9. National Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry Blossom Photo by E. David Luria, Courtesy of NCBF

10Best Photo by E. David Luria.
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The Buzz -- More than a million tourists come from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the cherry blossom blooms each year in DC. The annual festival commemorates the 1912 gift of cherry trees to the city from Tokyo. The key to beating the crowds is knowing exactly what activities are on the calendar. Everything from an opening ceremony and a commemorative walk to art exhibits and fireworks celebrate the beautiful blooms.