Widely known fact: The nation’s capital goes bonkers for its beloved cherry blossoms. Little-known fact: We here at Kimpton do, too. There’s a serious petal party going on in D.C. and we are certainly never ones to miss out on a good celebration.
Each spring, the city’s thousands of cherry blossom trees burst into stunning pastel displays around the Tidal Basin and beyond. The blooms, a gift of friendship from Japan in 1912, signal the coming of a new season, something particularly welcome after a winter that’s seemed to last forever. And ever. (And ever.)
Along with the gorgeous puffs of pink come citywide celebrations, plus blossom–themed displays of art at local museums and galleries, spring-accented menus at 100-plus restaurants, and cherry-geared tour excursions by bus, bike, boat and foot. This year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival continues through April 13. Upcoming highlights include the Grand Sake Tasting (April 3), the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival (April 5), and the Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival and the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade (both April 12). Download the free festival app to get real-time info on the festivities.
In honor of the world-renowned fest, Kimpton offers the Blossoms & Bubbles Package at all 11 of our D.C. and Virginia hotels. As a way to add the cherry on top of your festival experience, the decadent deal includes the gift of cherry blossom soaps (handmade locally), a $25 daily credit to put toward parking or dining, and bubble makers for the kids at check-in. Japanese culture even takes over Kimpton’s wine hour — in addition to the usual reds and whites on offer, scrumptious sakes gets poured throughout the festival, too.
Other ways to enjoy the blossoms include:
• Exploring the Tidal Basin and National Mall by bike (and we have free ones!) with Monaco Washington D.C.’s General Manager Ed Virtue, every Wednesday afternoon from 4:30–5:30 p.m.
• In Alexandria at the Lorien Hotel & Spa, indulge in the flavors of the season at BRABO by Robert Wiedmaier, thanks to Pastry Chef Erin Reed’s cherry blossom cheesecake, a sweet combination of bubble gum meringue, lime graham-cracker, and hibiscus gelée.
It’s time to savor that flower power and paint the town pink.
— Corinne Whiting
