Tidal Basin

The Tidal Basin, in Washington

The Tidal Basin is a great artificial basin of Washington, created in the 1880s, famous for its cherry trees in bloom and its memorials. The Washington audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this emblematic body of water, one of the finest settings of the capital, lined with monuments.

The basin of the cherry trees in bloom

The great expanse of water that is in front of us is called the Tidal Basin. It is an artificial basin, created in the 1880s, in connection with the laying-out of the banks of the Potomac river, that borders the town. It is particularly known for the numerous memorials that are at its surroundings, including those dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, to Franklin Roosevelt and to Martin Luther King, that are reflected in its peaceful waters, but also and above all for its cherry trees in bloom. These Japanese cherry trees, offered at the beginning of the twentieth century by Japan as a sign of friendship, gird the basin with hundreds of trees. Each spring, their spectacular flowering covers the banks with a cloud of pink and white flowers, offering one of the finest spectacles of the capital and attracting a crowd of visitors during the famous festival that is devoted to it. The Tidal Basin is then of a magical beauty, between the water, the flowers and the monuments. A place of promenade prized all year, it is one of the most poetic settings of Washington. An emblematic body of water and a setting of the cherry trees, the Tidal Basin is a fine stop of the discovery of the town.

What to see

Here you enjoy the great artificial basin created in the 1880s, lined with numerous memorials dedicated to Jefferson, Roosevelt and Martin Luther King that are reflected in its peaceful waters, and above all its Japanese cherry trees offered by Japan, whose spring flowering covers the banks with a cloud of pink and white flowers, one of the finest spectacles of the capital. The Tidal Basin is a poetic setting of Washington. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Tidal Basin lies on the National Mall, near the Potomac river, in Washington, reachable on foot. It is a body of water lined with a public promenade, freely accessible. The flowering of the cherry trees takes place in spring, generally towards the end of March or in April according to the season, the most prized period.

Why is the Tidal Basin of Washington famous?

For its Japanese cherry trees, offered at the beginning of the twentieth century by Japan, whose spring flowering covers its banks with a cloud of pink and white flowers, one of the finest spectacles of the capital; this great artificial basin created in the 1880s is also lined with numerous memorials, dedicated to Jefferson, Roosevelt and Martin Luther King, that are reflected in its waters.

Where is the Tidal Basin in Washington?

On the National Mall, near the Potomac river, in Washington, in the United States.