Every year between late March and early April, Washington’s iconic cherry trees burst into bloom, heralding the arrival of spring. Walk among the blossoms plus three landmarks set among the trees, dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr., Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Thomas Jefferson, along with some lesser-known statues and monuments on the water.
Join your guide, Carolyn Muraskin, founder of DC Design Tours, near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, which was dedicated in 2011 to the venerable civil rights activist. The design is based on quotes from King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered to a crowd of over 250,000 on the nearby Lincoln Memorial steps. Stroll along the basin, exploring the sprawling Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, the largest memorial in the city by land area, appropriately dedicated to the country’s longest-serving president. After passing over a short bridge with a bizarre story (and views of the Pentagon), conclude at the imposing Thomas Jefferson Memorial, based on the design of the ancient Roman Pantheon. Along the way, hear the history of the cherry trees and how they came to be an essential part of the identity of the District of Columbia.
Know Before You Go
Additional Date Options for this Tour
General Information
- Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Friday, March 28, 2025.
- Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
- As we aim to move away from single use water bottles, guests are strongly encouraged to get in the habit of bringing their own reusable water bottle on tour.
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