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    Kenwood Cherry Blossoms

    4.7 (29 reviews)

    Kenwood Cherry Blossoms Photos

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    Donyiel C.

    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!

    Sahar R.

    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...

    Priscilla Y.

    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!

    Kaoru Y.

    (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!

    Only several magnolias - no cherry blossoms yet  3/14
    Frances R.

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

    Nicole R.

    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.

    the canopy of cherry blossoms along Dorset Ave.
    Ba Chong F.

    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.

    Bike, don't drive!
    James M.

    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!

    My Lexus LS400

    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!

    Janet L.

    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!

    awesome blossoms!
    Ellen P.

    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!

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    10 years ago

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

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    Ask the Community - Kenwood Cherry Blossoms

    Review Highlights - Kenwood Cherry Blossoms

    Beautiful neighborhood and a wonderful alternative to visiting the overly crowded Tidal Basin.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    Carderock Recreational Area

    Carderock Recreational Area

    4.8
    (16 reviews)
    5.1 mi

    I love the Canal Tow Path. I have run along it a couple dozen times. I usually enter in Georgetown…read moreor at Fletcher's Cove. But I also start at Carderock for a change or if that is how the race is set up. I don't do much in the park itself. But I see it is a lovely, underused facility (which I don't want to ruin). There is, as people have mentioned, a military facility nearby. I wonder as I drive around, if they are conducting surveillance or if you'd get in trouble for doing something such as taking photographs. I've never had an issue though, if you were wondering. I have gotten lost, however, because it's not quite clear (and GPS is not precise) how you get to where you want to go once you take the exit. I recommend Carderock highly for a hike. I believe it also is a nice place to hang out, even if you don't get to the trail (but why would you go here and not at least take a gander at the water).

    On Sunday during Tony's Birthday Trip, We stopped at CarderRock Recreation Area which is part of…read moreThe Great Falls National Park. It can be seen on both sides of the Potomac River Gorges, Virginia and Maryland. The fee is $20 per car. Once you pay, your receipt is good for 7 days at any park entry points, including both sides, either states. At this location there is plenty of Parking but no Visitors Center. There is a nice bathroom facility though and plenty of picnic sites. Several trails along the gorge walls with slippery rocks so wear correct footwear.

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    Elm Street Urban Park

    Elm Street Urban Park

    4.3
    (3 reviews)
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    This is a hidden gem in downtown Bethesda. The address was not previously added, so it would have…read morebeen hard to find. I came today for Planet Bethesda. It was a plant-based eco friendly event. I learned about it from a news segment on Friday. I am so glad I came. Parking is easy and free on Sat/Sun in the open lot off Willow Street (behind the Montgomery Farm Women's Cooperative Market. The park offers lots of tables under mature trees for shade. There is a playground area at the far side for the little ones. There were plant based food options from various Bethesda vendors. Also, other vendors selling or giving away sample items. This would be a great place to have a family picnic. Very urban area without the noise and traffic. I highly recommend you visit soon!

    I almost always bring my lunch back to the office and eat at my desk. Yes, I am aware of how lame…read morethis is. However, I wanted to take advantage of the weather while it's still wonderfully breezy out minus any humidity. So I bought my lunch at the Brown Bag and walked across the street to Elm Street Park. (I should note that the map is inaccurate. It's actually on the other side of Elm - across from Wisconsin Ave, just 1 block.) There is a playground on the left side for the little ones to run around and there are plenty of tables on both sides of the path to sit and enjoy lunch under the trees. The tables are small - which are perfect if you're dining solo - but I mean, there's room for 4 to sit. Over a little further on the right side of the path, there's a little gazebo and larger picnic tables. I can totally see myself coming here during my lunch break til it gets too cold to eat outside. ** Pictures to follow after I remember to take my camera with me next time **

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    McCrillis Gardens

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    4.1
    (14 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    Across from a school and in a residential neighborhood, McCrillis Gardens feels like the "hidden…read moregem" the Washingtonian Magazine once claimed it to be. Visiting on a Monday morning, here's my experience. 1) Entrance: Good thing there's clear signage. Otherwise, it would be easy to miss. When you walk in, there's a roundabout in front of an old house. The garden is behind the house. In case you miss the signs or the staff furiously yelling at you, you can't park here. Some park across the street at the school or you can find street parking along nearby Renshaw Drive. 2) Gardens: Go in the spring when flowers are in bloom. There are trails, benches, and other areas to find stillness.

    So as stated, no parking on the property but there is a school across the street so off hours there…read morewould work. There is also a gate in the back and theee might be parking on street? I would guess spring would be the best time to visit as there looked to be lots of rhododendrons and daffodils. According to Carl, who is taking over the care of the property, there are azaleas blooming from March thru May.... So it looks like this property has been a little neglected in past years. Vines are growing , bushes have not been cut back. The restrooms were not open on our visit. It looks like a friends of volunteer group would be great for locals who would like to lend a hand. As we all know, it take a lot of effort!!!!

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    Kenwood Cherry Blossoms - parks - Updated July 2026

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