Know Before You Go: Experiencing Cherry Blossom Season in Washington DC
You might not think of Washington DC as a particularly floral city, better known as it is for myriad museums, monuments, and historic edifices, including the U.S. Capitol building and the White House. However, every spring, Washington DC is covered in a canopy of pink when the city’s lauded cherry trees come to life, with peak bloom typically hitting around late March each year.
For more than 100 years, the city has celebrated the blooming of the trees and the events, parties, and exhibitions that ring in the season are livelier than ever. Here are our tips to make the most of visiting DC to see the cherry blossoms.
What’s the history of the cherry blossoms in Washington DC?
The history of DC's cherry blossoms is a tale of two cities, one that goes back to Japan.
In Japan, the arrival of cherry blossoms each spring has been celebrated for more than a millennium. According to the National Park Service, in 1909, First Lady Helen Herron Taft, who had lived in Japan, helped submit a plan to plant cherry trees in Washington DC. When Tokyo mayor Yukio Ozaki heard about the plan, he donated more than 3,000 to the city as a sign of friendship.
On March 12, 1912, Taft, along with Viscountess Iwa Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, each planted a tree on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin. And while thousands of trees have since joined them, the original two cherry blossom trees are still standing. You can see them on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin, west of the John Paul Jones Memorial, marked by a large bronze plaque commemorating the occasion.
When is cherry blossom season in Washington DC?
There are six weeks of flower power in Washington DC, typically starting in March.
Cherry blossom season in DC typically runs from mid-March through the end of April. Some blossoms start to fall within a few days of blooming, while others may last up to two weeks. The Washington DC area also has several different varieties of cherry blossom trees that bloom at different times, some before “peak bloom” (see below) and some after. That means it’s likely that you'll see cherry blossoms if you visit any time from the middle of March through April.
The good news is that first-time visitors likely won’t even notice a difference between peak bloom and the trees’ appearance a week earlier or later. That means you shouldn’t be concerned if your visit isn’t perfectly timed or if peak bloom changes unexpectedly after you book your trip. But if that feels too left up to chance for you, you can always follow the National Cherry Blossom Festival's Cherry Blossom forecast for a more accurate bloom status.
Did you know?: It’s illegal to touch or pick the cherry blossoms, so hands off!
When is “peak bloom?”
Peak bloom in Washington DC can be around early April, but it varies.
It's notoriously difficult to predict “peak bloom,” or the day when 70 percent of DC’s cherry trees are flowering. Each year the National Park Service's ”Bloom Watch” makes a prediction in late February about when peak bloom will occur—but the timing is largely dependent on weather conditions, so an unexpected cold snap or a couple of warm days can easily change when it happens.
It’s not unusual for the prediction to be off by several days, either. The earliest recorded peak bloom occurred on March 15, 1990, and the latest peak bloom recorded was on April 18, 1958.
Did you know?: The average day of peak bloom is April 4, but since this varies widely from year to year, it’s best to check when peak bloom is predicted before booking a trip.
Where are the best places to view cherry blossoms in Washington DC?
For the most part, blooms abound on the National Mall.
For stunning views of thousands of cherry blossom trees, head to the National Mall and walk the 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) loop around the Tidal Basin. Elsewhere on the Mall, there are small clusters of cherry blossoms near the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. For great photo ops, head to the Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
The National Mall gets very crowded during peak cherry blossom season, though. Early birds who arrive around sunrise will have the best chance of avoiding crowds and taking photos without lots of people in the background. (Plus, seeing the blossoms glow in the warm light of early morning is another reward of getting there early.)
Insider tip: Rent a pedal boat on the Tidal Basin for fantastic views of the cherry blossoms from a different (and less crowded) perspective.
What is the National Cherry Blossom Festival?
It's a celebration of all things cherry blossom, with parties, family activities, and performances.
Every year, Washington DC hosts a massive Cherry Blossom Festival with a combination of free and paid events that take place throughout cherry blossom season. While the events vary from year to year, there is usually a parade, a “pink tie” opening night party, a kite festival, family events, Japanese cultural performances, and more.
The festival includes Artechouse’s annual immersive cherry blossom–themed exhibit, too, which is always spectacular. And some DC residents get into the cherry blossom spirit and decorate their porches with elaborate pink decorations, so it’s worth taking a walk around the city’s neighborhoods to take a look, too. The 2025 Festival runs from March 20 to April 13.
