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Monday, March 10, 2014

Cherry Blossoms: Washington, DC in Bloom

There are few springtime rituals that compare to the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC.. According to the festival website, the festival commemorates a gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo's Mayor Yukio Ozaki, to the city of Washington in 1912. The festival honors the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan, as well as the continued close relationship between the two countries.


If you have never been, consider a trip. We had the pleasure of going in 2011 and we had a great time.

During our 2011 visit
It is a time sensitive visit; the blooms may arrive late and fall early. Or, they can be in bloom longer than expected. Regardless of the sensitive blooms, the  festival draws 1.5 million people, soaking in the aroma and beauty of the blossoming trees among the city's landmark rich landscape. This year's festival runs from March 20-April 13, 2014.


According to the organizer's website, the Festival features various activities that promote traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty and the environment. The majority of events are free and open to the public. There are over 150 daily cultural performances by local, national and international entertainers, sports competitions, and so much more.


The National Cherry Blossom Festival is definitely a bucket-list tick. Brave the crowds, grab your camera and soak in some of the best that Spring has to offer.

Have you been to the Cherry Blossom Festival? What are some of your must-see festivals? 

28 comments:

  1. I love visiting Washington, D. C. with or without the Cherry Blossoms, but they are beautiful unlike anything I've ever seen.

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    1. Hi Debra,
      I love Washington too. Our school district does an annual trip there with middle school students. It's so much fun. It's a city that never gets old. Thanks so much for stopping by. :-)

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  2. What a beautiful event! I love Cherry Blossoms but have never been.

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    1. Kerry, it's a real treat. Get a great Priceline deal on a hotel outside the city, take the metro and take in the sites...and smells. The blossoms smell amazing! A must-add to the travel bucket list.

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  3. Those trees are soooo gorgeous! I've never been to the festival, but I did just mention to my husband the other day that we should drive down to DC to see the cherry blossoms :) I know its tricky to time it right, just like with the tulips in bloom in the Netherlands, but it would be such a treat!

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    1. Hi Christy,
      Thanks for your visit! The blossoms are truly spectacular. They are gorgeous and smell wonderful. It is tricky timing, but well worth it. And you're right...the tulips are on our travel bucket list too. :-)

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  4. Going to the festival is on my bucketlist! The Cherry Blossoms look so beautiful.

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    1. Hi Mel,
      This is definitely a travel bucket list item. Like the tulips in Holland, it's a bit tricky to time, but well worth it. I hope you are able to see them one day soon. Cheers! And thanks so much for stopping by! Please come back again soon.

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  5. The Cherry Blossom festival is probably the most scenic trip I've taken so close to home. Every year I plan to go again, but it hasn't panned out. Maybe this year? lol

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    1. Hi Farina! I agree...the festival is a must-see. We've only been once, but would love to go back. Maybe next year? Fingers crossed for both of us. Thanks so much for stopping by! Please come back again soon. :-)

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  6. Amazing! I'd love to go to that! We have a small area here in Western NY that blooms beautifully.
    Found you via NEBloggers... following via blovin! Hope you can follow too!
    Thanks,
    Carolyn
    http://www.ccmcafeeperspective.com/

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    1. Hi Carolyn,
      Thanks for the follow. :-) If you can visit, you're in for a treat. NY is beautiful, but there's something magical about the blossoms amid the DC landscape. I hope you will have the opportunity to see it someday soon. Cheers!

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  7. The cherry blossoms are spectacular. Though I travel to DC, many times twice a weekend, for the past four years it has been for my daughters American University Field Hockey Games, and our huge tailgates following, so I seem to miss the other goings on in the area. With seasons end, and graduation on the horizon, you've inspired a great idea for the next visit!!!

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    1. Hi Peggy! How lucky you are to be able to visit Washington so often. We're about 9 hours away, so it's more of a challenge, but well worth it when we're there. Congratulations to you and your family on the impending graduations! It's a wonderful accomplishment for your children, and for you too, their greatest supporter. What a happy time for you all. Enjoy it...it sounds like you have much to celebrate.

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  8. I have ALWAYS wanted to see the cherry blossoms in D.C.! Your pictures make me want to go even more :)

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    1. Hi Amy! Thanks so much for your visit. The cherry blossoms are definitely a must-see. Find a great Priceline deal on a hotel outside the city, take the metro, and soak up all there is to see and smell (the aroma is wonderful). You'll love it. Thanks again for visiting A Lovely Life, Indeed. I hope you come back soon.

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  9. These look so beautiful! I My hubby and I are planning a round country trip. This may have to make the list of must see! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi Krystal! How lucky you are to do the cross-country trip. We hope to do this as well. The Cherry Blossom Festival will not disappoint you. Enjoy and please leave a link to your blog so I can follow your journey. Cheers!

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  10. I have been dreaming of going to see the cherry blossom season in Japan, but didn't realize they had something like this in the U.S.! This would be a lot more affordable. Thanks for linking up with Hump Day Happenings, you have been pinned! I hope you will join us again next week.

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    1. Hi Jenny,
      It is a must-see. And, given that most attractions in DC are free, it's a wonderful opportunity to see our nation's capital so beautifully decorated. Thank you for the opportunity to share it though the hop, and thank so much for the pin. :-) I hope to share more soon.
      Cheers!

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  11. OMG, so beautiful!!! I'm jealous you got to go : )

    Thanks again for sharing on Hump Day Happenings!

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    1. Hi Megan,
      Thank you so much for the opportunity to share. The Festival is beautiful. I hope you're able to see it someday soon. Thanks again!

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  12. I haven't been down to see the cherry blossoms in years. Forgot how lovely they are! Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!

    Alison
    Nancherrow

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    1. Hi Alison,
      It is so pretty. I never tire of seeing the photos and look forward to going and seeing them in person again someday soon. Thank you for the opportunity to share. :-)

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    1. Hi Tina,
      It really is beautiful. I hope you're able to see it sometime. Thank you for stopping by. :-)

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  14. Aww, the cherry blossoms! I cannot get over them. They are so beautiful! Thank you for linking up for Travel Tuesday last week and looking forward to seeing your post this week! 

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    1. Hi Bonnie Rose,
      Thanks so much for stopping by! They are so, so beautiful. Thank you for the opportunity to link up. I love networking with other travel bloggers! They inspire me. Thanks again!

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