You don’t have to drive to the tidal basin in Washington, D.C. to see cherry blossoms; we’ve got loads of cherry blossoms in Baltimore for you to see.
Cherry Blossom season is one of my favorite times of the year. This is mostly from the combination of the beauty of the blooming trees along with memories from my childhood of my parents taking me to the D.C. Tidal Basin during the Cherry Blossom Festival.
When is the best time to see cherry blossoms?
Often one of the first signs of spring arriving in Baltimore, the blooming of cherry blossoms usually occurs between mid-March and mid-April. The best time to see the trees is usually a few days after peak bloom, though the blooming period can last up to two weeks.
You don’t have to make the drive across 295 into D.C. to see the cherry blossoms this year – unless you want to of course! There are tons of wonderful places in the Baltimore area that have budding cherry blossoms.
Cylburn Arboretum
- Address: 4915 Greenspring Ave, Baltimore, MD 21209
Baltimore’s Cylburn Arboretum is one of the most beautiful to visit, especially during the spring and the warmer months following.
Many were surprised to find out that there were cherry blossom trees in the arboretum. They are equally beautiful as those in D.C. cherry blossoms and there will be much fewer crowds!
Druid Hill Park
- Address: 900 Druid Park Lake Dr, Baltimore, MD 21217
Enjoy the winding walking paths of Druid Hill Park as blooming cherry blossoms frame both sides every spring in Baltimore. It doesn’t cover an exceptionally large area but what is there is quite beautiful to witness.
Since the crowds are sparse, you can make the most of it by enjoying a picnic under the trees or even having an amateur photoshoot with friends and family.
Fort McHenry Cherry Blossoms
- Address: 2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230
More than 1,500 cherry blossom trees were planted in Fort McHenry by Baltimore school children in 1931. They have been replanted over the years and nearly one hundred years later, the trees flourish stronger and more beautiful than ever at the site of the national monument and historic shrine.
The blossoming cherry trees lined along the banks of the Potomac River is a beautiful site and visitors are invited to walk among the trees and the surrounding gardens.
Baltimore Museum of Art and Mount Vernon Place
- Address: 10 Art Museum Dr, Baltimore, MD 21218
You’ll find cherry blossoms near the Baltimore Museum of Art and up and down the historic Charles Street all the way to the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon Place.
While they are scattered, it’s a beautiful walk between the two, and the magnolias surrounding the monument make for a picturesque setting.
Morgan State University
- Address: 1700 E Cold Spring Ln, Baltimore, MD 2125
You’ll find cherry blossom trees scattered throughout the Morgan State University campus. One of my favorite places to view them is in front of the Earl S. Richardson Library.
It’s the perfect place to lay down a blanket, pull out some snacks, and read a good book under a cherry blossom tree. It’s one of the most tranquil places to see the cherry blossoms in Baltimore.
Baltimore Streets with Cherry Blossoms
- Charles Village: Wyman Park, Baltimore, MD 21218
- Guilford: 3900 block of St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
- Henson: 1600 block of Appleton Street, Baltimore, MD 21217
- Mount Vernon: Madison Street
- Patterson Park: intersection of Eastern Avenue and Linwood
- Sherwood Gardens: 4310 Underwood Rd, Baltimore, MD 21218
- West Baltimore: 1500 Block of McKean Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217
More Cherry Blossom gardens near Baltimore MD
And if these Baltimore spots don’t satisfy your cherry blossom needs, the following places are just a quick drive away from Charm City.
U.S. Arboretum
- Address: 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
One of the most popular places to see cherry blossoms after the D.C. Tidal Basin is the U.S. Arboretum. Their collection of trees is quite breathtaking, but especially the cherry blossoms and magnolias.
It doesn’t hurt that the crowds are much less compared to what you would come across by the Tidal Basin. Also, don’t forget to check out their famed Bonsai trees while you’re there!
Centennial Park (Howard County)
- Address: 10000 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
I go to Centennial Park often during the spring and summer and I can personally testify to how beautiful the park is throughout the year, but especially during cherry blossom season.
Avoid the crowds at other places and head over to the park. Make a day of it with friends and family by packing a picnic, playing some outdoor games, walking the trails, and just spending a day outside amongst the beautiful cherry blossoms.
Dumbarton Oaks Museum
- Address: 1703 32nd St NW, Washington, DC 20007
While the main feature of the historic Dumbarton Oaks estate might be the museum, in the spring, it’s the gardens that you’re going to want to spend time in. The estate’s garden is absolutely gorgeous and the paths you can walk down are lined with cherry blossoms, tulip magnolias, Japanese plum trees, and more.
It feels like it could be straight out of a scene from Netflix’s Bridgerton series.
If you’re there with little kids, head next door to Montrose Park, where you can take in the cherry blossoms and the little ones can play in the public playground.
Brookside Gardens in Wheaton Regional Park (Montgomery County)
- Address: 1800 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902
Wheaton Regional Park is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year, especially if you have little ones and want to get them outdoors and active. Brookside Gardens within the park is home to an array of cherry blossoms, including the type that grows near the Tidal Basin.
There are about 30 trees so it might not be as many as at the spots in Washington, D.C., but they are still very beautiful nonetheless.
Kenwood Blossoms
- Address: Kennedy Drive, Dorset Avenue and Kenwood Avenue in Bethesda, MD 20815
With over a thousand Yoshino cherry blossom trees, this neighborhood in Bethesda, Maryland is a great place to experience the season – especially if you prefer driving through.
You can park and walk around, of course, though finding parking could prove to be difficult but possible. Getting around on foot is definitely worth it because you will be able to take some amazing photographs.
And if all of these places still don’t satisfy your cherry blossom needs, you can still head over to the Tidal Basin!
