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Cherry blossom trees have had a long and beautiful history in Washington, D.C. In the short of it, in 1910, the U.S. received 2000 cherry blossom trees as a gift from Japan. Unfortunately when they arrived, they were full of disease and had to be destroyed. This led the Mayor of Tokyo to send 3020 cherry blossom trees in 1912, this time from a special collection from a Tokyo suburb. Over the next several years, D.C. continued to plant the many cherry blossom trees around the city.
Since then, there’s been a special relationship between Japan and America surrounding these beautiful trees. A few years after receiving the trees, President Taft sent over flowering dogwood trees as a gift. Then, after WWII, the U.S. sent over some budwood from the original trees over to Japan to help restore the lost trees. A couple of years later, the ambassador of Japan gifted a 300-year old lantern, which is one of two lanterns, while the other is situated in a park in Tokyo. And this was just the beginning.
Because of CoVid and life in general, I only had one day to explore and experience the cherry blossom bloom, and the best location to do that in Washington, D.C. is at the Tidal Basin.
The Tidal Basin is located at the National Mall, so it’s easy to get to by Metro and by walking. The basin itself is a 2-mile roundtrip walk with beautiful sights in every direction and the Jefferson Memorial to check out, as well. Add the hundreds of cherry blossom trees that line the pathway around the basin, and you’re in a wonderland!
During any other year, paddleboats are able to be rented and you can get a 360 degree view of the basin. But alas, #covid.
As with any tourist spots, come early to try to get some good non-populated pictures and just time to wander without hitting many people. I went with a family member from out of town and with Joseph, and let me tell you, when I suggested a start time of 7am, it was an immediate no-go. When we finally got there around 11am, the park was already starting to populate. And this was on a Tuesday during CoVid.
I waited all year for this one day where the weather was just right – 70 degrees with a perfectly blue sky – as the blooms peaked, and it couldn’t have happened with better timing. Hopefully next year, there’ll be more time for me to hunt down some more pretty blooms around the city <3
Have you been to the Tidal Basin during Cherry Blossom season?
Beautiful photos! I miss D.C., I was just there in 2019 and I can’t wait to be back!
Life is a Shoe
These cherry blossoms are absolutely gorgeous!
I hope you are having a great week so far!
Amber
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Cherry Blossoms are one of my favourites! There’s a tree in my mothers garden that always flowers perfectly in time for birthday at the end of April so it always brings a smile to my face when I see a lovely blossom tree! Milli x – http://millidavison.co.uk/
The cherry blossoms are so pretty! I’ve never been but I was supposed to go last year but had to cancel due to Covid. Hopefully I can make the trip sometime soon!
Tracy
https://www.findyourdazzle.com
Absolutely gorgeous area! A perfect Spring day.
XX Angelica
https://eraenvogue.com
Oh how lovely they are truly beautiful and love your photos here. Quite inspiring! Nice OOTD
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
I love cherry blossoms, I think they’re so beautiful. We’re fortunate to have a couple of them opposite my house. I’ve never seen the ones in DC though x
I adore cherry blossoms, they are so beautiful!
Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk
A relationship between countries where they exchange beautiful trees as gifts? This is the kind of diplomacy I’m here for. đ These cherry blossoms are GORGEOUS; I was lucky enough to be in DC one year while they were in bloom and it was magical.
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Your photos are beautiful! Really does look like the perfect day. My husband and I got to go see them three years ago, but we were on a tour, and didn’t get to spend as much time with them as I would have liked. I could have taken a blanket, and sat underneath them all day crocheting away.