Washington DC - City of Presidents, Cherries and Families with $169/N Hotels

In March and April, coinciding with spring break and all things spring, Washington DC will be honoring the 98th anniversary of the gift of 3,000 Yoshino cherry blossom trees (sakura) from Japan, a country where cherry blossom appreciation is a fine art. The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival runs over three weekends from March 27 - April 11, and includes more than 90 events and 200 performances and demonstrations throughout the city. For 2010, a year in which the economy looms over every decision, a budget, cherry style vacation in Washington is expected to draw more than a million visitors.

Here are a few event highlights -- all free of charge -- suggested by the Washington DC C&VB website. Plan ahead and you can all look forward to them:

• Family Day & Opening Ceremony
  Mar. 27, 10am-5:30pm, National Building Museum
  Hands-on activities and free entertainment will be offered at Family Day, taking place before the Festival’s official Opening Ceremony, which begins at 4pm.
• Fireworks Show
  Apr. 3, 8:30pm, Southwest Waterfront
  Watch fireworks light up the sky in celebration of the blossoms. The best viewing areas are at 6th and Water Streets, SW (across from Arena Stage) or East Potomac Park.  A musical prelude and other family activities will be held on the Southwest Waterfront beforehand, beginning at 5pm.
• National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
  Apr. 10, starts at 10am, Constitution Ave. between 7th & 17th Sts.
  Floats, marching bands, giant helium balloons and international performing groups will wind their way down one of America’s most popular avenues.
• Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival
  Apr. 10, 11am-6pm, 12th St. NW & Pennsylvania Ave.
  A showcase of culture, crafts and cuisine, this Festival features martial arts demonstrations, restaurant offerings, a Japanese beer garden, vendors selling traditional crafts and pop culture must-haves and more.

Honestly, with its myriad of fun activities for families, Washington DC is a top value family destination. So, if you can get away for a few days, travel during this season.

Some of DC's hotels are offering packages with a cherry flair, and here are our picks, arranged for lower to higher vacation budgets.

At the Liaison Capitol Hill, located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood at 415 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is marked by a special Cherry Blossom Package that starts at $169/night. For this rate, in addition to your room, you'll get a 2D Metro pass; a commemorative cherry blossom branch to take home; a bag of picnic goodies from Art and Soul (read our review of Art And Soul and you'll see why it's such a treat); and a box of handmade cherry blossom inspired chocolates from Artisan Confections. This offer is valid for travel from March 26 to April 30, 2010 but must be booked by March 26th -- use the promo code "cherry" and book online or call them at 866/246-2203.

In another offer from a great family hotel, visitors that stay at the Loews Madison Hotel and reserve the Cherry Blossom Blooms package will help support the replacement and maintenance of the historic cherry tree grove at the Tidal Basin, as well as those in East and West Potomac Parks. In addition to the stylish room and perks that all family vacationers get at Loews Hotels, a portion from each package sold will go to the National Capital Region Cherry Tree Replacement Fund. And just to sweeten this offer, the package includes one pound of Haribo Twin Cherry Gummies. This exclusive offer is valid March 11 through April 11, 2010, during which time rooms start at $189.

The Fairmont Washington D.C., located at 2401 M Street, NW Washington DC 20037, offers luxe overnight accommodations, a box of cherry blossom note cards and complimentary valet parking starting at $176/night. We like this hotel because it's not too big -- 415 guest rooms and suites and double rooms with two queens large enough to sleep four -- yet is has an indoor pool and nice fitness room, as well as an enclosed courtyard garden that allows families to stretch out a bit. Check out their site for booking, and consider the Family Package too, which includes a room, a guidebook and a breakfast for four, with rates from $229/N.

At the Park Hyatt Washington, the annual Spring Blossom Package is available from March 5-April 25. Note that it begins before the official blossom season, but if this period covers the kids' spring break, then this might be a good value for your family. As part of the offer at this very pretty, very luxe hotel, families can take advantage of a room upgrade, a pot of Cherry Blossom Green Tea from the hotel’s Tea Cellar, choice of valet parking or breakfast for two (we'd choose the breakfast and just pay for the kids), and a backpack for the kids filled with lots of sightseeing goodies. The Park Hyatt's package rates start at $349/N plus tax and the maximum occupancy for guestrooms is three people. However, parents and grandparents can reserve the package and a second room for children 16 years and under for an additional $75 a night, making two rooms a top value at $424/N.

For full information on the 98^th annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.