Cherry Blossoms in DC draw the crowds and for good reason; it’s a beautiful time of year to be in the area. The tidal basin makes for a really nice place to walk with camera in hand and the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial offer great photo ops, surrounded by a sea of white and pink blossoms. For two consecutive weekends, there are celebrations, shows, and music at three different stages. And the Washington Post diligently charts the peak days for viewing the Japanese Cherry Trees.
At this time of year, Washington is a popular destination, so rest assured that you won’t be the only one strolling around the basin. In fact, on the peak weekend visitors are usually shoulder to shoulder. So how do you get that Zen feeling and beautiful pictures? Here are some tips on how to enjoy the capital’s cherry blossom season while avoiding the crowds.
Take the Metro: Parking in the area is difficult. It’s worth taking the metro to Smithsonian and walking
from there so you don’t end up only seeing blossoms as you drive in circles looking for a spot. Or consider getting off the metro at Rosslyn because it’s not as busy and you’ll have a nice walk over the bridge. If you do drive, head past the polo fields to the FDR Memorial parking lot because it’s pretty close and has the best chance of having open spots.
Be an Early Bird or Night Owl: This isn’t a destination you can hit off-season if you want to see the cherry trees in bloom. However, it is outdoors and is a site that doesn’t close. Go first thing in the morning or just before the sun sets to get there without the crowds. Just be careful of avoiding rush hour.
Go on a Weekday: This may seem obvious, but if you can come on a weekday; do. Although there won’t be as many festival events, your photos won’t be tourist-filled. Alternatively, if you’re more interested in seeing the festival shows than the flowers, come on the first weekend as it’s not as crowded as the second weekend.
Keep an Eye on the Peak: Like leaf peeping, you need to be flexible regarding when you go. One wind storm can mean coming to see the trees is a waste of your time. Consider coming earlier in the blooming season as opposed to later, as part buds and part flowers is still a lot prettier than after the petals fall.
See Alternative Spots: While the tidal basin is the most famous cherry blossom spot in the city, there are beautiful cherry trees all over the city. Consider going down to Hains Point to get beautiful tree shots without having people’s heads in the way.
For more pictures of this year's cherry blossoms, please visit our photo album.
