PHOTO by L. Barnes for Visit Alexandria
Cherry Blossoms
Nothing is more symbolic of springtime in the D.C. region than cherry blossoms. This year, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the fluffy pink and white wonders in Alexandria.
Take a stroll along Old Town Alexandria’s picturesque streets lined with cherry blossoms and flowering trees and enjoy food and drink specials available for in-person dining or takeout. See the D.C. cherry blossoms from a Potomac River perch with high-speed water taxi tours or take a bike ride to the Tidal Basin.
New this year, enjoy special cherry blossom-themed workshops at just-opened Shop Made in VA and sip seasonal coffee from brand-new Turkish Coffee Lady. Don’t forget to check out the highly anticipated return of The National Cherry Blossom Festival from March 20 to April 17. Find events that honor both American and Japanese cultures, such as the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s Cherry Blossom Jubilee.
Learn more about cherry blossom experiences in Alexandria at VisitAlexandriaVA.com/CherryBlossoms and find a list of cherry blossom tours, special events and food and drink offerings below.
Water Taxi: Water Taxi to the Wharf to See Cherry Blossoms: Wednesday through Monday, beginning March 18, 2022; departures beginning at 12 p.m.; check website for details. Admission: Starting at $23 one-way; $39 round-trip for adults. Departs from the Alexandria Marina, 1 Cameron St., Alexandria, VA 22314; 888-809-7109. cityexperiences.com/alexandria
Cruise from Old Town Alexandria to Washington, D.C., to enjoy the famous cherry blossoms from the water. City Cruises anchored 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 19, 2022. Departures beginning at 11:30 a.m.; check website for details. Admission: Starting at $26 one-way; $42 round-trip for adults. Departs from the Alexandria Marina, 1 Cameron St., Alexandria, VA 22314. 888-809-7109. cityexperiences.com/alexandria
Traverse the Potomac River from Old Town Alexandria and cruise past the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. on the Washington Monuments Cruise from City Cruises anchored 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 roundtrip. It is offered Saturdays and Sundays beginning March 19, 2022, and throughout peak cherry blossom season. Riders also have the option to explore Georgetown and return on a later boat.
Bike Tours
Explore the Cherry Blossoms with Unlimited Biking: March 20 to April 12, 2022, Admission: Rentals start at $15; tours start at $44; Unlimited Biking: Old Town Alexandria, 421 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314202-842-2453 unlimitedbiking.com
Pedal from Unlimited Biking: Old Town Alexandria along the Potomac River to the famous cherry blossoms of Washington DC with Unlimited Biking's bike rental package that provides you with all that you need for your journey—maps, helmets, bike bags and locks. Hybrid bikes, road bikes, eBikes, kids bikes and kids attachments are available. Alternatively, join the famous “Washington DC.: Blossoms by Guided Bike Tour,” which integrates celebrating the natural beauty of our nation's capital during the Cherry Blossom Festival, while visiting some of the best monuments and memorials around Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom tours are two hours long, run multiple times daily during season and begin from Unlimited Biking: Washington DC at 998 Maine Avenue SW.
Cherry Blossom Guided Tours with Pedego Electric Bikes Alexandria: March 19 to April 17, 2022 (or as long as the cherry blossoms are in bloom). Departures at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on weekends; by appointment on weekdaysAdmission: $69 per bike ($10 for passenger riders on cargo or tandem bikes). Pedego Alexandria, 210 North Lee St., Alexandria, VA 22314. 571-312-5168. pedegoalexandria.com
Join a three-hour guided tour from Old Town Alexandria to the Cherry Blossoms, including a ride through the blossoms around East Potomac Park. The views of the blossoms from a Pedego are fantastic, and you don’t have to fight traffic or find a place to park downtown. Tours will run as long as there are blooms on the cherry blossom trees. Group tour sizes will be limited. Must be at least 14 years old to ride alone. Weekend tours fill up quickly, so contact Pedego early to make your reservations. Call 571-312-5168 or email info@pedegoalexandria.com.
Special Events
Cherry Blossom Exhibition at the Torpedo Factory Art Center: April 2 to May 1, 2022; Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Admission: FreeTorpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314703-746-4590. torpedofactory.org
Art lovers are encouraged to stop by the Torpedo Factory Art Center throughout April to view floral art displayed on all three floors. Participating artists will display their most colorful spring and cherry-blossom-inspired works in their studios from Saturday, April 2, until Sunday, May 1. Torpedo Factory Art Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Masks are required for all visitors regardless of vaccination status.
Cherry Blossom Jubilee at the Torpedo Factory Art Center: April 10, 2022, from 12 to 3 p.m.Admission: FreeTorpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314703-746-4590. torpedofactory.org
Celebrate the cherry blossoms during the height of D.C.’s National Cherry Blossom Festival. After Saturday’s Cherry Blossom Parade in the District, stop by the heart of Alexandria the next day to enjoy cherry blossom-themed activities and other events. Kick off the celebrations at noon with a live performance by taiko drum group Nen Daiko on the waterfront side of the Art Center. Afterwards, view the Art Center-wide exhibition of cherry blossom-inspired works by resident artists and galleries while enjoying music and live art demonstrations from participating artists.
