Cherry Blossom Festival

We lived in DC in 2004/2005. Because we were IN the district, there we decided that it was a life experience not to pass up. That said - we did not want to deal with the crowds (we had a newborn) so we opted to drive down really early on Saturday (I think we left our apartment at 6:00 a.m., so after parking we were there before 7:00) morning and park near the mall - then we walked over and did our own walking tour and took photos of the trees around the tidal basin.

I am so glad we did it - it was amazing! That early in the morning it was not busy at all... like not even kind of busy. The weather was cool and very comfortable (I wore a fleece vest and jeans) and very nice for walking. We walked all around the tidal basin, took tons of photos of me and the new baby. I love the images and it makes a very special keepsake for my son (the only of my children born in D.C.)

Where does the cruise take you? I think it might be hard to see them from a boat. Walking under the trees, breathing in the scent, taking photos close up was the experience for me. I don't even know if you could really see them from the river... unless the boat takes you on the tidal basin, but that seems weird to me.

We did not do any of the other festivities for the Festival - my son was only 2 weeks old and we did not want to deal with the chaos :)

I'd vote, if you go - go early and walk.

Also - Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown is AMAZING in the spring. If you are going into D.C., it's worth trying to do both.

Good luck!
J.

You can appreciate them either way. The cruise might be fun, so long as nobody gets seasick. The crowds can be really thick in the trees themselves. Remember you are not allowed to climb them for pictures! I've not done a cruise, but I have taken the walk and it was fun. We avoided certain spots that we couldn't get the stroller down to or if the area was too crowded. There are also other areas, like in Bethesda, that have massive pink cherry trees that are just as beautiful.

Rachel:

You and me both!! 16 years and I've been while the Cherry Blossom's are in bloom but not for the festival or the parade....

The blossoms are a sight to behold-seriously - the smells and the colors - white and pink are truly magnificent to behold. Man - that would be great to tour the Chesapeake on the cruise!! When is it? - that would be $50 for us....ooooohhhhhhhh I need to list things on ebay!! sell baby sell!! buy baby buy!!

I would do it!!

The "festival" is the parade and huge street event with vendors etc. that takes place some distance from the actual blossoms. The festival is downtown near the museums, not right at the Tidal Basin where the cherry trees are located.

If you're talking just about seeing the blossoms, first, I wouldn't go on one of the official festival days (too many people) and yes, as you say, I would go very early. I would recommend Sunday early over Saturday; we've gone down during a peak blossom week on Sunday around 7:30-8 and it was still busy but not crowded. Look online or in the Post for details of when peak blossom weeks are. Parking will be a nightmare in that area even early in the morning -- it's extremely limited at the Tidal Basin and nonexistent on the streets around it! -- so drive to a Metro station in the suburubs and take Metro to somewhere near, probably Smithsonian station, and walk over. There's no Metro right at the Tidal Basin.

For kids, there is the terrific cherry blossom festival kids' day at the National Building Museum. Tons of kids' activities inside this fantastic space. Target sponsors it all so it's free, or at least it has been in past years. Go online and seek it out. Do be sure to get there before it opens -- maybe 9:30 if it opens at 10 -- not because there are lines but because it is most fun and doable for about the first 90 minutes, then gets very, very crowded indeed. Take Metro!

we went last year (our first year living here). I am a photographer and so for ME, I loved it! It was pretty crowded. We drove there instead of taking the metro. Parking was a nightmare but once we got there, it was nice.