It’s a celebration of spring in Washington D.C. now. The capital of
the United States is all set to welcome this beautiful season with the
National Cherry Blossom Festival due to take place from March 20 through
April 12, 2015.
The 3-week-long annual city-wide event is a joyous celebration of the
age-old tradition showcasing the lovely 3,000 cherry trees given by the
city of Tokyo to the U.S. capital as a gift of friendship. The
festivities offer something for everyone – arts shows, exhibitions,
sports activities, gastronomy delights and much more. You just name it
and they will all be there for you. Get ready to be delighted with over
90 special events and more than 200 international cultural performances.
It’s a visual treat to find the blossoming cherry trees in the city
heralding the arrival of spring and spreading bright hues with the
vibrant white and pale pink flowers in the areas surrounding the Tidal
Basin or the Jefferson Memorial. The National Cherry Blossom Festival
also marks the start of the busy tourist season here.
Tidal Basin and National Mall best places to enjoy
The biggest challenge for you will be how best to enjoy this festival.
It can be quite challenging to get around the city during this hugely
popular event, particularly on the weekends. The city during this time
offers limited parking. So, what should be done now! Make use of the
public transportation to navigate the Tidal Basin and the National Mall.
There are some exciting things to do when in the Tidal Basin. Go on a
walking tour in the early morning. This is the best way to avoid the
crowds and soak up some breathtaking views of the blossoming cherry
trees. You are going to thoroughly enjoy the amazing sight. Also, don’t
forget to take beautiful photographs as well. If you are visiting the
east side of the Tidal Basin, between the Jefferson Memorial and the
National Mall, you are likely to face huge crowds. Nevertheless, this
area is also great for a picnic too.
It will be simply great to take a free cherry blossom walking tour
seeking the help of a National Park Service Ranger. You will get to
learn a lot about the fascinating history of the cherry blossom trees
and many other related things. There a many tourists who consider taking
a boat cruise to enjoy the marvelous cherry blossoms. You may consider a
45-minute sightseeing tour or even a dinner cruise of nearly 3 hours.
The list of activities during the festival is endless. There are many
people who enjoy paddle boating and enjoy the views of the beautiful
Japanese cherry trees from the water of the Jefferson Memorial. This is
also a great opportunity for you to know about the life and
contributions of Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President and writer
of the Declaration of Independence. There are still many others who
prefer taking a 2-hour bike tour particularly designed for the National
Cherry Blossom Festival. Ride past the Jefferson Memorial, Potomac Park,
Japanese lantern, Hains Point, and more.
Enjoy cultural performances and special events
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a gala time. You can look
forward to enthralling free cultural performances held across the city
every day during the entire duration of the festival. These include
martial arts demonstrations, song, dance, and traditional and
contemporary music performances. Among the popular special events held
during the festivities include the Opening Ceremony, the Sakura Matsuri-
Japanese Street Festival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade,
and the Fireworks Display on the Southwest Waterfront.
Conclude the celebrations with a special meal at one of the restaurants
in Washington D.C. Most delicacies served at the restaurants on this
special occasion have cherries added to their recipes.
The scintillating performances and special events held during the annual
National Cherry Blossom Festival are not to be missed in any case. It
not only brings people together but also provides great opportunity to
celebrate the season and Japanese culture in a unique way.