WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Whether it’s your first time seeing the famous cherry blossoms in Washington D.C., or you check them out every year, this guide will help you have the BEST cherry blossom experience.
What To Wear:
First things first, your outfit.
What you wear can make or break your Cherry Blossom experience. Slip on your best walking shoes. The walking loop at the Tidal Basin is more than 2 miles long, and if you also decide to check out some other memorials along the National Mall, you'll easily add several more miles to that.
For your clothing choice, it's best to check the forecast before you head out the door. The average temperature for the D.C. region in March is 56.5°F for a high and 38.6° for a low. Layers are your best option since the mornings will still be quite chilly, but the afternoons will be mild. If the skies are clear and sunny be sure to have a hat and sunglasses.
Rainy conditions are very possible for early spring in D.C., and a raincoat will serve you best. An umbrella can be a hassle to carry around all day, it could get in the way of your view of the blossoms, and since there are many low hanging branches the umbrella could damage.
Finally, pack along a bag that will hold water, snacks, sunscreen, and your camera. The parking situation, which we will address in a moment, will be very tough so you won’t be able to just run back to the car for your things.
Cherry Blossom Etiquette:
Now that you are dressed and ready to go, let's go over some Cherry Blossom Etiquette. Some of these beautiful trees are over a century old, making them quite delicate. It is against the law to touch the Cherry Blossom trees. This includes but is not limited to sitting in or on the trees, touching the tree trunks, pulling on branches to get the blossoms closer to you for a photo, and pulling branches or petals off the trees to take home with you.
Please do your part to keep the Cherry Blossoms healthy!
Transportation:
Now comes one of the tougher parts. Transportation. You have several options to get you to the Tidal Basin to see the blossoms.
- You can take the Metro.
Take the orange line to the Smithsonian stop and walk just a few short blocks to get to the Tidal Basin.
- You can also take a ride share or a taxi.
- If you are trying to get some outdoor time, there are scooters and bikes all over town available for rent.
- Depending on where you stay, you can also walk.
Whatever you do, don’t drive. The parking around the Tidal Basin is extremely limited. There is a good chance you will spend more time looking for parking than you will enjoying the trees. If you are dead set on taking your vehicle there are parking garages that you can pay to use, but be warned, they can be very expensive.
Conclusion:
Okay so by now you should have your outfit picked out, you know the proper cherry blossom etiquette, and you figured out your transportation. Now here comes the fun part, enjoying your day!
There are so many fun and exciting events going on around the D.C. for you and your family to take part in. From museums to restaurants to hotels, you can make each part of your day cherry blossom themed.