See cherry blossoms without the tourists, traffic or long lines The peak bloom season has arrived, bringing with it the usual crowds, traffic congestion and lengthy lines at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. While millions of visitors flock to the area to admire the more than 3,700 Yoshino cherry trees, some locals opt for quieter alternatives to enjoy the blossoms. For residents in the D.C. area, the Kenwood neighborhood of Bethesda, Maryland, has become a popular choice. The community’s 1,200 cherry blossom trees, which line every street, offer a less crowded experience. The trees in Kenwood trace their origins to the 1930s and ’40s, when a developer planted them to attract homebuyers. Today, the neighborhood’s blossoms draw visitors like Lori Maggin, who has lived in the region for two decades. Maggin avoids the Tidal Basin during peak bloom, citing parking difficulties and the overwhelming crowds. “Try to avoid the weekends,” Maggin said, noting that even on a gloomy Friday, the streets of Kenwood were filled with people. “Tomorrow is going to be a mob scene.” She described the area as a peaceful alternative to the Tidal Basin, where visitors can stroll through the neighborhood without the hassle of traffic or parking. One visitor, Ms. Ellis, shared her experience of discovering Kenwood’s blossoms through her work at Somerset Elementary School. The children at the school had introduced her to the neighborhood, explaining how they ride bikes through the streets to admire the trees. “They were like, ‘we take our bikes down there. We ride through the neighborhood and see the cherry blossoms,’” Ellis recalled. Parking in Kenwood is limited, but locals have found workarounds.#tidal_basin #kenwood_neighborhood #bethesda_maryland #whole_foods #somerset_elementary_school
