It's hard to believe the Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC have already bloomed and are not gone.  Each year, I look forward to the arrival of spring and the blooming of these beautiful flowers.  This year's Cherry Blossoms were a marvelous sight and a wonderful opportunity for amazing family portraits.  Despite the chilly breeze, the pink and white blooms were breath taking.   Yes, spring has sprung. 
 
As a parent, we don’t know how our kids will interact with strangers especially when it comes to taking pictures.  However, these little kiddos where excited and ready to have their portrait taken with the symbol of spring for Washington DC; I even had a creative director.  

Spring has sprung in Washington D.C. and do you know what that means?  There are many families wanting to have their family photographed with the beautiful Japanese Cherry Blossoms in downtown Washington DC.  Once you get pass the traffic, crowds of people, and find a parking space, the blossoms serves a wonderful backdrop for your family's spring photo.
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We met at Ft McNair, in Washington DC, where the National War College University is located right off the Potomac River.  It was a beautiful sight with the blossoms on the trees, however the temperatures had us singing the burrr song.  With the smiles on these bright faces; you wouldn't know the temperature were in the 40°s. 

Updated: March 10, 2023

After many years of COVID, it's nice to have a beautiful season upcoming with the wonderful Cherry Blossoms in Washington D.C.  the area.  Yes, congestion of cars and people will be the norm in just a couple of weeks.  If you decide to travel down to the Tidal Basin to see these beautiful blossoms, pack your patience.  However, if you would like to visit and see the Cherry Blossoms, avoid the Tidal Basin because of the crowds of people.  Here are a few alternative locations to visit in and around the Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia area.
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Updated: March 10, 2023

With an unusually warm winner, we are possibly getting an earlier than normal bloom of the cherry blossoms in Washington D.C..  The National Park Service and The Cherry Blossom Festival released the peak bloom date for the blossoms in Washington D.C.  March 22 - March 25, 2023 are the projected peak bloom dates for this year.  I can see spring in our near future, can you?  During this week’s Friday Fives, I want to share with you the top five tips and most important things to do and visit during the festivals. 
 
1.  Plan
Plan as much of your visit as possible.   Although the blossoms are projected to peak March 22 - March 25, 2023, the weather makes it difficult to plan the exact date until 10 days out.  The National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 18 – April 16) is schedule from mid-March through mid-April every year with a full calendar of activities.  If you’re wanting to see the Cherry Blossoms with less crowds, I highly recommend visiting during the weekday.  The weekends are filled with locals as well as out of towners who have traveled to the area for a day trip.  The Tidal Basin has a lot more wiggle room during the weekday because many people are at work and children are at school. 

​If you decide to visit the Tidal Basin during the weekend, it’s better to plan visit early in the morning or later in the day.  No matter what day of the week you visit the earlier in the morning the better.  Wandering around the Tidal Basin at 7am can be delightful, even on the weekends.  However, as the day progresses, the crowds significantly increase; especially after 9 a.m.  If you’re wanting to take pictures of the monuments with the blossoms the light for pictures shortly after sunrise is stunning.

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Spring in Washington D.C. and the surrounding area provides the most beautiful backdrop for family pictures – why because of the amazing Cherry Blossoms.  We are blessed to live in an area where there is such a wonderful array of colors.  When the National Park Service (NPS) announces the full bloom dates, there are many visitors that pounce on the area.  Fall in Northern Virginia is another great opportunity for family pictures, however, I love spring because of the colors, but also the pleasing smell.