• D.C. War Memorial - Situated just off Independence Avenue near the National Mall, the DC War Memorial pays tribute to the District of Columbia residents who served in World War I. Dedicated in 1931, it stands out among Washington’s memorials as it honors local service rather than a national military force. Designed in a neoclassical style with a circular colonnade, the memorial is set in a serene, reflective location overlooking the Tidal Basin. It serves as a testament to the District’s long-standing civic contributions, even before DC residents had full voting rights at the federal level.
• Tidal Basin - The Tidal Basin is a man-made inlet between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel, created in the late 19th century to manage flooding and enhance water quality along the National Mall. Today, it is renowned for Washington, DC’s famous cherry blossoms. Over 3,000 cherry trees line the Basin’s shores, 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.
• Japanese Lantern - The 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.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial - The 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.
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial - The 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.
• George Mason Memorial - The 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.
• Thomas Jefferson Memorial - The 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.

• Professional Licensed Tour Guide

• Gratuities

This guided walking tour delves into the cherry blossom history of Washington, DC, while visiting significant memorials around the Tidal Basin. The journey starts at the DC War Memorial, a serene homage to District residents who served in WWI, before moving to the Tidal Basin’s shoreline, where the cherry trees’ story is highlighted. Guides discuss the 1912 gift of cherry trees from Japan, symbolizing friendship, and how the Basin became central to springtime festivities. The tour includes stops at the historic Japanese Lantern, ceremonially lit annually 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 are explored beneath blooming trees. The walk proceeds to the tranquil George Mason Memorial and concludes at the iconic Thomas Jefferson Memorial, surrounded by blossoms and reflections across the water, uniting nature, history, and American ideals.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.