Forget Tidal Basin! The Kenwood neighborhood was absolutely beautiful, and when we went, there were no crowds! The cherry blossoms were stunning and in full bloom, and driving down the tree-lined streets was magical! Note that there are signs posted where you can't park in front of residences during the season, so please be respectful! Super peaceful, no crowds, and great photo ops! +beautiful cherry blossoms! +no parking read more

See all

Although there is a crowd here, it's not as many people as Tidal Basin. Parking is hard to find since it is a neighborhood and signs everywhere saying no parking, but once we finally found a street with parking, it was so nice to walk around the neighborhood and see the streets lined up with cherry blossoms! They were everywhere. They were so beautiful and great to get pics. Definitely nice to even just drive through. read more

See all

Being new to the area I wanted to take the family out to see the cherry blossoms. We had received multiple recommendations from people who mentioned if you don't want to invest the time to go into DC that this would be a nice local place to visit. The tree lined streets were beautiful and there were cherry blossoms in every direction (in addition to the beautiful homes). There were lots of people out walking, socializing, playing games, taking photos and just taking it all in. Parking was a little tricky as there were a lot of people visiting so we ended up parking about a block away. Overall it was a wonderful experience. read more

See all

I've missed seeing the DMV's treasured Cherry Blossoms over these last two years! I had heard this Bethesda neighborhood is a great alternative to going to the crowded Tidal Basin! This past Saturday bright and early, I decided to come visit. I read tips online suggesting where to park. I put Washington Episcopal School in my GPS and parked in the parking lot before the school and followed the Capital Crescent Trail. Others had the same idea! I thought I was going early at 8 a.m. and to my surprise there many others out. Many were there with professional photographers, cameras, and tripods. I was just doing a solo stroll with my S21 ultra! There are signs everywhere warning visitors not to park in the neighborhood or climb trees! I totally get that! I wonder if the residents are annoyed by all these people. I think I would be to be honest. I mean I get it's only for a short time that the blossoms are in peak bloom, but still! It was a bit cloudy so I don't feel I got the best pics, but I still enjoyed my visit, and I would definitely come back again. Most importantly, I didn't have to fight any super crazy crowds! read more

See all

It's that time of year again! Cherry blossoms and spring fever time!! I do not consider these cherry blossoms to be an "alternative" to the ones in DC. These blossoms are a marvel in their own right. It's one of the one of the best, least congested ways to take in the cherry blossoms. Imagine streets, small parks with cherry blossoms and streams lined with arched cherry blossom trees. The trees form a big pink and white canopy and it makes for a breathtaking, gorgeous scene. Most of the trees are set against the backdrop of gorgeous houses, and although you would think the residents would be tired of the yearly crowds their trees attract, they have lemonade stands, host parties out on their lawns and one house even offered treats and water for dogs. Some even offered Adirondack chairs in their lawns for visitors to sit and enjoy. Now here are some logistics to make your trip better: 1-Parking. The Montgomery County police department puts up signs to prevent parking along the major cherry tree lined streets. Your best bets are to park in a downtown Bethesda Lot and take the Capital Crescent Trail in (the entrance to the neighborhood is at Dorset Avenue and Little Falls Parkway). Or park at the Westbard Shopping Center off River Road and walk over to Kenwood. 2. Best times to go-like right now. Stop reading this review (if it's the week of April 14th 2014) just get off your butt and go... read more

See all

If you want to see beautiful cherry blossoms without the hassle of going all the way to the Tidal Basin in DC, the neighborhood of Kenwood in Bethesda is a wonderful alternative option. You don't get the views of the National Monument or picturesque scenery as a background, but you get to avoid the traffic and over abundance of tourists. It's also a lot easier to take photos with cherry blossoms without anyone else getting in the way. Kenwood makes for a peaceful walk around an affluent neighborhood and is great for families with little children. Instead of food trucks, you'll find lemonade stands. Support the locals! If you want to have a picnic, there is a mini park area in the neighborhood and also the roundabout has plenty of space. The residents here don't seem to mind all the traffic. You can park on the side of street as long as it's not on the side with the "no parking" signs. It's also right by the Capital Crescent Trail so if you have a bike, you can take a ride all the way to DC too! read more

See all

(Photos taken 03/29/2021) Beautiful neighborhood for enjoying cherry blossoms. From downtown Bethesda it's an easy 1 mile walk on the Capital Crescent Trail to the Kenwood neighborhood entrance. Please make sure to respect the no parking/no climbing trees rules and respect the neighborhood's beautiful cherry blossoms! read more

