PHOTOS: Visitors flock to Tidal Basin for peak cherry blossom viewing

D.C.’s beloved cherry trees officially reached peak bloom Thursday, wrapping the Tidal Basin with puffy white flowers.

Peak bloom came earlier than expected, as the National Park Service had projected the Yoshino cherry trees would bloom between March 29 to April 1.

Now that more than 70% of cherry blossom blooms are open, visitors are flocking to the Tidal Basin to take in the views.

See the scene for yourself in the photos below:

national guard members stand amongst cherry blossoms in DC's tidal basin

1/6

Members of the Mississippi National Guard patrol among the cherry blossom trees along the tidal basin on the National Mall on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

quinceañera photo among the cherry blossom trees along the tidal basin in DC

2/6

A person poses for a quinceañera photo among the cherry blossom trees along the tidal basin on the National Mall on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

3/6

Visitors embrace while standing among the cherry blossom trees along the tidal basin on the National Mall on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

Visitors embrace while standing among the cherry blossom trees along the tidal basin on the National Mall on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. The Washington Monument stands in the background. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

4/6

Visitors gather to watch sunrise among the cherry blossom trees along the tidal basin on the National Mall on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

5/6

People walk among the cherry blossom trees along the tidal basin on the National Mall on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

6/6

People capture images of cherry blossom trees along the tidal basin on the National Mall on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. The Washington Monument stands, left. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

People capture images of cherry blossom trees along the tidal basin on the National Mall on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. The Washington Momument stands, left. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.