Matt Chenet for Visit Alexandria
Christ Church in Alexandria
The relatively warm winter and early spring mean the cherry blossoms along the Washington, D.C. Tidal Basil will bloom soon.
The National Park Service predicts the cherry blossoms will reach peak bloom sometime between March 27 - 30 this year.
Cherry blossom fans can zip to the blooms in Washington, D.C. on high-speed water taxis, electric bike tours and Metrorail trains while making Old Town Alexandria their home base for even more cherry blossom tours and experiences in a walkable, historic setting with hotel rates that are 30 percent more affordable than D.C.
Named a Top 3 Best Small City in the U.S. alongside Charleston and Santa Fe by the Condé Nast Traveler 2019 Readers’ Choice Awards, Alexandria is the perfect launchpad for taking in the 3,750 cherry blossom trees that line the Tidal Basin, National Mall and Potomac River, and the activities of the National Cherry Blossom Festival happening March 20 to April 12, 2020.
In addition to boat and bike tours to the blossoms in D.C., visitors can take part in Alexandria’s cherry blossom-themed food crawl and pop-up cherry blossom history tour along Old Town’s picturesque streets lined with cherry blossoms and flowering trees. Festive events include the Cherry Blossom Jubilee at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, the Blossom Ball at Gadsby's Tavern Museum and more. Insta-worthy desserts and drinks sweeten the season at several eateries, including a new blossom-bedecked café, Yagút St. Blossom-themed hotel packages offer strollable access to even more cherry blossom-inspired happenings and offerings.
Learn more about a cherry blossom getaway in Alexandria at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/CherryBlossoms and find a list of cherry blossom tours, special events, food and drink offerings, and hotel packages below:
Water Taxis & Boat Cruises
- Water Taxi to The Wharf in Washington, D.C.: Cherry Blossom Festival Service: Monday through Sunday, beginning March 1.Departures beginning at 6:40 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends; check website for details. Admission starts at $13 one-way; $21 round-trip for adults.Departs from the Alexandria Marina, 1 Cameron St. For more information call 888-809-7109 or visit potomacriverboatco.com.
Cruise from Old Town Alexandria to Washington, D.C. to stroll among the famous cherry blossoms and take part in events of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, including the Blossom Kite Festival. Potomac Riverboat Company by Hornblower offers a 25-minute direct water taxi from Old Town to The Wharf development in D.C. From the dock at The Wharf, it is a 10-minute walk to the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin. The water taxi docks at the Transit Pier, 950 Wharf St. SW, near the Tidal Basin, the National Mall, Hains Point and a Capital Bikeshare station.
- Washington Monuments Cruise to the Cherry Blossoms: Saturdays and Sundays, beginning March 21.Departing at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Admission starts at $18 one-way; $32 round-trip for adults. Departs from the Alexandria Marina, 1 Cameron St. For more information, call 888-809-7109 or visit potomacriverboatco.com.
Traverse the Potomac River from Old Town Alexandria and cruise past the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. on the Washington Monuments Cruise from Potomac Riverboat Company by Hornblower. View and listen to the history of the iconic monuments, memorials and bridges as the D.C. region awakens to spring. See beautiful cherry blossom trees as you glide past Hains Point and head onward to Georgetown. The cruise is 45 minutes one-way and approximately 90 minutes round-trip and is offered Saturdays and Sundays beginning March 21, 2020, and throughout peak cherry blossom season. Riders also have the option to explore Georgetown and return on a later boat.
Bike, Walking & Food Tours
- Cherry Blossom Rides with Pedego Electric Bikes Alexandria: March 20 to April 12 (or as long as the cherry blossoms are in bloom). Departures at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Admission: $69 per bike ($10 for passenger riders) Pedego Alexandria, 210 North Lee St., Alexandria.
Pedego Electric Bikes will offer two to three-hour guided tours from Old Town to the cherry blossoms, including riding through East Potomac Park. Pedego bikes offer an up-close-and-personal view of the blossoms, without the exertion of regular bikes or the stress of traffic and parking. All tours are subject to weather, safe riding conditions and bike availability. Individual riders must be at least 16 years old. Child seats, passenger bikes and a tandem are available to accommodate younger participants. Helmets and bike locks are included. Credit card and ID are required for rentals. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to the departure time. Contact Pedego Alexandria to reserve a private group tour.
- Alexandria Tastes of Spring Cherry Blossom Food Crawl: April 5, beginning at 11 a.m. Admission: $65 for four tastings; $80 for six tasting tickets; $96 for eight tasting tickets. Starting location provided at time of ticket purchase. Call 888-697-2693 or visit carpedcfoodtours.com.
Enjoy all the spring flavors Alexandria has to offer on the Tastes of Spring Cherry Blossom Food Crawl. Eat your way through Old Town on a self-guided food tour sampling diverse cuisine at some of Alexandria’s most popular restaurants. Buy your tasting tickets online, each valid for one carefully selected tasting at our participating restaurants. Guests can buy four, six or eight tasting tickets, and vegetarian options are available. At check-in, grab your tickets along with a wristband and passport and head out on a culinary crawl of Old Town. At each participating location, show your wristband and give them a ticket to enjoy some delicious tastings. Passport includes map and descriptions for all participating restaurants.
- Cherry Blossom Pop-Up History Tour with Discover Alexandria: To be announced one week in advance; two pop-up tours to occur during peak bloom week. Admission: $15 per adult; $8 per child; $12 for military, veterans and students. Tour departs from the Alexandria Visitor Center, 221 King St., Alexandria. Visit discoveralexva.com
Discover Alexandria’s Cherry Blossom Pop-Up History Tour will occur twice during the week of peak bloom. The 75-minute tour offers the best of both worlds, combining local history with great cherry blossom sightseeing. The tour dates and times will be announced approximately one week in advance via Discover Alexandria’s website and social media platforms. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing discoveralexandria@gmail.com.
Special Events
- Cherry Blossom Jubilee at the Torpedo Factory Art Center: March 28 from 12 to 5 p.m. Admission: Free; RSVP requested Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. Call 703-746-4590 or visit torpedofactory.org.
Every year, the region shakes off winter with the arrival of the world-famous pink and white cherry blossoms. The Torpedo Factory Art Center hosts an Alexandria satellite celebration for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Join the fun with a lively afternoon of hands-on activities, performances and inspired works of art to shop and explore from all three floors.
- Cherry Blossom Shop & Sip with the Old Town Boutique District: April 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission: $25. Boutiques throughout Old Town Alexandria; visit oldtownboutiquedistrict.com for more information.
Join the Old Town Boutique District and its restaurant partners for a full day of cherry blossom frenzy. Kick off the morning with brunch and pink cocktails, then spend the day shopping the spring collections at all Old Town Boutique District shops while collecting blossom flare and fabulous swag along the way. For tickets, visit oldtownboutiquedistrict.com.
- Blossom Ball at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum: May 2, from 8 to 11 p.m. Admission: $45 per person at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Visit alexandriava.gov/shop for more information.
Celebrate spring’s arrival with a Regency-era ball with live music, English country dancing, cash bar and seasonal dessert collation. Regency attire or cocktail attire welcome. Those not familiar with this style of dancing should complete at least one full class to become accustomed to the figures and language for the ball. Purchase tickets at alexandriava.gov/shop.
