How to Get to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC

By Robert Hart | January 9, 2025

It’s already 2025, and you’re finally ready to go and see the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom. But, one question remains. How to get to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC? Well, there are several ways to get to see the Cherry Trees.

Drive to See the Cherry Blossoms

Well, a lot of other people also want to drive to see the cherry blossoms. So, you are going to hit a lot of traffic. The National Park Service also reroutes traffic around the Tidal Basin during the Cherry Blossom Festival, which makes the problem worse. Then, there is the problem of parking on the National Mall. You will have to park far away and walk quite a distance to get to the Tidal Basin. Driving is a poor choice, especially on the weeekends of full bloom.

Walking to the Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC

If you are fit, this is not a bad option. Remember, there is a lot of traffic and very little available parking, so you will either have to park several blocks away from the Tidal Basin or else take the Metro to the Smithsonian station, which is also several blocks away from the Tidal Basin. If you are a senior or have limited mobility, this may be difficult. During the Cherry Blossom Festival, you might have a long wait for an Uber in order to leave the area.

Can I Take a Tour of the Cherry Blossoms?

Yes, but not all tours have full access to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. Some streets on the National Mall are closed to vehicular traffic, and traffic is intense, so a bus tour is not a practical way of seeing the Cherry Blossoms and the memorials. Your best bet is a Nonpartisan Pedicab Cherry Blossom Tour. On this tour, we can go all the way around the Tidal Basin even where the streets are closed. In several places, we can take you directly under the trees themselves. And, of course we know all the best spots to frame a perfect photo of the Cherry Blossoms and the monuments. In addition to the Cherry Blossoms, you will also have an opportunity to make stops and get out at the DC Monuments and Memorials. A pedicab tour is the absolute best answer to the question of how to get to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. We can pick you up from your hotel, garage, restaurant, Metro station, or any other downtown DC location. At the end of the tour, we can drop you back off wherever you like downtown. For anyone who is a senior or who has disabilities, a handicap or who has limited mobility will find that a Nonpartisan Pedicab tour is the easiest way to see the Cherry Blossoms and the national memorials. We also give you a private tour, full of information about American history, the history of Washington DC, architectural insights and insider tips to enjoy your visit to Washington DC.

Cycling to the Cherry Blossoms

Riding a bicycle to the Cherry Blossom Festival is a convenient way to get around. There are some streets with bike lanes, and you can ride your bicycle on the paths of the National Mall. If you are an experienced bike rider, this will be fine. If you don’t have much experience in bike riding, you will find it crowded and potentially nerve racking.

Metro to the Cherry Blossoms

The closest Metro station to the Tidal Basin is the Smithsonian Metro on the Orange/Blue/Silver lines. From here, you will have several blocks to walk to reach the Tidal Basin.

How can seniors get to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC?

If you have a good level of fitness and you are prepared to walk for several miles, then walking is a good option. Otherwise, take a Washington DC Tours for Seniors with Nonpartisan pedicab. All of the logistic difficulties of getting to and from the Cherry Blossoms will be made easy, and we will give you a great tour with detailed historical and architectural information. Our pedicabs are comfortable and safe. We mostly ride on bicycle lanes and on the paths of the National Mall away from the traffic.

How can those with disabilities or limited mobility get to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC?

There are very few efforts made by the city or the National Park Service to increase accessibility for those with a disability, a handicap or those who have limited mobility. On a Nonpartisan Pedicab Washington DC Tours for Disabled and Handicapped Visitors, we can pick you up and drop you off right from your hotel or your parking garage and drop you off again at the end of the tour. We can accommodate one nonmotorized folding wheelchair per pedicab. In fact, we have a folding wheelchair available to use during your tour if you let us know in advance. Walkers, canes, oxygen tanks and other such items are all easy to take along. We can take you right up close to the monuments and memorials with very little walking. Our tours make it easy for anyone with limited mobility to access the National Mall.

How to Get to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC with Kids?

Kids are going to have a great time visiting the cherry blossoms and the national memorials. But, do be aware that if you are planning on getting around by walking, there is a lot of walking. Nonpartisan Pedicab offers Kid Friendly Tours of Washington DC. When we have kids on board, we always gear our tour narrative both to the age level and interest of the kids, but also with enough historical detail to be of interset to the adults as well.

Can I take my dog to see the Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC?

Yes, of course. Just be aware that there will be a lot of people around. Many people love dogs and will ask if they can pet your dog. Also, there are lots of squirrels and ducks. Nonpartisan Pedicab offers Dog Friendly Tours of Washington DC. Generally, dogs love pedicab rides, and it is a great way to enjoy the cherry blossoms with your pet.

When do the Cherry Trees come into full bloom in Washington DC?

Every year is different, but basically the trees will open into full bloom sometime between March 20 and April 7 every year. Some years they bloom early, and other years they bloom late. Choosing the correct date in advance of your trip is difficult. The National Park Service Bloom Watch offers a prediction. The Cherry Blossom Festival Bloom Watch also offers a prediction. Just be aware that until about 7-10 days before full bloom, these predictions are often wrong. Typically, there will be a day or two of an unexpected warm spell, and the trees will rapidly come into full bloom.