Aerial View
The informal character of the Tidal Basin contrasts with the formal symmetry of the primary east west axis of the National Mall (U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial). The Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the White House, which form the north-south axis, provide a narrower and somewhat asymmetrical vista with both the Washington Monument and a mulberry tree to one side.
Image: National Park Service
Pedal Boats
Pedal boats are a popular tourist attraction.
Image: American Society of Landscape Architects
National Cherry Blossom Festival
West Potomac Park is the site of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, which attracts around a million visitors. The park is home to more than twelve varieties of cherry trees. Walks are insufficiently wide for daily foot traffic now as well as festival crowds. To protect trees and other plantings, the NPS has been locating most festival facilities to a parking lot closed for the duration of the festival.
Image: National Park Service
Beautiful in All Seasons
Tidal Basin's flowering cherry trees in autumn.
Image: National Park Service
Outlet Bridge
The Tidal Basin is engineered to release 250 million gallons of water captured at high tide twice daily. This is accomplished through a series of inlet and outlet gates, trapping and releasing tidal flows in order to flush sediment out of Washington Channel. Tidal water currently overtops the walls and walks frequently so the National Park Service has redirected pedestrians away from these lower areas.
Image: American Society of Landscape Architects
Inlet Bridge
Tidal Basin Inlet Bridge lock structure.
Image: National Park Service
The Tulip Library
The Tulip Library, on the northeast side of the Tidal Basin, is replaced in the summary with annual flower library.
Image: National Park Service
The Japanese Pagoda
The Japanese Pagoda was a gift from the Mayor of Yokohama in 1957.
Image: American Society of Landscape Architects
The Japanese Lantern
The Japanese Lantern on the north side of the Tidal Basin is lighted during the annual festival.
Image: National Park Service
Fish Fountain Detail
Detail of Fish Fountain on Inlet Bridge.
Image: National Park Service