Every year in late March or early April, the cherry blossom trees in the DMV begin to bloom. Within a day or two, the trees are bursting with the most spectacular, fluffy, light pink flowers. It’s truly a sight to behold! If you’ve never ventured down to the national mall to see this incredible display, it’s absolutely worth a trip. For those lucky Virginia residents who live within a short drive or metro ride away, count yourself lucky!

Where to View the Cherry Blossoms

If you’re looking to see the highest concentration of these blooming floral trees, the best spot is the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. From the entrance to the park, you can walk the perimeter of the water under the shade of the cherry blossom trees. You can also walk, bike, or drive to the very tip of the Haines Point peninsula and see hundreds of trees along the road for several miles. For those who want to keep the walk a more manageable distance, you can opt to stay put and take in the views from the Jefferson Memorial.

How to Get There

The cherry blossoms are somewhat accessible by public transit, but it’s usually best to arrive by uber or simply walk. For those coming from Arlington, you can either take an uber across the bridge and get dropped off a few blocks away (to avoid the worst of the traffic) or you can metro to Foggy Bottom, L’Enfant, or Smithsonian and walk, bike, or scooter down to the West Potomac Park entrance.

Don’t Forget to Snap Photos!

The cherry blossom trees make for some of the most iconic photos of the DC region. Bring your phone or a high quality camera and snap pics along the water of the trees swaying in the breeze. For those looking to maximize their collection of images, it’s best to go early in the morning or on a weekday when there are fewer tourists around to interrupt your photo session.

While the tidal basin is the most popular viewing spot for DC’s cherry blossoms, you can also find them sprinkled through DC and northern Virginia neighborhoods. Parts of McLean and Arlington are filled with cherry blossom trees lining neighborhood streets. Have your camera ready during peak bloom and you’ll be sure to capture a few gorgeous shots.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival may be one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, but it’s an absolute must for locals too. This year, peak bloom is April 1-7, so stop by and check them out today!