The DC Cherry Blossom Bus Tour with Tidal Basin Guided Walk…read more I've been a resident of the DMV for 15 years and welcome the opportunity to show the highlights of D.C. when members of my family come for a visit. My sister Mary lives in Delaware and had long wanted to experience the color and drama of the Cherry Blossom Festival. These visits can be frustrating - we never really know when the blossoms will be in full bloom, and how long they'll be pretty and photogenic. This year (2026) was no different. The DC Cherry Blossom Tour, hosted by USA Guided Tours, was our go-to provider for this outing. After I ordered our tickets for a mid-week 10 a.m. four-hour tour, I received a prompt acknowledgement from TripAdvisor that the reservations were ready. I made the reservation just a few days earlier, so it was great to see the email that acknowledged our tickets and told us where to go to join the tour. The logistics involved in getting to the correct bus were easy: my sister and I showed up at the Navy Memorial, across the street from the National Archives (which is on the Yellow line Metro). A tour representative was already there and did a great job of getting us into the proper queue for our tour (USA Tours had four different tours departing that morning). The tickets were scanned and we were on our way, right on time. Highlights of the tour included walking through the cherry trees with abundant blossoms, photographers everywhere, and really pretty expressions of an early summer day in the District. We could see across the tidal basin to the impressive carved statue of Martin Luther King, Jr., which we headed to after spending the first walking excursion in the tidal basin and then the FDR Memorial. Our guide did an outstanding job of providing backstories and context to the places we visited, including the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the Vietnam War Memoria. We had ample opportunities to stretch our legs, take free bottles of water, and use restroom facilities (as the bus did not have one on board). Both driver and guide handled their responsibilities very well, and we all had an excellent opportunity to see the blossoms. And, just as our guide had predicted, a severe thunderstorm rolled through the tidal basin later that day and wiped out 100 percent of the blossoms we enjoyed earlier that day. Luck of the draw!

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is absolutely a must-do--especially if you've never seen D.C…read more in peak bloom. There were so many cherry blossoms and, yes, a lot of people--but honestly, the crowds weren't too bad. Going on a Monday made a big difference, and visiting a few days after peak bloom was declared (plus slightly cooler weather) helped keep things manageable. Those warm, sunny peak bloom days are when it gets really packed. The most crowded area was near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, where several trees have branches hanging low over the Tidal Basin--perfect for photos. That said, if you're planning to take pictures, don't expect to stage the perfect shot or linger too long. The crowds keep things moving. Honestly though, you can't really take a bad photo of the blossoms. We took the Metro to Smithsonian Station and walked to the Tidal Basin. Driving during peak bloom is a nightmare, so avoid that if you can. The main festival area near the Thomas Jefferson Memorial had gift shops, an info booth, food trucks, vendors, and picnic tables. The BloomFest stage had a nice variety of programming, from musicians to park ranger talks to dance performances. It's a perfect spot to grab a snack, relax, and take a break from walking the Basin. While you're there, it's also worth exploring the nearby Franklin Roosevelt and MLK Memorials as you stroll along the trees. Overall, this is one of those classic D.C. experiences that really lives up to the hype

It was really fun, tickets were a bit steep ($75) but they handled the entry line really…read moreefficiently and you get a glass to keep. If we go again, I would take a look at the spreadsheet online to identify the beers I want to try so that I know where to go first. We entered at 2 and by 5, most places were out of stuff and gone, although the event ended at 6. I found a few things I liked, it was fun and lines weren't that bad

