Cherry Blossom Festival, DC
1912 gift from Tokyo: 3,000 trees around the Tidal Basin. Peak bloom forecast updated nightly. The kite festival on the National Mall same weekend doubles the family-friendly draw.
Practical info
Metro to Smithsonian. Sunrise (5am) avoids crowds. Roosevelt Memorial side has overlooked viewing.
Less-crowded alternatives
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden Sakura Matsuri (April) — same blossom, urban setting
Pair with
Cities worth combining with this trip:
