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Poster: Cherry blossoms in Washington, DC
National Cherry Blossom Festival 2027

Cherry blossoms in Washington, DC

A peak-bloom weekend: the Tidal Basin at sunrise, the kite festival and the quiet groves

⏳ In 5 months · Mar 20, 2027 Remind me
  • The plan: Mar 26 – 283 days around National Cherry Blossom Festival 2027
  • Washington, DC16 places · Couple
  • Facts checked Oct 31, 20267 sources, listed below
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See the Tidal Basin cherry blossoms at sunrise, walk the memorials, catch Lincoln at golden hour, and finish with a Georgetown garden stroll. Good food throughout, with a relaxed pace.

🏛 Monuments🌸 Cherry blossoms🎨 Art🦪 Seafood🌿 Gardens

Day 1 is on us

3 days · 16 stops

What it's like in MarchExpect highs around 14°C (57°F) and lows near 3°C (37°F). About 10 rainy days, so bring a light rain jacket and layers.

Day 1 · Fri, Mar 26 · Free

Arrival, museums and the Wharf

6 h 55 min

Metro in, art museum, Monument walk, waterfront oysters for dinner.

11:00 AM · 45 min

Metro from DCA to Dupont Circle

Direct Metro from the airport, no car needed

LapisPhoto: Lapis / Google

12:45 PM · 1 h 15 min

Lapis

Afghan restaurant

Bib Gourmand Afghan dumplings close to your hotel

4.4(2,167)Google$$
25 min
15 min
Washington MonumentWikimedia Commons via Wikipedia: Washington Monument

4:30 PM · 1 h

Washington Monument

Monument

Scout the kite festival lawn and early blossoms

4.7(24,553)Googlefree
15 min
Hank’s Oyster Bar on the WharfPhoto: Nicole Strand / Google

7:00 PM · 1 h 30 min

Hank’s Oyster Bar on the Wharf

Seafood restaurant

Waterfront oysters and lobster rolls at the Wharf

4.4(4,345)Google$$
Day 1 in Google Maps
Map of Washington DC: 3 days of Blossoms, Monuments, and Oysters: Day 1, Lapis, National Gallery of Art - East Building, Washington Monument, Hank’s Oyster Bar on the Wharf

The rest of the plan

11 stops

Day 2 · Sat, Mar 27

Sunrise blossoms, kites and Lincoln at dusk

7 stops · Tidal Basin, Washington Monument grounds, East Potomac Park, 14th Street

Day 3 · Sun, Mar 28

Georgetown gardens and farewell

4 stops · Georgetown

Get all 3 days

Everything below Day 1, plus offline maps and free updates until Mar 20.

  • 3-day peak-bloom weekend plan
  • Sunrise at the Tidal Basin and quieter groves
  • Festival events that weekend
  • Offline maps in the app
Get the plan · $5

Apple Pay · Google Pay · card 7-day refund

Give it as a gift

Good to know

  • The National Cherry Blossom Festival's site lists the 2027 festival as March 20 to April 11, 2027.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org · checked Oct 31, 2026
  • The Opening Ceremony is March 20, 2027, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org · checked Oct 31, 2026
  • The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade is April 10, 2027 from 11:00 a.m. along Constitution Avenue NW, about 10 blocks.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org · checked Oct 31, 2026
  • The Blossom Kite Festival is March 27, 2027.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org · checked Oct 31, 2026
  • NPS defines peak bloom as the day 70 percent of the Yoshino cherry blossoms are open; the most likely time is the last week of March to the first week of April, with extremes of March 15 (1990) and April 18 (1958).nps.gov · checked Oct 31, 2026
  • NPS says peak bloom is almost impossible to forecast more than 10 days ahead, and NPS bloom-watch records for the Yoshino trees are kept at the Tidal Basin.nps.gov · checked Oct 31, 2026
  • NPS said the first phase of the Tidal Basin seawall rebuild was finished early, with the Potomac phase set for May 2026, and that the Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park work area would stay closed through the 2026 festival with reopening expected shortly after.nps.gov · checked Oct 31, 2026

Guides for this trip

More trips like this

More in Washington
Lapis
Photo: Lapis / Google
Lapis
Photo: Lapis / Google
Lapis
Photo: Clare McCarthy / Google
Lapis
Photo: J J / Google
Lapis
Photo: Jay Houghton / Google

Lapis

Afghan restaurant
4.4(2,167)Google Washington 1 h 15 min

Bib Gourmand Afghan dumplings close to your hotel

Sally's tips

  • Hidden Gem: Try the mantu dumplings.
  • Pro Tip: Reserve on Resy and check cancellation terms.

Hours

  • Mon–Thu: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Fri: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Sat: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Sun: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM

Contact and location

1847 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA

National Gallery of Art - East Building
Wikimedia Commons via Wikipedia: National Gallery of Art
National Gallery of Art - East Building
Photo: National Gallery of Art - East Building / Google
National Gallery of Art - East Building
Photo: Y.C. Wu / Google
National Gallery of Art - East Building
Photo: Zupeng Huang / Google
National Gallery of Art - East Building
Photo: Luv2eat / Google

National Gallery of Art - East Building

Art museum
4.7(1,799)Google Washington 1 h 30 min

World-class paintings, free, right on the Mall

Sally's tips

  • Pro Tip: Head to the Garden Court for a rest.

Hours

  • Every day: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Contact and location

4th St NW, Washington, DC 20565, USA

Washington Monument
Wikimedia Commons via Wikipedia: Washington Monument
Washington Monument
Photo: The Tourist / Google
Washington Monument
Photo: Sami Turnbull / Google
Washington Monument
Photo: Matthew Moschel / Google
Washington Monument
Photo: byrl eddy / Google

Washington Monument

Monument
4.7(24,553)Google Washington 1 h

Scout the kite festival lawn and early blossoms

Sally's tips

  • Pro Tip: Portable restrooms line the grounds during the festival.

Hours

  • Every day: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Contact and location

2 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20024, USA

Hank’s Oyster Bar on the Wharf
Photo: Nicole Strand / Google
Hank’s Oyster Bar on the Wharf
Photo: Viktoriia Stepanushko / Google
Hank’s Oyster Bar on the Wharf
Photo: Mad Buy / Google
Hank’s Oyster Bar on the Wharf
Photo: Erica Morgan / Google
Hank’s Oyster Bar on the Wharf
Photo: Hiro Nomu / Google

Hank’s Oyster Bar on the Wharf

Seafood restaurant
4.4(4,345)Google Washington 1 h 30 min

Waterfront oysters and lobster rolls at the Wharf

Sally's tips

  • Pro Tip: Book via OpenTable or Resy with free cancellation.

Hours

  • Mon–Thu: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Fri–Sat: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Sun: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Contact and location

701 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA

A gift

3-day Cherry blossoms in Washington, DC plan

3 days · Washington, DC

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  • 3-day peak-bloom weekend plan
  • Sunrise at the Tidal Basin and quieter groves
  • Festival events that weekend
  • Offline maps in the app
$5One-time · 7-day refund

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$5One-time · 7-day refund
Get the plan