Do not miss the world famous Cherry Blossom Festival that is hosted every year in Washington, DC. The Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 28 to April 12. Just walk down 17th Street up to the Tidal Basin, a nice lunch break walk from the World Bank buildings, although we must concede that a bike proves the easiest and quickest way to navigate the sometimes heavy tour bus traffic at that time of the year in the Westernmost part of the Mall. This festival is a commemoration of the coming of spring. Approximately 3,750 cherry trees are on the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC.

Most of the trees are Yoshino Cherry. The cherry trees were given to the U.S. by the Tokyo mayor Yukio Ozaki in 1912 as a mark of friendship. You will find feverous estimations of the “peek time” of the tender blossoms in Washington newspapers, which will be sometime between March 28 and April 12, the start and end of this two week festival. The grand Parade is scheduled for April 4, and it will be followed immediately by the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival. The festival will highlight crafts, arts, Japanese performances and food. To know more about the Cherry Blossom Festival visit the official website.