Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

JonesBoyFan2018 t1_jdjwsad wrote

I’ve been here for 33 years and I’ve never gone down to see those trees. I don’t get the obsession.

20

new_account_5009 t1_jdjya2d wrote

I go down every year that I can. They're absolutely beautiful, and to me, it's a ritual marking the start of spring much like Memorial Day marks the start of summer and Labor Day marks the start of fall. The experience is great on bike once you get past the cars. I did a bunch of laps around Hains Point last night. I chuckled passing the same cars with every lap I did around the park though (that had moved maybe 30 feet for every 3 mile lap I completed on bike).

80

endlessly_apollo t1_jdjyop2 wrote

I also ignore this every year but saw them this year… it’s pretty cool in person not gonna lie

20

NorseTikiBar t1_jdk0rzz wrote

Yeah, there's just something about annual rituals that I appreciate more as I've grown older. I get why people don't want to go there during all of this, period, but I see it as an opportunity for a beautiful 9 mile run where I'm giving myself permission to stop, enjoy, and take pictures instead of focusing on pushing through and trying to hit a PR.

14

listenyall t1_jdm8wk9 wrote

Yeah--i will definitely go to other locations than the tidal basin buti love the cherry blossoms overall. they're so beautiful I love making a point of celebrating spring.

2

dcduck t1_jdkct7e wrote

Oh man, you missed it in 2020. The entire tidal basin was deserted during the peak. You had the entire place to yourself, it was magical.

29

buckenmuck t1_jdkt7zo wrote

Wasn't NPS kicking people out of the parks during cherry blossoms in 2020?

2

dcduck t1_jdku82x wrote

Nah, they just closed the streets and prevented parking.

12

asdfasdfasdfas11111 t1_jdmkv42 wrote

Nope you just had to walk over from one of the many nearby Metro stops. It was great

3

rightupyourali t1_jdk5wf2 wrote

You are missing a beautiful, special experience TBH. Give it a try some time when there aren’t a ton of people there, it’s great.

28

Tulrin t1_jdklkmn wrote

Try the National Arboretum instead. Proper hanami is feasting with friends under the cherry blossoms. Though unlike Japan public drinking is banned here, so it's not quite the same.

13

jednorog t1_jdk0l7v wrote

They're pretty nice. I like biking down that way before work when they're blooming. The trick is to go by bike, and to focus on East Potomac Park (Hains Point) where fewer people are.

9

hispanicausinpanic t1_jdkmrwt wrote

I just get my cherry blossom fix by driving thru my neighborhood. No lines either.

5

Taco_Fries t1_jdl24b6 wrote

I walked there after work on Thursday, worth it once if it’s convenient

4

Treliske t1_jdk9e95 wrote

I see them from a distance. That's enought for me. Yes, they are beautiful, but I don't need to fight the traffic to get close.

1

Chef_G0ldblum t1_jdmcg8z wrote

Yeah if only there was another way to see these besides driving to the tidal basin...

5

sagarnola89 t1_jdtnxzq wrote

Or you could take the Metro. Get some exercise and help the environment.

1

newreddituser666 t1_jdmbky2 wrote

I live in DC and it’s easier for me to just drive to Annapolis to see the Cherry Blossoms with way smaller crowds and way more parking spaces.

1