It’s that time of year once again in D.C.—cherry blossom season!
Peak bloom is days away, and Washingtonians and tourists alike are flocking to the Tidal Basin and surrounding areas to bask in the beauty these cherry blossoms bring. But just like it’s brimming with flowers, D.C. is also filled with festive ways to get into the cherry blossom spirit! Here, Secret D.C. rounded up all of the best ways to enjoy the cherry blossoms in D.C. this season:
1. Take part in the National Cherry Blossom Festival
The 2023 National Cherry Blossom Festival is running from Monday, March 20 through Sunday, April 16, highlighting these natural beauties with a bevy of additional themed activities, events, live music, and art! (Not to mention a parade where Disney icons Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse were named the grand marshals!) Take a look at the full schedule of happenings below:
- March 17
- Blossoming Flowers in Japanese Art and Poetry
- March 18
- Cherry Blossom Night at the Museum of Illusions
- March 20
- Blossoms @ Eastern Market (March 20-April 9)
- March 24
- Cherry Blossom Basketball Night
- March 25
- D.C. United Cherry Blossom Night
- Opening Ceremony
- Sakura Taiko Fest
- Blossom Kite Festival
- SAAM Cherry Blossom Family Celebration
- National Cherry Blossom Festival Celebration at the Lab (March 25-April 8)
- March 31
- Paws & Petals Yappy Hour
- April 1
- National Gallery of Art First Saturday
- 25th Annual National Cherry Blossom Freedom Walk
- Pink in the Park
- Japanese Culture Day
- Smithsonian Cherry Blossom Festival
- Art Blooms at Mosaic (April 1-2)
- April 2
- Sakura Sunday (April 2)
- Credit Union Cherry Blossom 5K and 10-Mile Run
- April 6
- Spring Sake Festival 2023
- April 7
- Paws & Petals Yappy Hour at metrobar
- April 8
- Petalpalooza
- Jazz and Blossoms
- April 9
- Official Japanese Stone Lantern Lighting Ceremony
- Film Screening x Tasting: Ramen Heads
- April 14
- 31st National Japan Bowl
- Tamagawa University Dance and Taiko Group U.S. North American Tour
- NCSS United States & Territories Celebration Gala and Crowning of the 2023 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen
- April 15
- National Cherry Blossom Parade
2. Indulge in cherry blossom-themed drinks and fare
Cherry blossoms are more than just pretty to look at—they also inspire and create some delicious treats! Restaurants and bars across D.C. are concocting everything from cocktails to cake infused with these beautiful blossoms. Below, we’ve included some spots across D.C. serving up cherry blossom specials and what the must-trys you don’t want to miss:
- Where: St. Regis Bar
- Must-try: A Gift From Japan (Japanese yuzu gin, yuzu juice, Peychard’s bitters, and Mancino cherry blossom vermouth)
- Where: Silver Lyan x Katana Kitten pop-up
- Must-try: Cherry Blossom Spritzer
- Where: Immigrant Food
- Must-try: Cherry Blossom Trifle (cherry and pomegranate trifle, genoise sponge cake, raspberries, sour cherries, pomegranate ganache, cookie crumble, white chocolate, chantilly cream)
- Where: Taqueria Las Gemelas
- Must-try: Early Bloom Frozen Daiquiri (rum, maraschino, rose blossom cordial, lime, and grapefruit)
- Where: Cafe Georgetown
- Must-try: Cherry Blossom Latte
- Where: Waldorf Astoria
- Must-try: Cherry blossom tea
- Where: Bresca
- Must-try: La Parisienne Mexique (mijenta blanco, shochu, blood orange, sakura, lemon)
- Where: Estuary
- Must-try: The Japanese 75 (cherry blossom syrup, Nikka Coffey gin, fresh lemon juice, cherry hearing liquor, topped with Naveran Brut Nature cava) or the Cherry Blossom Dinner
- Where: Cranes
- Must-try: Cherry Picks three-course menu
- Where: Smoke & Mirrors
- Must-try: The Hanakumori
- Where: Blowfish Poke & Grill
- Must-try: Cherry blossom mochi donuts
- Where: The Jefferson D.C.
- Must-try: Cherry Blossoms (Filibuster Dual Cask Gin, elderflower, cherry saffron bitters, lemon)
3. Bask in their beauty by boat
If you’re trying to take in the view without weaving through the crowds, why not take to the water? Here are some ways you can get a new perspective on the cherry blossoms (just don’t go overboard!):
- Blossoms by Boat for hotel guests at The Jefferson D.C.
- Boating in D.C.’s guided Cherry Blossom Kayak Tour
- The Potomac Water Taxi
- The Odyssey’s Cherry Blossom Premier Brunch Cruise
4. Treat yourself to a pampering experience
Need a break from all of the excitement but not the blossoms? No problem! Across D.C. hotels and spas are offering cherry blossom-themed getaways and pampering experiences to help you decompress and blossom a better you:
- Salamander D.C.: Cherry Blossom Treatment
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington D.C. Convention Center: The Cherry Blossom Festival Package
- Pendry Washington D.C. – The Wharf: Picnic & Petals Package
- Waldorf Astoria D.C.: Cherry Blossom Suite Package
- The Jefferson D.C.: Blossom by Boat Package
- The Hamilton Hotel: Hanami Package
- The St. Regis Washington D.C.: Cherry Blossom Celebration Experience or Cherry Blossom Indulgence Package
- YOTEL Washington D.C.: In Bloom Package
5. Immerse yourself in art blooming to life
Cherry blossoms have had a deep-rooted history as a prominent subject portrayed in art, so it’s no surprise they continue to inspire art to this day. Thankfully, you can take some of that in right here in D.C. Here are the cherry blossom art installations and events you don’t want to miss:
- Conrad D.C. partnered with D.C.-based artist Heather Cooper to create an art installation in the atrium of the hotel’s third floor of 4,000 silk flowers woven with metal. (March 1-April 31)
- Embassy of Japan presents: “Blossoming Flowers in Japanese Art and Poetry” (March 17-May 5)
- Petal Porches across the DMV (March 20-April 16)
- Art in Bloom (March 20-April 17)
- Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art presents: “Ay-Ō’s Happy Rainbow Hell” (March 25-Sept. 10)
- Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art’s Cherry Blossom Festival (April 1)
- Bloomaroo will feature cherry blossom-themed art. (April 1)
6. Check out Bloomaroo at The Wharf
The Wharf is all in on cherry blossom season and throwing an event of their own to celebrate! On Saturday, April 1, Bloomaroo is taking over The Wharf from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. The free event is bringing cherry blossom-themed fun, including live music, art, beer gardens, and bloom fireworks to end the night in style! Learn more here.
7. Check out all the best blossom peeping spots
Peak bloom is predicted to hit D.C.’s Yoshino cherry blossom trees from Wednesday, March 22 through Saturday, March 25, according to the National Park Service. Peak bloom refers to the day 70% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open, making it the most beautiful time to peruse the paths, trails, and streets along D.C. To help make sure you can bask in the beauty of the cherry blossoms, Secret D.C. has rounded up some of the best spots to visit to take in the sights. Get a sneak peek below then click here for the full list!
- Tidal Basin
- Congressional Cemetery
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial