Make time to stroll along the Tidal Basin
If this is your first time visiting Washington, D.C., make time to stroll along the Tidal Basin, a 2-mile-long pond that was formerly connected to the Potomac River and provides the backdrop to some of the city's most well-known attractions. The cherry blossom trees that were given to Washington, D.C., each spring bloom into cotton candy-colored tufts, filling the Tidal Basin with color and drawing throngs of tourists. While there is a route that circles the basin, many recent visitors advised paddling around to test the waters. Starting on March 15, you can rent paddle boats for $18 per hour for a two-person boat or $30 per hour for a four-person boat. The boat pier on Maine Avenue is where you may rent a paddle boat every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from March 15 through October 9.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial can all be situated along the Tidal Basin's banks, so even if you can't make it to town for the cherry blossoms, you shouldn't miss them. The nearest Metro stops to the Tidal Basin are Smithsonian (on the Blue, Silver, and Orange lines), and L'Enfant Plaza, if you're taking public transportation (accessible from the Blue, Silver, Orange, Yellow, and Green lines). The DC Circulator's National Mall bus line is another option for getting there. If you're planning a trip during the summer, bring plenty of water to prepare for D.C.'s oppressive heat. for additional insider advice on traveling during the Cherry Blossom Festival in the spring.
- Ranking: #3 in Best Things To Do in Washington, D.C.
Location: West Potomac Park
Price & Hours: Free & 24/7 daily
Website: https://www.nps.gov/articles/dctidalbasin.htm
