Tidal Basin during the National Cherry Blossom Festival just north of the U . S . Capitol at Louisiana Avenue and D Street NW .
Insider tip : While you ’ re near the Capitol , stop by the Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism During WWII ( Louisiana Avenue and D Street NW ). This tribute to Japanese-Americans detained in wartime internment camps includes a collection of younger cherry trees .
The National Arboretum , 3501 New York Ave ., NE , also has 2,000 cherry trees representing multiple varietals , including some developed onsite . Pick up a self-guided map at the visitor center or download the map at usna . usda . gov . You can bike , hike or drive the route .
OTHER STRATEGIES FOR COPING WITH CROWDS
Go early or go late . Sunrise is an optimal — and relatively quiet — time to stroll the Tidal Basin . It ’ s also ideal for photographing the blooms . So is sunset . Due to the cherry blossom ’ s worldwide popularity , try to view the trees during the week , avoiding the midday crunch , when the area is not as populated .
Insider tip : Tote your own bottled water , since it isn ’ t always available nearby .
Take public transportation . Bypass parking hassles by opting for Metro . ( Closest stops to the Tidal Basin are Smithsonian and L ’ Enfant Plaza .) Visit www . flyreagan . com / cherryblossoms for event dates and weekend parking specials during the Cherry Blossom Festival .
Insider tip : The city ’ s best transportation bargain is the DC Circulator , whose $ 1-a-ride bus routes include the National Mall . This route starts at Union Station and stops at major Mall attractions , including those near the Tidal Basin .
Ride a bike . Capital Bikeshare has stations located conveniently throughout the city . Visit capitalbikeshare . com for more information .
Insider tip : Cycling isn ’ t allowed on the Tidal Basin pathway , but there ’ s bike parking nearby .
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Who doesn ’ t love a parade ? This year ’ s
National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is on April 8 along Constitution Avenue between Seventh and 17th streets NW . Tickets for grandstand seating start at $ 20 . Or stand and watch for free between Ninth and 15th streets NW .
Insider tip : If you opt for paid stadiumstyle seating , try for a spot in front of the National Archives Building ( 700 Pennsylvania Ave . NW ) — where cameras are poised for the televised event — and sit up top for the best vantage point . These coveted seats cost $ 30 .
Other family-friendly ( and free ) events include the Blossom Kite Festival ( April 1 ) on the Washington Monument grounds at 17th Street NW and Constitution Avenue , and the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival ( April 15 ) featuring eight hours of entertainment capped by a pyrotechnics display .
For details : Visit nationalcherryblossomfestival . org
Former USA Today travel reporter Jayne Clark is a longtime Washington , D . C ., resident who hasn ’ t missed a Cherry Blossom Festival in years .
DON ’ T MISS
Well-known Japanese artist , Yayoi Kusama , will be displaying her world renowned art , Yayoi Kusama : Infinite Mirrors , at the Hirshhorn , February 23 – May 14 , 2017 . Visit www . hirshhorn . si . edu / kusama for more information .
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 46 SPRING 2017