Exploring Washington, D.C. During Cherry Blossom Season

Cherry Blossom Dreams in D.C. — Even Without the Full Bloom

Every spring, Washington, D.C. transforms into a floral dream as the cherry blossoms begin to bloom. This year, my sister, niece and I took a girls trip to D.C. with hopes of catching peak bloom—and while the blossoms weren’t quite in full swing yet, our experience was still nothing short of wonderful.

 

Flying Into Adventure

We flew Southwest Airlines into Ronald Reagan Airport, and our journey began in the skies, surrounded by clouds and anticipation.

 

We kicked off the trip with Southwest’s complimentary snacks—simple joys that always feel like part of the adventure. A unique item offered by Southwest is hot chocolate which my niece loves!

Where We Stayed

We made Springfield, Virginia our home base, staying at the Homewood Suites by Hilton. The suites were spacious, clean, and ideal for families or groups. After a day of walking, it was nice to come back to a quiet, comfortable space.

Affordable Parking Tip

Spot Hero is a great resource to find safe parking garages especially in big cities. You can also look up garages close to the area you are visiting and reserve a spot in advance a discounted rate. It was $12 for us to park all day and then we Uber’d when necessary.

Exploring the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC)

The highlight of our visit was the powerful experience at the NMAAHC. Book your tickets online in advance. 

 From the moment we saw the stunning exterior to our first steps inside the atrium, the museum invited reflection, celebration, and connection.

You can check your bags in the sleek locker area and take a restroom break before you start exploring.

 The welcome desk greeted us in dozens of languages, a reminder that this story is part of a global conversation.

We explored the "Making a Way Out of No Way" exhibit, spotlighting Black excellence in education, faith, enterprise, and community.

The Millinery exhibit, with its gorgeous hats and vintage sewing machine, spoke directly to my ancestry as someone who loves fashion and heritage. Both of my grandmothers sewed and I’ve carried on the tradition of creating bespoke clothing!

The Visual Arts galleries offered a quiet reverence for creative expression, and my niece loved flipping through records highlighting the music that shaped generations.

we loved the interactive exhibit. You can tap on a picture and it will open up an article with more details about the history of the photo.

The gift shop is amazing with a variety of books, teas, keychain, drink ware, apparel and more. My niece is in love with her ‘Black Ballerinas’ book!

 

As we stepped out, we were greeted by the soft blush of cherry blossoms just beginning to bloom outside the museum.

 We had worked up quite the appetite and were resourced to see a line of food trucks outside. We indulged in cheeseburgers and French fries from the Yummy Yummy & Grill truck. Service was fast, courteous and affordable.

Other Must-Sees in D.C.

We also visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, where we were moved by the stories of prisoners of conscience, including Jehovah’s Witnesses like Louis Pfeifer.

No D.C. trip is complete without a walk to the monuments. The Lincoln Memorial, Reflecting Pool, and Washington Monument gave us that classic postcard-perfect view.

We found more cherry blossoms on our way to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. My niece said the statue made her forget she was tall.

We crossed the Kutz Bridge to the Jefferson Memorial, where we paused to soak in the calm view of the Potomac and watch ducks glide by. My niece loved watching the ducks!

Art, Inspiration, and Saying Goodbye

On our last day, we stopped at the National Gallery of Art, where we admired classical pieces, including the elegant Diana sculpture by Hiram Powers.

And just like that, it was time to head home, full of gratitude, laughter, and a little wanderlust left in our hearts.

Even though we missed the cherry blossoms in their full glory, we gained something more meaningful—time with family, powerful stories, and memories that will bloom forever. We are already planning our next visit and hope to: rent a paddle boat, take a dinner cruise, visit National History and Postal Museums (my grandfather was a postal worker).

🌸 If you're planning your own spring trip to D.C., don’t worry too much about timing it perfectly—the city has beauty and history to offer in every season. 🌸

Let’s chat!
Have you ever visited D.C. during cherry blossom season? Or do you have a favorite travel memory that didn’t go quite as planned but turned out beautifully anyway? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your story!