As spring approaches, the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., and its surrounding areas come into full bloom, bursting into a spectacle of pink and white that draws more than a million visitors every year.
Where to see cherry blossoms in the D.C. area
and
March 8, 2024 at 2:57 p.m. EST
Within the District
Casey Trees in D.C. maintains an inventory of cherry trees across the city. The National Arboretum also maintains a data set of cherry trees.
Cherry trees in the District
The Tidal Basin is an iconic spot to view
cherry blossoms in D.C., but there are many
more of the pink-blossomed trees growing
throughout the city.
Cleveland
Park
American
University
Park
Michigan
Park
Rock
Creek
Park
National
Arboretum
Foxhall
Dumbarton
Oaks
The Mall
Tidal Basin
Hains
Point
Stanton Park
Congress
Heights and
Oxon Run Park
2 MILES
Excludes trees on private property and some
federal parks. Data as of March 2024
Sources: Casey Trees, U.S. National
Arboretum (USDA-ARS)
LAUREN TIERNEY/THE WASHINGTON POST
Cherry trees in the District
The Tidal Basin is an iconic spot to view cherry blossoms
in D.C., but there are many more of the pink-blossomed
trees growing throughout the city.
Cleveland
Park
American
University
Park
Rock
Creek
Park
Michigan Park
National
Arboretum
Foxhall
Dumbarton
Oaks
The Mall
Tidal Basin
Stanton Park
Hains
Point
Congress Heights
and Oxon Run Park
2 MILES
Excludes trees on private property and some federal parks.
Data as of March 2024
Sources: Casey Trees, U.S. National Arboretum (USDA-ARS)
LAUREN TIERNEY/THE WASHINGTON POST
Cherry trees in the District
The Tidal Basin is an iconic spot to
view cherry blossoms in D.C., but there
are many more of the pink-blossomed
trees growing throughout the city.
Cleveland
Park
Rock
Creek
Park
American
University
Park
Michigan Park
National
Arboretum
Foxhall
Dumbarton
Oaks
The Mall
1 MILE
Tidal Basin
Stanton Park
Hains
Point
Excludes trees on private
property and some federal parks.
Data as of March 2024
Congress Heights
and Oxon Run Park
Sources: Casey Trees, U.S. National
Arboretum (USDA-ARS)
LAUREN TIERNEY/THE WASHINGTON POST
Tidal Basin
An iconic location with more than 4,000 cherry trees, the area offers picturesque views of cherry blossoms framed by the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument. As one of D.C’s most popular destinations during cherry blossom season, expect huge crowds during peak bloom.
Open daily from dawn to dusk.
Skip to end of carousel(Matt McClain/The Washington Post)
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The National Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C. draws more than a million visitors from all over the world. Here’s our 2024 cherry blossom forecast for peak bloom.
National Arboretum
This federally run garden/research institution has the most diverse selection of cherry trees in the region. There are more than 70 varieties, and collection standouts include Awanui, a flowering cherry from New Zealand that’s rare in the United States, and Kojo-no-mai, known for its twisty branches. The arboretum tends to have a longer blossom season than other local spots, with more early and late bloomers.
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hains Point
Located at the southern tip of East Potomac Park, Hains Point is packed with trees along a beautiful trail, and it has plenty of open space for moving about. Like the Tidal Basin, it might be on the busier side on the weekend.
Open daily from dawn to dusk.
Dumbarton Oaks
The Georgetown estate has cherry trees at the north end of its garden, which typically bloom slightly later than the ones at the Tidal Basin.
Open Tuesday through Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m.
Stanton Park
On Capitol Hill about half a mile from the Capitol, the perimeter of Stanton Park is lined with cherry trees, and most visitors won’t have trouble snagging an unoccupied bench. Since it’s a 10-minute walk from Union Station, Stanton Park is a good choice for those passing through town who want to steal a quick peek at the blossoms.
Oxon Run Park
In Southeast Washington, Oxon Run Park has more than 200 cherry trees and a playground, trails, picnic tables and grills.
Open daily from dawn to dusk.
Michigan Park, Northeast
On the west side of Michigan Park and just north of University Heights, a stretch of Puerto Rico Avenue has dozens of Yoshino trees.
Foxhall Village, Northwest
Several Yoshino trees are located on the circle at Greenwich Parkway, then south on Surrey Lane. It’s all right off Foxhall Road. The area also has a lot of Kwanzan cherry trees.
American University Park, Northwest
Take a walk between Massachusetts and Western avenues along 49th Street and you’ll see a whole lot of blossoms. Some of the other side streets like Asbury Place might be worth a look, as well.
Congress Heights, Southeast
The cloud trees are frequent along the Fourth Street fork to the north of Simon Elementary School. Mississippi Avenue also has a number of trees.
In Maryland and Virginia
Beyond the Tidal Basin, many public parks and gardens offer great opportunities to view seasonal cherry blossoms. In Maryland, cherry trees can be found across public parks in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. These quieter locations offer an opportunity to enjoy the blossoms without the crowds.
Cherry blossoms around
the Beltway
Here are other areas in the D.C. region
known forhaving a high density of
cherry blossoms.
Glenview
Mansion
Brookside
Gardens
MARYLAND
Great Falls
Park
Takoma Park
Kenwood
D.C.
Meadowlark
Botanical Gardens
Dumbarton
Oaks
Cheverly
National
Arboretum
VIRGINIA
Stanton
Park
Arlington National
Cemetery
Tidal
Basin
Oxon Run
Park
Green Spring
Gardens
Founders
Park
National
Harbor
River Farm
2 MILES
Source: County tourist bureaus
LAUREN TIERNEY/THE WASHINGTON POST
Cherry blossoms around the Beltway
Here are other areas in the D.C. region known for
having a high density of cherry blossoms.
Glenview
Mansion
Brookside
Gardens
MARYLAND
Great Falls Park
Takoma Park
Kenwood
D.C.
Meadowlark
Botanical Gardens
Dumbarton
Oaks
Cheverly
National
Arboretum
VIRGINIA
Stanton
Park
Arlington
National
Cemetery
Tidal
Basin
Oxon Run
Park
Green Spring
Gardens
Founders
Park
National
Harbor
River Farm
2 MILES
Source: County tourist bureaus
LAUREN TIERNEY/THE WASHINGTON POST
Cherry blossoms around the Beltway
Here are other areas in the D.C. region known for having a high density of cherry blossoms.
Glenview
Mansion
Brookside
Gardens
MARYLAND
Takoma Park
Kenwood
Great Falls Park
D.C.
Meadowlark
Botanical Gardens
Dumbarton
Oaks
Cheverly
National
Arboretum
VIRGINIA
Stanton Park
Arlington
National
Cemetery
Tidal
Basin
Green Spring
Gardens
Oxon Run
Park
Founders
Park
National
Harbor
River Farm
2 MILES
Source: County tourist bureaus
LAUREN TIERNEY/THE WASHINGTON POST
Kenwood
More than 1,200 cherry trees — the largest concentration in any neighborhood in the area — line Kennedy Drive, Dorset Avenue, Kenwood Avenue and other streets in this Bethesda enclave.
Open daily during daylight hours.
National Harbor
More than 200 Okame cherry trees will blossom here this spring, and you can check them out from high above: Hop on the Capital Wheel and sip on pink champagne or a Cherry Lager beer while taking in the sights.
Open daily from dawn to dusk.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
This 95-acre park in Vienna features about 200 cherry trees of assorted varieties, including the Yoshino blossoms that the Tidal Basin is known for.
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ian Livingston and Angela Haupt contributed to this report.
