See the Cherry Blossoms at The Wharf
National Cherry Blossom Festival at The Wharf
DC’s annual National Cherry Blossom Festival returns this spring, from March 20 to April 15. The Southwest Waterfront has always been a prime viewing area to see the beautiful blooms, and this year The Wharf is adding even more exciting events and activities to the world-famous festival lineup. Read on to find out how to experience the cherry blossoms at The Wharf.
Celebrate Spring at Petalpalooza
Saturday, April 7, 1pm-9:30pm
The National Cherry Blossom Festival's Petalpalooza Festival will have The Wharf awash in pink! Experience Wharf-wide, free cherry blossom–themed fun with live music, art, games, and water activities—all capped off with a fireworks finale at 8:30pm. Look for beer gardens on Transit Pier and District Pier. Get your skate on at the pop-up roller rink at Transit Pier. Toast some s’mores at our fire pit. And rock out to local bands at all three of our outdoor stages!
Peep the Petals from a Pink Kayak
April 1-15, 10am-6pm
Paddle your way to East Potomac Park for a new view of the cherry blossoms with Petal Paddle. Boating in DC welcomes beginner and experienced kayakers alike to The Wharf's Boathouse, where you’ll get outfitted with a single or double pink kayak and push off for three hours of peeping the petals around the nearby park. The main loop is ringed with multiple species of cherry blossom trees and offers an awesome option for seeing even more blooms beyond the Tidal Basin!
See the Blooms from a Boat
Set sail on Entertainment Cruises. The boats glide along the Potomac River and offer a serene way to experience the cotton candy–colored shore. During the Festival, both Spirit Cruises and the Odyssey are offering cherry blossom–themed dining cruises.
Explore the Cherry Blossoms at Hains Point
Hop on The Wharf Jitney and take a quick ride over to Hains Point, which is located at the southern tip of East Potomac Park. As your boat approaches, you’ll be treated to a view of the island’s gorgeous variety of cherry trees. Pedal around the 4.1-mile loop of the Hains Point Trail for an in-depth views of the blossoms.
Think Pink with a Cherry Blossom-themed Getaway
The Wharf’s hotels are a great home base to enjoy the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Check out these overnight packages and extend your festival fun!
InterContinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf
With the Suite Cherries package, stay at a luxury suite in the InterContinental and receive two complimentary cherry blossom-themed cocktails, flower crowns for two, an in-room dining credit for breakfast in bed (including a granola parfait with cherry compote or cherry pancakes), and access to Petalpalooza. Packages for two people start at $339. Available March 24-April 14.
Hyatt House
Hyatt House’s cherry blossom package features suite level accommodations for two, plus two complimentary Blushing Blossom cocktails at H-Bar, and a cherry blossom-themed sweet treat upon check-in. You’ll also receive two roundtrip water taxi passes—a great way to get a new view of the world-famous blossoms. Packages for two people start at $239. Available March 21-April 15.
Canopy by Hilton
Book a King River View room for two and toast to the cherry blossoms with The Canopy Blossom cocktail (serves two) delivered to your room, along with instructions on how to recreate the drink at home, and some delicious handmade truffles to go with it. Your stay also includes an artisanal breakfast buffet and access to Whiskey Charlie, Canopy’s rooftop bar featuring a bird’s eye view of the cherry blossoms. Packages for two people start at $259. Available March 25-April 18.
Sip and Sample Cherry-themed menu items at our restaurants
A number of our bars and restaurants are celebrating the blooms with their own version of cherry blossom-themed drinks and food. Don’t miss these cherry-focused treats!
Mi Vida
The new Mexican restaurant is adding cherries to its classic guacamole and roasted cherry chile de árbol salsa to its appetizer menu. Available March 20-April 15.
District Hardware & Bike + Velo Cafe
Snap a pic of one of the retailer’s bikes and tag them, plus a friend, on social media and you’ll be entered to win a free coffee every day during the National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 17-April 15). On March 31, look for an event in partnership with boutique craft brewery, The Bruery. District Hardware’s Velo Cafe will have two of their cherry-based beers available and lead a bike ride around Hains Point to first work up a thirst.
Pearl Street Warehouse
The music venue will serve up the Cherry Oh Baby cocktail, which includes cherry vodka, maraschino liqueur, tart cherry juice and lemon. Plus, their beer special will feature Festivale Cherry Saison from Old Ox Brewing company. Available through April 27.
Union Stage
Union Stage is adding several cocktails to its bar menu, including the Gin Blossom (Tanqueray 10 gin, cranberry juice, and ginger ale), Spring Fizz (Prosecco, Chambord, and St. Germain), Honeysuckle (Southern Comfort whiskey, Barenjager, lemon juice, simple syrup, and orange bitters), and Rites of Spring (Wheatley vodka, pomegranates grenadine, lemon juice, and soda). Available through April 7.
Milk Bar
The bakery has added a specialty cookie to its menu in honor of the festival. Try the Cherry Rose cookie, only available in DC, made with freeze-dried cherries, milk crumbs, rose water essence, and a dusting of dried cherries. Available through April 15.
Whiskey Charlie
Sip the Canopy Blossom on the rooftop bar, a sweet cocktail made with fresh strawberry syrup. Available through April 30.
Peak Bloom
This year’s Peek Bloom—meaning 70% of the cherry tree buds are open—is predicted for March 27-31. Experts at the National Park Service closely monitor the trees and will offer any updates as Peak Bloom approaches.
Getting Here
There are plenty of ways to arrive at The Wharf for some National Cherry Blossom Festival fun.
Southwest Shuttle
The free Southwest Shuttle makes a loop between The Wharf, L’Enfant Plaza Metro, L’Enfant Plaza, and the National Mall, where you can also see the trees in bloom.
Water Taxi
The Water Taxi offers cherry blossom views coupled with a relaxing ride from Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor, Maryland. Get a ticket and see the cherry blossoms from a new angle.
Wharf Jitney
Hop on the free Wharf Jitney at Recreation Pier and take a ride to Hains Point, where there are a variety of cherry blossom trees ringing the island.
Metro
The Wharf is within walking distance of two Metro stops.
The Waterfront Metro (green line) is a five-minute walk from The Wharf. Head southwest on Maine Ave. SW, which will turn into M St. SW. Turn left onto Fourth St. SW and the Metro station will be on your right.
The L’Enfant Plaza Metro (blue, orange, silver, green, and yellow lines) is an eight-minute walk from The Wharf. Head north on Seventh St. SW, turn right onto D St. SW, and the Metro will be on your right. You can also catch the Southwest Shuttle for door-to-door service from L’Enfant Metro to The Wharf.
Parking
There is a parking garage located onsite at The Wharf. Download our app to get real-time parking availability information. There is also an additional parking garage at L’Enfant Plaza. However, during season blossom season when traffic will be especially heavy, visitors are encouraged to make use of public transportation and transportation options via our waterways.
For more information on transportation to The Wharf, visit our Getting Here page.
Visit the National Cherry Blossom Festival official website for more information on all events.