The infamous cherry trees that line the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial in our nation’s capital symbolize everything from the beginning of the busy tourist season in Washington, DC to the arrival of spring.
The 3,000 cherry trees were planted in 1912 as a gift of friendship to the People of the United States from the People of Japan. These trees line the area around the Jefferson Memorial on the Tidal Basin and can be seen around every major monument on the National Mall. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual three-week, city-wide event that features international cultural performances and special events that showcase the history of DC, the cherry blossoms, cuisine, sports and marathons to celebrate the beginning of spring.
The cherry blossom trees around the Tidal Basin usually open between late March to mid-April. Watching the various stages of bloom is incredibly beautiful — from the beginning buds to the young green shoots, the peach-colored blossoms and finally, the white snow shower of petals that cover the ground (peak bloom). The coveted period to view the blossoms, peak bloom, which is defined at the point when 70 percent of the blossoms are open, lasts around three to four days.
Predicting when peak bloom will occur is tricky. The National Park Service aborists are responsible for updating the forecast dates. However, with the recent new MARC train schedule that runs on weekends, it’s even easier to make the commute to DC to catch every stage of the cherry blossoms. If you’re not much of a nature appreciator, spring is still the best time to view the monuments and various free exhibits. There are also special activities around cherry blossom season. These include:
1. Paddle Boating — view the Jefferson Memorial and Japanese Cherry Trees from the water.
2. Cherry Blossom Cruises — boat cruises from the water where you can survey the monuments and trees.
3. Bike the Sites Tour — a two-hour ride designed for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Sites include Potomac Park and the Jefferson Memorial.
4. The Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run — an annual 10-mile/16-km road race, which began as a training run for those competing in the Boston marathon. It has grown into a local race for those of all skill levels. It is an international scene, nevertheless, with athletes from all over the world.
After a full day of walking around, I suggest moseying on down to the trendy Penn Quarter, a lively district with exotic, albeit expensive restaurants. I recommend SEI — a Japanese fusion sushi bar with unique sushi creations. Classy/night attire is recommended. And of course, no night out is complete without Pitango Gelato on 7th Street, located conveniently across the street from SEI.
One of my favorite things about Baltimore is its proximity to big cities and the ease of travel. The Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the best times to visit all that our capital has to offer. I know that I’ll be returning again every spring!
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