are also Kwanzan, Usuzumi, and other varieties.

 

Cultural Significance

• The festival highlights Japanese culture through art exhibits, food, music, and performances.

• It’s considered Washington’s grandest springtime tradition, drawing over 1.5 million visitors annually

 

Practical Details

• Events are spread across the city, but the Tidal Basin remains the most iconic viewing spot.

• Many activities are free and family-friendly, making it accessible to all.

Washington, D.C. Information Big Bus Tours Trolley Stop Information Spirit Cruises