The National Cherry Blossom Festival

Every spring, the nation’s capital celebrates the gift of 3,000 cherry trees, given by the people of Tokyo in 1912. There are tons of ways to join in the act. Several museums and galleries feature Japanese art, furnishings, and clothing. You can check out the blossoms themselves on foot, by bike, and by boat. What’s the best way to enjoy the National Cherry Blossom Festival with your preschooler?

One of the best ways to enjoy the blossoms is to just get out and walk around the Tidal Basin, where most of the trees are concentrated. The sidewalk ringed by the trees will be packed with people much of the time, but if it’s getting to be too much for your preschooler, you can duck off the path and get some running around room easily. The foot traffic moves slowly, and adjusts to move around strollers and backpack carriers if you are using them. Many of the blooms hang low, so your preschooler will be able to see and smell them easily. Don’t forget your camera!

 

Check out one of the cultural performances on the Tidal Basin stage. Performances start at noon each day during the festival and run through the afternoon. You’ll see everything from school music groups to comedy acts. No tickets are required, just come and go as you wish.

 

Pack a picnic lunch and set up in one of the shaded areas around the Tidal Basin. One good pick is across from the Jefferson Memorial, near the parking lot by the paddle boat dock. You’ll have a nice vista of the trees, and the Washington Memorial behind you. There’s plenty of shade, but also a large grassy area where your preschooler can run around.

The website for the festival has several suggestions for transportation, and helpful links and maps. We would suggest taking the Metro as the best combination of convenience, cost, and preschooler friendly travel. To see the cherry blossoms, take the Blue or Orange Line to the Smithsonian stop.

 

There is free parking on Hains Point, and there are some more cherry trees there, as well as playgrounds and picnic areas, but getting in and out is painfully slow. If you park here to get to the Tidal Basin, it is a long walk for preschoolers. You can also park in paid garages and lots near the Tidal Basin, but again, it will be crowded in that area. You can also take the bus or a taxi.

There are over 50 official events that make up the National Cherry Blossom Festival, many of which will be too long or too formal for your preschooler (like high tea on a two hour cruise on the Potomac). Here are some picks preschoolers might enjoy:

 

Festival Family Day: This will take place at the National Building Museum from 10-5:30 on Saturday, March 31. You can make origami shapes and kabuki masks, and see dance performances, among other activities. For Metro, take the Red Line to Judiciary Square.

 

The 41^st Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival: Saturday, March 31^st from 10-4, on the grounds of the Washington Monument. Watch the skies fill with kites flying and doing tricks. There will also be displays of kite-building and competitions. Take Metro’s Blue and Orange Lines to Farragut West.

 

There are fireworks on April 7^th on the Southwest Waterfront starting at 8:30. On April 14^th, there’s a parade (10 to noon on Constitution Ave) and a Japanese street festival (11 to 6 on Pennsylvania and 12^th).

The 2007 National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from March 31^st to April 15^th.

Check out the Official Website of the National Cherry Blossom Festival for details on event schedules and transportation information, as well as the predicted peak bloom days.