The cherry blossom trees are the stars of springtime in Washington, DC! I was fortunate enough to visit the District during peak bloom this year (March 26, 2024) and it was truly an unforgettable experience. Seeing the nation’s capital accented in pink for the National Cherry Blossom Festival was so memorable and breathtaking.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival took place this year from March 20 to April 14, 2024. The cherry blossoms bloom on different dates every year. Over the last five years, peak bloom, which is when 70% of the flowers of the cherry blossom trees are open, has occurred in the second half of March. You can compare peak bloom dates over the past 20 years thanks to the National Park Service, which tracks all stages of the blossoms. The best viewing of the cherry blossom trees typically lasts four to seven days after peak bloom begins, but some blossoms can linger up to two weeks under ideal conditions.
The most popular place to visit the cherry blossom trees is at the Tidal Basin, which will give you fantastic photos near the Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. If the Tidal Basin is your viewing spot for the Cherry Blossoms, I suggest arriving as early as possible. The area fills with tourists quickly and it can be difficult to get your “dream” cherry blossom photo with so many people around!
If you prefer to avoid the crowd, there are plenty of cherry blossom trees found along the National Mall, just northwest of the Lincoln Memorial and around the Washington Monument. Off-the-radar cherry blossom trees can be found at the National Arboretum, Anacostia Park, Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown, Stanton Park, and Oxon Run Park. All of these locations are easily accessible by bike, Metro, or walking so leave the car and avoid traffic if you can!
Thanks for reading and be sure to leave a comment about your cherry blossom experience!