Travel Do's and Don'ts for DC Cherry Blossom Season Amid Peak Blooms: 'Pack Your Patience'

The cherry blossom trees in Washington, D.C., hit peak bloom on Saturday, drawing visitors from across the globe to witness the spectacle. About 70% of the trees around the Tidal Basin are in full blossom, as confirmed by Mike Litterst of the National Park Service (NPS).

Litterst mentioned that the bloom's duration is largely weather-dependent. With temperatures climbing into the 80s and rainstorms in the forecast, the blossoms might not last long. Warmer temperatures encourage leaves to replace the delicate flowers, potentially cutting the show short.

Washington, D.C.'s annual National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates these iconic trees, which were a gift from Japan in 1912. Typically, the blossoms last around four weeks, making this time of year a much-anticipated event in the nation’s capital.

This year’s festival overlaps with other major events, including the Blossom Kite Festival on the Washington Monument grounds and a home game for the Washington Nationals. Unsurprisingly, the crowds are immense; around 1.5 million people visit D.C. annually during the festival, according to the EPA.

Litterst offered some practical advice for navigating the chaos: "Don’t drive. Take the Metro if you can. The roads and infrastructure here were designed decades ago and can’t handle the current volume of traffic." He also urged visitors to "pack your patience," as getting around D.C. is likely to take longer than expected.

Visitors shared mixed feelings about the crowds. A group of three friends from Pennsylvania described the blossoms as "beautiful" and "gorgeous" but admitted the area was much busier than they had anticipated. "Everyone’s crowding you, and it’s hard to even get a picture," one visitor lamented.

Another group of teenagers, visiting from Philadelphia, seemed unfazed by the congestion. "It’s really busy, but it’s worth it because it’s so pretty," one said. The pair had already taken over 100 photos and planned to snap at least a thousand more.

A man from Staten Island, visiting D.C. for the first time, was impressed by the city’s cleanliness and friendly vibe. "It’s really beautiful here," he said. The festivities, which include various cultural and community events, run through April 13.

So, if you're planning a trip to catch the blossoms, heed the advice: skip the car, pack your patience, and prepare for a crowded but breathtaking experience. And maybe hold off on that perfect selfie until the crowd thins out—if it ever does.