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 2024 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! The events are spread throughout the town including giveaways, parties, competitions, performances, and more!
2. Indulge in cherry blossom-themed drinks and food
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 their must-try specialty that you won’t want to miss:
- Where: Hanami Pop-Up at Silver Lyan – March 19th to 30th
- Must-try: Hanami Picnic Bento Box
- Where: Cafe Georgetown
- Must-try: Cherry Blossom Latte
- Where: Willard InterContinental
- Must-try: Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea
- Where: Estuary
- Must-try: Exact contents of their Cherry Blossom special menu have not yet been announced
- Where: The Jefferson D.C.
- Must-try: Specialty Cocktails: Cherry Blossoms (Filibuster Dual Cask Gin, elderflower, cherry saffron bitters, lemon) or In Full Bloom (Wheatley Vodka, Sayuri Nigori Sake, Lichi-Li, Grapefruit)
- Where: Levain Bakery in Georgetown and Bethesda
- Must-try: Cherry Scone and Cherry Iced Tea
3. Bask in the beauty of the blooms 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 (with code DCBLOOM)
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 places with cherry blossom art installations and events you don’t want to miss:
- Conrad D.C.
- The Embassy of Japan
- Petal Porches across the DMV
- Art in Bloom
- Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art
- Bloomaroo will feature cherry blossom-themed art. (March 23rd)
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 March 23rd, 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!
7. Check out all the best blossom peeping spots
Peak bloom’s prediction by the National Park Service is expected to be released before the start of March and may come early as a result of the warm winter we’ve had. 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
8. Attend D.C.’s annual ‘Pink Tie Party’ on March 15th
One of the top events in D.C. during cherry blossom season leading up to peak bloom is the annual Pink Tie Party! The event brings together everything from fashion, culture, and cuisine from around the world to acknowledge all of the places around the world that also celebrate and appreciate the seasonal blooming of cherry blossoms. However, tickets for the event are a hot commodity and are priced as such, so attending this event will set you back a total of $250 per person, but rest assured that all the money raised by the ticket sales and silent auction go to funding the National Cherry Blossom Festival every year!
9. Spend Japanese Culture Day learning from experts
On Wednesday, March 20th, from 10 am until 3 pm at the Library of Congress there will be a series of family-friendly activities centered around Japanese culture and traditions! Some of the event’s activities will include Japanese drum and traditional dance performances, storytelling, arts and crafts, and so much more! The best part is that the event is completely free to attend, so if you have the time or simply want to stop by to check out the event, you absolutely can!
10. Register for the All Nippon Airways free ticket to Japan sweepstakes
Phattana / Getty Images Pro
One of Japan’s largest airlines, All Nippon Airways is conducting a giveaway that will conclude on March 29th that will give one lucky Washingtonian a pair of free round-trip tickets from D.C. to Tokyo! The giveaway is completely free to enter and you can even refer your friends to boost your chances of winning as each successful referral is considered another entry.
Winners will be announced on April 5th, and the winner has to claim the prize within five days, but the tickets can be used any time before March 31. 2025.’
11. Check out all of the ‘Petal Porches’ around D.C.
From March 20th until April 14th, participating residents around D.C. are decorating their properties to celebrate Cherry Blossom season! You can find all the participating properties on the Petal Porches map, making for a fun family-friendly adventure that will take you all around the city! The best part is that you can vote on which property you think is the best and once the competition ends, winners will get a fun assortment of prizes for being favorites in each of their respective areas.
And to answer your question, yes, Washingtonians have even entered their boats into the competition before!