The Blossoms on the Tidal Basin are the most famous but there are a number of Cherry Blossom alternatives to the Tidal Basin!
In the age of Instagram selfies and the perfect shot you'll be hard pressed to get a photo that does not also include a hundred of your new closest friends if you're visiting the Tidal Basin. Let's be honest. It gets crowded.
Though the most photographed spots are along the Tidal Basin, they are not the only ones.
Washington, DC in Spring is beautiful in part due to the number of cherry blossoms but also a variety of other flora and the pride city residents have in their neighborhoods.
WHERE TO SEE THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS IN 2023
Peak Bloom 2023: March 19-23, 2023
Find out more about the Cherry Blossom Festival on our Festival Guide (updated for 2023)
Our favorite way to decide where to go? Use Casey Trees' Cherry Blossom Map. Click for larger interactive map.
Can you still see the Cherry Blossoms during Covid? Of course! There are cherry blossoms all over Washington DC! The National Park Service has not officially announced but will likely be closing the Tidal Basin to pedestrians during peak bloom, but if you really want to see the Cherry Blossoms on the Tidal Basin, you can still do so Virtually!
We have a number of Virtual Cherry Blossom Tours on YouTube and will be going live from the basin when we can on our Facebook!
1 - Hains Point East Potomac Park
This area isn't that far from the Tidal Basin and we even have a Cherry Blossom tour that visits it! You'll see roads lined with blossom trees and there is a chance they close the areas to cars and only allow pedestrians.
This area has both Yoshino trees that bloom at the same time as the Tidal Basin but also brighter pink Kwanzan trees that bloom a little later - meaning you can visit this area for those great photos for most of April.
Book our Cherry Blossoms on the Waterfront Tour.
2- At the Capitol
The most instagrammable photos in the Spring seems to be blossoms with a DC landmark. Nothing evokes the capital more than the Capitol! At the time of writing, the Capitol Grounds are still closed. We include this in our hope that the fences will come down soon.
You can still see a number of trees at Lower Senate Park, where the fences have been removed! Just across the street from this park is the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism during WWII.
3- At Arlington National Cemetery
Besides being the hallowed ground to honor our fallen men and women, Arlington is also a level II arboretum.
A fitting place for such beauty and serenity, a personal favorite is the Cherry Blossom tree along Crooks Walk, the set of stairs that connects Arlington House to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
This solitary Cherry Blossom has limbs full of flowers set amongst the simple white marble headstones.
It is a common bottleneck on our Arlington National Cemetery tours as folks stop for photos.
4- National Mall at the Washington Monument
There are a number of groves of Cherry Blossom trees at the Washington Monument - meaning you can still get that famous shot of a blossom branch in the foreground and a memorial in the background.
5- At the Arboretum
The National Arboretum is here to share its flowers, trees, plants with us and it is beautiful all year round. In the Spring, you can find numerous variety of Cherry Blossom trees. Our favorite is the Cherry Blossom Willow tree!
They even have a self guided tour booklet!
It is about 3 miles so a bit lengthy for a walk, even if it is a gorgeous one. We like to do it on a bike but you can drive through the Arboretum - just park in designated spots only.
INSIDER TIP: This is on the top of everyone's list so try to go on weekday or early in the morning.
6 - Kenwood, Maryland
If you have a car, driving out to this suburb of DC is worth it. You'll get some beautiful photos without the crowds.
In the 1940s, the beautiful trees were planted as a way to entice new residents. The best spots are along Kennedy Drive, Dorset Avenue and Kenwood Avenue. This is a great for drive but street parking is not allowed - you can find a parking lot nearby though!
7. At the Basilica of the National Shrine of Immaculate Conception
This is both a beautiful building and a somewhat secret spot for blossom viewing! Even better, they have free parking.
You're not far from some great restaurants in the Brookland neighborhood - Primrose, Brookland's Finest, are Right Proper Brewing are some of our favorites.
8. At Congressional Cemetery
This historic cemetery is one of our favorites at any time of year - a "hip" cemetery that does Yoga in the Crypt, 5Ks and "ghost" tours in the fall. They have beautiful trees in the Spring. You can join them for docent led tours on weekends or watch our virtual walk here:
