Did you know that the Mayor of Tokyo gifted 3,000 Yoshino cherry trees to the city of Washington, D.C. in 1912? Cherry blossoms have been an iconic part of spring in the DMV, and predicting their arrival has become something of a sport (just check out BloomCam). This year’s peak bloom is anticipated to occur right now - between March 23–26. Most people around the US have seen pictures of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin but that involves crowds of people there to see the blossoms with lots and lots of traffic. The good news is that there are plenty of other spots and local festivals off the well-worn tourist track where the blooms are just as beautiful. Here are a few to consider.
ARLINGTON CEMETERY
The final resting place for over 400,000 veterans (including my parents, grandparents, an aunt and uncle and a cousin) Arlington National Cemetery is sacred and consecrated ground. The cemetery’s Memorial Arboretum, brightened by some 400 cherry trees in spring, serves as a living tribute to those who have honorably served our nation. More than 140 memorial trees commemorate veterans. A self-guided walking tour leads you to many of the ground’s flowering and notable trees. // 1 Memorial Ave. Arlington
CHERRY BLOSSOM CRUISE
Book a river tour during cherry blossom season and enjoy a brunch, lunch or dinner as you cruise by stunning blooms. Excursions lasting 2-3 hours include a cash bar on board and a DJ spinning tunes. Alternately, opt for a guided cherry blossom water taxi trip, with departures from Alexandria, Georgetown, The Wharf and National Harbor. // 1 Cameron St., Alexandria
DUMBARTON OAKS
Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown extends over this 53-acres and includes a museum and a research institute that supports scholarships in landscape architecture and garden design. Its sprawling grounds are meticulously maintained and have flowering trees scattered throughout. Head to Cherry Hill to enjoy a mixture of cherry varieties. Dumbarton Oaks is open 2-6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Timed-entry tickets are $15 per person and are required for all visitors to the garden. // 1703 32nd St. N.W., Washington, D.C. (Georgetown)
US National Arboretum
The National Arboretum—nearly 450 sprawling acres on the eastern edge of D.C.’s city limits and some amazing columns on top of a small hill —is a wonderful place to admire cherry blossoms. The park’s 3-mile Beyond the Tidal Basin tour features 40 stops showcasing a wide range of flowering cherries, many of which are quite rare. Each type has its own peak bloom time, so you will see different trees in flower depending on when you visit. Come for the cherry trees, but stay for the rest of the dazzling trees that are just beginning to bud, including dogwoods, crab apples and magnolias. The arboretum’s 9.5 miles of roadways make it accessible to pedestrians, cars, bikes and strollers. Check out the app for maps and guides to the full range of flowering trees. Admission is free and no tickets are needed. //3501 New York Ave., N.E., or 24th & R Streets, N.E., Washington, D.C. (Note: The R Street entrance is closed to incoming automobile visitor traffic after 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.)
Kenwood in Chevy Chase, MD
If you are in the market for a new home and seeking the best that luxury can offer, Kenwood in Chevy Chase could be just what you are looking for. The Kenwood neighborhood of Chevy Chase, MD, is distinguished by the beauty of cherry trees in bloom during the spring months. This area, along with a few other locations in and around Washington D.C., is known for the thousands of cherry trees that blanket the area in blooms each spring and line the streets in huge canopies of pink and white blossoms, adding so much to the beauty of these already elegant homes. Now you can live surrounded in the exquisiteness of this neighborhood, too.
If you want to see even more cherry trees around the metro area, here are some other places to explore. hope you enjoy exploring different parts of the DC metro area. It really is a wonderful place to live. If you want to find that perfect new home, please give me a call at 240-401-5577 or email me at lise@lisehowe.com.
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