A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE WASHINGTON CHERRY BLOSSOM

The blooming of the cherry blossoms is one of the most important events in Washington DC. This beautiful spectacle happens each year on spring time, making this time of year one of the best seasons to visit the capital of the United States. So, if you want to know everything about this awesome natural event and want to know about the famous National Cherry Blossom Festival, it’s all right here, let’s start.

About Cherry Blossom and Festival

In 1912, the mayor of Tokyo presented the city of Washington, D. C., with 3,000 cherry trees to honor the friendship between the United States and Japan. Today, white and pink flowers are one of the area’s most beloved shows; and the National Cherry Blossom Festival is the region’s most popular event, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Throughout the festival, visitors will be able to enjoy meals that celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The restaurants serve creative cocktails, appetizers and main courses with cherry infusions, and decorate dishes and glasses with flowers. Its menus of various dishes, inspired by the festival, pay tribute to the friendship of the United States with Japan.

Cherry Blossom – Source www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

In addition to cultural presentations, the festival also offers activities for children of all ages. Two of the most popular events for children are called Family Days and the Blossom Kite Festival. Family Days, held at the National Building Museum, includes hands-on activities such as origami and calligraphy that allow children to explore Japanese art and design. The Blossom Kite Festival presents creative kite makers and holds contests where those who manipulate them flaunt their tricks in the air.

Many art, photography, sculpture, and animation exhibitions are held throughout Washington during the festival. You can also see parades of kimonos, dances, concerts or martial arts shows.

This year the festival begins on March 20th and ends on April 15th, but to find out what the best days to see the cherry blossoms, you can follow the flowering forecast, where you will know the dates when the flowers going to decorate the streets of Washington DC in their fullest splendor.

Where take the best photos during the cherry blossoms

We know that along the city we can see cherry blossom but there are some places where you can appreciate this beautiful event of nature much better. Undoubtedly one of the most popular places to see the cherry trees is the Tidal Basin, which at this time of year becomes a very beautiful area where you can take great photographs. In addition to watching this show you can also visit the Jefferson Monument, the Martin Luther King Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.

Although most of the trees are found in the Tidal Basin and along the Potomac Park coast you can go to other places in the city, such as the National Mall, there you can also see the trees and take wonderful photographs, plus for this time monuments like the Lincoln Memorial or the Washington Monument (the obelisk) seem to be more spectacular, they really look much more beautiful.

The Martin Luther King Memorial -www.ovsla.com/

In addition to these places you can also schedule a visit to the Arboretum Nacional, this is one of those places that regardless of the season will always be great to visit. So now that you know which places to go to look at all you have left is to get your camera ready, see some pictures in Pinterest that will help you as a reference to know how to get incredible photos.

Below is a list of what we consider to be the best places to photograph during cherry blossom.

Tidal Basin
The Martin Luther King Memorial
The Jefferson Memorial Steps
The Japanese Lantern
The Washington Memorial

Now you that know where to go, now you need to know what time to go

There is no exact time to go to see this vibrant show, it all depends on what time you prefer, some people like to go in the early hours of the day when the sunlight is brighter and makes the monuments look resplendent. Others prefer the afternoon, at that time of day the city becomes a beautiful postcard, the shadows create amazing silhouettes and the monuments look spectacular. So, it’s you who decides what time you want to go so don’t worry, any time of the day will be fine to enjoy cherry blossoms.

What else can I do during the Festival season?

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a citywide event, meaning that if you plan to travel to Washington DC this is a good time of year to do so, why? Because many hotels offer discounts during the festival, that means you can get affordable accommodation. Also, as the entire city is celebrating, many restaurants reduce the cost of their dishes and likewise the city’s bars, so some of the money you had budgeted for can be saved for another trip.

Cherry Blossom – Source www.pexels.com

You can also find many free activities during the festival, such as live music and theatre plays, just go to the official website of the National Cherry Blossom Festival to find out everything you can do during those days of the festival.

Finally, we share with you the most important events that take place in Washington DC during cherry blossom: