Cherry Blossoms in DC

Spring in DC is the one of the best times of year. There’s less chance of snow and more sunshine, temps start to warm up (but haven’t hit those sweltering humid days), and lots of outdoor activities are available. It also means it’s time for the cherry blossoms in DC.

Every year, several million visitors flock to the Nation’s Capital to see this beautiful blooms dotted across the district. The blooms typically open anywhere from mid-late March, until mid April. Predicting peak bloom for the blossoms is always tough, as it considers several different factors that constantly change (main factor being the weather, especially cold/frost). Being able to forecast peak bloom is nearly impossible more than 10-14 days out.

Planning Your Trip

There are quite a few places in DC to see the cherry blossoms, and some that remain a secret among the locals, but the Tidal Basin is one of the best, and most crowded places to view the Cherry Blossoms.  Even at sunrise, there are already photographers 3-4 lines deep along the edge of the water, ready to get sunrise shots of the cherry blossoms and monuments in the background.

For more information on the cherry blossoms in DC, and all the events, visit the National Cherry Blossom Festival website.

For planning your trip, there are many different websites that offer helpful tips, and some that track the blossoms.  

• Washington Post Bloom Tracker
• National Park Service Bloom Tracker

If you’re not able to make it to DC to see the cherry blossoms in person, you can view them on the Blossom cam.

Below is are a few samples from some older photos I’ve taken of the cherry blossoms over the years.  If you have any questions, see more images, or purchase prints, please contact me.