Snally seems to have come a long way. I believe 13 years strong now! It sounds like post-pandemic…read morethey had some struggles returning to form, but I can affirm that the 2025 event was top notch and well attended by visitors and brewers. There were over 450 beers to choose from, with breweries from all over the world participating, and options came in every possible variety. I tried some new ones I have never heard of, from breweries I have never seen offered, and that is what a beer fest is all about. Despite tons of people and tons of offerings, there was plenty of space, a good amount of porta-potties, good food choices (my fave was Soko and their terrific double smash burger), easily accessible giant water jugs, and areas to sit or stand. Three stages, too with live music, DJs, and live podcast tapings throughout the day. Your ticket got you a complimentary tasting glass and as many free 4 oz pours you could handle. Food was extra but prices were reasonable. Regular tickets, which they call Kraken passes, were $85 this year (including fees and taxes), while VIP passes were double. Quite pricey for what you get, but for a once a year opportunity to explore some new beers with the Capitol Dome as a backdrop? I can dig it. For those curious, VIP gets you early entry, a dedicated tent/seating space, and your own porta-potties. I don't think that justifies the added price - I think they should lower the price slightly and offer some free merch, but many beers did run out before the end of the day, so if are a true beer fanatic, it's worth looking into. My favorite new discovery was Forager Brewing's imperial porter, the pudding goggles. Fun to say and even more fun to drink.

We came here on a Saturday afternoon soon after opening and was a bit disappointed at first. One,…read morethere was barely 10 people there and two, there seemed to be way more drink stands than food. All was not lost, however, when people started to pour in an hour later and we wandered around with an IPA in our hands. My boyfriend and I went to different trucks and shared our purchases. The best bite belonged to a pulled pork bahn mi sandwich from Due South that tasted as good as it looked. Meaty, rich but very well balanced. We also tried a meal from the satay truck and was also impressed. I would come back if I were in the area. It's a nice way to sample diff grub if you're with a group of people. We heard that it can get pretty rowdy after a game lets out. Maybe that's why there were 50 drink vendors.

Finally made it to Truckeroo this year (went once last summer), but it's just not the same for me…read more The first time I went, I had such a blast and couldn't wait to come back. I recently heard that they had to scale it down due to re-development in the area, but goodness, it was just way too congested and not enjoyable for me. A group of us came from Jazz in the gardens and we didn't get there until about 8:00. I'm not sure of the process of selecting which food trucks get to be at Truckeroo, but I wasn't personally impressed by any of the ones there. The lines for these trucks were super long! My friend was starving so we tried to look for a short line and decided to try capital chicken and waffle since their line didn't seem as long as some of the others. I've seen this truck around and figured I might as well give them a try. So after waiting almost 25 minutes (yes I was counting), we were able to place our orders. We both ordered the chicken and fries. My friend got a side of mac n cheese. Then began another lengthy waiting period! Sigh...finally we got our meal. Looked like regular ole chicken fingers and they pretty much were actually. Not impressed at all - was very bland and dry. Good thing I wasn't starving. OMG, the mac n cheese was disgusting - probably the worst I've ever tasted (not exaggerating). Forget trying to find a place to sit at this point. Nothing in sight!! We caught up with the others in our group and walked around. Some ventured off to get drinks. I ran into some folks I hadn't seen in awhile so that was good. Unless they find a different venue and a larger selection of food trucks, I'm in no hurry to go back to Truckeroo!

It's a hybrid, a cross between a fun-park and a road. It's "Half Fairground, Half Street." Hence…read morethe name. But not really. These fairgrounds are actually multiple-use grounds with tons of spots to buy beer (The Bullpen) right across from the Baseball stadium near downtown DC. It's a really fantastic concept and one which more cities should be taking notice of. I've been here for concerts and for Truckeroo food festivals, and it's also fantastic before and after Nationals games. It's just a really great space and if it weren't for the masses of overpriced beer and the fact that they sell tobacco (and even have Cigar Trucks here ew) I'd give them a 5, but it always smells so bad and is so dirty here due to the presence of so much alcohol and tobacco. It's not fair. But it is fair grounds.

My husband and I stopped here before a National game to grab a couple of beers and people watch…read more There was a lot of people watching going on and would recommend that for sure. The beer prices were crazy but cheaper than inside the stadium. This was a free area to get in and they had a band playing live music. The port a potties were still in decent shape when I got there too so that was a bonus. Would I come here again? Yeah probably but only if I was going to another national's game.

This two day event is jam packed with food, swag, prizes, drinks and all things BBQ. Follow the…read moresocial media to plan your day. Be prepared to stand in lines. Enter from 7th Street. There is a free bike valet. Archives metro is close by. Get a brochure from Giant and read about all the guests & vendors. Stay hydrated. The shopping bags that Giant handed out were appreciated and filled quickly with swag. Some guests brought wagons to hold all of their items. There were so many drink & food give a ways. The prizes were varied and fun. IKEA medium sized bags or Costco bags are perfect for hauling items. Bring a sweat towel. Wear comfy shoes. Have fun!

