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