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:

1/12

Cherry blossom trees during peak bloom by the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

2/12

Visitors walk along the tidal basin to enjoy the cherry blossom trees during peak bloom on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

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

3/12

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

4/12

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)

5/12

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)

6/12

With the Washington Monuments in the background, cherry blossom trees around the tidal basin during peak bloom on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

7/12

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)

8/12

Visitors walk along the tidal basin to enjoy the cherry blossom trees during peak bloom on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

9/12

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)

10/12

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 26: People enjoy the blooming cherry blossoms from paddle boats in the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial on March 26, 2026 in Washington, DC. Cherry blossoms reached peak bloom on Thursday. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

11/12

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 26: Cherry blossoms bloom along the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial on March 26, 2026 in Washington, DC. Cherry blossoms reached peak bloom on Thursday. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

12/12

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.