Nature, Not the Festival, Determine Blossom Blooming

Washington’s cherry blossoms attract thousands of visitors (but not in 2021) to the city. But visitors BEWARE the National Cherry Blossom Festival does not necessarily coincide with cherry blossoms blooming! Make no mistake, the Festival is a blast — a parade, fireworks, entertainment, food, and a chance to see the city at its best. But while the city sets the time for the festival, only nature determines when the cherry blossoms bloom.

The Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) trees in Washington usually bloom between the last week of March and the first week of April. But extreme temperature in either direction can push the peak bloom date earlier or later. A late severe frost can stop any blooming.

Like life itself, the blossoms are fleeting. They usually only last less than a week. Blooms stay longer if the weather is cool but can disappear immediately if there is wind or heavy rain.

It is nearly impossible to predict the peak blossoming time more than ten days in advance. The best way for visitors to know what to expect is to monitor the National Park Service bloom watch site for the best, science-based information.

Regrettably, this is not the year to see the cherry trees in person. NPS and the city will limit access to the Tidal Basin in efforts to prevent covid spread.

Duration
2 hours
Group Size
2 to 6

Above It All - Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece. Perched on a hill overlooking the city it is the second largest cathedral in the country and the 6th largest in the world. It is a living work of art filled with stained-glass, hand-carved wood, and wrought iron. While a modern structure (finished in 1990) it is constructed in the old-world way and has no structural steel.

Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
1 to 6

Hidden on Capitol Hill

Few people think beyond the Capitol when they think of the Hill. This tour takes you to the heart of a neighborhood with a fascinating history that still speaks to us today. Learn about these famous locations from a former Capitol Hill resident.

Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
Group Size
1 to 6

Embassy Row: Divinity & Diplomats

Most Embassy Row tours don’t venture far beyond Dupont Circle. But ours does. We see it all from top to bottom. This stretch of Massachusetts Avenue used to be called Millionaires Row where Gilded Age robber-barons built grand mansions. Today those mansions house most of Washington’s embassies, along with private clubs and statues of world heroes such as Mandela, Gandhi, and Churchill – and we will be right in the heart of it.