Going to see the Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC has been on my bucket list since we first moved to the east coast.
So last month we went and saw the Cherry Blossoms in DC. We went in the evening after Jared got home from work and traffic and parking was insane.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission off sales made through these links at no extra cost to you. Click here for details.
We drove over to one of our favorite places to park near the Thomas Jefferson Memorial and Tidal Basin and it was packed, we couldn’t find parking anywhere close to the national mall.
We ended up deciding to park in a parking lot by the Theodore Roosevelt Island. Across the bridge from the national mall.
We didn’t think the walk would take that long but it did. We ended up walking for about an hour to get to the Lincoln Memorial. While there are a few trees with cherry blossoms near the Lincoln Memorial most of the cherry trees are located around the Tidal Basin.
We took a few pictures, then we had to walk back so we could get to our car before it got dark. As you might have guessed seeing the Cherry Blossoms in DC around the Tidal Basin is still on my bucket list.
While our trip to see the Cherry Blossoms in DC wasn’t as successful as I hoped we did pick up a few tips that you might find helpful before you try to go see the Cherry Blossoms.
Tips for Seeing the Cherry Blossoms in DC
These tips cover everything from how to find out when to see the cherry blossoms, the best places to see them and more.
Check the Peak Bloom Forecast
First off before you can really plan a time to go see all the beautiful spring blossoms you have to know when the trees are going to bloom right?
Luckily there is a website that checks the development milestones of the blossoms and forecasts when the peak time to see the Cherry Blossoms will be.
Peak Bloom forecasts typically start to be announced around the beginning of March each year. Cherry Blossom Watch is where I like to check for blossom updates.
Best Time to See the Cherry Blossoms
Once you have found the most up to date Peak Bloom Forecast I recommend trying to go into DC on a weekday if possible. While weekdays are still going to be busy they will probably be slightly less busy than the weekend and evenings.
Finding Restrooms
Near Tidal Basin there are restrooms at the Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, and the FDR Memorial.
Restrooms can also be found under the Lincoln Memorial and next to both the World War I and the World War II memorials.
Taking Kids to see the Cherry Blossoms
Take the kids to see the Cherry Blossoms is both fun and scary. There are typically a lot of people wanting to see the cherry blossoms so the tidal basin area can get packed.
If you’re taking young kids I would recommend putting them in a stroller, it might be difficult to maneuver through the crowds but at least you don’t have to worry about losing a kid. If your child is small enough a carrier is even better than a stroller.
For kids that are just too big for the stroller, talk to them about how they need to stay near you and take a picture of them as soon as you get to DC so you have a current picture in case you become separated.
When visiting DC with kids also don’t forget to bring drinks and snacks to keep the kiddos happy while you enjoy the beautiful spring blossoms.
Where to Stay in Washington DC
The most well-known area of Washington DC to see the Cherry Blossoms is around the Tidal Basin area in the National Mall. Staying in a hotel near the Tidal Basin or even just the National Mall will make it a lot easier for you.
I recommend staying at a hotel within walking distance so you don’t have to worry about parking.
Hotel Options:
InterContinental Washington DC – The Wharf
Hyatt House Washington DC – The Wharf
Canopy by Hilton Washington DC – The Wharf
Remember that spring is the start of the tourist season in Washington DC and a large number of people from out of town come to DC to see the Cherry Blossoms each year.
Hotels fill up during this time of year so it’s worth making a reservation in advance, which can be hard since the exact time the trees will blossom isn’t known well in advance.
Is visiting the Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC on your bucket list?