The annual cherry blossom festival is underway in Washington, D.C.. From March 27 to April 11, an abundance of cherry blossom petals can be viewed all across the city. The event attracts about half a million out of town travelers, so there are sure to be crowds of people at the various attractions associated with the festival, including a parade and the 50th annual Sakura Matsuri on April 10--both free. CNN (via Budget Travel) has five tips to help you make the most of the experience.
The 50th annual Sakura Matsuri is the country's largest Japanese street festival. It features origami making, sumo wrestling, and sushi eating. It coincides perfectly with the blooming of the cherry blossoms. According to nationalcherryblossomfestival.org:
"The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual two-week event that celebrates springtime in Washington, DC as well as the 1912 gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan."
Free events are popular spots for those looking to travel on a budget, but you can still have a memorable and fun experience. Keep these ideas in mind.
- Off times -- Try to avoid weekends, and weekday rush hours. The cherry blossom grounds never close, so you don't have a limited window of time to take in the scenery. You can go early in the morning, before the rest of the city wakes up, for unobstructed and serene views of the trees.
- A view from the water -- A variety of water adventures give you views of the cherry blossom shores. Paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks offer a hands-on experience, while tours and entertainment cruises are more luxurious.
- A bird's eye view -- Get away from the masses of people on the ground, and take in the sights from the 555-feet-tall Washington Monument. The POV Roof Terrace is an alternative high-rise spot.
- Even more nature -- Take a self-guided tour of the 446-acre U.S. National Arboretum. The grounds include their own collection of cherry trees, as well as a bonsai museum.
- The road less traveled -- You don't need to swarm the most-known cherry blossom sites, such as the Jefferson Memorial. It's easy to find your own patch in residential areas and smaller roads. There's no one-way to enjoy the cherry blossom festival!
