DC Cherry Blossoms 2021 Guide

The Best Places to See the DC Cherry Blossoms

Peak bloom occurred on March 28th this year, but the cherry blossoms can still be seen! Every blossom grows at a different rate, and officials define peak bloom as the day when 70% of the Cherry tree blossoms are open. You’ve still got some time, so grab your comfy walking shoes and your phone/camera and start following this guide.

The #1 most popular spot to see the cherry blossoms in DC is from the 2.1 mile loop around the Tidal Basin. The Tidal Basin is surrounded by cherry blossom trees and has a stunning backdrop of either the Washington Monument, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, or the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.

HOWEVER, Washington officials fear over crowding around the ever so popular tidal basin, and have smartly decided to limit attendance during peak bloom this year. At the time of this post, no attendance cap number has been given, but it’s safe to assume you may want to find some cherry blossom viewing alternatives. I have you covered with a secret DC cherry blossom viewing itinerary.

Don’t forget that DC has over 3,000 Yoshino Cherry trees. Many will tell you that these trees were gifted from the mayor of Tokyo in 1912, which is true, but did you also know that First Lady Nellie Taft (wife of President William Howard Taft) was the reason we received the cherry blossom trees in the first place? She was a phenomenal First Lady, before her time, and left lasting, major impacts. I highly recommend reading up on her.

Onto DC’s best kept secrets: the best places to see the DC cherry blossoms itinerary. The whole map is linked below for you. The rest of this post will focus on the stops along the route and where to get the best shots. The route is ~6.15 miles long, with the longest segment being 1 mile. If you’re a speedy walker and won’t spend a lot of time taking photos, you can do this route in 2 hours. If you rent a scooter or bike, plan to complete this route in an hour! But if, like me, you plan on getting the perfect shot, prepare to spend 4 hours (and lunch or dinner) on this trail. Don’t worry, I’ve got suggestions for that too!

1. Congressional Cemetery

There are a handful of cherry blossom trees scattered on the grounds, but come here for an iconic tree-lined path connected to G Street SE, West of the cemetery church. Note that you cannot enter from G Street and must walk around to E Street off of Potomac Ave for the entrance. You’ll walk up the driveway to the Enter iron gate and will have to open it. It looks closed, but fret not! Just push it open, walk straight to the church, take a right and you’ll find the infamous path below. Use a wide angle

2. Lincoln Park

Walk 1 mile up the cherry blossom and saucer magnolia lined streets to Lincoln Park. Notice the charming townhomes along the way with the picturesque gardens and flowers along the way, and you haven’t even made it to Lincoln Park yet!

Lincoln Park is lined with pink/violet and white/pink saucer magnolias.

3. Stanton Park

Walk 0.6 miles to Stanton Park, my favorite Washington DC park to see the cherry blossoms.

4. US Supreme Court

Walk 0.4 miles to the front of the US Supreme Court. If you get a picture from head on, it will be hard to see the cherry trees, so try taking a few pictures from the side perspective of the courthouse.

5. Longworth House Office Building – Capitol Views

Rather than take a photo of the capitol with the blockades showing from the front without any cherry blossoms flanking the shot, walk 0.3 miles to the Longworth House Office Building. Climb the steps, go to the right by the picnic tables, and use the cherry trees to frame a photo of the capitol. You may have to crouch to get the best view.

The Longworth House Office Building across the street is elevated on a hill and has a couple cherry trees accessible from the terrace. To get the shot above this one, hold your camera close to the blossoms to frame your photo and tilt your phone/camera so the capitol building is displayed.

6. Bartholdi Park (US Botanic Garden)

Walk 0.2 miles to the US Botanic Garden Bartholdi Park to see tulips and more cherry blossom and magnolia trees.

7. Union Square (US Capitol and Washington Monument)

Walk 0.3 miles to Union Square for views of the Capitol and Washington Monument from afar.

To get the view above, walk toward the Peace Monument and stop short at one of the cherry trees, aiming your camera/phone through a hole in the blooms to frame the photo.

8. The National Council of Negro Women/Grand Army of the Republic Memorial

Walk 0.5 miles to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial and take photos of the Memorial, especially with the National Council of Negro Women grand building in the backdrop. Earlier I mentioned I had 3 top spots when it comes to saucer magnolia viewing in Washington DC. This is my second choice.

9. Enid A. Haupt Garden

Walk 0.5 miles to the Enid A. Haupt garden behind the Smithsonian Castle. Catch the magnificence of all the saucer magnolias in their glory.

10. Washington Monument

Walk 0.6 miles to the Washington Monument and take plenty of photos in the surrounding grass with the cherry blossom trees planted around the Monument.

*PAUSE*

Walk 0.75 miles to Old Ebbitt Grill. You’re probably starving by now, like I was. Order the steak frites and a “Once Around the Tidal Basin” drink or two (Barr Hill Gin, Leopold Bros Michigan cherry flavored whiskey, lime juice, simple syrup, and club soda). Thank me later.

11. Rawlins Park

Saved the best for last. Lo and behold, my favorite spot to take in the saucer magnolia blooms.

That concludes the itinerary and guide to the Washington DC Cherry Blossoms, featuring the 2021 secret locations and tips for great photos. If you know of any other Washington DC locations that would be great for viewing the cherry blossoms, please let me know!