While the Tidal Basin is just that -- a man-made inlet intended to drain the Washington Channel twice daily after high tide -- it is so much more than a flood control mechanism to the District's residents and visitors. With majestic views of the Potomac River, the Jefferson Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Tidal Basin, which is part of West Potomac Park, is also home to 1,678 cherry trees whose spring blossoms blanket the basin in early spring.
The Cherry Blossom Festival (usually held from March 28 - April 12) is celebrated here.
Most of the cherry trees of the Tidal Basin are Yoshino Cherry. Other species include Kwanzan Cherry, Akebono Cherry, Takesimensis Cherry, Usuzumi Cherry, Weeping Japanese Cherry, Sargent Cherry, Autumn Flowering Cherry, Fugenzo Cherry, Afterglow Cherry, Shirofugen Cherry and Okame Cherry.
Attraction Information
- Hours:
- 24 hours
- Admission:
- Free
- Metro Stop:
- Blueline to the Arlington Cemetery Station
- Contact:
- Location: Tidal Basin and Ohio Drive NW Washington DC
- Phone: 202-484-0206
