Cherry Blossoms

[Beearewhyain]

Hello All,

My wife and I are new to the DC area (moved here September) and we are going to enjoy our first Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend. I was wondering if there might be any tips or trick or otherwise "must see" advice from the more experienced residents. Also, if there is anything you think we should avoid we would be grateful to know about it as well.

Thanks!
B

[elleng]

1. Have a great time!

Last edited Thu Apr 4, 2013, 05:37 PM - Edit history (1)

I also posted here, at DC group, a live web-cam of the Tidal Basin, which, if the weather is good, is the place to be (if you enjoy crowds of people with similar interests.)

Web-cam shows the CURRENT status of the trees. Go as late as you can (not late in the day, but as late in the weekend as you can.) I may wait until Monday or Tuesday, hoping blooms will be in good shape then.

EDIT: Another poster has suggested go to Waterfront Station on Metro, but Smithsonian is also good, very close, and you get a view of The Mall.

[Beearewhyain]

3. Fun is definitely the order of the day

We are looking forward to it and it will be the first time for both of us. I was thinking the Smithsonian station because it is not a long walk and we would be right on the mall. However, we have considered the L'Enfant and walking over to Water Street as we heard that there was something going on there related to the festival. Still looking into that.

We plan on walking the entire basin and most likely around the golf course too.(Don't know what that area is called)

Then, afterwards...

[elleng]

5. Wear good shoes, and dress for the weather.

'Snacks' and drinks available @ Tidal Basin, but bring water with you.

You can use one or the other station coming or going, and switch on return trip. I haven't studied the Festival, but here's a link:

http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

Don't know if the 'Peak bloom' forecast Apr 6-8 has been updated since March 19.

[SDjack]

2. Fun at the Cherry Blossom Fest.

1. Ride the subway to Waterfront Station. Don't bring your car into DC !!! I'm serious.
2. Mill around with all the people at the Tidal Basin and keep your eyes on your wife and the blossoms. This is the first invasion of the beautiful women of the tourist season. Don't scare them off.
3. Get into Fort McNair and see the old cherry trees. Uncover their history.
4. Go to Jenny's Asian Fusion Restaurant for dinner.
5. Don't touch, hold, collect cherry blossom petals or flowers.
6. Don't give Lyndon LaRouche solicitors any money. When they ask, reply "has Lyndon gotten out of jail yet?" They will cuss you and you should call them scammers.

[Beearewhyain]

4. Good list

1. If I could get rid of our car all together I would not complain, i love the train
2. If anyone could scare them off it would be me. I may just wear my Elephant Man style head bag
3. Great tip as this is a resource I didn't know about
4. I am afraid that anything around the area that is Japanese or Asian in general is gonna be swamped but if you recommend the place we will definately check it out on another day. Otherwise we might head to CP for some Pho.
5. Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Word
6. As hard as it may be to not give them all of my money and swear undying allegiance to LaRouche I will attempt to resist.

[elleng]

6. HI!

The web-cam appears not to be working today, but there are some current pics here:

http://havecamerawilltravel.com/washington-photos/cherry-blossom-watch-2013

Thinking of you!

[Beearewhyain]

7. Thanks!

Looks like we might be just in time for good blooms tomorrow if the warm temperatures today help. I am very glad for some genuinely pleasant weather for our excursion after a rather chilly spring thus far.