


Northbound I-395 ramp to Potomac Park (Exit 2).West Basin Drive SW from Ohio Drive SW to Independence Avenue SW.East Basin Drive SW east of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial to Ohio Drive SW.Ohio Drive SW, from Buckeye Drive SW (Washington Channel side) to Independence Avenue SW.Updates will be posted on nps.gov/cherry and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at Closed roads and areas will include: The start and end dates of any restrictions are dependent on the bloom cycle of the trees, but are currently projected to fall between approximately March 26 and April 12. This is a great way to take pictures through the cherry blossoms, and may also show you some good spots for taking family photos.Washington – In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and DC Health and in consultation with the National Park Service Office of Public Health, the National Park Service will limit all vehicular and pedestrian access to the Tidal Basin, East Potomac Park and West Potomac Park during the peak bloom period of the cherry blossoms as a public health precaution to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Step back once in a while to get a different perspective. In some places on the Tidal Basin there is a path right on the water and a path further behind it. We did it one year with a double umbrella stroller which was not ideal but we made it work. The path is mostly paved and flat, but if you need to cross some grass sections to get back to the area behind the main path, you’ll have to go over uneven terrain, tree roots, and up/down inclines. Also, keep a tight hand on little kids in these areas. So you will want to be extra careful not to wheel too close to the edge. Many parts of the Tidal Basin do not have a railing between the path and the water. It becomes more challenging as the crowd levels rise. You can push a stroller around the entire perimeter of the Tidal Basin. Be aware of this when choosing your shoes. So you may need to navigate puddles and muddy patches. The water is connected to the Potomac River and the water level can rise up onto the path at times. The first thing you should know about the Tidal Basin is that it is often muddy. Read Next: Photography Tips and Shop my Gear If the temps are up and the sun is out, you can expect it to be wall to wall people out there! Sure, this may mean you have to bundle up a bit more but I think that’s better than battling the masses on a sunny day. 3) Go on a cloudy or cold dayĬheck the weather forecast and pick a day with the least desirable weather. If at all possible, plan your visit on a weekday and the crowds will be more tolerable as the locals are all working and in school. Pretty self-explanatory but more people go to see the cherry blossoms on the weekends. It will be easier for you to enjoy walking around and easier to take pictures without tons of people in them. So the earlier you can get to the Tidal Basin, the better. The average tourist or blossom viewer won’t show up until mid-morning. Even getting there this early, you will still see plenty of photographers with their tripods already set up. TIPS FOR VIEWING CHERRY BLOSSOMS AT THE TIDAL BASIN 1)Go earlyĪrriving at the Tidal Basin at sunrise, or as close to sunrise as possible is your best bet.
