Where You Can Celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival in Georgetown

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There is so much going on all around DC to celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival, including right here in Georgetown. Here’s a look at where you can find fun with a cherry blossom twist in the area, information courtesy of Georgetown BID.

• Blues Alley (1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW) - Georgetown’s iconic jazz club hosts young Japanese jazz artists, including Manami Morita on March 23, Machiko Ozawa on March 24, Takeshi Ohbayashi on March 25, and Chihiro Yamanaka on March 30. Tickets are available online or at the door, pending availability.
• Boomerang Boat Tours invites you to cruise around the Washington Harbour and experience our nation’s greatest springtime celebration. Enjoy an hour-long rountrip cruise on the Potomac while relaxing with views of the 3,750 cherry blossom trees and historical landmarks such as the Jefferson Memorial, John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, The Washington Monument, Memorial Bridge and the 14 Street Bridge. Tickets are normally $30; take half off with code gtownbid. Click here to purchase tickets and view cruise schedules.
• Cherry Blossom Paddling Tours at Boating In DC - Kayaking, cherry blossoms, monuments, oh my! Skip the crowded madness for the most unique cherry blossom experience out there. The three hour adventure leaves from our docks at Key Bridge Boathouse, going past the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Memorial, and the Tidal Basin to East Potomac Park where the cherry blossoms line the river’s edge. Price is $45, which includes our top of the line sit-in kayaks, paddle, lifejacket, and fabulous instructor. Click here to sign up.
• A number of Georgetown restaurants are participating in the Festival as official Cherry Pickslocations, offering cherry blossom-themed menu items, cocktails, and specials during the festival. Restaurants include El Centro D.F., Farmers Fishers Bakers, Luke’s Lobster and Pizzeria Paradiso. Check this page for updated promotion details!
• Dumbarton House (2715 Q St. NW) - On Saturday, March 21 at 1 p.m., join Dwane Starlin, member of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides, for a delightful walking tour of Georgetown--with history and cupcakes! The tour will begin at Dumbarton House and make stops at Baked & Wired, Sprinkles, and Georgetown Cupcake to pick up pre-ordered cupcakes (we skip the long lines!). Enjoy your treats as you learn about the historic Georgetown neighborhood. Ticket price includes three cupcakes per registrant, one from each shop--we’ll celebrate the Cherry Blossom Festival by tasting each bakery’s cherry blossom treat! Tickets are $25; register by March 19 here.
• Dumbarton Oaks (1720 32nd St. NW) - One of the best-kept secrets for cherry blossom viewing, beat the crowds at the Tidal Basin and stroll the 10 acres of Dumbarton Oaks’ gardens and pathaways lined with cherry trees. During the spring, the gardens are open daily, except Mondays, from 2 to 6 p.m. General admission costs $10; students and kids ages 2-12 get in for $5. Click here for season memberships to the gardens.
• ENO Wine Bar (2810 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) - In honor of the bloom of the Japanese Yoshino cherry trees, Georgetown’s neighborhood wine bar is hosting a complimentary Cherry Blossom themed event on April 1 with Andrew Stover of Siema Wines and Sarah Dwyer of Chouquette, a chocolatier from Bethesda, Maryland. Stover will guide guests through the notes of ENO’s signature Cherry Blossom Wine Flight featuring Bedell Sparkling Cabernet/Merlot Rose 2011, from Long Island, NY, Breaux Cabernet Franc/Merlot Rose 2013, from Loudoun County, Virginia, and Big Cork Merlot 2012, from Maryland. The wine flight adorned with hints of cherry is priced at $20 exclusive of tax. Local chocolatier Chouquette will be on site to educate guests about the limited edition cherry chocolates, pressed with images of Washington monuments and Yoshino cherry trees. The chocolates, priced at $4 per morsel include vanilla sea salt caramel, cherry caramel, and dark chocolate cherry. The signature Cherry Blossom Wine Flight and Cherry chocolates will be available starting March 20, 2015. The special event with Siema Wines and Chouquette is April 1. The wine and chocolate pairs start at $12 for one, $16 for two, and $20 for three pairings. For more information, call 202-295-2826.
• Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. (2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) is offering themed experiences throughout the hotel. Seasons Restaurant will welcome spring mornings with french toast made from a smashed chocolate croissant and served with Nutella, black cherry compote, whipped butter & maple syrup. For reservations, click here. The Spa at Four Seasons will continue the popular Cherry Blossom Champagne Body Treatment. During an 80 minute treatment, the body is first gently exfoliated with a dry brushing and then immersed in a deep soaking tub. Next the will be polished with an all-natural Champagne and salt scrub. A relaxing body wrap follows and this treatment concludes with an application of luxurious body butter that seals in moisture to leave the body feeling pampered and renewed ($265 Monday-Thursday; $285 Friday-Sunday).
• Georgetown Suites (1111 30 St. NW & 1000 29 St. NW) – For arrivals on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, stay three nights and save 20% off regular rates during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This special rate includes complimentary continental breakfast, free wireless internet and free local calls. Click here to check availability and take advantage of this Cherry Blossom special.
• Potomac Riverboat Company (3050 K St. NW) an official sanctioned Tour Provider of the 2015 National Cherry Blossom Festival, offers the View the National Cherry Blossoms by Water cruise departing from Georgetown’s Washington Harbour March 23 through April 10. The narrated 50 minute tour cruises past landmarks such as the Embassy of Sweden, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Lincoln Memorial, The Washington Monument, and the Cherry Blossom (on the outside of the Tidal Basin) and returns to the Washington Harbour. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children ages 2-11. Purchase tickets at the ticket booth or online here.
• The Graham Hotel(1075 Wisconsin Ave. NW) - Look no further for your Cherry Blossom Festival stay! The Graham’s Cherry BlossomPackage includes two adult tickets for a cherry blossom riverboat cruise, complimentary Wi-Fi and valet parking — all within your guestroom rate! See the cherry blossoms as well as the prized monuments of the capital city from the relaxing comfort of a riverboat cruise that embarks at Washington Harbor, just a stone’s throw from the hotel, and finish the day with a stroll along the historic C&O canal. While in town, enjoy complimentary valet parking and wi-fi. Package available March 23 - April 12, 2015; book here.
• Tudor Place (1644 31st Street, NW) Sturdy trunks, fragile blooms, lasting traditions. Celebrate the return of Tudor Place’s cherry blossoms on Saturday, March 21 from 1-3 p.m. with a traditional English tea ceremony, complete with tea sandwiches, scones, delicious desserts and Japanese tea blends. After the tea, guests enjoy a tour of the garden. $25 members; $30 non-members; reserve by March 16 here.

PHOTO: Blossoming trees at Georgetown’s Dumbarton Oaks; archive photo courtesy of Dumbarton Oaks