Springtime is by far one of the best times to visit Washington DC for all of its beauty; between March and April is the time when the famous cherry blossom trees reach their peak bloom, flooding the Tidal Basin and much of the DC area with a gorgeous hue of pink. It can be tough to plan your visit as peak bloom varies every year depending on the weather leading up. According to the National Park Service, the cherry blossoms are expecting to be in peak bloom starting April 1st for 2019. Here are a few tips for you and your family to take full advantage of your visit:
Avoid the Crowds
You’re clearly not the only person who wants to see the cherry blossoms! Give yourself some elbow room by planning your visit on not-so-busy times. Ideally, you should plan your visit either early in the morning or later in the afternoon and on a weekday. You also don’t necessarily have to visit during its peak; depending on the weather, the blossoms can last up to a week or two after peak bloom. Lastly, consider venturing into areas outside the Tidal Basin where it’s less crowded; places like the National Arboretum in Northeast DC, Old Town Alexandria, VA, and the Washington National Cathedral are just as gorgeous minus the crowds.
Expect to Move Around
Get ready to do lots of walking! You can arrive at the Tidal Basin via Metro by getting off at Smithsonian Station on the Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines. If you’re coming from the Yellow or Green Line and wanting a more scenic walk through the National Mall, get off at Archives-Navy Memorial Station. Make the walk easier by taking the free DC Circulator bus that will take you straight to your destination. Lastly, consider opting for riding a bike around the park, particularly using the Capital Bikeshare for your convenience.
Dress for Comfort
As mentioned before, you’ll be moving around a lot. With that in mind, wear a pair of comfortable sneakers to survive all the walking you’ll be doing. When it comes to everything else, dress in layers. Wear a light jacket that you can easily remove and tuck away in a backpack when the weather suddenly becomes warmer.
