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March 12, 2018

The Best Spots for Your Cherry Blossom Viewing Pleasure

Here in Washington, DC, spring signifies more than just the arrival of warm weather—the season marks the blooming of our world-famous cherry blossom trees, symbolizing the natural beauty of our nation’s capital city.  

While the Tidal Basin is the most popular location to view the cherry blossoms, it is not the only location in the City to marvel at the pink and white petals.  We’ve put together a list of the top spots to take in all of the Cherry Blossom beauty. You can even avoid the crowds at some of these sites! 

Tidal Basin

The absolute classic, must do at least once in your lifetime spot. The Tidal Basin is home to the official Welcome Center and over 3,000 cherry trees. These trees arrived in 1912 as a gift international friendship from the Mayor of Tokyo. The Tidal Basin is also home to the ANA Performance Stage, where free musical performances are held 12:00 pm-6:00 pm every day between March 17 and April 1.When traveling to the Tidal Basin be prepared for large crowds.

Hains Point/East Potomac Park

If you’re already at the Tidal Basin, take a short walk down to East Potomac Park, across the Washington Channel from The Wharf and Maine Ave Fish Market. Here you can enjoy a game of tennis or golf, or simply walk around the island with river views to one side and cherry blossoms to the other.

The best way to reach East Potomac Park is by bike. There are two Capital Bikeshare Stations at East Potomac Park—one at the Jefferson Memorial and another at Hains Point/Buckeye & Ohio Dr SW by the tennis courts.

U.S. National Arboretum

The U.S. National Arboretum is home to myriad plants and horticulture, including cherry blossom trees. You can access the Arboretum via the B2 and X8 Metrobus routes. There is also a Capital Bikeshare station at 24th & R St/National Arboretum near the park entrance.

National Cathedral

You can take Metrobus 30N, 30S, 31, 33, or 37 to get to the National Cathedral and take in the beauty of the blossoms set against the gothic architecture of the Cathedral.

Pro tip: Take binoculars and try to spot the Darth Vader grotesque on the northwest tower!

Foxhill Village

Take a walk among picturesque Tudor-style homes in the Foxhall Village neighborhood to see the cherry trees at Hardy Recreation Center. To get there, board the D5 Metrobus from Georgetown and disembark at MacArthur Rd. NW and Q St. NW to begin your stroll.

Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens

The Hillwood Estate is famous for being the home of Marjorie Merriweather Post’s collection of Faberge eggs, but it is also home to many stunning cherry trees. Take Metrorail’s Red Line to Van Ness-UDC station or the L1 Metrobus to the corner of Connecticut Ave NW and Tilden St NW to walk to the estate.

godcgo-national-cherry-blossom-festival-guide

 

We’ve partnered with the National Cherry Blossom Festival to bring you a free walking tour of the blossoms.

 Share your adventure with us! Tag @goDCgo.



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