How to see the Washington DC cherry blossoms

Like clockwork, the cherry blossoms around Washington DC’s Tidal Basin provide a treat and much needed break from the depths of a long winter. The cherry blossoms don’t stay around forever, they only visit for a short time each year! Some of the best places to see the Washington DC cherry blossoms are just a short drive from Virginia, or any of the surrounding areas in the DMV.

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The cherry blossom bloom generally happens in the last few weeks of March or the first week of April. While visitors and residents can’t actually pin down an official start date, they can keep an eye on updates to know when the DC cherry blossoms are in full bloom! The easiest way to get to the heart of the DC cherry blossoms is to find the Jefferson Memorial. The Jefferson Memorial is located at 701 E Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242. Why is the Jefferson Memorial the best place to start? The Jefferson Memorial provides much easier access to parking. When the cherry blossoms are in bloom, they aren’t difficult to miss! If you’re walking, head towards the National Mall, looking for the Washington Monument. The cherry blossoms are located around the banks of the Tidal Basin, located south of the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Be mindful of signs located around the National Mall. You can’t go wrong following signs to the FDR Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, or MLK Memorial. Once you’re in the area, you’ll be able to see where the cherry blossoms are located.

Who planted the cherry blossoms in Washington DC?

The Mayor of Tokyo City, Yukio Ozaki, donated the trees in 1912 to help grow the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. First Lady Helen Herron Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador planted the first two cherry trees on the north bank of the Tidal Basin.