Want to see the beautiful pink blooms but avoid the crowds? Then you’ll want to hear about the 5 best places to see the cherry blossoms in DC that aren’t at the Tidal Basin. Wander through the city to explore all the amazing places where pink and whites cover the trees.
I am from the DC area and every year I try to catch the blossoms during peak bloom. Most people head to the Tidal Basin to see the trees surround the Jefferson, but it can get really crowded and you’ll be wandering through a maze of people!
Each year, DC gets 1.5 million people that want to see the trees!
Luckily, there are so many other great spots to see the beautiful blossoms throughout the city. Below you can read about 5 spots to avoid the crowds and see the magnificent trees!
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5 Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in DC
#1 National Arboretum
Explore the 443 acres of the National Arboretum and you may have the chance to see more than 70 varieties of cherry trees. These trees are planted in various areas and bloom at varying times, so you’ll have plenty of options to see them.
This beautiful garden is free to visit 🙌🏻 and it’s located in Northeast DC! You can visit the cherry blossoms and plenty of their gorgeous gardens. They have a variety of flowers and plants to see there. If you’re a flower fanatic, then you’ll love this spot!
#2 Congressional Cemetery
Congressional Cemetery has a few Yoshino cherry Blossoms, but it’s known for its Okame cherry trees. These trees have a deeper pink color and bloom about 1-2 weeks before the other cherry blossoms. They are spectacular and I might even like them more than the Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin!
The cemetery is open to the public and free to walk around. The trees line one of the gated rows and make for spectacular shots. You can also visit some of the grave sites where famous politicians have been buried. It’s an interesting place to explore!
These might even be some of my favorite trees in all of DC!
#3 Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Did you know that the largest Roman Catholic church in America is in DC? This church is impressive year round, but it becomes even more beautiful during cherry blossom season.
There are rows of cherry blossoms next to the church and in the side garden. These blooms peak at the same time as the Tidal Basin, so you can see them all on your trip to DC. The gardens are free to wander around and you can spend time there on the benches.
#4 Kenwood in Bethesda, MD
Drive out of the city 30 minutes to access the Kenwood cherry blossoms. This posh neighborhood is lined with Cherry blossoms and tourists come from all around to view this sight. There is even a waiting list to get a house in this neighborhood, because it’s so lovely!
It can get really crowded with both people walking and cars, so you may want to go early in the day. Kenwood doesn’t allow any street parking, so you’ll have to park outside of the neighborhood. The best place to park is in the parking lot off Landy Lane. From there, you can walk on the Capitol Crescent Trail and take the first left to enter the neighborhood.
#5 Hains Point
The Hains Point Loop Trail is a 4 mile trail in East Potomac Park, which is located right next to the Tidal Basin. You can find the Yoshino cherry blossoms here, but you’ll also find the Kwanzan cherry trees.
These trees have a brighter pink color and they bloom about 15 days after the other ones. So, if you miss the other trees blooming, you’ll still have an opportunity to catch some amazing blossoms!
Were you able to see the Cherry Blossom Bloom in DC? Let me know in the comments!
