Information about the Cherry Blossom Parade in DC
Staff Writer
2010-03-09
.bugnews.bloggieblog.com .
Every year in Washington DC the Cherry Blossom parade comes to town. Streetroachpics.com has gathered information about hotels, events and other items for those that are visiting the city of the District of Columbia.
Hotel Packages for the Cherry Blossom Parade in 2010.
DC's hotels always join in the springtime excitement, offering fantastic packages with a cherry flair starting as low as $128/night during the Festival.* Consider The Liaison Capitol Hill's package, which includes overnight accommodations, two all-day Metro passes, a live cherry blossom branch to take home, a bag of goodies from in-house restaurant Art and Soul and artisan handmade chocolates starting at $181/night. Or, the luxe Fairmont Washington, D.C.'s package, which includes overnight accommodations, a box of cherry blossom note cards and complimentary valet parking starting at $176/night. Families will enjoy the spacious Georgetown Suites' package, which includes complimentary parking, free WIFI and complimentary continental breakfast starting at $128/night. And at the new and chic Dupont Hotel, visitors can book packages including complimentary full breakfast for each adult at Cafe Dupont starting at $122.71/night. For more information on these and other themed packages, visit Washington.org/cherryblossom.
CHERRY-INSPIRED RESTAURANT OFFERINGS
More than 70 DC restaurants participate in the National Cherry Blossom Festival by serving up "Cherry Picks" – themed menu-items delightfully flavored with cherries and inspired by the blossoms. Festive cocktails, succulent entrées and delectable cherry desserts show off the talents of the city's top chefs. For the 2010 promotion, offerings include Roasted Lamb with Celery Root Puree and Cherry Lamb Jus at Urbana Restaurant & Wine Bar, or CommonWealth Gastropub's Tempranillo Cherry Ice Cream Sandwich. A complete list of participating restaurants, along with their specialty menu items, can also be found at Washington.org/cherryblossom.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
This year's National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 27-April 11) takes place over three weekends, and here are Destination DC's picks for can't-miss events:
* Family Day & Opening Ceremony: Mar. 27, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., National Building Museum — Hands-on activities and free entertainment will be offered at Family Day, taking place before the Festival's official Opening Ceremony, which begins at 4 p.m. (Free)
* Fireworks Show: Apr. 3, 8:30 p.m., Southwest Waterfront — Watch fireworks light up the sky in celebration of the blossoms. The best viewing areas are at 6th and Water Streets, SW (across from Arena Stage) or East Potomac Park. A musical prelude and other family activities will be held on the Southwest Waterfront beforehand, beginning at 5 p.m. (Free)
* National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade®: Apr. 10, starts at 10 a.m., Constitution Ave. between 7th & 17th Sts. — Floats, marching bands, giant helium balloons and international performing groups will wind their way down one of America's most popular avenues. (Free)
* Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival: Apr. 10, 11 a.m. -6 p.m., 12th St. NW & Pennsylvania Ave. — A showcase of culture, crafts and cuisine, this Festival features martial arts demonstrations, restaurant offerings, a Japanese beer garden, vendors selling traditional crafts, pop culture must-haves and more. (Free)
And consider rounding-out your DC vacation with any of these tours, happening through the duration of the Festival:
* Blossoms by Bike: March 27-April 11 – weekdays at 3 p.m.; weekends at 9:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. — Bike and Roll celebrates the arrival of spring with a two-hour bike ride specifically designed to showcase DC's natural spring beauty. ($32/adults; $22/children)
* National Park Service Ranger-Guided Lantern Walks: March 27-April 11 – daily at 8 p.m. — On this evening walk, a knowledgeable National Park Service Ranger will guide visitors through the five-mile perimeter of the Tidal Basin against the backdrop of lantern-lighting. (Free)
* Cherry Blossom Photo Safaris: March 27-April 11 – daily at 6:15 a.m. and 3 p.m. — Washington Photo Safari's professional photographers will use the blossom-adorned Tidal Basin as the canvas for teaching travel photography techniques to amateurs. Topics covered include tips on proper lighting, composition, exposure and camera usage. ($64-$99/person for 6:15 a.m. tour; $59/person for 3 p.m. tour)
For more information and a complete list of National Cherry Blossom Festival events, visit Nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.