2023 Peak Bloom
The NPS judged that the Yoshino cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin reached peak bloom on March 23, 2023. They're now done for the year..
It's snowing cherry blossoms. The trees are still looking wonderful, but the wind that will continue picking up during the afternoon is blowing drifts of petals off the trees with each gust.
The Yoshinos are becoming more pink, and green leaves are sprouting on more trees.
There are big crowds out enjoying the warm, sunny weather. And they're creating heavy traffic. The traffic restrictions on Ohio Drive are still in effect, and there's gridlock on Independence Avenue in both directions.
Now that we're three days after peak bloom, the cherry blossoms are very fragile. Today's wind and tomorrow's rain are going to be a one-two punch, and it's likely to knock a lot of the petals off many of the trees. It's probably won't get all of them, and there's a good chance of being able to see some flowers over the next couple of days, but each day we get further into the week the harder you'll have to work to find them. I don't expect there to be much left by the weekend, although there are other varieties of cherry blossoms nearby that bloom later; I'll have more on them (the Kwanzan cherry blossoms) in the next day or two.
The warm weather of the past few days has also coaxed the tulips out all around town, along with other kinds of flowers. So after a cold winter, we're finally getting some of Washington's beautiful spring colors.
Thanks so much for all your updates and pictures. I am planning to go to see Cherry Blossom on April 21, 2015. Can you recommend a parking garage near the mall/museums/monuments? Thanks!
Most, if not all, of the Yoshino cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin will be gone by then, although Kwanzan cherry blossoms nearby might be blooming. There’s parking around West Potomac Park and East Potomac Park, in a lot off Main Ave SW, and in the streets around the National Mall. There are also several commercial parking garages in downtown NW Washington. Here’s some more information on getting to and from the Tidal Basin.
And here’s an update from a couple of days ago.
Thank you so much for the update. Do you think I should drive or should take Metro? There’ll be possible to get a parking place or not? And how much does it cost for a parking place around East Potomac Park all day? Thanks again!
It’s not as busy as it was last weekend, but there’s still likely to be quite a few people around the Mall area. Metro is safest bet and hassle-free, but you’ll probably be able to find a park somewhere nearby.
Thank you so much!
David, really want to say a BIG THANK YOU to you. We’ve been planning to come see the cherry blossoms since April 1st, and since it’s a long drive for us from Toronto (over 10 hours), we wouldn’t want to spend so much time and effort ending up missing the peak bloom. So we’ve been following your blog religiously, and as of April 6, we were still thinking our better bet will be the weekend of Apr 18/19. Glad that we hold off till the last minute to book our hotel room and keep following your blog. The sudden speed up of the blooming was really dramatic! We ended up spending Apr 11-13 in DC and enjoyed the cherry blossoms at its prime stage. Tons of thanks to you for such a great update!! Your photos also provide true inspiration to us when we composed our own pictures. We also followed your tip to go behind the Lincoln Memorial to watch the sunset from there. Your blog really helped us to make the best out of our Washington DC trip!! Thank you so much!
Where did you see the tulips? I am visiting the national mall area tomorrow.
They’re coming out all over the place now. There are a lot around the US Capitol Building, next to the Tidal Basin in the Flower Library, across next to Arlington Memorial Bridge, next to the Netherlands Carillon at the Iwo Jima Memorial, and next to the Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial, as well as other places.
David, I can not express in words how much I have enjoyed following your postings and pictures of the beautiful cherry blossoms. My husband and I were not able to drive to D.C. to see the blossoms this year as my brother-in-law passed away during the peak days. Having your pictures of the blossoms to view made my day. Thank you so very much for sharing your wonderful talent of taking pictures.
I’m sorry for your loss, but I’m glad the cherry blossoms were able to bring a smile even from a distance.
Thank you David for up to date information on everything related to Cherry Bloom. I was there this weekend, it was really crowded but fascinating view all around.
Thank you again.
Hi David,
We’re planning a trip this weekend of 18-19 April. Will there be any blossoms for us to view? Will it be worth the trip? We’re coming down from NYC. Thanks for the update.
Most of the cherry blossoms will be gone by then, unfortunately. I’ve just posted an update with photos from this morning that should help.
David,
I have had so much fun following your reports over the past couple of months. Your updates and pictures have been great. My husband and I we’re able to be in DC all weekend and spent both Saturday and Sunday soaking in the breathtaking beauty of the tidal basin area. We were amazed at the numbers of people there to see the cherry blossoms and appreciated enjoying the beauty along with them.
I have been wanting to see the the cherry blossoms as long as I can remember but finally made it at the perfect time this year with your help!! I battled cancer over the past 2 years, and this is part of my new lease on life and of living each day to the fullest! Many thanks, my friend!
Michelle
I’m so glad you were able to see them in their prime. They really do make for a beautiful spectacle.
Thank you David for your website and updates. Been watching here for a month or so and planned my trip from Texas based on your posts. Got great pictures Sunday and Monday. Hit the peak just right. Timing is everything! I’ll be posting massive amounts of pictures on website in a few days.
Glad you were able to get some great shots!
Thanks so much for your daily updates about the cherry blossoms. I have wanted to go see the cherry blossoms for years and it has just never worked out. I have been following your updates carefully and we literally waited until last evening until after we saw your update before we decided for sure to make the trip down there today and we were so not disappointed. 🙂 What natural beauty!
Thank you for all the information on this site! I’ve been following for weeks, we were able to arrange our work schedules to go today and it was amazing! Thank you again for all your hard work and beautiful pictures!
Hi David,
Your website and pictures are fantastic!
I’d been in the States for the past few weeks. And I visited DC because of your pictures before coming back to Japan. Tidal Basin’s cherry blossoms were absolutely beautiful. Thank you!
I hope you to come to my country in the season of cherry blossoms someday. Every spring, the cherry blossoms blooms all over the country. I bet you will see amazing view.
It’s high on my list!
So. It doesn’t look good for tomorrow the 14th.? Is it worth going in the rain and what is the right metro stop? Thanks. Bummed I’ve missed every year I’ve lived here.
I’m hoping to do an early morning update tomorrow. Keep an eye on my Instagram feed and I’ll try to remember to post a photo or two directly from down there. It takes a bit longer to get the full updates posted. Smithsonian or L’Enfant Plaza are the best stations. Foggy Bottom is also relatively close but farther than those two.
Hi David,
I have been following your blogs for the past few days. You have been of tremendous help, and we timed our visit perfectly. We were in DC during the weekend and it was such a great experience. Thanks a lot! Its a shame that the “Bloom watch” page in http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/about/bloom-watch/ is never updated. They need to learn from you 🙂
Regards
D-Man
Glad you got to experience it in person!
David. I’ve been following you diligently for the past few weeks. Thanks so much for all your updates and pics. We were planning to drive down on the 15th but it looks like the ones along the tidal basin will be all gone by then. Will there be other locations to see then? Just trying to decide if we should still come or try again next year.
It’s hard to say because 24 hours can make a big difference during this phase. The current weather forecast suggests heavy rain at times tomorrow, and that could really do a number on the trees around the Tidal Basin. But weather forecasts have also been known to be wrong… I haven’t had a chance to get over the Kwanzans, but it might be a little too early for them. I’m hoping to get to them tomorrow.