See all

Great way to beat the crowds: the cherry trees in this unique and historic neighborhood in Bethesda are as beautiful and stunning as the ones down near the Tidal Basin. But folks: remember this is a residential community where people live. I'm always astounded to see visitors literally set up a picnic (or worse, litter) on somebody's front yard, or try to park in driveways so they can get out and walk around to take pictures. Seriously? Be respectful when you enjoy the beauty of the blossoms. read more

But not in bloom yet... Give it 1 to 1.5 weeks? Patrolled by a private security firm, so don't park illegally. read more

Kenwood Cherry Blossoms - Only several magnolias - no cherry blossoms yet 3/14 - Parks Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Beautiful neighborhood and a wonderful alternative to visiting the overly crowded Tidal Basin. This area gets PACKED during peak Cherry Blossom season; ohhh do I feel sorry for the area residents :) Definitely bring the camera and take lots of pics... if you're like me and not from the area, you'll be amazed. If you've lived here your whole life, still check it out... great neighborhood to take a stroll w/friends or family... or by yoself! Enjoy. read more

Kenwood Cherry Blossoms - Parks Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Kenwood boasts some truly spectacular cherry blossoms. In fact, in this residential enclave in Bethesda, with its cluster of narrow streets, grassy medians, and open fields, there are Yoshino cherry trees that, indeed, rival the better known ones around the Tidal Basin. While most people still regard an annual trip to Kenwood as an alternative to visiting the Tidal Basin to fulfill a local rite of spring (especially, when they do not want to fight the crowds in DC), Kenwood is arguably not an alternative but a primary destination in its own right (and, one with certainly enough visitors to justify that fact). First of all, there is little (if anything) to dismiss. Even though its physical area (which, admittedly, is quite compact) may appear to be a negative, Kenwood makes up for that seeming fault by capitalizing on what its compactness has to offer. Not only are the trees striking (particularly, the larger ones that date back almost one hundred years) but they tend to overwhelm their admirers (though, not in a suffocating way) by virtue of being so densely packed together. Indeed, once inside the tight confines of the Kenwood neighborhood, visitors are simply engulfed by the canopy of blossoms overhead (as row after row of cherry trees create a wonderland of pink and white). Onlookers, as they gaze above and around them, are intimately embraced by the colors at eye level (as if walking in a well spaced cornfield). Supposedly, Kenwood has around 1,000 cherry trees; and, who would doubt that? On the weekend when the blossoms were at their peak, the neighborhood was inundated with tourists and locals alike (most of whom snapped merrily away with their cameras as cars crept by on the clogged streets and as kids pranced around the little stream that cut through the median along the main thoroughfare). Signs are posted everywhere in the front yards of homes (next to the curb) that read, "No Parking." This regulation is reluctantly honored by drivers and monitored by police presence (even as frustrated motorists must be tempted to ignore it). The one glaring exception to the rule, of course, is the Good Humor truck that is parked along Kenwood Ave. There, just south of the traffic circle, among rival lemonade stands set up by local teenagers, an amiable Nigerian man named Tony sells an array of ice cream treats from his truck (apparently, for what is now the twenty-fifth straight year). After chatting with him and listening to him speak about his ice cream business (one that also includes catering corporate picnics and sporting events), I bought an ice cream sandwich (the first one that I have had in years). It was frozen still but had that slightly melting and creamy quality to it that made for a delicious treat. Yes, if the secret is out about Kenwood, I do not mind. It may increase the number of people there; but, as spectacular as Kenwood is, it deserves to be made known so that those who appreciate the beauty and majesty of what it has to offer can come and see for themselves how awe inspiring this little neighborhood (with its cherry trees) can truly be. I will certainly be back. read more

See all

The most beautiful neighborhood in Montgomery County, with the best blossoms and friendly people. Where else will rich people let you eat on their lawn without telling you that it's super rude? Don't try that when it's not blossom season, though! read more

Definitely a convenient, peaceful alternative vs DC's hectic Tidal Basin. No monuments, water shots or panoramic views, but you do get a friendly, stress-free neighborhood with a decent amount of free parking and a ton of cherry blossom trees. Last year I drove, and this year I biked. Biking is definitely more versatile, as you get to cover a lot more ground in a shorter amount of time. Plus, you get to breathe it all in without having to look for parking. As you would have guessed, parking is a lot more limited during this time of the year. A good number of streets are taped off/restricted, so you'll need to find certain areas that allow parking and explore from there. Support the neighborhood by purchasing lemonade or iced-tea from one of the many stands! read more

