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DC in Spring: Cherry Blossom & Tidal Basin Memorials Walking Tour
Washington DC, USA
$39
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
Overview
This guided walking tour explores Washington, DC’s cherry blossom history while visiting some of the most meaningful memorials along the Tidal Basin. We begin at the DC War Memorial, a quiet tribute to District residents who served in WWI, before reaching the shoreline of the Tidal Basin, where the story of the cherry trees comes into focus. Guides explain the 1912 gift of cherry trees from Japan, their symbolism of friendship, and how the Basin became the heart of springtime celebrations. Stops include the historic Japanese Lantern, ceremonially lit each year during the Cherry Blossom Festival, followed by the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, where themes of renewal, justice, and leadership unfold beneath blooming trees. The walk continues to the peaceful George Mason Memorial and concludes at the iconic Thomas Jefferson Memorial, framed by blossoms and reflections across the water, bringing together nature, history, and American ideals.
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DC in Spring: Cherry Blossom & Tidal Basin Memorials Walking Tour
Tour guide
Language: English
Human tour guide
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Entrance to 5 Memorials including DC War, MLK, FDR, George Mason and Jefferson Memorials.
- 2 Hour Walking Tour of the Tidal Basin
- Professional Local Tour Guide
- Gratuities
Meeting point
Tour begins at the DC War Memorial on Independence Ave SW. Please note this is NOT the National WWII Memorial or the National WWI Memorial.
Return details
The tour ends the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
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The DC War Memorial, located just off Independence Avenue near the National Mall, honors residents of the District of Columbia who served in World War I. Dedicated in 1931, it is unique among memorials in Washington because it commemorates local service rather than a national military force. Designed in a neoclassical style with a circular colonnade, the memorial was intentionally placed in a quiet, reflective setting overlooking the Tidal Basin. It stands as a reminder of the District’s long history of civic contribution, even before DC residents had full voting representation at the federal level.
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Tidal BasinThe Tidal Basin is a man-made inlet between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel, created in the late 19th century to help regulate flooding and improve water quality along the National Mall. Today, it is best known as the setting for Washington, DC’s famous cherry blossoms. More than 3,000 cherry trees line the Basin’s shoreline, most of them a 1912 gift from Japan symbolizing friendship between the two nations. Each spring, the blooming trees transform the area into one of the city’s most iconic landscapes, framing memorials and reflecting across the water during peak blossom season.
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Japanese LanternThe Japanese Lantern, also known as the Tōrō, stands along the Tidal Basin as a symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States. Carved from stone in the 17th century and presented to the United States by the Japanese government in 1954, the lantern commemorates the historic relationship that also led to the 1912 gift of cherry trees. Each year, the lantern is ceremonially lit during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, linking it directly to the blossoms and serving as a lasting reminder of the cultural exchange and goodwill that the blooming trees represent.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. MemorialThe Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, located along the Tidal Basin, honors Dr. King’s leadership in the American civil rights movement and his commitment to nonviolence and social justice. Dedicated in 2011, the memorial features a 30-foot granite statue known as the Stone of Hope, emerging from the Mountain of Despair, inspired by Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Surrounding inscriptions display excerpts from his speeches and writings, encouraging reflection on equality, dignity, and the ongoing pursuit of justice in American democracy.
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Franklin Delano Roosevelt MemorialThe Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial stretches along the Tidal Basin and commemorates the four terms of President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression and World War II. Dedicated in 1997, the memorial is organized into a series of outdoor “rooms,” each representing one of Roosevelt’s terms in office, with sculpture, quotations, and cascading water features that reflect the challenges and changes of the era. The memorial also includes a statue of Eleanor Roosevelt, recognizing her influential role and the expansion of social responsibility during FDR’s presidency.
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George Mason MemorialThe George Mason Memorial honors George Mason, a key Founding Father and the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Located along the quieter edge of the Tidal Basin, the memorial highlights Mason’s influence on the Bill of Rights and his belief that individual liberties should be explicitly protected. In the spring, blooming cherry trees and flowering landscapes surround the site, making it one of the most peaceful and visually striking spots in the area and an ideal place to reflect on Mason’s lasting impact on American democracy.
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Thomas Jefferson MemorialThe Thomas Jefferson Memorial stands at the eastern edge of the Tidal Basin and honors Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States. Inspired by classical Roman architecture, the memorial reflects Jefferson’s admiration for Enlightenment ideals and ancient republics. In the spring, cherry blossoms frame the domed structure and reflect across the water, creating one of Washington’s most iconic seasonal views and a powerful setting to consider Jefferson’s ideas about liberty, democracy, and the complexities of his legacy.
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DC in Spring: Cherry Blossom & Tidal Basin Memorials Walking Tour
Washington DC, USA
$39
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
How it works?
01
—
You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
—
Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!