Freeeebies, freeebies, and well...more freeeeebies!!!…read more What a time to be had at the bbq battle!!!! Only thing I didn't sample was the bbq....sheeesh!! I really didn't want to BUT of all the freebies and samples, one would think bbq would be at the top of the list but only stubbs had bbq samples. I was surprised that there were healthy options at the battle - non dairy, gluten free, cauliflower pizza, salad....What a time I had! I couldn't carry all my freebies - and live music - yessssss!! DJ Jazzy Jeff - ok DC! I am not a native DC'er but I was happy Backyard Band and the Chuck Brown Band was in the building (dare I say I am getting acclimated to go-go music). For $20ish bucks a ticket, I felt it was well worth it. As others have said - more seating would be better, I had to exit for a bit to have a sit down (I got a stamp and was let back in with no issue).

The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian hosted a four-day Hawaiian cultural…read morefestival, Thursday, May 15, to Sunday, May 18, in commemoration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which included demonstrations, films, dance, food and more. The events surrounding the annual Hawai'i Festival. I was born in the Territory of Hawaii. Yeah, I'm that old. So any tributes to my state, especially far from the island is a good thing for me. Even if you're not from Hawaii, it's still a good thing to learn about the culture and educate yourself. Even with all the demonstrations of Hawaiian culture, it really only touch the surface. Hope to see more of this kind of events in the future.

The H Street festival celebrated 21 years of supporting local businesses. This year the celebration…read morewas Saturday, September 19, from 12noon -7pm on H Street, NE (3rd St to 12th Street. If you are driving, you might find a space in the neighborhood (a few streets over). Union Station isn't far - a few blocks from 3rd street, NE. There were dozens and dozens of vendors, lots of free swag and three entertainment stages and a play area for kids. The entertainment stages had DJs, artists and bands. The department of recreation had a bouncy house, lots of games, toys, free popcorn, cotton candy, icees and frozen custard. There were lots of local organizations with "spin the wheel" games and prizes. The city has a lot of companies that offer assistance in many areas. The vendors were amazing. H Street was "one stop shopping" in hand made goods (soap, candles, perfume, jewelry, fashion, t-shirts, handbags, ball caps and art. Food and beverage stations were attracting guests. It wasn't as crowded as Giant's Battle of the BBQ. The community came together and enjoyed the day. Follow H Street festival on social media to stay updated on future events.

The 2022 H Street Festival executed on every street festival/block party need: Good food, good…read moremusic & entertainment, good vendors, a little dancing with a whole lot of celebration.. and Mother Nature brought the good weather! Not only was there diversity within the items listed above but it brought out a diverse crowd--I'm sure every identity was present at the festival making for good vibes. Food wise, there was a range of vendors that included food from across the Black diaspora (Jamaican, Haitian, Southern soul food), American cuisine, Bar food from H Street bars & restaurants, sushi & other Asian cuisine , among other fun food trucks. The music I experienced spread across multiple genres (African, r&b, reggae, hip hop, country, and pop) and was put forth by live musicians, DJs, and drag queens. Street formers were also off stage entertaining us with their percussion and brass instruments.

First time attending 420 festival, I enjoyed music by action Bronson and my boy ludacris, I brought…read moretickets online, I heard people looking for tickets outside venue, because they were sold out, that happened to me last year, so I was prepared for this year. They could have done better with traffic, no officers directing traffic, so that was a nightmare getting into event, not to mention ncf, could have done a better job putting information on map what lot parking was going to be in, trying to find the lot to park in was hell , as well as parking was $20, overall I had a good experience, can't wait to see what headliners are for next year.

Small carnival located in parking lot 6 of RFK. $5 entry fee. No charge for parking, and there's…read moreplenty of it. Standard fair games. Standard carnival food like deep fried Oreos, corn dogs. They have an icee place which is nice, also a smoothie stand. A few rides, mostly for smaller children. This year there was one that went upside down like the pirate ship ride.

