The cherry blossom trees are without a doubt the stars of springtime in Washington, DC. Visit the District during this time and you’ll find the nation’s capital is accented in pink for the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
The first donation of 2,000 trees, received in 1910, was burned because insects and disease had infested the gift. After hearing about the plight of the first batch, the Japanese mayor sent another 3,020 trees to DC two years later that represented 12 different cherry tree varieties.
This popular question has a different answer year-to-year, but the average peak bloom date, which is when 70% of the flowers of the cherry blossom trees are open, is around April 4. The entire blooming period can last up to 14 days, which includes the days leading up to peak bloom. The National Park Service annually predicts and share details on their website for the official peak bloom.
The most popular place to visit the cherry blossom trees is at the Tidal Basin, which provides great photo ops near the Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. The majority of blossoms are located in this area and along the shoreline of East Potomac Park. But smaller clusters of trees can be found along the National Mall. Off-the-radar cherry blossom trees can be found at the U.S. National Arboretum, Anacostia Park, Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown, Stanton Park and Oxon Run Park.
Be sure to checkout the Guide to the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC for more information