Kenwood Cherry Blossoms - Bike, don't drive! - Parks Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

BEAUTIFUL alternative to going into DC. In my mind, I've always imagined the best cherry blossom viewing to be one surrounded by pink everywhere I turn, and all pink lining the skies--which is exactly what you'll get here. Kenwood is rich suburbia, with cherry blossoms densely lining the streets. You can come here to gawk at houses. Gawk at rich puppies. Gawk at rich kids (ok, maybe not so much). Kids even have tables set up for lemonade stands; there's even an ice cream truck (overpriced). There is plenty of space here to find a spot for photos, or spend time with your kids. There however, is little space to park, so you'll have to drive around at a snail's pace for lucky spots or park further and walk into Kenwood. Prepare for a line of cars to exit. read more

A quieter alternative to the tidal basin's spectacular display, this location is in a residential neighborhood in Bethesda MD off of River Road in the neighborhood called Kenwood. The homes were mostly built beginning in the 1920s. The entire neighborhood has streets lines with Japanese cherry trees that were planted decades ago and so are mature examples of the beautiful flowering specimens seen in downtown DC but in a much more serene setting. In my opinion they look very beautiful in this location. In some places, their branches form a tunnel of whitish pink blooms overhead at their peak period which typically occurs in early April each year. I formerly lived in the Kenwood condominium build adjacent to the area for over ten years and can recall how every spring I enjoyed the breathtaking beauty of the Cherry trees in bloom. Inspiring place! read more

Definitely great if you want to avoid the hassle of going to DC. I prefer this over DC. Much more relaxed and less clustered. Plus you can drive through it too! read more

Kenwood Cherry Blossoms - My Lexus LS400 - Parks Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Yes, there are a lot of beautiful old trees and it is fun to go ogle the amazing homes in this wealthy Bethesda neighborhood. But, after visiting Kenwood to see the blossoms this year I wouldn't bother going back. Why? - No sidewalks and very pedestrian unfriendly. Seriously, there are no sidewalks in the entire neighborhood! Do rich people not walk around ever? Do their children not need the safety buffer of sidewalks? Try navigating through the narrow streets with a stroller. Awful. - There are ugly signs taped on almost every tree telling you not to climb them and there's no parking. Okay, we get it. Thanks for ruining every picture. - The unfriendliness permeated to the retail stores (unfriendly workers at the Bagelry practically ran us out when the store closed at 3) and the security (guy yelled at us not to park in the retail lot even though we were parked many blocks away - he didn't believe us because he saw us leaving the retail area and he assumed we parked there. Screw you, dude!) In brief, not a real alternative to the tidal basin. read more

We do an annual cherry blossom picnic usually on the mall. However, this year on the chosen date there was also a huge concert so we decided that would be a bad idea. I'd heard about seeing cherry blossoms here so we decided to check it out. It's definitely not the same experience as the mall, but if you are looking for a place to still see some cherry blossoms that is less crowded this is a good spot. They are very strict about parking and the police were circling so be careful where you park! There are a few places where you can park, but not many. Also there are no bathrooms though if you have to you can walk to Whole Foods which isn't too far away. A few in our party did this. There is a park with a playground and we sat on the grass near there for our picnic. All in all a great day and much less crowded than the mall! read more

Great to see the blossoms when you want to escape the crowds at the National Mall. You can access from the capital crescent trail. Beautiful, bring some snacks to picnic or take some scenic photos or bring you sketch pad. I wish I had known sooner about this! read more

See all

Absolutely love this place. The cherry blossom here are so beautiful like a fairy tale came to life. If you like to experiences the cherry blossom season to the fullest, away from the crowd from the National Mall area. Come here instead! It definitely a hidden gem in Maryland. The neighborhood are very clean, calm and so peaceful. Both streets grew with cherry blossom trees that met in the center of the sky kinda like a flowers of tunnel. Walking between the trees in the street was very breathtaking with the awesome view of flowers hang on top of my head. My friend took me to this neighborhood when I visited her in Maryland and I felt in love with it right away. The houses in the neighborhood are very high class and expensive. Be aware of the no parking signs on the street and the cops are out to enforces this regulation. They will make you move it or towed your car if you left it unattended. read more

