WHEN TO GO
We ’ d share a precise date — if only we could pin down Mother Nature . But nature being unpredictable , prognosticators typically don ’ t issue their bloom forecasts until early March . That noted , the average peak bloom occurs on April 4 . The earliest peak was March 15 , 1990 and the latest was on April 18 , 1958 . Peak bloom is defined as the day when 70 percent of the Toshino blossoms ( the breed that predominates around the Tidal Basin ) are open . The bloom period is considered underway when 20 percent of the blossoms are open , and lasts up to two weeks , depending on weather conditions .
Insider tip : Plan your visit to coincide with festival events that most appeal to you , then incorporate visits to Washington ’ s myriad ( and mostly free ) museums and monuments into your itinerary . But don ’ t miss taking the 1.8-mile stroll around the Tidal Basin . Its tree-shaded shore is lovely , regardless of bloom stage .
WHERE TO GO
Cherry Blossom Ground Zero is the Tidal Basin , a manmade inlet of the Potomac River . ( Nearby landmarks include the Jefferson Memorial , Martin Luther King Jr . National Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial .) More than 1,400 Yoshino cherry trees , plus other varietals , surround the pool . More trees are in adjacent East Potomac Park / Hains Point and on the grounds of the nearby Washington Monument .
Tidal Basin during the National Cherry Blossom Festival
that draws out-of-towners and locals alike . The epicenter of that display are 3,750 cherry trees in 16 varieties on National Park Service land .
This year , the National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off March 20 and runs through April 16 . Dozens of events , from an annual parade on April 8 ( along Constitution Avenue between Seventh and 17th streets NW ) to an overlapping and highly anticipated exhibit of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama ’ s Infinity Mirrors ( at Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden , on the south side of the National Mall at Independence Avenue and Seventh Street SW , Feb . 23-May 14 ) are on the calendar .
Check out our strategies for making the most of a visit to the National Cherry Blossom Festival .
Insider tip : If your DC visit comes after the Yoshinos peak , head to East Potomac Park / Hains Point , a few miles south of the Tidal Basin . It features the Kwanzan varietal , which blooms a couple of weeks later . The dark pink flowers are multi-layered and the branches sweep low , making for prime photo ops .
ALTERNATIVE VIEWING SITES
As noted above , a smaller grove of Kwanzans are at East Potomac Park , which has adjacent parking and is generally less congested than the Tidal Basin .
Insider tip : Enjoy a sunset view of the blooms while you play a round of golf or hit a bucket of balls at the park ’ s East Potomac Golf Course ( 972 Ohio Drive SW ). Facilities include two 9-hole courses , an 18-hole course , driving range and miniature golf and practice holes .
There ’ s also a glorious grove of cherry trees
SPRING 2017 45
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