Tag Archives: April 2024

March 16, 2026 · 9:00 am

Tips for Families Viewing the Cherry Blossoms

[Note: This was originally written in 2011 (hence, the now verrry outdated Lost reference) and has been updated every year since. But because the tips always apply, I’m re-posting yet again, just with a few minor revisions applicable to this year’s bloom.]

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

Taking the family to the National Mall to see some pretty flowers sounds easy enough. If only it actually was. The cherry blossom peak, predicted by the National Park Service to occur March 29 – April 1 this year, is one of the best times to visit DC. The city is at its most beautiful, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival provides loads of fun activities to help enjoy it all. But viewing the famous blooms can also be a bit challenging without being aware of a few things. Here are seven recommendations to consider if seeing the cherry blossoms is on your family’s spring agenda. Happy Viewing!

The peak brings the crowds

1. Don’t drive if you value your sanity. Take Metro, ride the city bus, bike, walk, jet pack. Get here however you can, just leave the car at home. Traffic is beyond frustrating during the cherry blossom peak, and your chances of finding decent parking are about as good as hitting the Powerball with Hurley’s numbers (okay, slight exaggeration, but it is hard). The masses descend on Washington, DC, this time of year, and way too many do so in their vehicles. Besides, kids love riding the Metro — it’s like an urban version of Hogwarts Express. The Smithsonian stop on the Blue/Orange Line is mere minutes from all of the blossom action, but it’s also likely to be crowded. Consider riding to L’Enfant on Yellow/Green, Federal Center on Blue/Orange, or even a stop downtown or in Penn Quarter and taking a nice stroll to the Tidal Basin for the blossom scene. Another good option is Metrobus with lines and stops all over the city, including many at the National Mall close to the Washington Monument.

*If you absolutely must drive and need parking you miiight find a spot at Hains Point, where there is free and metered parking, then walk to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial at the Tidal Basin. There is also garage parking at L’Enfant Plaza, which is a short stroll to the blossoms as well. Your best bet, though, may be to find a garage in the downtown or Penn Quarter area, then walk or Metro to the National Mall. You can ensure yourself a spot with Spot Hero, an online parking reservation service that lets you search for and reserve garage spaces in advance.

Beautiful light and barely any others on a weekday morning

2. Visit on a weekday if you have the flexibility. Crowds are significantly smaller from Monday to Friday, so you can stroll around the Tidal Basin at a nice pace, and public transportation won’t be nearly as packed (though it likely still will be more crowded than usual). But if the kids are in school or daycare during the week, think about going later in the day. The National Mall and monuments look beautiful at sunset, and the blossoms make it even more sublime. Even better if you can go super early, when the morning light on the Mall makes for quite a picturesque setting.

A babe enjoying the blossoms

3. Consider using a child carrier instead of a stroller for little ones. This is especially applicable if you take Metro, since elevator lines can be very long and slow-going. I learned my lesson back in my kids’ baby days on a weekday and ended up taking my daughter out of the stroller and carrying both on the escalator, which was probably as unsafe as it was difficult. Even if you don’t take Metro, a carrier is still a wise option. Navigating crowded walkways while pushing a pram takes focus, and you could end up spending more time concentrating on not rolling over others’ heels than enjoying the sights you came to see. It’s a bonus for wee ones, too — perched on your back, your babe will get a better view of the blossoms.

Kites and blossoms (and crowds) during the annual Kite Festival

4. Check the National Cherry Blossom Festival schedule, so you can plan your visit accordingly. Some of the city’s most anticipated events are part of the annual celebration that runs March 20 – April 12. The Blossom Kite Festival, National Cherry Blossom Parade, and Sakura Matsuri are among them, and there are some non-official festival happenings as well — see the best ones for families to help you plan for the season. Most events take place nearby the blossoms or an easy Metro ride away. Peak bloom is expected to occur right after the festival starts, so you can enjoy some of the blossom-inspired activities and the efflorescent trees at the same time.

See the blossoms from the water

5. Get a new view of the blossoms and enjoy a fun activity. Several companies offer boat rides along the river, many of them specifically for the season when the cherry trees are in bloom. Potomac Water Taxi, City Cruises, and Boomerang Boat Tours are some to check out. You can also opt for a paddling excursion and navigate the waters yourself, including pedal boating right on the Tidal Basin. Or go on a bike tour to easily cover more ground and experience the blossoms from two wheels.

