Email signup

Neighborhood Expert: Cherry blossom viewing tips

Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in Vienna. You can follow Laura on Instagram at @LauraSchwartzRealtor or her Facebook page. Laura can be reached at 703-283-6120 or Laura@GuidingYourMove.com.

Peak cherry blossom viewing is underway in D.C., which means lots of visitors and no parking.

If you’re thinking of visiting the blossoms, here are some tips to help make the visit enjoyable and easy.

Go early. Crowds start to form throughout the day, especially on weekends, so early birds get to see the sunrise along with the blossoms.

You can book parking in advance using the SpotHero site. It will tell you the price and distance in advance. Be prepared for traffic though.

You can take the metro, a fun bonus if you have kids who haven’t taken the metro in years or ever due to COVID. You can get off at the Smithsonian or L’Enfant Plaza stops and walk.

Another easy way is to valet park at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. I believe it’s $39 and cash only, but they have an easy access that’s 1 block to the Tidal Basin.

If you’re looking to avoid the crowd, don’t forget that Meadowlark Botanical Garden also has cherry blossoms that bloom a few days after the D.C. ones.

Other events if you’re really into the Cherry Blossom Festival:

Do you have another insider tip? Please share it below!

With March 20 as the first official day of spring, cherry blossom season has arrived (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Recent Stories

Good Friday evening, Fairfax County. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar. 🕗 News recap The following articles were published earlier…

Local morning commuters can save on gas and win a free t-shirt when Bike to Work Day returns to Fairfax County this month. The 23rd annual Bike to Work Day…

Local golf professional Larkin Gross has qualified for the 2024 PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, where he will face off with some of the U.S.’s top male golfers in two…

The push to rename Reston’s Shadowood Recreation Area has reached a new phase with the launch of an online survey. Reston Association announced on Wednesday (May 1) that it’s officially…

The Blue Swallow Farm Foundation is holding an online auction to celebrate three years of helping students and educators in outdoor instruction. We invite you to participate in our online auction to support our mission of providing authentic, outdoor experiences for children. This event not only serves as a fundraiser for our initiatives but also as an opportunity for you to acquire unique items and experiences while making a positive difference in the lives of students and educators. You can preview auction items and then register as a bidder. Bidding will begin on May 4. The bids will close on May 8. Proceeds will assist us in helping educators build outdoor classrooms, developing high-quality curriculum materials and professional development workshops, sending teachers and students to environmental youth summits, and assessing the benefits of outdoor learning.

Submit your own Community Post here.

Pedal with Petals Family Bike Ride

Join us on Saturday, May 11th and ride into spring during our Pedal with Petals Family Bike Ride. Back for its second year, Pedal with Petals is going to be bigger than ever. This year’s event will include both an

Dream, Design, Build: Home Expo 2024

Sponsored by ABW Appliances & Eden, join us for a one-of-a-kind Home Expo event on May 11th from 10AM to 4PM!

The DMV’s top experts — AKG Design Studio and GMJ Construction — are opening their doors to homeowners to

×

Subscribe to our mailing list