Where can I avoid crowds and still experience the cherry blossoms?
There are locations without the crowds in Washington DC, mostly off the Mall.
More than 1.5 million visitors come to see the Washington DC cherry blossoms. While one of the best cherry blossom spots is the National Mall, there are several good viewing locations off the Mall for those who want to avoid the crowds.
The Gardens of Dumbarton Oaks, the US National Arboretum, the Hains Point trail in East Potomac Park, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor are all great alternative viewing sites.
Insider tip: Take a ferry ride from National Harbor to Old Town Alexandria or Georgetown for unique views of the blossoms.
What’s the best way to go to the cherry blossom sites?
The metro is a great way to get to the cherry blossom festivities in DC.
Parking spots around the National Mall are scarce during the peak cherry blossom bloom. Taking public transportation or using a rideshare service are the best ways to go. The closest metro stops to the National Mall are Union Station and the Smithsonian.
Insider tip: Download the SmartTrip app before you arrive to make taking public transportation easier.
Where can I eat nearby?
Consider a picnic lunch, or a cherry blossom tea.
There aren’t any standalone restaurants on the National Mall, which can make grabbing a bite while seeing the cherry blossoms challenging. If you want to eat on the National Mall, plan on packing a picnic (glass containers and alcohol are prohibited) or grabbing a hot dog or slice of pizza from one of the many food trucks along the perimeter. Each of the Smithsonian Museums on the Mall has a restaurant or café, and since admission to the museums is free, it’s possible to go in just for lunch.
For more choice, check out the restaurants and food court in nearby Union Station, or walk to Downtown DC. The historic Peacock Alley at the Waldorf Astoria offers a cherry blossom–themed tea annually, and is a great way to end a morning of cherry blossom viewing. Many other restaurants and hotels offer special cherry blossom teas, cocktails, and meals during cherry blossom season, too, so it’s worth looking into a few of these (and reserving ahead) before you go.
Where should I stay during cherry blossom season?
There are lots of options; Washington DC doesn't want for convenient accommodation.
Many hotels offer cherry blossom packages, which may include themed rooms and cherry blossom–inspired meals. The Salamander DC, a 10-minute walk to the Tidal Basin, boasts great views of the cherry blossoms and has six cherry trees of its own on the lawn.
Meanwhile, the Waldorf Astoria is a 2-minute walk to the National Mall, with an unbeatable location for viewing the blossoms, and the Morrow Washington DC, Curio Collection by Hilton (a 10-minute ride or 30-minute walk to the National Mall) offers an annual cherry blossom package. While the options vary from year to year, past packages have included a picnic lunch curated by a Michelin-starred chef, the ability to “adopt a tree” to support cherry blossom conservation efforts, and metro passes.
What should I bring to see the cherry blossoms in Washington DC?
Bring sunscreen, walking shoes, and a sense of curiosity.
During spring, weather in DC can be a bit unpredictable—prepare yourself for both potential heat and rain with sunscreen as well as a raincoat. Also, because the festival takes over the National Mall and can make getting in and out difficult, bring your walking shoes to ensure you can escape a little ways away from the center of the action and utilize the public transportation in the city.
Note that if you’re planning to attend the opening ceremony of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, you cannot bring backpacks—bring a clear tote instead.
Can I view the cherry blossoms in DC if I use a wheelchair?
Yes, there are several great viewing locations with accessibility at the fore.
Cherry blossoms are spread throughout the city, but some of the prime viewing locations are also among the most accessible. The FDR Memorial, which affords excellent views across the Tidal Basin, has permit parking for visitors with disabilities.
As for the National Mall, there are accessible spaces on Home Front Drive SW, right next to the National World War II Memorial. And if you want to go a bit farther afield to one of the lesser-visited spots to see the trees, note that the Metro system in the city is fully accessible.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about experiencing cherry blossom season in Washington DC.
- How many cherry trees are in Washington DC today? There are about 3,800 cherry trees in Washington DC.
- How many species of cherry trees are in Washington DC? There are 12 species of cherry trees in Washington DC, the most common of which is the Yoshino.
- Is there an entrance fee to see the cherry blossoms? No, there's no fee to view the cherry blossoms. However, some events during the National Cherry Blossom Festival may have associated costs.
- Are there guided tours available for cherry blossom viewing? Yes, there are often guided tours available, along with boat tours to see the cherry blossoms on the Potomac River that offer unique views of the blossoms.
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