If you visit in March or April you want to make sure to see the cherry blossom in DC if they are in bloom! The cool thing is that there are many different varieties of blossoms. Some of them bloom early and some a bit later. So, even if you don’t see make it to DC when they are at their peak, you still might get a great taste of spring.

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC

1. Tidal Basin

The Tidal Basin is the location of the world-famous Washington DC cherry blossoms. In addition to the Jefferson, FDR, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials, there is a really cool spot called the Japanese Lantern. It is a stone lantern that’s over 400 years old. and has a twin in Tokyo. So, if you are a world traveler you can see the one in DCand then go try to find the one in Japan.

The Tidal Basin is by far the most crowded place to see the blossoms. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go, but it’s something to be aware of. If you can make it to the Tidal Basin at sunrise you can avoid some of the heaviest crowds.

2. East Potomac Park

The East Potomac Park is the huge park located to the south and east of the Tidal Basin. There are a ton of cherry trees of all different varieties. The cool thing about East Potomac Park is that even though it is adjacent to the Tidal Basin, most tourists stay to the beaten bath and don’t come here. It’s definitely a hidden gem!

3. Washington Monument

The grounds of the Washington Monument are a great place to see cherry blossoms. There are a few different concentrations of trees near the monument. One is near the lodge on the east side. Another place is a patch of trees to the north, between the monument in between the White House. The Washington Monument is also the spot where they host the annual Cherry Blossom Kite Festival.

4. National Arboretum

This is a fairly off-the-beaten-path spot. But, if you go you will be rewarded with much smaller crowds than on the Tidal Basin.It’s not really Metro accessible, so to get there you’ll have to take a taxi or an Uber. The trees at the National Arboretum tend to peak at a little bit different than the ones on the Tidal Basin so if you’re too early or too late for those you might have better luck here. Plus there are many varieties of flowering trees and plants beyond the cherry blossoms.

5. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

This is the largest Roman Catholic Church in the country and one of the largest in the entire world. There are cherry trees on the grounds of the Basilica so you can get great photos with trees in the foreground and amazing architecture in the background. It is located in the Brookland neighborhood and is very easy to get to on the Metro.

6. Anywhere!

There are cherry blossoms all over the city and the suburbs. If you ask a local where the best spot to see cherry blossoms in DC, they might say “whichever tree is closest to my house!” The point is that there are so many beautiful flowers everywhere that you don’t have to travel to see them.

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