Love these cherry blossoms! In my opinion, they are way better than the ones in DC. You can walk for miles without annoying tourists and strollers everywhere and the blossoms are Just as gorgeous! read more

Kenwood Cherry Blossoms - awesome blossoms! - Parks Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Beautiful way to view the cherry blossoms! We normally always brave the crowds at the Tidal Basin but with a double stroller in tow now, we didn't think it would be worth it. That brought us (and a lot of other stroller pushing parents it seems) to the Kenwood Community. We were in awe of the endless streets lined with cherry blossoms, many of which made a beautiful canopy over the street. Very picturesque even without the Tidal Basin and monuments in the backdrop. We were able to find residential parking fine. We went at 11:00 am. Although there are no sidewalks as people have mentioned, pushing around the stroller wasn't too bad as the streets aren't that busy. read more

See all

5302 Kenwood Ave. Chevy Chase, Maryland In 1947 Kenwood large brick homes were under construction. Living outside DC was considered the boonies. My grandmother would make the transitional move from NE Capitol Street, with Dr. Ellis and their seven children. At the time my grandfather bought 3 lots for peanuts for my grandmothers garden and running room for the seven kids. Little did my grandmother know the work involved with maintaining that house,herself day to day. Along with raising 7 children, and 20 grandchildren. And the Doctor's parties,her novae rich intellectual children, three or four who called her daily. This is before medication,counselors,and psychiatrists. I marvel at all she was and did. Back in those days there were no divorces,nor childcare providers and several of her children used her as primary care giver to 12 of my cousins. No one Doctor told of the hidden loneliness in the big houses in Kenwood; and the isolation from your neighbors. As compared to North East Capitol Street. Where your neighbors, were your friends, and you collectively raised your children. And Mrs. Brown watched your 6 th child (because your 10 year old kept pushing the infant down the stairs}around the corner. For Dr. Ellis it was a no brainier; he could be at Providence Hospital nursery checking up on the new babies and Mom's; first thing after daily mass of course,stop by Columbia,Georgetown at that time Mass. Ave. was the secret way of going across town but not for long. My grandmother, really loved those Cherry Blossoms and almost all Easters were full of the blossoms in memories and pictures. she was able till her death to hold down the forte and the front road parking so that pictures could be taken on Easter Sunday. God only knows how she accomplished that? Not bad for an orphaned farm girl whose grandfather had the fastest team of horses on the Old Marlboro Pike. She went to Georgetown and became a nurse we always thought that would have been less labor intensive then her current life. She would say "It's just a whole lot of Fun!!!". Yes I am a fan of my grandmother Who was smarter,my grandfather for choosing her as his wife or my grandmother for choosing us?. read more

Beautiful neighborhood lined with gorgeous trees. I walked here from downtown Bethesda along the capital crescent trail and so can't speak to parking, but there were a lot of families having picnics and taking pictures. There were little lemonade stands galore and plenty of tiny green spaces to be able to sit and cherry blossom/people watch at your leisure. read more

No it is not an alternative to going downtown to see the Cherry Blossoms. HOWEVER, this is a much more convenient location and if you've lived in the area all your life and have been how crazy downtown gets, this gets your fill in. Lovely blossoms, lovely neighborhood, friendly people. read more

Anyone have any idea when the cherry blossoms at kenwood will bloom this year? It has been pretty warm as of late, I thought maybe they may be at or near peak by now. read more

Cherry blossoms are a must see. Definitely go to see these beautiful flowers. They are amazing from the moment they bloom until when they start falling from the trees. The cherry blossoms are worth seeing, even with the crowds. Make sure you don't miss them- they are only in bloom for such a short time. read more

Great views of the cherry blossoms. Get away from the madness of the crowded main area to park and walk around.

Our family moved to Kenwood in 1961 when I was in 5th grade, moving a short distance from nearby Somerset. I have many found memories of gowing up in the neighborhood during the 60's 70's and 80's. However, our trees (2) always seemed to die after a few years so we were always planting new trees. Even when I sold the house in '91, I planted new trees to continue the Kenwood legacy. I read stories of kids selling stuff on the curb during peak blossom time, just as we did back in the day. However, our profit margin was 100 percent as a neighbor friend of mine father owned the local Pepsi company and always had a cashe of 10 cases in the garage. Well, you can do the math. What I find amazing was my perception of the trees back in the '60 as being on their last leg. Many of the trees would die back from age and would be trimed to near stubble. But few trees ever completly died, except ours. read more