Retail Offers and Workshops
Picnic & Peonies’ Cherry Blossom Picnic Theme: March 20 to April 17, 2022Admission: Packages starting at $249Picnic locations available throughout Alexandria, VA. picnicandpeonies.com
Picnic & Peonies is Alexandria's premier luxury picnic company, allowing people to celebrate special moments in a beautiful and safe way. These experiences can be indoors or outdoors for a gorgeous pop-up tablescape. Throughout spring, select the cherry blossom picnic theme for a showstopping pink-hued set-up, available at no additional cost.
Vintage Mirage Cherry Blossom Sale: March 22 to April 16, 2022Vintage Mirage, 117 S. Columbus St., Alexandria, VA, 22314; 703-535-8200. vintagemirage.com
This cherry blossom season, pick up deals across Vintage Mirage’s selection of contemporary consignment, vintage garments and jewelry. Shop online at vintagemirage.com and receive 10% off all purchases over $25 when you use the code “vintage10” at checkout.
“Sip and Paint: Cherry Blossoms” at Shop Made in VA: March 26, 2022, and April 16, 2022, from 3 to 5 p.m.Admission: $35 per personShop Made in VA, 1121 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314. 703-861-9498; shopmadeinva.com
Paint your own cherry blossom sprigs paintings with these paint-by-number prints and matching paints! What better way to ring in Cherry Blossom season than to paint your own floral masterpiece with this paint-by-numbers kit from Cate Paper Co. Your ticket includes the necessary materials and two glasses of wine.
Food & Drink Offerings
Common Plate Hospitality’s Cherry Blossom Cocktails and Murals: Available now through March 31, 2022
Augie’s Beer Garden, 1106 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314Mason Social, 728 N Henry St., Alexandria, VA, 22314. commonplategroup.com
Visit Mason Social and Augie’s Beer Garden to see custom cherry blossom-themed murals painted by local artist @pamg0ham. Then, come inside to enjoy the Black Cherry Bellini with gold glitter or the Cherry Pie Old Fashioned.
Special Cherry Blossom Blend from Turkish Coffee Lady: Available now through April 30, 2022Turkish Coffee Lady, 1001 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314202-670-4360. turkishcoffeelady.com
The team at Turkish Coffee Lady is proud to present an authentic pistachio coffee experience with a cherry blossom-themed presentation. If you are looking for a unique coffee experience during the spring festivities, Turkish Coffee Lady welcomes you to their culture house in the heart of Old Town.
Winter in Tokyo Menu at Captain Gregory’s:
Available now through March 31, 2022
Captain Gregory’s, 804 N Henry St., Alexandria, VA 22314703-577-9023captaingregorys.comThe speakeasy’s menu will feature Japanese gin, whiskey, vodka along with sake cocktails. The menu will also feature inspiration from the region such as yuzu, plum, cherry and other flavors of the island.
“The Blossom” Cocktail at Lena’s Wood-fired Pizza & Tap: March 1 to April 17, 2022Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap, 401 E Braddock Rd., Alexandria, VA, 22301703-683-5330lenaswoodfire.com
Lena's will be adding a new signature cocktail to their menu for a limited time during Cherry Blossom Festival: The Blossom. A concoction of Rhum Barbancourt, plum-rose syrup, Luxardo, lemon juice and a floating edible blossom, it's a refreshing way to welcome spring.
Cherry Blossom Cider from Lost Boy Cider: Beginning March 2, 2022, while supplies last. Lost Boy Cider, 317 Hooffs Run Dr., Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-566-5737. lostboycider.com
Find a Cherry Blossom Cider from Lost Boy Cider, Northern Virginia’s first urban cidery, available in in-house cans, four-packs to-go and select stores such as Balducci's and Wholefoods.
Cherry Blossom Sangria from Alexandria Restaurant Partners: March 15 to April 15, 2022
- Ada’s on the River, 3 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA, 22314
- The Majestic, 911 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314
- Mia’s Italian Kitchen, 100 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314
- Vola’s Hi-Tide Lounge, 101 N Union St., Alexandria, VA, 22314 alexandriarestaurantpartners.com
Alexandria Restaurant Partners’ popular locations across Old Town will serve a seasonal sangria made with brut rosé, Blanc Vermouth, cherry juice and orange flower water. Available for dine-in and take-outat The Majestic, Mia’s Italian Kitchen and Hi-Tide Lounge.
Cherry Blossom Gelato at Dolci Gelati: March 20 to April 20, 2022, in limited supplyDolci Gelati Old Town, 107 N. Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA, 22314; 571-290-0684. oldtowndolci.com
Dolci Gelati will bring back its popular Cherry Blossom gelato for the National Cherry Blossom Festival this year, offering a light, floral flavor that’s perfect for springtime. Dolci founder Gianluigi Dellaccio knows a thing or two about concocting delectable gelato flavors. Dellaccio was appointed a Global Gelato Ambassador by the Italian Gelatoers Association in January 2018 and won "Best Gelato Flavor" at the Inaugural Gelato Festival America in November 2017. The gelato is available in-person, for pickup and delivery.
