Best Places To See The Cherry Blossoms In The DC Metro Area

A Local’s Guide to the Top Cherry Blossom Locations Around Washington, DC

Our nation’s rich history and national monuments may get the most attention from Washington, DC tourists, but there is one thing that enchants even the lifelong DC metro resident, year after year: our cherry blossoms.

Lined along the Tidal Basin, and in many areas throughout the DMV region, these flowng trees with their rich scent and pale pink explosion of color have become synonymous with all that there is to love about the area. While the National Park Service predicts peak cherry blossom bloom time each year, the blossoms are sensitive to weather. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite places to see the cherry blossoms this year, so you will be ready!

At the time of writing, the National Park Service is currently evaluating whether to allow limited access to the Tidal Basin this year. There are many ways to enjoy our area's cherry blossoms in 2021, although with all of our suggestions below, we strongly encourage you to check the most up-to-date regulations before making the trip to experience them yourself.

Trees With History

In 1912, three thousand cherry trees were given from the People of Japan to the United States as a gift of friendship from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo. While First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, did plant a cherry blossom tree on March 27th of 1912, the three thousand total trees which were eventually planted in East Potomac Park alongside the Potomac Tidal Basin by the Jefferson Memorial and directly on the White House grounds took many years to be planted throughout Washington, DC. To see the first cherry blossoms in our nation’s capital, be sure to visit the northern bank of the Potomac River Tidal Basin. Alternatively, celebrate this chapter of our Nation’s history and see the cherry blossom princess by attending the National Cherry Blossom Festival virtually.

The Perfect Walk

Looking for a way to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms with a little less crowd risk? We’ve got you covered. The Hains Point Loop Trail is the perfect way to see the best of the waterfront blossoms while enjoying a 4.4-mile loop, ideal for a casual stroll or bike ride. This loop is also well known by locals for the variety of species of cherry blossoms you may be able to find on your stroll.

A Day in Nature

Bordering Maryland and Washington, DC, Oxon Run National Parkway is home to two hundred cherry blossom trees planted by volunteers. This one hundred twenty-six acre urban park offers multiple jogging trails, a wonderful picnic area, and a playground, proving a day of cherry blossom hunting can create a memorable day for everyone.

The History Continues

The Japanese government gave a second gift of thirty-eight hundred cherry trees to Washington, DC in 1965. First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, known for her affinity with flowers and their potential for positive impact on political endeavors, and Ambassador Takeuchi’s wife, Mrs. Ryuji Takeuchi, instituted another history-making planting. This time, the first trees were planted on the grounds of the Washington Monument where a multitude of cherry blossoms thrive today.

A Drive to Remember

If you’ve been planning to skip the flowers this year to avoid crowds, we may have the perfect solution. This thirty-minute driving route loop provided by FunInFairfaxVA.com will allow you to soak in all the beauty of the cherry blossoms without leaving your car.

A Panoramic View 

While our most treasured flowering trees can be seen throughout the city, for a truly panoramic view of the cherry blossoms, be sure to take the time to walk the steps of the Jefferson Memorial. This will give you a full view of the basin as well as the Washington Monument.

Enjoy A Day At The Park

Located just minutes from the Capitol, Stanton Park offers a wonderful playground, dog park, and historic statues, making this one of the best places in the city for the whole family to enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms this Spring. 

The cherry blossoms might be the reminder you’ve been looking for that spring is finally here. Ready to sell your home this spring? Did the flowers make you fall in love with the DC Metro area like we did? We’re ready to get you into the home of your dreams in the DC, Virginia, and Maryland regions.

Whatever your real estate needs, contact us so we can help you get started!