Cherry blossoms at the National Arboreum

6. Seek out other spots to see the cherry blossoms if you don’t want to deal with crowds and chaos around the Tidal Basin and National Mall. Several places around the DC-Metro area are well known for their annual cherry blossom displays. When I worked in Bethesda many years ago, it was an annual tradition for my colleagues and me to take a drive through Kenwood, a lovely neighborhood between Little Falls Parkway and River Road with cherry tree-lined streets. The National Arboretum also has a nice collection of the trees and a beautiful environment in which to view them in bloom. Dumbarton Oaks Gardens is one of the prettiest places in DC and its annual cherry blossoms only add to it. Stanton Park on Capitol Hill glows with the pink and white trees this time of year. Congressional Cemetery has some nice, cherry tree-lined paths (that have already been blooming) and a few around the large locale. President Lincoln’s Cottage in Petworth has cherry trees on the grounds. And Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD, has a nice collection of the trees, too.

Flying amid the flowers

7. Have your camera ready to take advantage of some of the best photo ops DC offers. The peak colors plus the memorials are about as iconic as you can get when photographing Washington, DC. Get your kids to sit still — or even let them run and play for a fun candid — and you’ve got this year’s holiday card.

Can’t beat the blossom backdrop for photos

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Filed under 2024, DC, Maryland, Spring, Virginia

Tagged as April 2024, Best Cherry Blossom Tips, Cherry Blossom Parking, DC Events, DC Family Activities, DC Kids Activities, Family Fun DC, Fun Things to do with Kids in the Washington DC Area, Fun Things to do with Kids in Washington DC, March 2024, National Cherry Blossom Festival, Places to View Cherry Blossoms, Spring 2024, Springtime in DC, Top Tips for Viewing Cherry Blossoms in DC, Where to Park to See Cherry Blossoms, Where to See the Cherry Blossoms in DC

April 25, 2024 · 9:54 pm

The Weekend Round-Up:
April 26-28

Celebrate the Dentzel Carousel at Glen Echo Park

Happy Weekend!

Link up to ideas galore for local fun:
* Best Outdoors in the DC Area
* The Great Indoors
* Local Hikes with Kids
* Off-the-Beaten-Path Museums
* Baltimore with Kids
* Bike Rides
* Paddling Options
* Stunning Spaces
* Peaceful Places

Bon Jour, Georgetown!
Where: Book Hill Neighborhood | Georgetown, DC
When: Friday & Saturday, 10am – 5pm | Sunday, 12-5pm
Admission: Free
The Georgetown French Market returns to the Book Hill area of the neighborhood, bringing the signature European open air market back for its 21st year. More than 40 Georgetown boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, galleries, and more will be featured. But it’s not all about the shopping! There will also be strolling mimes, hands-on activities, live music, plus French cuisine from Georgetown cafes and restaurants. Visit the website to see the schedule of events and list of participating shops.

Family ‘Hoppy’ Hour with King Bullfrog
Where: Hill Center | Capitol Hill, DC
When: Friday, 5-7pm
Admission:
Kick off the weekend with a family-friendly evening filled with live music for all ages! This concert will be outdoors (weather permitting), perfect for little ones to run, dance, laugh, and play to the beat of their favorite songs. Beer, wine, and cheese & pepperoni pizza will be available for purchase.

Earth Day Movie Night: Elemental
Where: The Yards | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Friday, 8-10pm
Admission: Free (or suggested $5 donation)
Elements are what makes the earth, earth! Join The Yards for a screening of Pixar’s Elemental on The Sundeck. See how much the elements have in common with an adventure through Element City to celebrate Earth Day. Make it a picnic under the stars — stop by one of the restaurants and pick up dinner to-go to enjoy on The Sundeck. Don’t forget your blankets and chairs! For dessert, enjoy a sweet treat with Ice Cream Jubilee’s onsite scoops and deluxe topping bar.

Caps vs. Rangers
Where: Capitol One Arena | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Friday, 7pm & Sunday, 8pm
Admission: Ticket prices vary (look for more options)
Caps are playing Game 3 of this Play Off round at home — and hopefully there will be a Game 4, too. Make a longer outing of it in Penn Quarter and get a bite to eat at one of the family-friendly restaurants in the area. And maybe pop in to the National Portrait Gallery/American Art Museum which are right across th estreet from Capitol One Arena and open until 7pm.

