Cherry blossom season has arrived. And with a little planning you can see one of the region’s greatest selling points without getting stuck in traffic and while avoiding enormous crowds.
Peak bloom for the cherry blossoms this year is forecasted for March 29 through April 1. The record is April 18, set in 1958; the earliest was March 15, 1990.
Veterans know that this is a delicate phenomenon. The National Park Service itself says, “Forecasting peak bloom is almost impossible more than 10 days in advance.” They add that the peak is weather-dependent: One windy rainstorm could wash most of the blooms away, and a late frost could cancel the whole deal.
To commemorate America 250, Japan gifted DC 250 new cherry trees this year, which NPS planted along the Tidal Basin. NPS’ Tidal Basin seawalls project wrapped up in December — early and under budget — but that section will remain closed through the rest of this cherry blossom season. More than 300 trees had to be removed from the park as part of that rehabilitation project, but 426 trees will be planted in their place.
It Really Is Worth Your While
Between the construction and the crowds, you might fear that rearranging your life so you can try to push your way to the Tidal Basin exactly during the predicted peak is not worth the hassle. But the cherry blossoms really are one of the best things about living in the DC area, and they are more than worth a look.
And you’ll want to check out at least some of the 2026 Cherry Blossom Festival, which runs through April 12. It includes dozens of events, and most of them free.
Just don’t drive. We’re not that far removed from the legendary Sunday when people were stuck for hours trying to get out of the Tidal Basin. The park service says don’t drive. I say don’t drive. You drive, don’t get mad at us.
How to Get There
Metro is your best bet. The closest station to the Tidal Basin is Smithsonian, but changing trains is the time-killer. Get as close as you can on one train and walk the rest of the way. You can get to Smithsonian or L’Enfant Plaza, which is only a little farther, on every line that runs into Northern Virginia. You can check out Metro’s map on its site.
Alternative Locations to See Blooms
If you want to head into DC, there are cherry blossoms at Hains Point, which is where a lot of people park to walk toward the Tidal Basin. (Not that you’re going to drive in, right?) You can also find them at Dumbarton Oaks and Oak Hill Cemetery, both up Wisconsin Avenue from Georgetown. You can also see them on the grounds of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Northeast.
Or, if you really want to get fancy, book a cherry blossom cruise.
But, you can also find plenty of cherry blossom trees in Northern Virginia. Here are some locations:
- Breaux Vineyards, in Purcellville, has cherry trees and even its own Cherry Blossom Festival on March 22.
- Arlington National Cemetery has 417 cherry trees among the 9,000 trees that grow on the cemetery’s 639 acres.
- Meadowlark Gardens, in Vienna, has hundreds of cherry blossom trees. And while it’s not free, the top ticket is only $8 and includes gobs of other plants and trees to check out.
- The Van Gogh Bridge in Reston is surrounded by cherry trees.
And if all else fails, check out the blossoms without leaving home on the Bloom Cam.
Featured image courtesy National Cherry Blossom Festival
