Over 3,000 Yoshino cherry blossom trees decorate Washington, D.C.’s Tidal Basin. In 1912, Japan gifted these trees to the Capital as a symbol of friendship and unity between the two nations.
Travel from Boston to the National Cherry Blossom Festival
Today, Washington D.C.’s cherry blossoms are an urban landmark in their own right. Almost 2 million people, about 80% domestic and 20% international, travel to D.C. for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which spans four weeks. The festival celebrates spring in the city, where cherry blossoms are the star of the show. In addition to catching peak bloom, the festival hosts a fireworks show, “Petalpalooza,” a kite festival, and much more.
When is peak bloom for cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C.?
This year’s festival runs from Friday, March 20, through Sunday, April 12. Arborists define Washington’s cherry blossoms as in “peak bloom” when at least 70% of the blossoms are open across the 3,000 trees.
This year, the National Park Service predicts peak bloom to begin on Sunday, March 29, and last through Wednesday, April 1.
And while Boston is absolutely stunning in the spring, with dozens of places to enjoy our own cherry blossoms, a trip to Washington, D.C. presents an opportunity to enjoy advanced cherry blossom peeping in great numbers. The bloom season begins about one month earlier than in Boston, due to the warmer temps, and Washington D.C. boasts the highest concentration of cherry blossoms of any major U.S. city, making it a once-in-a-lifetime excursion as easy as a train ride.
Take the fastest train in the nation to enjoy the Yoshino cherry trees
Amtrak’s new NextGen Acela trains make it easier (and faster) than ever before to travel from Boston to Washington D.C. The trip historically takes 8 or more hours on a regular coach. The NextGen Acela slashes an hour off of the travel time, arriving to D.C. in under 7 hours.
If you’re not concerned about speed, right now, the lowest fare in late March between the two cities averages $78 each way.