We’ve Got Spirit, Yes We Do
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Friday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $10
Cheer on our local women’s pro soccer team on Friday evening as the Washington Spirit host Orlando Pride. Enjoy some amazing soccer play while supporting our home team and women in sports. Plan for a pre-match meal nearby — see some recs for family-friendly spots to eat in that area.

Carousel Day
Where: Glen Echo Park | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free (carousel rides cost a fee)
This annual tradition is one of Glen Echo Park’s most popular festivals, celebrating the beautiful historic Dentzel Carousel spinning for 103 years! Along with rides on the beloved merry-go-round, guests of all ages can enjoy loads of fun activities: music and dance performances, arts & crafts, artist studios and galleries, and much more. See the day’s full details here.

Go, Terps!
Where: University of Maryland | College Park, MD
When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Admission: Free
The annual Maryland Day celebration in College Park gets a giant thumbs-up from me, and not just because it’s my alma mater. This is a fantastic event for families — and we know from experience. Every year, the University hosts a huge open house for, well, everybody. There will be hundreds of family-friendly activities for varying ages, including learning games; a sports and rec area; musical performances; arts & crafts; farm animal visits; fossil digs; insect and instrument petting zoos; and TONS more. It’s spread out all over campus — and it’s a huge campus, so be prepared for lots of walking (worth every step!) and be sure to bring a stroller for little ones.

Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo, MD
When: Friday, 7pm | Saturday & Sunday, 11am & 2pm
Admission: $25 (look for discount)
Journey into the Appalachian Mountains in this award-winning musical that deftly weaves four traditional tales and original music into a keepsake quilt of mountain lore and wisdom for the whole family. Jack who lands himself a job despite his foolishness. “Catskins” is a spunky Appalachian Cinderella. “The Enchanted Tree” is a beauty-and-the-beast love story between a lost girl and a frightening crow. And in a zany, sung-through “Sow and Her Three Pigs” plucky Nancy the pig outsmarts the hungry fox. This play with music incorporates singing, mountain dances, music, and puppets to create a highly theatrical storytelling style.

Saturday Morning Live!: Off the Page
Where: National Theatre | Downtown DC
When: Saturday, 9:30am & 11am
Admission: Free
The National Theatre’s free program presents shows for children on select Saturday mornings, from interactive performances, puppets, dance, and music – all designed to light up imaginations and celebrate a world of wonder. This month celebrates the magic of books… they can transport us to new worlds; illustrations and entire adventures can lift right off the page. When an imaginative young child dives into a book, the stories come to life around them. Through dance, music, puppetry, and vibrant imagery, this world premiere production will literally unfold before your eyes!

Garden Fair & Plant Sale
Where: National Arboretum | Northeast DC
When: Saturday, 9am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Join Friends of the National Arboretum for the annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale. Celebrate spring with a fantastic array of plants, expert gardening advice, dozens of local vendors, and free outdoor activities for all ages. Be sure to explore the vast grounds while you’re there, and don’t miss the gorgeous azalea bloom! Go here for scenes from a past bloom. And read more about the Arb — it’s one of my very favorite spots in DC — here, here, and here.

Do the Loop
Where: Around Northwest DC
When: Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Admission: Free
Enjoy a day of free indoor and outdoor arts programming in collaboration with several wonderful museums and other places in DC, including Dumbarton Oaks, the Katzen Museum, Jackson Art Center, Kreeger Museum and galleries on Georgetown’s Book Hill. Each organization has their own exciting activities including performances, art openings, food trucks, and more. Visit the website for the full schedule and details. No tickets or reservations needed.

Spring Festival
Where: South Mountain Creamery | Middletown, MD
When: Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
This annual festival is super fun and a great opportunity to experience the farm and creamery. There’s a petting zoo for the kids, hay rides for everyone, live music, corn hole, civil war reenactments, and fun farm demos, like ice cream churning and bee keeping. Shop the Farmer’s Market, plus additional food and snacks from vendors will be available for purchase.

Book It in DC
Where: Bookstores in the DC area
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day, and several local book shops are celebrating with special activities. East City Bookshop on Capitol Hill will have in-store flash sales, activities for all ages, giveaways, and more. Kramerbooks in Dupont Circle will be offering Blind Date with a Book — receive a surprise book for every $75 you spend at the bookstore — and hiding golden 20% off tickets in the store. And some other local indie stores to shop: Capitol Hill Books, Solid State Books, Politics and Prose, Loyalty Bookstores, and Busboys and Poets.

