Cherry blossoms in Washington, DC

History

In 1912, the people of Japan sent 3,020 cherry trees to the United States as a gift of friendship. First Lady Taft and the Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese Ambassador, planted the first two cherry trees on the northern bank of the Tidal Basin. These two original trees are still standing today near the John Paul Jones statue at the south end of 17th Street. Workmen planted the remainder of the trees around the Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park. In the early 1990's, the Cherry Blossom Festival became a two-week long celebration, as it is today.

The cherry blossoms are without a doubt the stars of springtime in Washington, DC. Visit the District during this time and you’ll find the nation’s capital is accented in pink for the three-week National Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place from Mar. 20 - April 16, 2017. Here are five things you need to know before planning your trip to see the cherry blossoms.

Top spots to photograph the cherry blossoms in Washington, DC

Tidal Basin

Take either a two- or four-person paddle boat ride and see the blossoms from out on the water. Paddle out to the middle of the Tidal Basin for a panoramic shot of the trees. Or, float on to the Jefferson Memorial.

The Jefferson Memorial Steps

The Jefferson Memorial’s marble steps are ideal for hunkering down with a picnic or just to catch your breath. Use a long-focus lens to look out over the cherry blossom-lined Tidal Basin and snap away. Otherwise, find plenty of nearby blossoms to frame a shot of the memorial’s iconic portico and dome.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial's nickname, the Stone of Hope, comes from a line in King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Let pink and white blossoms dot the foreground of a photo featuring the prominent statue—the 30-foot structure is surrounded by 182 new cherry blossom trees planted for the opening in 2011.

The Japanese Lantern

This nearly 400 year-old stone lantern is one of a pair—its twin resides at a Tokyo temple. The Japanese lanterns were carved to honor the Third Shogun of the Tokugawa period. To mark the National Cherry Blossom Festival each year, the lantern is lit by the Cherry Blossom Princess representing the Embassy of Japan.