Petal Paradise: Top Spots to Witness Cherry Blossom Magic
March 19, 2025
Every spring, Washington D.C. transforms into a breathtaking sea of pink and white as thousands of cherry blossom trees bloom around the city. This annual event is not just a visual spectacle, but a celebration of history and culture as well. Whether you visit the blossoms each year, or you’re planning to go see them for the first time, the cherry blossom season in Washington D.C. is a must-see.
Did you know?
History
In 1912, Japan gifted over 3,000 cherry trees to the United States as a gesture of goodwill and friendship. These trees were planted around the Tidal Basin and have since come to symbolize the enduring bond between the two nations. Cherry blossoms, renowned for their fleeting beauty, serve as a poignant reminder of life’s transient nature, as their breathtaking bloom lasts only a few short weeks each year.
Here are some blooming highlights and best spots for this year’s celebration.
Peak Bloom
The cherry blossoms typically bloom in late March to early April, depending on the weather conditions. Peak bloom, when 70% of the blossoms are open, is a highly anticipated event, usually only lasting a few days. On February 26th, the National Park Service predicted the peak bloom for 2025 to be between March 28th and 31st.
National Cherry Blossom Festival
To celebrate the arrival of the cherry blossoms, Washington, D.C. hosts the National Cherry Blossom Festival every year. This festival spans several weeks, around the time the blossoms are in bloom, and includes a variety of events, such as cultural performances, outdoor activities, and more. The festival will be held starting March 20th and ending on April 13th in 2025. During the Festival restaurants are featured as “Cherry Picks” and special installations are presented as “Art in Bloom.” One of the highlights is the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, where there are colorful floats, bands, and performances. This year the parade will be on Saturday, April 12th. For more information on the festival, check out the official website below.
nationalcherryblossomfestival.org
Highlights of the Festival Include:
Pink Tie Party (March 14): Union Station, Washington, DC. Highly anticipated, this is a glamorous evening featuring food, cocktails, and music.
Opening Ceremony (March 22): Performances celebrating U.S.-Japan cultural ties.
Blossom Kite Festival (March 29): A colorful display of kites near the Washington Monument.
Petalpalooza (April 5): A day of music, art, and fireworks at the Capitol Riverfront.
Cherry Blossom Parade (April 12): A lively procession with floats, balloons, and performances along Constitution Avenue.
Visiting the Blossoms
During peak bloom, Washington, D.C., attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world, all eager to see the cherry blossoms in full glory. Due to the popularity of the blossoms, the best times to visit them are in the early morning on weekdays, or late in the evening.
Below is a list of some of the best viewing spots for the cherry blossoms:
Tidal Basin: This is the most iconic spot for cherry blossoms in D.C. Most of the trees are concentrated around the basin and create breathtaking views, especially with the Jefferson Memorial in the background.
National Mall: Cherry trees are scattered throughout the National Mall, adjacent to the Tidal Basin.
East Potomac Park (Hains Point): Located just south of the Tidal Basin, this park also has many cherry trees and is a bit less crowded, making it a great alternative.
U.S. National Arboretum: A bit further away from the main tourist areas, the Arboretum has a variety of cherry blossom species, which can offer a more peaceful and expansive experience.
Washington Monument Grounds: The area surrounding the Washington Monument also features cherry trees and offers great photo opportunities.
Lizzy Conroy is the Principal of the Huckaby Briscoe Conroy Group which consistently ranks as the #1 team in the #1 real estate office in McLean. Lizzy has served as a residential real estate professional since 2009 and has worked with hundreds of clients over the last 15 years. Lizzy and the HBC Group specialize in providing a full-service, concierge level experience for home sellers and buyers moving to, from, and within the dynamic and diverse DC area real estate market.
Prior to her career in residential real estate, Lizzy held business development positions with Kalmia Construction, a Maryland-based commercial construction company, and Newmark DC, a commercial real estate firm. She also served as a marketing manager with MicroStrategy of McLean and in the international trade group of Hogan Lovells. Lizzy is a graduate of Georgetown University with a B.A. in Economics and has lived in Washington DC and Northern Virginia for 30 years.
Lizzy currently serves on the board of the McLean Project for the Arts and the board of FCA Greater Fairfax. Lizzy is the 2017 American Mothers, Inc. Virginia Mother of the Year® and the 2005 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society National Woman of the Year. She is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Washington and is a devoted member of her church, Trinity United Methodist. She is a member of River Bend Golf & Country Club, Great Falls, VA. She and her husband, Steve, live in McLean, Virginia with their two children. Lizzy enjoys working out, spending time with friends and family, hiking, traveling, and exploring unique cultural experiences in the DMV.
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