Blossoming Friendship: Washington D.C.’s Tidal Basin walking tour

If you’re wondering why thousands of people flock to Washington D.C.’s Tidal Basin every spring to catch a glimpse of the famous cherry blossoms, then this is the stroll for you. Whether they're in bloom or not, this walking tour will take you among some of the most picturesque landscapes D.C. has to offer. Along the way, you'll hear a few tidbits plucked from the pages of D.C.'s history. I'll point out a few memorials as well that you might have otherwise missed. So, bring your camera and prepare to dodge low hanging limbs.

We’ll begin in front of the Japanese lantern which is lit to signify the start of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. We’ll then proceed to walk counterclockwise around the Tidal Basin's edge and stroll among thousands of cherry trees while stopping at the four memorials located on our path.

Other highlights on this tour include:

• Seeing the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial which celebrates the Civil Rights Movement icon
• Passing through the four Presidential rooms that make up the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
• Learning about the Japanese puzzle, the Japanese Pagoda
• Hearing about one of the founding fathers while standing outside the George Mason Memorial
• Taking in the Thomas Jefferson Memorial where you can see quotes from Jefferson and a passage from the Declaration of Independence engraved on the walls
• Finding out how the Cherry Blossom Queen is selected each year

Give yourself at least 75 minutes to complete the tour or more if you want to take time to take photos, explore the memorials, and enjoy nature. Bring along some patience if you're touring during the festival. If the trees are in bloom, please refrain from touching and picking the flowers so everyone can appreciate the beauty of the Japanese gift that keeps on giving.