In order to appreciate this festival, one ought to know the history of the region and be aware of…read morelarge influence of Asians, African and Latino immigration to this region. The food is a reflection of that mix. Although it is hard to define a "national food" the region offers a variety of food that includes Asian and African influence food. The festival favorite appeared to be jerk chicken with rice as there were 4 vendors offering that. The portions are generous, taste is just right and cost within reality. The music was a bit loud but very engaging - I could just see the love birds dancing and enjoying the rhythm from DJ's. There is a lot of smoke going on as many grills were fired up but there is a lot of space where one can sit and enjoy food in shade of trees. There are vendors offering the region products and the location is very convenient as it can be easily reached by metro. The museums are close so one can enjoy morning museum, take a short walk and enjoy a bit more engaging atmosphere afterwards.

Dan set us up with safety precautions to ensure that we had an excellent day on the water. He was…read morekind, thorough and helpful in lining our boat back up correctly. Demetri helped us us get set up for the "last mile" of boat operation so that it was easy to learn before we set out. Thank you both for an amazing day with Goboat. I'd highly recommend visiting this business for a fun activity and hope to be back soon! Sameer

One Star -- Safety and Customer Service Should Come Before Blame…read more I genuinely wish I could give zero stars. What was supposed to be an enjoyable birthday outing became one of the worst customer-service experiences I've encountered. Our reservation was 7-9 p.m. GoBoat emphasized arriving by 6:40 to avoid losing rental time, so we arrived at 6:15 p.m. After approximately five unanswered calls and watching groups who arrived after us get boarded first, we finally departed around 7:12 p.m. Our boat wasn't even fully prepared--the top covering we purchased had to be installed after we reminded staff. Jamal provided basic operating and route instructions, which we followed. However, no joint pre-rental inspection of the boat, electric motor, or propeller was conducted with us, so its condition was never established to us before departure. At approximately 8:12 p.m., while following the instructed route, another passenger and I heard/felt something underneath the boat. It was nighttime with low visibility, the water was not transparent, and debris was present. Immediately afterward, everyone noticed the motor/propeller making a noise it had not made previously. We immediately reported it rather than continuing the outing. Jocelyn placed the boat in neutral and steered toward the dock. Jamal and Miles were genuinely concerned and assisted us back safely, and I appreciate them. Unfortunately, management's response was entirely different. General Manager Steve immediately blamed us, stated we should be financially responsible under the waiver, and came across as rude, accusatory, and condescending. The owner, Roberto, also attributed the damage to us, discussing the expense of propeller repairs and stating they hadn't "even reached the surface" of what repairs could cost. Yet neither management response began with the most important questions: Is everyone okay? What happened? That bothered me more than anything. We followed GoBoat's instructions, promptly reported the problem, stopped operating the boat, and had never been shown the propeller's condition beforehand. Jamal also told us we weren't the first group this had happened to. I am not claiming the equipment was previously damaged--I simply disagree with immediately assigning fault without first investigating what happened. GoBoat ultimately decided not to charge us, but maintained that we caused the damage. By the time everything was discussed, it was approximately 8:43 p.m., making their offer to restart on another boat impractical due to our other obligations. We effectively received about one hour of a two-hour birthday outing. Roberto promised a gift card for our unused time, valid through October 31. As of this review, we still haven't received it. Frankly, the gift card is the least of my concerns because this experience has made me reluctant to operate another GoBoat. For a business putting customers on the water, SAFETY SHOULD BE PARAMOUNT. Management should first ensure everyone is safe, determine what happened, inspect the equipment, and then determine responsibility--not immediately blame customers and discuss how much they'll potentially owe. I appreciate Jamal and Miles for their assistance, but the delayed/unprepared departure, unanswered calls, lack of a joint pre-rental inspection, lost rental time, immediate presumption of fault, management's tone, and lack of initial concern for our safety made this an exceptionally disappointing experience. The mechanical issue could have simply been an unfortunate occurrence. Management's handling of it is what earned the one-star review. DON'T GOBOAT, GO ELSEWHERE!