NoVa Bookstore Crawl
Where: Bookstores Around Northern Virginia
When: Saturday
Admission: Free
To celebrate Independent Bookstore Day beyond the District, join the NoVa Bookstore Crawl. Fifteen independent bookstores across Northern Virginia, Frederick, MD, and Wardensville, WV are partnering on a special Passport program. Book lovers can explore more of the region’s growing bookstore scene and enjoy special festivities at most of the shops.

Art Cart: Cherry Blossoms You Can Wear
Where: Hirshhorn Museum | National Mall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
In celebration of spring, join the Hirshhorn for a blossom-inspired Art Cart. Take a close look at artist Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Two Circles, and explore nature-inspired books and materials to make our own blossom-inspired artworks. Find the Art Cart on the Plaza, and pick up your blooming materials.

Mmmm…Chocolate
Where: La Maison Française | Foxhall, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 5:30pm
Admission: $24/ages 12+ (free for kids under 12)
The DC Chocolate Festival is a celebration of artisan and fine chocolate from the Mid-Atlantic and beyond! The event brings together over 30 chocolate vendors and thousands of chocolate lovers for a day of tasting, talking, and learning. The session looks like the better pick for families & kids, with hot chocolate making demo and tasting (though the whole event is family-friendly).

STAR Fest
Where: MLK Library | Penn Quarter, DC
When: Saturday, 10am – 1pm
Admission: Free
DC Public Library’s Books from Birth program, which gives all DC children a free book a month from birth to age 5, presents this free family festival at the wonderful MLK Memorial Library. The event features sing stations, imaginative play experiences, story times, interactive writing/scribbling activities, and much more. Read more about Books from Birth here and MLK Library here.

Alice in Wonderland
Where: The Puppet Co. | Glen Echo, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday, 11:30am & 1pm
Admission: $15
This brand new adaptation based on the beloved children’s novel by Lewis Carroll will take the audience on a delightful journey into wonderland using rod puppets. This one-of-a-kind performance blends music and humor to create a new version of a familiar story. Recommended for ages 4+.

Islander: A New Musical
Where: Olney Theatre | Olney, MD
When: Through April 28
Admission: $55-91 (look for discount)
Islander tells a modern myth featuring two actors who use live mixing and looping technology to create a sonic landscape as dramatic as the Scottish coastline. Eilidh is the only child on Kinnan Island, where most of the dwindling population has moved to the “Big Land.” The government has proposed to resettle the rest, and the town must vote soon on whether or not to accept the offer. But the day after a baby whale beaches itself, Eilidh discovers a young girl named Arran along the shore, who seems straight out of Scottish folklore. As the two form a friendship, Islander takes audiences on a magical journey to transcend loss, recover hope, and find community. Rated G for all families.

Brick Fest Live
Where: PG Sports & Learning Complex | Landover, MD
When: Saturday & Sunday
Admission: $20-40 (look for discount)
The nation’s largest LEGO Fan Festival brings together enthusiasts from across the country to showcase their amazing brick constructions, from tiny intricate works to elaborate, towering creations. Hundreds of exhibitors will be there to display their designs, along with vendors selling all things LEGO. Other activities will include live interactive stage shows, LEGO building, life-style models, games, and photo ops.

Sensory Day
Where: Old Firehouse | McLean, VA
When: Saturday, 1-4pm
Admission: Free
Challenge your Senses at the Old Firehouse! This unique and fun event, supporting Autism Awareness Month, will provide ALL who attend a sensory exploration through taste, smell, sound, sight and touch. This event is free and open to ALL.

Hill Family Biking: Anniversary Ride!
Where: Around Capitol Hill, DC
When: Saturday, 4-7pm
Admission: Free
Join a Hill Family Biking to celebrate its 1-year anniversary with a 4.5 mile ride along the new Potomac Ave and 19th St bike lanes and a block party in front of Maury Elementary. All are welcome at the block party whether or not you participate in the ride to enjoy music, face painting, food trucks, a kids’ bike course, chalk art, and special guest appearances. Think of the block party as a mini Open Streets with participation from organizations like WABA, Girls in Gear, DC Public Library, Throne Labs (yes, a working bathroom on site!), goDCgo, Capital Bikeshare and more! The ride start in the Maury Elementary Parking Lot on 12th Pl NE and ends at the block party on the 200 block of 13th St NE.

