Cherry Blossom Hike

I know, 8 am is mighty early to be out on the Mall on a Saturday morning! But there's a method to the madness: get ahead of the metro rush, have a walk around the Tidal Basin with visits to the Lincoln and Vietnam War Memorials and Constitution Garden, and finish up just in time to watch the Cherry Blossom Parade!

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The route: From the Enid Haupt Garden, we’ll walk west along the path in the Mall that runs parallel to Jefferson Drive, cross 14th St SW and veer left along the sidewalk in front of Washington Monument, cross Independence Ave SW in front of the Floral Library, and enter the path that runs along the shoreline of the Tidal Basin. We’ll walk clockwise around the shoreline of the Tidal Basin, past the Jefferson, George Mason and FDR memorials. At the MLK memorial we'll head north past the Washington DC WW1 Memorial, turn left, and walk along the reflecting pool to visit the Lincoln Memorial. From there we'll head east through the Vietnam War Memorial, Constitution Gardens, and the WW2 Memorial on our way back to our starting point in the Haupt Garden.

Depending on the time, those interested in watching the parade may elect to peel off from the hike at Constitution Gardens and head directly to the free standing observation area along the south side of Constitution Ave, between 10th and 15th Streets NW. (See Google map.) The parade is from 10am to noon.

The route is a clockwise loop of about 4.5 miles of smiles and should take less than 2 hours at a moderate pace.

Google route map: http://tinyurl.com/onozlp7

How to get there: (Metro recommended.)

• From the Smithsonian Metro Station, walk east 0.1 miles on Independence Ave SW toward 12th St SW, turn left and walk north into the garden, through the wrought iron gates flanked by the Freer & Sackler Gallery and the National Museum of African Art. The Smithsonian Institution Visitor Center (the “Castle”) will be immediately in front of you at 1000 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington DC 20004.

• From L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station, walk north along 7th St SW to Independence Ave, turn left, and walk two blocks west to L'Enfant Plaza. The gate to the Haupt Garden and the Smithsonian will be on your right.

• Metro Trip Planner: http://tinyurl.com/o3369v2 ;

What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired. (Leashes, please. NB: service animals only inside the Smithsonian Visitor Center.)

Weather: The forecast is partly cloudy and a high of 68 degrees. Updates: http://tinyurl.com/2d9xa6k

Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is permitted in this group.

Administrative stuff: There are restrooms, drinking fountains and a snack bar in the Smithsonian Visitor Center, and a public restroom just south of the Washington Monument.

Notes:

• Live National Mall Cam: http://tinyurl.com/peqydcj

• National Cherry Blossom Festival: http://tinyurl.com/h37fr

• Cherry Blossom Parade: http://tinyurl.com/l78l2a9

• Smithsonian Maps and Directions: http://tinyurl.com/lckwzd8