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    Tidal Basin

    1,525 Reviews
    #26 of 437 things to do in Washington DC
    Nature & Parks, Bodies of Water
    E Basin Drive NW, Ohio Drive NW, Washington DC, DC 20003
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    Traveler Overview
    4.51,525 reviews
    • Excellent64%
    • Very good28%
    • Average6%
    • Poor1%
    • Terrible1%
    Travelers talk about
    “cherry blossoms”(370 reviews)
    “jefferson memorial”(292 reviews)
    “beautiful walk”(59 reviews)
    About
    Springtime in Washington means the explosion of white-pink clouds of cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin.
    As featured in 3 Days in Washington DC
    Contact
    E Basin Drive NW, Ohio Drive NW, Washington DC, DC 20003
    Website
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    Ways to Experience Tidal Basin
    Half-Day Grand Tour of Washington DC
    37 Reviews
    from $49.00
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    Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight Tour by...
    1,562 Reviews
    from $43.00
    More Info
    Washington DC Double Decker Bus Guided Night...
    11 Reviews
    from $44.00
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    Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight Electric...
    260 Reviews
    from $56.00
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    Reviews (1,525)
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    Show reviews that mention
    All reviews cherry blossoms jefferson memorial beautiful walk full bloom peak bloom great place to walk beautiful area martin luther king potomac river national mall walk around white house trees paddle blooming springtime path
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    1 - 10 of 1,321 reviews
    Reviewed yesterday via mobile
    Nice but blustery stroll

    Nice place to stroll around while looking at the memorials. Is very open to the elements so expect lots of wind if it is a blustery day! Path needs maintaining in a few areas and water seems to pool on the path so be careful...More

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank Travelnikk
    Reviewed 1 week ago
    Multi-obvious pool

    Tidal Basin was fairly colorless in November. I remember the cool cherry flowers from spring a few years ago. However, the Basin is surrounded by valuable buildings.

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank heikkih722
    Reviewed 1 week ago
    Watch out for the mud

    The cherry trees have grown up, but this has caused some erosion of the dirt down onto the concrete path. It can be muddy. Also, watch out for the branches, and bike riders. It's cool to start from the MLK Memorial, then counterclockwise, past the...More

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank Ryan H
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    Stunning part of Washington.

    We visited this in the Autumn, and the trees in splendid orange and red looked incredible reflected over the early morning water. Not a ripple in sight - stunning photos. Would look wicked in the Spring!

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank Michael W
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile
    Beautiful at night or by day

    It is beautiful by day as well as buy night. It was my first time visiting by night and I was by myself but I did not feel scare to walk around. It seams that there were a lot of tourist everywhere near by. I...More

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank O6378WFannag
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    Walk the path right next to the water of the tidal basin from MLK to FDR to the Jefferson Memorial

    This is a partially man made reservoir. You can walk the path on the west side from the MLK, to the FDR, to the Jefferson Memorial. Some of the path was muddy from soil washed from the hill down into the waters. Also, there is...More

    Date of experience: October 2018
    Thank Whitney S
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    Zen like

    The tidal basin offers a bit of quiet and solace from the hustle and bustle of the National Mall and the Capitol. It offers the opportunity to relax and get some interspective.

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank markltennis
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago
    SEE THIS IN THE FALL!!!

    The reflections from several monuments and memorials can be seen in this basin plus the trees that line the paths were in full foliage for fall. Very clean and safe.

    Date of experience: November 2018
    Thank BRBE001
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago
    July 1st, 2017, Washington DC

    The monuments around the basin are fantastic, so much to see. A lot of walking, but so worth it, If you love this country it is a must!!

    Date of experience: December 2017
    Thank ClockDoc1948
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago
    Gorgeous

    We always enjoy walking the Tidal Basin. It's generally peaceful and quite beautiful. Bonus - It's between monuments and within a short distance of the national mall.

    Date of experience: September 2018
    Thank bmlenahan
    View more reviews
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    Questions & Answers
    Ask a question
    See all 7 questions
    mojimon
    June 28, 2018|
    AnswerShow all 9 answers
    Response from RKB66534 | Reviewed this property |
    Do not know/ NA
    0
    Votes
    Kirkimer
    March 24, 2018|
    AnswerShow all 5 answers
    Response from aoltang | Reviewed this property |
    There are plenty of space for parking. Yet during the weekend will always be difficult especially now spring, especially the cherry blossom festival is here in addition to alot of joggers and runners also. But the scenery... More
    1
    Vote
    Caroline C
    June 6, 2017|
    AnswerShow all 10 answers
    Response from MizCharli | Reviewed this property |
    Yes, lower level of Jefferson Memorial and at FDR Memorial.
    1
    Vote
    123
    Travel Forum Posts
    aneckc
    seattle
    Cherry Blossom festival (2 Replies)
    Hi-we will be visiting Washington from March 27-April 2 for the Cherry Blossom Festival. I know that the flowers are mainly concentrated around the Tidal basin but are there food vendors, exhibits, potties, set up there also for visitors? Also any must see and do's for the festival. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks
    January 20, 2013|
    Response fromneslaw1|
    Check out website mentioned as get closer. There food area. Not too expensive or bad. Not sure about must sees. There are concerts all over and other events.
    gojayhawks
    kansas
    Walking the mall (7 Replies)
    How long, approximately, to walk from Washington Monument around the Tidal Basin, to Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, back to Washington Monument?
    June 08, 2005|
    Response from|
    Depending on if you are just walking, or if you actually want to stop a bit at each site it could be anywhere from an hour to 4 hours. From the Washington to the WWII is just a hop, skip, and a jump. Just beyond the WWII Memorial is the Viet Nam, And just beyond that is the Lincoln. All of those are relatively close. Even though most people consider the WWII Memorial a design monstrocity, it is worth seeing if only to recognise the sacrifices our soldiers made during the war. Really...More
    K N
    Los Angeles
    Current Condition on the Cherry Blossoms? (15 Replies)
    I know this question may be annoying and no one can control the mother nature. So I won't hold anyone against it, but some insights from the locals will be really helpful for me. I hope some locals can let me know what are the current conditions of the cherry blossoms as of today? Is it blooming by a lot already around Tidal Basin area? I see that next week there will be some rain coming into the area. I've planned to visit DC between March 31- April 2. However, with the bloom...More
    March 18, 2012|
    Response fromwarthog|
    Given how quickly they bloomed and how warm it is, I'd be shocked if there were still many blooms by March 31. I'd guess that March 25 will still be the tail end of peak bloom, but one bad storm could have them off the trees even by then. Sorry it hasn't worked out for you this year, but the good news is they bloom every year.
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