There’s no surer sign that spring is here than the cherry blossoms! In Japan, the practice of hanami, or the viewing of flowering trees (usually cherry), is a long-standing tradition with hundreds of years of history. And while the arrival of blossoms on flowering trees is always special, in recent years the Japanese enthusiasm for this natural phenomenon has been adopted in the West. The cherry trees that encircle the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC are famous for their fluffy pink blooms. The trees are so famous, in fact, that each year the National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the blossoms’ arrival. Everyone should see these beautiful cherry blossoms at least once. It’s too spectacular to miss!
With the short window of opportunity for cherry blossom viewing, you can expect huge crowds. But I’ve got a few tips for seeing the Washington, DC cherry blossoms while still avoiding the crowds!
