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.
But the Tidal Basin isn’t the only place to see cherry blossoms. More than 9,000 cherry trees line streets, parks and other public spaces in D.C., and even more are found outside the city. Here’s where you can find cherry blossoms both in D.C. and in Virginia and Maryland.
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.
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.
Advertisement
Open daily from dawn to dusk.
End of carouselNational 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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
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.
Advertisement
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.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uK3SoaCnn6Sku7G70q1lnKedZLGkecydZK%2BZX2d9c4COaWpoaGhksaR50Z6eoqeeYrCpsdGrsGaanKTAtLvMZqSaqKNk