Cherry blossom season is upon us again, and there are many fun ways to appreciate the flowers, the sunshine, and the springtime in Washington, D.C. Throughout the district, various restaurants are featuring themed food, organizations are hosting themed events, and people all over the DMV are going to be flooding Instagram with photos from the Tidal Basin. Here are some fantastic ways to celebrate the season!
This annual festival lasts about three weeks, and hosts a variety of events such as the Blossom Kite Festival. The Blossom Kite Festival takes place from March 26-27 and encourages participants to bring out their kites on the Washington Monument grounds and other parks in the area. Other events include a Cherry Blossom Parade and The Petalpalooza Art Walk.
Compass Coffee has brought back their annual Cherry Blossom Blend, and the Cherry Blossom Cold Brew drink. The drink is a sweet, pink cold brew that many customers have been sharing on social media since it’s comeback in early March.
- Take photos at the Tidal Basin
While the Cherry Blossoms can be found in many places throughout the district, some will argue that the most beautiful photo spot for these flowers is at the Tidal Basin. Once the flowers are in peak bloom, many people embrace the opportunity to get photos of the water and the monuments in the background of the blossoms. The Tidal Basin is about a fifteen minute walk from the Smithsonian Metro stop.
The Sakura Matsuri Street Festival is hosted from April 9-10 and features various Japanese food vendors, sake tasting for those 21+, and other cultural exhibits. The festival has a paid entry of $10 for one day, and $15 for two days if tickets are purchased prior to March 31. Other ticket packages that include snacks and shirts are available for purchase as well.
American University is home to 25 cherry trees, most of which are planted around the School of International Service and East Quad building. The Korean Women’s Relief Society of Honolulu presented the first four of these trees to American University in 1943. With busy class schedules, taking photos and appreciating the season is most accessible right on campus!
This is a perfect time to take advantage of the warmer weather and appreciate what nature has to offer, especially given the amount of time spent in classrooms and still on Zoom. All of these activities are highly recommended and are a great opportunity to learn more about the district and embrace the Cherry Blossoms!