Tidal Basin

Overview

The Tidal Basin is a partially artificial inlet on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., and is a popular destination for walking, jogging, and sightseeing. It is surrounded by several iconic memorials, including the Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.

The Tidal Basin is known for its scenic views and cherry blossom trees, which were a gift from Japan in 1912. The basin is also a significant historical site, as it is home to several important memorials.

Scenic View Historical Site

Location

Address

1750 Independence Ave SW,

Neighborhood: National Mall

Coordinates

38.883300, -77.036700

Visiting Information

Opening Hours

monday 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

tuesday 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

wednesday 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

thursday 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

friday 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

saturday 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

sunday 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Admission

Adults

free

Children

free

Best Time to Visit

Overall Best Period

March-May, October-November

Best Time of Day

Early morning or late afternoon

fewer crowds, better lighting for photos

Duration Recommendations

Minimum

30 minutes

Recommended

1-2 hours

Full Experience

half-day

Seasonal Highlights

spring

mild to warm

• cherry blossoms
• kite festival

summer

hot and humid

• outdoor concerts
• fireworks

autumn

cool

• fall colors
• cooler weather

winter

cold, possibly snowy

• holiday decorations
• ice skating

Know Before You Go

Essential Information

Check cherry blossom forecast
Wear comfortable shoes
Bring water

What to Bring

essential

water sunscreen comfortable shoes

seasonal

jacket in spring/fall, layers in winter

not allowed

drones (without permit) alcohol

Health & Safety

Physical Requirements: low to moderate (depending on walking distance)

• dehydration in summer
• slippery paths when wet or icy

Medical facilities: first aid available at nearby museums

Payment Information

Accepted

cash, credit cards

Currency

USD

Typical Costs

parking $6-$10

food $10-$25

souvenirs $5-$50

Dress Code

casual, comfortable, comfortable shoes, layers for changing weather, walking shoes, inappropriate clothing

Booking Tips

• not typically required, but popular tours may require advance booking
• official tourism websites or tour operator websites
• varies by tour operator
• not typically required

Amenities

Restrooms

Gift shop

Atm

Wifi

Lockers

Wheelchair rental

Stroller rental

Bicycle rental

Bike rack

On site restaurant

Cafe

Picnic areas

Outside food allowed

Nearby restaurants

Digital Services

Mobile App

National Mall

Size: 50 MB

Features: map of the area, information about memorials and events, cherry blossom bloom updates

Platforms: iOS, Android

WiFi Zones: limited availability, check with nearby museums for wifi access

Charging Stations: not typically available, check with nearby museums

How to Reach

From Airport

Nearest: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Distance: 10 miles

Travel Time: 20-30 minutes

taxi

$30-$40 20-30 min

public_transport

$3 35-45 min

From City Center

Distance: varies by location, typically 1-3 miles

metro

$2 15-20 min

bus

$2 20-30 min

taxi

$10-$15 10-15 min

Local Insights

Cultural Context

Why Locals Love It: scenic views, historical significance, outdoor activities

Historical Significance: home to several important memorials, site of many significant events and protests

Insider Tips

Visit early in the morning for the best photos and fewest crowds
Check the National Park Service website for up-to-date information on closures and events
The basin is shallow and may be closed for maintenance or safety reasons

Local Recommendations

• Try half-smoke from nearby food trucks
• Visit nearby National Museum of American History
• Walk the entire loop around the basin for the best views

Language Help

Useful Phrases

hello Hello

thank_you Thank you

where_is Where is

how_much How much

beautiful Beautiful

ticket Ticket

Guide Languages: English, Spanish, French, other languages may be available for tours

Photography Guide

Best Photo Spots

Between Jefferson Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

Best Time: sunrise or sunset

Tips: wide-angle shot to capture reflections

Result: stunning photo of basin and memorials

#tidalsan #washingtondc #cherryblossoms

In front of Jefferson Memorial

Best Time: sunrise

Tips: low angle to capture the columns of the memorial

Result: iconic shot of Jefferson Memorial

#jeffersonmemorial #washingtondc

Photography Rules

allowed areas all outdoor areas

prohibited areas inside memorials (no photography rules may vary by memorial)

flash photography allowed outdoors, not typically allowed inside memorials

commercial photography permit needed for commercial shoots

drone policy prohibited without a permit

tripod policy allowed in most areas, but may be restricted during events

selfie sticks allowed, but be mindful of other visitors

Nearby Attractions

National Museum of American History

Distance: 0.5 miles

Walking: 10 minutes

Type: Museum

National Museum of Natural History

Distance: 0.3 miles

Walking: 5 minutes

Type: Museum

National Gallery of Art

Distance: 0.8 miles

Walking: 15 minutes

Type: Art Museum

Lincoln Memorial

Distance: 0.7 miles

Walking: 15 minutes

Type: Memorial

Washington Monument

Distance: 0.5 miles

Walking: 10 minutes

Type: Monument

Smithsonian Castle

Distance: 0.4 miles

Walking: 8 minutes

Type: Historic Building

Reviews

4.7

Based on 25,000 reviews

Recent Visitor Tips

"Visit early in the morning for the best photos"
"Wear comfortable shoes for walking"
"Check the cherry blossom forecast before visiting in spring"
"Visit nearby museums for indoor activities during bad weather"

Contact Information

+1 (202) 426-6841

nmah@si.edu (for nearby National Museum of American History, as the Tidal Basin itself does not have a specific contact email)

www.nps.gov/nama (National Mall and Memorial Parks website)

Social Media

Related Tours & Activities (13)