Cherry blossom season is officially upon us, and Washington, DC is home to thousands of these iconic trees. There are over a dozen varieties of cherry trees growing throughout the District and the greater DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area, and each of them vary in color and bloom annually from February until April.
Read on for our list of 20+ places where you can experience the magic of the cherry blossoms, while evading the massive crowds.
As a nation, we’ve been celebrating this annual spring bloom for over 100 years; since 3,020 cherry trees were presented to the People of the United States as a gift of friendship from the People of Japan in 1912.
This celebration has grown and grown over time, and this year it is predicted that 1.5 million people will flock to our nation’s capital to experience these iconic cherry blossoms turn the city into a sea of the most beautiful white and pink hues.
If appreciating the beauty of the bloom alongside millions of others isn’t your cup of tea – no worries! There are many other locations within DC’s neighborhoods and the surrounding area where you can soak in the magic of the season without the massive crowds.
We’ve been blossom peepin’ in and around Washington DC for over 10 years (Aleah actually enjoyed her first legal beer at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in college), so we’re excited to share all of our recommendations for when and where to view DC’s different varieties of cherry trees without the crowds.
Okame Cherry Blossoms
The Okame variety of cherry tree is the first to bloom each year. These trees typically reach peak bloom a few weeks to a month before the trees at the Tidal Basin. Originating in Taiwan, the Okame trees are some of our favorites because their flowers are a beautiful bright pink, and their bloom truly marks the start of the spring season. As of March 1st, 2024, these trees are in full bloom.
The best place to experience Okame Cherry Blossoms is without a doubt the Congressional Cemetery.
Nicknamed “America’s Hippest Cemetery,” this DC green space is free to visit and open to the public. The grounds of this National Park site boast 35 acres and are open daily from dawn – dusk. It is important to note, that when you visit, please do so with respect as it is both a historic & active burial ground as well as the final resting place of many respected leaders and activists.
Other places to see the Okame Cherry Trees in the DMV include:
📍 The Line Hotel (Adams Morgan, DC)
📍 LeDroit Park Gate (LeDroit Park, DC)
📍 Long Bridge Park (NOVA)
📍 Ford’s Landing Park (NOVA)
Saucer Magnolias
Next to bloom, after the Okames, are the bright pink Saucer Magnolias. While these trees are not technically cherries, they are beautiful, and pink, and worth including here.
The best place to see them is the Edin A. Haupt Garden which is located on the National Mall between the Smithsonian Castle and Independence Avenue.
Other places where magnolias can be viewed within DC’s city limits include:
📍 Rawlins Park
📍 Meridian Hill/Malcolm-X Park
📍 Oak Hill Cemetery
📍 Edward R. Murrow Park
📍 George Mason Memorial
📍 National Academy of Sciences
Yoshino Cherry Blossoms
The most common and iconic cherry trees in DC are the Yoshino Cherry Blossoms that surround the Tidal Basin. Of the approximately 3,800 individual trees in the area, 70% of them are Yoshinos. The pale pink/whitish color of their petals turn the entire area into a scene from an enchanted springtime fairytale, so it’s no surprise that millions of people visit each year.
The Tidal Basin is also the primary site of the Cherry Blossom Festival and runs from March 20th – April 14th 2023. If you are interested in attending any of the scheduled events, including the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade or the Blossom Kite Festival, more information can be found here.
The Yoshino trees are budding and expected to be in peak bloom from March 23 to March 26, 2023. Peak bloom is defined by the National Park Service as the timeframe during which 70% of the Yoshino Cherry Blossoms are open. This natural phenomenon usually lasts for a few days, and you can check the status of the Tidal Basin’s resident cherry trees anytime via the live BloomCam that offers a 24/7, real-time, rotating feed of the blooms.
That said, you are reading this in order to beat the crowds, so if you want to experience the Yoshino blossoms without the crowds during the Cherry Blossom Festival, here are some other places to peep them beyond the Tidal Basin:
Around the National Mall..
📍 Lincoln Memorial
📍 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
📍 Top of the Washington Monument
📍 Hains Point – If you’re into biking, you can ride through the blossoms via the 3.5 mile Hains Point Loop Trail
Venture Out a bit…
📍National Arboretum
📍Georgetown – Dumbarton Oaks, Oak Hill Cemetery, & Montrose Park
📍The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
📍National Cathedral Bishops Garden
📍Oxon Run Park
Kwanzan Cherry Blossoms
The Kwanzan trees boast bright pink, multilayered flowers and tend to peak about 10-14 days after the Yoshinos. There are fewer of this variety growing in the area, but what they lack in number, they make up for in beauty.
Three places to see them in the area are:
📍Hains Point/East Potomac Park (DC)
📍Congressional Cemetery (DC)
📍Meadowlark Gardens (VA)
More Places to Celebrate the Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC
The trees aren’t the only thing that turn the city pink each spring. From the floral decals that decorate city buildings and buses, to cherry blossom themed pop-up bars, to special menu offerings, to art vibrant installations, local DC businesses and government agencies can’t help but get in on the action too.
CityCenterDC
City Center DC always hosts a beautiful cherry blossom/spring-themed installation in Palmer Alley. It makes for beautiful photos and is worth a visit.
Bloomaroo at The Wharf
This free festival will take place on March 23rd from from 2pm-9pm. There will be a full lineup of music, activities and experiences throughout the day including cherry blossom-themed drinks and cocktails and a fireworks show at 8:30pm. View the full schedule here.
Artechouse
Artechouse, a unique and immersive digital art museum, celebrates cherry blossom season with an experiential springtime exhibit each year. Last year’s was called PIXELBLOOM: Timeless Butterflies, and we found it to be the perfect combination of whimsical and trippy. Tickets start at $20 for locals, and themed drinks are available for purchase at the venue’s Extended Reality (XR) Bar. Date night anyone?
We hope that this list were helpful for those of you, who like us, love cherry blossom season, but want to avoid the masses at all costs. If you have any other recommendations for experiencing the blooms but not the crowds, let us know in the comments!
One last note, while you are on your blossom peeping adventures, never climb the trees or pick the flowers. Practicing Leave No Trace is so important to preserve our natural spaces//treasures… the cherry blossoms are no exception.
Thanks for the beautiful cherry blossom pictures. It looks like a peaceful stroll in D.C. Enjoy your future adventures. LOVE, Nan