Good Morning, El Salvador | Buenos Días, El Salvador
Where: Takoma Park Maryland Library
When: Saturday, 11am
Admission: Free
Enjoy a trilingual play in Nawat, español, and English, featuring puppets and live music! And a celebration of Día: Children’s Day/Book Day! Yek Peyna Guxgatan is a heartwarming story about a Salvadoran-American grandchild visiting their grandmother in El Salvador for the first time, and discovering their Indigenous history and language through song.

Porchfest
Where: Around Petworth, DC
When: Saturday, 2-8pm
Admission: Free
Get the best seats in the house (or on the sidewalk) as the front porches around Petworth are transformed into intimate performance spaces to be enjoyed by anyone who happens to stroll by. Featuring dozens of bands, the event celebrate the arts and the community. Performances will beon porches 2-6pm and on a main stage 6-8pm. Access a schedule and map of porch locations here.

DC United vs Seattle Sounders FC
Where: Audi Field | Southwest DC
When: Saturday, 7:30pm
Admission: Tickets start at $27 (look for deal)
DC United is playing at home on Saturday evening, hosting Seattle. The club is partnering with Audi of America for Sustainability Night to support and encourage environmentally friendly practices and more sustainable lifestyles. Fans will also have the opportunity to learn more and connect with nonprofit organizations focused on sustainable efforts in our community. As always, I recommend taking public transportation to the Navy Yard neighborhood and walking to Audi Field from there. You can grab a bite to eat before — see some kid-friendly recommendations in the area.

Family Funday with The Great Zucchini
Where: Hook Hall | Petworth, DC
When: April 28, 10:30am
Admission: $5
Select Sundays at Hook Hall are all about FAMILY FUN! Bring the kiddos for entertainment in late April as The Great Zucchini, the DMV’s funniest and most magical entertainer, performs a magic show where every child is a star! Coffee and hot drinks available for purchase for the parents.

***MORE GOOD STUFF***
* There’s a new giveaway for a chance to win tickets to Adventure Theatre’s new show Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales!
* The National Children’s Chorus is holding auditions for Fall 2024.
* Washington Post picks 5 of the best new food halls in the DC area.
* Very excited about this store opening in DC soon! In the meantime, coveting this pretty blouse.
* Insight for booking a National Park trip this summer.
* Great sale this weekend. Just ordered this, and there are so many great things for kids, too: girls and boys.
* This patio chair looks so cozy.
* And more ideas for small outdoor spaces.
* Play room goals.

Giveaway! Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales at Adventure Theatre

Adventure Theatre is bringing some toe-tapping, all-ages appealing, fun and enchanting entertainment to its stage. Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales opens this weekend, presenting four charming stories in one award-winning musical. Even more, you have a chance to win a Family 4-Pack of tickets to see it!

Journey into the Appalachian Mountains in this award-winning musical that deftly weaves four traditional tales and original music into a keepsake quilt of mountain lore and wisdom for the whole family. Jack who lands himself a job despite his foolishness. “Catskins” is a spunky Appalachian Cinderella. “The Enchanted Tree” is a beauty-and-the-beast love story between a lost girl and a frightening crow. And in a zany, sung-through “Sow and Her Three Pigs” plucky Nancy the pig outsmarts the hungry fox. This play with music incorporates singing, mountain dances, music, and puppets to create a highly theatrical storytelling style. The score, which interweaves music throughout the tales, is inspired by “Old Time” Appalachian music featuring fiddle and banjo that drives the play’s action and makes music itself a character in the play.

Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales is running April 26 – May 26 with performances both during the week and on weekends. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online. Of course, you can also try to win them through the giveaway below.

Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales
Where: Adventure Theatre | Glen Echo Park, MD
When: April 26 – May 26
Tickets: $25

GIVEAWAY: For a chance to win the Family 4-Pack of Tickets to see Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales at Adventure Theatre, simply leave a comment telling me your favorite spring activity around DC. This giveaway will run through Thursday, May 2, 2024, then a winner will be drawn at random and notified shortly thereafter. Good luck!

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This post is sponsored by Adventure Theatre, however, I only promote programs, places, and events that I genuinely believe in and think will appeal to KFDC readers.