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Discover flavors, festivities and other fun ways to celebrate cherry blossom season in the District.
Washington, DC comes alive with cherry blossom fever in the springtime, and hotels all over DC offer amazing springtime deals and packages to make the most of it.
Savor the taste of spring thanks to the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Cherry Picks Program, run in collaboration with the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. During the festival, participating restaurants curate creative spring menus and local ingredients.
Jazz & Blossoms takes over Franklin Park each year to celebrate the beauty and nature of the city with a number of musical performances. The 2025 edition is headlined by legendary hip-hop group Arrested Development. The free outdoor event is one of many observing the National Cherry Blossom Festival and also includes swag giveaways, mural walls, food trucks, haiku-writing, face-painting and much more.
© Waldorf Astoria
Some of DC’s finest and most historic hotels immerse visitors in the cherry blossom spirit with elegant high tea services.
- The Willard’s Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, offering a menu filled with delicious seasonal items.
- Salamander DC features a themed afternoon tea.
- Santé at the The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City offers blossom-inspired teas and bites on Saturdays and Sundays.
- The Pendry's Boozy Tea features new cocktails and treats inspired by the season.
- Tea at the Fairmont is served overlooking the hotel's cherry blossom-lined courtyard.
Every year, restaurants develop special menu items and dress in pink to welcome the District's favorite flowers. In Foggy Bottom, South American hotspot Mercy Me converts its pop-up space into a Blossom Garden, featuring Nikkei-inspired menu items to celebrate Japanese influences on Peruvian and Brazilian cuisines. Love, Makoto offers hanami picnics, blossom donuts and pink soft serve, while Residents Café and Bar in Dupont Circle dazzles with extravagant decor and fresh dishes. The fun doesn't stop here – spots all over the city roll out new beverages, from Bluejacket's blossom-inspired beers to cocktails like L'Annexe's Ube Sakura and Casa Teresa's Spanish Samurai.
Looking for a fresh perspective on the cherry blossoms? Edge out the crowds with one of Boating in DC's guided kayak tours or a private boat tour with Be You (10% off with code CHERRYBOAT25). With Potomac Paddle Club, it’s BYOB (plus food and cooler) for a picnic on the water.
Experience the essence of spring and the art of sake appreciation at Hotel Zena's Spring Sake Festival. Mingle with sake professionals, explore over 80 varieties of imported and craft sake and indulge in seasonal delights amidst the cherry blossom season.
Add some history to your cherry blossom sightseeing with DC Design Tours this spring. Through April 6, the company is offering two excursions: one that encounters the beautiful blossoms on the Tidal Basin and another that goes in-depth in the historic Cleveland Park neighborhood, a lesser-known destination for blossoms. Use the code DCDESIGNBLOOM for 10% off your tickets.
The sweetest part of cherry blossom season isn’t just the blooms — it’s the artful, floral-infused treats they inspire. DC's Dog Tag Bakery bakes cherry blossom tarts, donuts, cookies, breakfast pastries and specially themed gift boxes. To make things sweeter, every purchase supports veterans and military families. French macarons from Olivia Macaron are sure to delight, made with fresh ingredients and looking almost too good to eat. Seasonal selections include rose, lychee rose, raspberry and cherry blossom flavors.
Palmer Alley is one of the many highlights of CityCenterDC. The alley offers a majestic walk decorated with different seasonal features throughout the year. The fixtures, picturesque and begging for Instagram love, currently offer lanterns in shades of pink along with dangling blossoms in honor of cherry blossom season. While there, explore the 10-acres of shops, cafes, restaurants and public space.
City Cruises by Hornblower offers water taxi service throughout the cherry blossom season. Routes that connect to The Wharf, Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria and National Harbor are all featured. You'll be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the city and cherry blossoms as you meander down the Potomac River. The best viewing of the cherry blossom trees typically lasts four to seven days after peak bloom begins, but the blossoms can last longer under ideal conditions.
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