Kenwood Cherry Blossoms 2019

Everyone knows Cherry Blossom season is a magical time in Washington DC around the Tidal Basin, BUT EVERYONE and their mother wants to experience that magic.  As a DC Metro native, I’ve gone every year for the past few years and many times as a child.  And it’s so crowded you can barely walk around the basin!  My only advice is to be there by 7am because even around 8am when we arrived last year it was already getting packed.

Kenwood Cherry Blossoms

BUT THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE.  Dun dun dun…I present Kenwood Cherry Blossoms in Bethesda, MD.  I learned of this idyllic neighborhood practically down the street from my house from a neighbor.  I’d wanted to check it out but never had a chance.  Well, the one year I finally made it down to DC at sunrise just a week after peak bloom, it turned out to be the day of the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler.  The event clogged all the streets with runners and blocked all the streets.  With no parking, we sadly headed back.  Luckily on the way back home, I remembered we would pass by Kenwood in Maryland.  So a little detour we took!  I do have an Insider’s Guide to DC Cherry Blossoms if you are dead set on seeing the trees at the Tidal Basin.

And am I glad we took that detour!  The Kenwood neighborhood is charming, to say the least.  Cherry blossom trees line the streets and there’s a little stream to boot!  I literally thought a hobbit was going to jump out somewhere it is that adorable.  And the streets aren’t marred with cars because you are not allowed to park there!  

When Do Kenwood Cherry Blossoms Bloom?

Kenwood cherry blossoms bloom about 1 week after the Tidal Basin cherry blossoms hit peak bloom.  But again Kenwood cherry blossom peak bloom times are also weather dependent.  Last year the Kenwood cherry blossoms bloomed beautifully just 3 days after the day of peak bloom in Washington DC.

As obsessed with stunning cherry blossoms as I am?  Check out these other articles on gorgeous gardens and blooms in the DC Area:

• Insider’s Guide to Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC 
• The Prettiest Places to See Tulips in DC
• Gorgeous Sunflower Fields You Won’t Want to Miss

Kenwood Cherry Blossom Crowds

Is Kenwood crowded during cherry blossom season?  I would say it’s not crowded because there’s plenty of room to walk around and plenty of parking.  We’ve gone to Kenwood during cherry blossom peak bloom twice on a Sunday and on a Saturday.  Saturday afternoon was more crowded but definitely, nothing compared to the Tidal Basin.  On Sunday morning it wasn’t crowded at all.  There were no other people there.  We arrived on Sunday morning at Kenwood around 9 or 10am, while on Saturday we had gone in the afternoon.  If you want to have all the Kenwood cherry blossoms to yourself go on a Sunday morning.  The video I posted above was from Sunday morning.

Kenwood MD Cherry Blossoms vs. DC Tidal Basin Cherry Blossoms

So which should you go see, the Kenwood cherry blossoms or the Tidal Basin Cherry blossoms?  Go see both!  Kenwood and the Tidal Basin cherry blossoms bloom at different times, so you have the opportunity to visit both.  Kenwood is also a great alternative if you happen to miss peak bloom in DC.  The cherry blossoms in Kenwood bloom about 1 week later than the Tidal Basin. 

The Tidal Basin cherry blossoms offer a unique and iconic experience in DC, even though it’s so crowded.  The cherry blossoms along the water make such a pretty sight.  Kenwood also offers a unique and more intimate experience because the cherry blossoms line the streets of the cutest neighborhood.  Kenwood is also a lot easier to get to if you happen to live in Maryland.

Parking for Kenwood Cherry Blossoms

You can park at the Landy St. Parking lot and access the neighborhood through the Capital Cresent Trail.  It’s a very easy short walk (I did it carrying a 19 month old).  Take the first left off the path and you’ll be right there.  There is no parking in the Kenwood neighborhood itself.