DC Cherry Blossoms in 2021
It seems increasingly likely that DC will still be under COVID-19 restrictions in spring 2021 while the cherry blossoms are blooming. So it's shaping up to be a good year to follow along from afar from the safety and comfort of your home.
There’s not much to see down at the cherry blossoms so far, and even the tulip magnolias and most of the daffodils haven’t yet come out. Combined with a very cold weekend, spring is feeling a bit like a technicality. But things are looking up as the sun starts to come out this afternoon and the forecast for the coming week is better.
The traffic restrictions on Ohio Drive haven’t yet kicked in, so for now it’s still 2-way traffic down by West Potomac Park. My guess is that that might change this coming weekend as visitor numbers swell with people coming into town for Easter. The lighting of the Japanese stone lantern is scheduled for Sunday afternoon. You can find more details here.
Over at the Maine Ave parking lot, the NPS popup shops and information booths, as well as the food tent and an outdoor stage, are now open for business and have a program of events happening, but they’re still waiting on tourist traffic to pick up. That said, it’s definitely busier than it has been around the Tidal Basin, helped along by families and school groups visiting during spring break.
There were a handful of paddle boats out today. I talked with the folks there about their reservations. All of their reservations are booked up through April 12, which is when the end of their reservation period is. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a paddle boat. They have a total of 72 boats and 50 of them are kept aside for walk-ups. So it’s still possible to get a boat on a first-come, first-served basis.
I had some questions about the water features the FDR Memorial. I did see one small waterfall working, but most of the water features still weren’t on.
There haven’t been any updates to the peak bloom forecasts. So far, there hasn’t been anything to suggest that the bloom will come earlier because it has been consistently colder than average. You can find the current ones here. And I’ve posted a new photo timeline of what to expect, when.
And so we don’t totally lose faith that spring is coming, here are some shots taken this morning at the small group of trees blooming early over near the World War One Memorial. They’re not at all typical of the progress of most of the trees, but if you’re looking for some color there is some to be found if you go hunting. I have detailed information on how to find them on the March 24 update.
Photographing Flowers
At this time of year, there are beautiful flowers to be had all over the place. Maybe in your backyard. Maybe in the local park.
These are ere are some of my favorite books that I've reviewed on taking photos of flowers:
- Timber Press OR
- Detrick, Alan L. (Author)
- Focal Press
- Davis, Harold (Author)
Debbie says
Hi David,
I find your information is very detailed and extremely helpful. All of your updates are very much appreciated, thank you! My family and I plan to visit DC the weekend of April 11th and are hoping the cherry blossoms will be in bloom then. Any thoughts?
We are making the 12-hour drive from Florida. Also thanks for you information on the type of lens you use. I have a Nikon 70-200mm and am hoping for some good shots.
Many thanks 馃檪
David says
Glad the info is useful. There are very likely to be blossoms out by April 11–it’ll just be a question of how much. It’s possible they’ll be in full bloom, but even if the peak bloom doesn’t come until April 14-16 or so, there should be plenty to see on April 11. If you haven’t already, this post gives some ideas of what to expect at what stages in the process relative to peak bloom. And the 70-200mm is an excellent choice (and, of course, an outstanding lens). I’ve taken some of my favorite photos down there with that lens in past years. The cherry blossoms make for one of those spectacles where pretty much any lens can get great photos. If you have a wide-angle, the spread and sheer volume of flowers can be showed well. With a macro you can get in close and isolate small bunches of flowers. And because of the shape of the Tidal Basin, with a telephoto you can make use of iconic shapes in the background like the Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, or MLK Memorial. So you can turn up with pretty much any lens and take away some wonderful photos. It’s also a great opportunity to rent or borrow something different to try out.
Lori says
Where is the best place to see cherry blossoms today, April 3,2015? Is there any blooming around the mall area?
David says
I’ve just posted an update this morning that should help.
Amy Lin says
oh, it seems like there is nothing to see about the cherry blossoms now. I will going to washington next tuesday April 7, do you think there will be something to see at that time? I really concern about that because it is the purpose of the trip and I am flight from Canada to see that.
David says
This update from this morning should help.
Craig says
On behalf of my wife I’ve got to thank you for this site and your updates. We planned our trip from California to coincide with the cherry trees blossoming. Now that you’ve pointed out the trees blooming at Pershing Park, well be there tomorrow.
Thank you for saving this trip.
James says
I booked my fight and hotel 2 months ago and my schedule will be from 4-8 April 馃檨 So sad that it’s not the peak one. I’m from south east asia then it’s half of the earth distance for us. I can not change the schedule. Do you think I still can have some pretty experience with the cherry blossom?
David says
The chances will increase the longer you’re here. It doesn’t look as though there’ll be much to see when you first arrive, but by April 8 there should be something to see even if we’re still several days away from peak bloom. Today’s update should help, as should this post on what to expect to see up to a week before peak bloom.
Ricky says
Hi,
Thanks so much for the updates!
Just wondering, what type of lens did you use for the close-up shots of the cherry blossoms?
