Boat Services to the Cherry Blossoms

There’s a new boat landing point on the bank of the Potomac next to the FDR Memorial, adding a new, scenic option for getting to and from the cherry blossoms.

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The cherry blossoms reached peak bloom on March 17, 2024. That's the second-earliest on record.

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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.

Cherry Blossom Cruise Schedule

Stay tuned for information on the 2021 season!

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, please see their website.

Landing Point

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