The Urban Atlas' Top Washington DC Activities for March 2018
For travelers and tourists coming to DC each month, the team here at Urban Atlas has culled through all of the events to identify a couple of events and activities worth checking out. Now that spring-time is within reach, outdoor activities are once again in vogue. In March, the highlights are:
Cherry Blossoms
Cherry Blossoms with the washington monument in the background. CC - wnhsl
(Updated 3/25 - the Cherry Blossoms have now slipped into April) Peak cherry blossom bloom predictions:
- National Park Service Forecast: April 8 - 12
- Washington Post Capital Weather Gang Forecast: April 8 - 12 (peak day of April 10)
One of the biggest draws to Washington DC are the Cherry Blossoms that bloom on the Tidal Basin and other places every spring. The 3,000 cherry blossom trees were a gift from the Toyko, Japan Mayor in 1912 to the city of Washington DC. The peak bloom date is defined as the day when 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open. Peak bloom varies annually depending on weather conditions. The most likely time to reach peak bloom is between the last week of March and the first week of April. Extraordinary warm or cool temperatures have resulted in peak bloom as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958).
The majority of blossoms are located near the Tidal Basin and along the shoreline of East Potomac Park, extending all the way to Hains Point. The preferred area for viewing he cherry blossoms is around the Tidal Basin - it is considered the most scenic and the eastiest to get to. It often gets very crowded, so if you prefer to avoid the crowd, it's best to arrive at sunrise, or see the cherry blossoms in other places including Hains Point, the National Arboretum, Anacostia Park, Stanton Park and Oxon Run Park.
Cherry Blossom Pop-up Bar
March 1 - April 30, 2018.
In case you were wondering how seriously Washington DC takes its Cherry Blossoms in the Spring, you will start to see a theme. The same bar that gave us the Christmas and Game of Thrones themed pop-up bars brings back the spring favorite, the Cherry Blossom Pop-up Bar. The bar is great at keeping you in a seasonal spirit, and the Cherry Blossom version is no different, with over 90,000 blossoms and a menu that includes many colorful and sweet cocktails. Keeping in the spirit of the Cherry Blossom Festival, which celebrates the partnership between the US and Japan, the pop-up incorporates many elements of Japanese culture.
Cherry Blossom Pop-up Bar, 1843 7th Street NW, Washington, DC; closest metro stations are U St or Shaw/Howard.
Cherry Blossom Bar. From Washingtonian
Banner Photo: Cherry blossoms in bloom at the Tidal Basin - CC Nicolas Raymond