This post is sponsored by goDCgo, but all opinions are my own.
So I have a confession to make. I’ve lived near Washington, D.C. since I was four years old, and until this year had never gone to see the cherry blossoms. In fact, despite thinking of it every year for the past few years, something always came up. I know, what kind of D.C. person am I?
I was determined to start the tradition of going this year, so we headed into D.C. last weekend. Parking can be tricky in D.C., so we parked at Union Station, grabbed lunch, and headed toward the National Mall and the Tidal Basin.
If you’ve never been to the National Mall, you might be surprised by its size – it’s about two miles from the Capitol Building on one end to the Lincoln Memorial on the other. While I walked it plenty of times on school field trips, it’s a long walk with a family, and especially for a four-year-old. To make things easier on ourselves, we opted to hop on the DC Circulator to get over to the Tidal Basin, where the majority of the cherry blossom trees are.
The DC Circulator is one of the easiest ways to get around DC (my sister actually uses it all the time). It’s only $1 and comes every 10 minutes, so there are no long waits with impatient kids. The Circulator drops off at over 25 memorials, monuments, and museums, making it easy to see everything DC has to offer.
In honor of cherry blossom season each year, the circulator wraps one bus, designated as the Blossom Bus. The pink bus is so fun to see driving around the mall, and the Circulator is running a contest for everyone that spots it! If you spot it between now and April 16, you can share it on social media for the chance to win prizes! We actually spotted the Blossom Bus at the end of our day in DC – I raced to catch a photo, but it was just a bit too far away.
I’m so glad we finally took the trip to see the cherry blossoms. As my girls grow up, I really want to do my best to take advantage of where we live and do more in the city, and I’m hoping that in going this year, we’ve started a new tradition!
Have you been to D.C. to see the cherry blossoms?
10 Responses
I havent been there in a long time and i dont think ive seen all the cherry blossoms. So pretty. My son really wants to go to New York and DC is on the to do list!
You should come! Spring is beautiful here!!
As a DC-area native and current dweller, I really enjoyed reading this post. Traditions like this can be so fun, and this sounds like a great one. I walked from Iwo Jima to the cherry blossoms and around the tidal basin last year and it was spectacular! For me the crowd can be a little draining, so I think it can help to go in the morning. I hope you stick with the tradition!
xo, SC // SCsScoop.com
I hope we’re able to stick to it too! Hopefully you can still catch them this year!
You are so brave to go visit with the kids! I went once (without kids) and was overwhelmed with the tourists — and we lived within walking distance at that time LOL! It was a good idea to take the Circulator though. I’m sure we will have to brave the trip sometime for my little guy to see. I love all your pictures.
Thank you! I think the girls are at good ages for it and we kept it short so that helped!
When you live near a famous attraction you’re always the last to see it! I have been to this area years ago but never during this time of year. I’d love to check of the cherry blossoms one day!
You really should come – they’re beautiful, and the weather is great here this time of year!
Great tips! Curious if you were asked to collapse your stroller on the Circulator? I understand the policy to fold the stroller up is at the driver’s discretion but it’s worth mentioning to users they may have to do so.
They actually did not – we just took it on with her in it! I didn’t know that was the policy so that’s good to know!