Avoiding the crowds at the Washington DC cherry blossoms is tough during peak bloom. Millions of visitors flock to the Tidal Basin every year, and the 2026 seawall construction has closed part of the walkway, making the area even more congested. The good news: the DC area has plenty of beautiful cherry blossom spots beyond the Tidal Basin. Here are my favorites across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
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Washington DC
These spots around the District have cherry blossom trees you can enjoy without fighting for space on the Tidal Basin path.
Stanton Park
Stanton Park in Capitol Hill is a four-acre park surrounded by pink cherry blossom trees. You’ll often see people enjoying the blossoms with a picnic or kids playing at the playground. It’s still a great place to find an easy parking spot and view the beauty of the cherry blossom trees.
Stanton Park on Google MapsNational Arboretum
With over 70 types of cherry blossom trees the National Arboretum is a fantastic place to explore during cherry blossom season. You can find specific spots with blossoms in the Arboretum using their interactive map or just head to the Capitol Columns and you should see a few blossoms blooming.
National Arboretum on Google MapsUnited States Capitol
One of my favorite places in DC is the United States Capitol. There are plenty of cherry blossom trees on the east side of the Capitol between Union Station and the Capitol to photograph. Best of all this little hidden gem isn’t often crowded. You can also try to get unique angles of the blossoms with the Capitol in the background.
US Capitol on Google MapsDumbarton Oaks
Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown has a dedicated Cherry Hill area with one of the most impressive groupings of cherry trees in the DC area. Along with the cherries you’ll also find saucer magnolia trees, forsythia, and a Plum Walk with purple blossoms that bloom a few weeks before the cherries. Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased in advance on the Dumbarton Oaks website. The gardens are open Tuesday through Sunday, 2:00 to 6:00 PM in spring. No on-site parking, so street park in Georgetown or walk from Dupont Circle Metro.
Dumbarton Oaks on Google MapsNational Cathedral
The Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral has over 100 cherry trees across the grounds, including mature weeping cherries with blossoms that drape over the garden paths. The garden was designed after medieval walled gardens and features stone walls, a 13th-century Norman arch, and a herb garden. For the best photo, shoot from below the weeping cherries looking up toward the Cathedral towers. The grounds are free and open daily from dawn to dusk.
National Cathedral on Google MapsRose Park
You’ll find a few cherry blossom trees scattered around Rose Park in cherry blossom trees at Rose Park in Georgetown, including Yoshino cherries (the same variety as the Tidal Basin). The low-hanging branches are perfect for portraits since kids and adults can stand right underneath the blossoms. The nearly two-acre park also has tennis courts, playgrounds, and open lawn for a picnic. Street parking in Georgetown is tight, so consider walking from the Foggy Bottom Metro (about 15 minutes).
Rose Park on Google MapsHains Point Loop Trail
Located near the Tidal Basin, Hains Point has thousands of cherry blossom trees lining Ohio Drive on the waterfront. Since there are so many trees here it’s easy to avoid crowds but keep in mind that many people park here to walk to the Tidal Basin so it’s best to walk or bike to the area.
Hains Point on Google MapsMaryland
Discover the charm of cherry blossoms away from the hustle and bustle of DC by visiting these locations in Maryland.
National Harbor
More than 200 Okame cherry trees line the 1.2-mile waterfront trail at National Harbor along the Potomac River. Okame cherries produce deep pink flowers and bloom two to three weeks before the Tidal Basin Yoshinos, so plan your visit for mid-March. The waterfront trail is free to walk, and you can frame the blossoms with the Capital Wheel in the background. National Harbor also holds cherry blossom festival events including Sakura Sunday with Japanese cultural performances, food, and art.
National Harbor on Google MapsKenwood
About 1,200 trees cherry blossom trees are planted along the streets of the Kenwood neighborhood in Bethesda. These blossoms typically reach their highest point a few days after the trees in the Tidal Basin. Keep in mind there are typically crowds here on weekends and it’s a neighborhood so please be respectful when visiting.
Kenwood on Google MapsBrookside Gardens
You’ll find giant weeping cherry trees near the Japanese pagoda in Brookside Gardens’ Gude Garden, reflected in a pond filled with turtles and goldfish. The 50-acre gardens have around 30 cherry trees total, including early-blooming Okame and First Lady varieties. Beyond the cherries you’ll also see magnolias, plum blossoms, daffodils, and tulips in spring. Best of all, Brookside Gardens is completely free to visit and has free parking. It’s open sunrise to sunset daily.
Brookside Gardens on Google MapsVirginia
Visit these locations in Virginia outside of Washington to experience the beauty of cherry blossoms without the crowds.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna has approximately 100 cherry trees across more than 20 varieties surrounding Lake Caroline. The gazebo overlooking the lake is the best seat in the house, with cherry blossoms reflecting off the water and koi swimming below. Meadowlark’s cherries typically bloom about a week after the Tidal Basin, so early April is your target. Entry is $9 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors. Free parking on site.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens on Google MapsLake Anne Plaza
Lake Anne Plaza in Reston is a great spot to observe the weeping cherry blossoms beside the lake. The trees enclose a small bridge and is ideal for taking photographs.
Lake Anne Plaza on Google MapsAvoiding the crowds at Washington DC cherry blossoms comes down to timing and location. Visit during off-peak hours (sunrise is my favorite) and consider the earlier or later weeks of the blossom season. Many of these spots bloom on slightly different schedules than the Tidal Basin, so you may catch blossoms even if you miss peak bloom downtown.
For more unique locations around DC of blossoms you can also check out the Casey Trees map of all cherry blossom trees in DC.
Of course while you’re exploring DC you can also check out my favorite places to take pictures in Washington DC. The city is stunning in the spring and there is plenty to see and photograph.