Thank you
David says
I use a mix. Many of the ones of the cherry blossom buds so far have been with an Olloclip on an iPhone 6. It’s quick, easy, and works well for those types of shots. If you’re interested, I have a review of the Olloclip here. But for most of the ones with the open flowers like the ones above, I’ve so far been using mostly a Nikon 105mm micro. Once we start getting more flowers to take “proper” photos, I’ll shift more to a few different macro lenses, including a Nikon 200mm, Nikon 60mm, and one or two others. I’ll be posting hands-on reviews of some of them over the next couple of weeks over in the gear section of my site.
Joe says
Hi David,
I just want to say thank you so much for the updates. It was really fun reading your updates. I already booked my room a month ago for this coming weekend and after weighing everything, I have decided to stick with it. I have been to DC, so this trip is mainly for the cherry. I have been reading your updates everyday, hoping you might announce an earlier blossom. Regardless if I will see any cherry flowers, this site has been massively helpful. Keep it up and see you again next year!
Joe
David says
Yes, unfortunately earlier looks to be out. Fingers crossed for next year!
Heather says
We were trying to make it this weekend but had to delay our visit until next weekend (April 9-12). Now I’m so glad we did! I love following your posts and photos, thank you so much!! Coming to DC to see the cherry blossoms has been on my bucket list for years!
David says
That’s turned out to be a lucky break. That should be a lot to see by then.
Kathy says
Thank you so much for the forecast! I have booked my tickets to visit DC the Easter weekend months ago so it’s too late to change it for the cherry blossom (I’m not from the US), but your website helped me a lot in setting expectations for the trees. I look forward to your next update!
David says
Enjoy your visit!
Mule says
me too .it is really bad I just found your website before my tomorrow’s travelling , it is inpossble to change, I should find your website earlier!
Lisa says
David – thanks for all your helpful updates and photos.
I think these “early bloomers” by the MLK Memorial/DC War Memorial might be plum blossoms rather than cherry blossoms, though. The petals are round rather than heart-shaped.
David says
Thanks! I was hoping someone might be able to ID them. I have some close-ups from last week that might also help here.
Cherry says
Thank you so much for the update David! Do you know is the reflecting pool refilled by any chance?
David says
Sorry, I didn’t get over there last visit. Will try later this week.
Jonathan K. Fung says
Hi Cherry,
i just went there the past weekend. The reflecting pool in front of Lincoln Memorial did not have the water filled yet. But the temperature is rising so i think they will fill up the pool soon. Hope this help
Jonathan K. Fung says
i am from Massachusetts and just went to DC the past weekend with my wife & my 1 year old daughter and some friends. The temperature on the past weekend was pretty cold with wind. But we were not disappointed.
There are couple of trees on the right side at the Washington Monument (facing the capitol Hill) blooming. You have to get close enough to see the flowers.
also there are three cherry trees already bloomed. It is located at MLK Memorial – Independence Ave SW (Ash wood if you looking at Google Map) which is right next to DC War Memorial.
With the temperature rising this week, i believe there will be more trees blooming. We are planning to come back next week (maybe in first week of April) to see this beautiful city and trees again.
David says
I’m glad you were able to find some flowers.
Jonathan K. Fung says
yes, indeed. also DC is a beatiful place to visit.
Jennifer Jacobs says
Thank you so much for your posts. We will be visiting this weekend and were sincerely hoping for a full bloom, but it sounds like it is not meant to be this year. I will definitely check out the WWI Memorial, though. Thank you!!
David says
You’re welcome. Have a fun visit! Stay tuned for another update tomorrow morning that should give a good idea of what to expect on the weekend.
prt says
hello,
Thank you so much for your posts, am driving down with my 4 year old to Washington DC to in hopes to see cherry blossoms the good Friday weekend, its a 12 hours ride for us. Your website helps us to have realistic expectations and plan our visit accordingly to manage disappointment and still have tons of fun. I love to visit Washington DC this time of the year.
Thank you
regards,
Cherry blossom follower
David says
Glad it’s helpful, and enjoy your visit! And yes, DC has plenty to offer a lot of fun.
Fifi says
Thank you for keeping us posted, David. I visit this page every day to see if the trees are making progress. Hope they would bloom in time for our visit this weekend.
David says
I hope to post another update before the weekend, so stay tuned!
Monisha says
It seems that the official webcam for cherry blossoms is unavailable or not on. Your site is becoming the go to site for updates. NPS please note. David is saving us gas, time and disappointment. Best wishes.
Dan says
David: absolutely the best site – many thanks for the great updates! Quick question: any thoughts on why the NPS has not updated their bloom watch page with the 2015 stages? Thanks again – invaluable information!
David says
Thanks! And no, I don’t know.
john says
Thanks for this! Could you take and post a (dated) picture of the “indicator tree” (supposedly near stop 8 on the tidal basin tour loop at the attached link) to help with the guess-work? http://www.nps.gov/cherry/tidalbasinloop.htm
Amy says
Thank you so much for the update David!! I am leaving in a few days with my fiance from Florida to visit during the Easter weekend and I’m really hoping for some more pink. But even so, if nothing else blooms by the time we get there, I’m sure the trip will still be fun! Thank you so much for all of the updates. 馃檪
David says
Enjoy your visit!
Liz says
David,
We are planning on visiting DC this Saturday April 4th.
Do you think we will get to seem some blossoms along the tidal basin?
David says
It’s possible there might be some early blossoms scattered about. This week’s warmer temperatures should help. I plan to post another update before the weekend which will give a better sense of how they’ll be this weekend.