2021 Washington DC Cherry Blossoms Homepage2021 Washington DC Cherry Blossoms

by David Coleman @ Have Camera Will Travel

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Boat Services to the Cherry Blossoms

There are now new boat services along the Potomac that will drop you off right next to the cherry blossoms.

Washington DC Cherry Blossoms - April 2, 2014

Cherry Blossom Watch Updates /
Last updated about 4 years ago / Originally published about 7 years ago

DC Cherry Blossoms in 2021

No peak bloom forecasts for 2021 have been issued yet.

It seems increasingly likely that DC will still be under COVID-19 restrictions in spring 2021 while the cherry blossoms are blooming. The Washington DC area is currently assessed at a very high risk level. So it's shaping up to be a good year to follow along from afar from the safety and comfort of your home.

There are a number of ways to get to the cherry blossoms. By boat might be about the most scenic (other than walking).

There’s a boat landing point on the bank of the Potomac next to the FDR Memorial. It’s not a pier–it’s just a paved section of the riverbank–but it’s a jumping on and off point for two commercial ferry/water taxi services.

It’s not the cheapest option and the schedules are a bit limited, but if you’re put off by the traffic and parking problems when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, this might be a good option. It’s an especially good option if you’re staying in Old Town or National Harbor. It’ll put you out within a couple of hundred yards of the Tidal Basin.

A few years ago there were a few vendors experimenting with the service, but it appears to have been whittled down to one in recent years: the Potomac Riverboat Company.

They offer a scheduled water cruise service that runs between National Harbor, Old Town, and the National Mall. The schedule varies by weekend vs weekday.

2016 Cherry Blossom Cruise Schedule

The Potomac Riverboat Company’s 2016 cherry blossom services start limited service on the weekend of 19 and 20 March.

Please note that the cruises do not stop at the National Mall stop mentioned above until after April 2. The cruises last approximately 50 minutes and cruise along the outside of Hains Point and along the Potomac, where you can take in the thousands of cherry blossoms lining Hains Point and several monuments from the water. They do not go on the Tidal Basin itself–the only boats allowed there are the paddle boats.

Since they originally posted the schedule on their website the bloom predictions were moved forward. So they’ve added some earlier cruises that aren’t yet, as of the time of writing, showing up on their website. But I’ve confirmed these directly.

There earlier cruises are March 19 (Sat), 20 (Sun), 25 (Fri), 26 (Sat), and 27 (Sun).

The scheduled departure times are:
Alexandria Old Town: 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, and 5:30pm
Georgetown: 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm, and 6:30pm (the 6:30pm service is one-way only; there’s no return service back to Georgetown after that)

Advance reservations are recommended because it’s likely to be busy (book online here), but it’s also possible to buy tickets at the booths at the docks (boarding is 15 mins before scheduled departure).

For ticket prices and their schedule after March 31, please see their website. Again, please note that the cruises don’t stop at the National Mall stop until after April 2.

Landing Point

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:

Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers: The Essential Guide to...
Macro Photography for Gardeners and Nature Lovers: The Essential Guide to...
  • Timber Press OR
  • Detrick, Alan L. (Author)
$20.09
Buy on Amazon
Photographing Flowers: Exploring Macro Worlds with Harold Davis
Photographing Flowers: Exploring Macro Worlds with Harold Davis
  • Focal Press
  • Davis, Harold (Author)
$29.00
Buy on Amazon
By David Coleman

Page last updated about 4 years ago

Latest Development Milestone

Winter Dormant
Green Buds
Florets Visible
Extension of Florets
Peduncle Elongation
Puffy White
Peak Bloom
Green Leaves
Fall / Autumn

Cherry Blossoms: The Official Book of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry Blossoms: The Official Book of the National Cherry Blossom Festival
Buy on Amazon
The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration
The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration
Buy on Amazon

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Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 4, 2014
Cherry Blossom Watch Update: April 7, 2014

David Coleman Photography

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

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Photos by David Coleman | havecamerawilltravel.com



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