It is that time of year again, the cherry blossoms are about to bloom and the crowds are making their way to DC. This is a beautiful time of year to be in the city and a popular time. If you are planning a Spring trip be sure to pack your patience as there will be crowds, but there will also be lots to do!

 Cherry Blossom Festival 2013

This year’s Cherry Blossom Festival will run for four weeks from March 20th – April 14th with the peak blossom viewing days anticipated on March 26th – 30th. The best place to see the Cherry Blossoms is at the Tidal Basin. This is the area near the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Jefferson Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. My favorite viewing spot is at the MLK Memorial looking over the tidal basin with the Jefferson Memorial in the background. It’s just beautiful.

My advice is to call your member of congress and request an early morning tour at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The BEP offers a great tour of the production plant where the paper money is printed. Start out early that morning and walk around the tidal basin to see the cherry blossoms before you take your tour of the BEP. You’ll beat the crowds and enjoy it so much more. Can’t get a ticket to tour the BEP through your member of congress? The BEP begins handing out daily tickets each morning at 8:00am.

So what else is going on during the four week Cherry Blossom Festival?

The National Kite Festival will be held on Saturday, March 30th on the National Mall at the base of the National Monument. Didn’t remember to pack a kite? No problem. The Smithsonian Museum gift shops all sell kites so pick one up as you are touring the museum.

The Corcoran Gallery of Art is offering a kite making class on Saturday, April 23rd in preparation for the National Kite Festival and there will also be stations on the National Mall where you can make a kite during the festival.

The Tidal Basin will offer Paddle Boat rides daily from 10am – 5pm. You can make a reservation in advance by calling 202-479-2426 and the rate is $12-$19 an hour.

The Cherry Blossom Parade will be held on April 13th at 10am. You can find a spot to watch along Constitution Avenue or call ahead for $20 grandstand seating. 1-800-745-3000

Click here to visit the official Cherry Blossom website and find a complete list of activities. You can also download a free app that gives you even more information about daily activities and offers coupons at area stores and restaurants. Another resource is the Washington Post Going Out Guide which has a list of Cherry Blossom activities in the area. The Going Out Guide is a great resource for current events in the city at any time of year.

And remember, as always, the best way to make your trip less stressful is to leave the car at home and take the metro. The metro is safe and easy and will take you to all of the major tourist sites. Click here for more information on taking the metro.

Have a great time exploring the gorgeous city and don’t forget your camera!