Cherry Blossom Festival breaks the U -Bahn records and brings $ 202 million for visitor expenses

Washington (7news) – The Alexandria artist Robb Lanier carefully pulls his subjects next to the pulsating cherry trees.

“I commit to every line that I have put down,” said Lanier when he made himself through his current drawing. “I thought it was a great way to work and see the cherry blossoms at the same time.”

“It is such a beautiful scene, and that’s why I wanted to share this memory with her,” said Mykiah Carrington-Zurita when she sat still at her side with her little sister and paid attention to Lanier’s concentration on his tender work.

Read more | So you navigate the traffic with tidal pools, the best ways to see the cherry blossoms in the top blossom

People said 7News that they were incredulously over the number of trees and humans.

“I just can’t believe how many there are. There are only so many flowers,” said Annie Flynn and visited Delaware.

“It just feels like the whole world is here,” said Deepa Pande, a local from Virginia. “It’s very pretty, so I’m sure nobody wants to miss it. Everyone wants to be part of it.”

The breathtaking sights and noises broke a record in the U -Bahn. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Wmata) said March 29 was the 2nd most busy Saturday with 710,000 trips. It was also the busiest day since 2019.

“The U -Bahn was really easy,” said Flynn. “I can’t believe that more people don’t make the train.”

With regard to sales, the cherry blossom season brings hundreds of million dollars in DC.

Read more | Photos: Thousands gather to experience the cherry blossoms around the DC frame basin

The National Cherry Blossom Festival examines the economic effects of the season every year. After 2024 data, the event brought visitor spending of 202 million US dollars. Cherry Blossoms also moved 1.6 million visitors to DC, the highest number since 2019.

“Oh, that’s not surprising. I mean, there are so many people here and I think it’s a wonderful thing for the city,” said Flynn. “Many people spend some money on different providers and so on, and I am sure that it brings a lot of wealth to the city.”

“Everything that is good for the country will help,” said Vanessa Palacios. “And it is good for the economy of the United States and so on.”

Lanier says it is worth it to be part of the draw so that people can spend time in the tidal pool.

Read more | 2025 National Cherry Blossom Festival to increase DC tourism

“If you are out here, you know that you do it yourself, you don’t necessarily think everyday life to be part of the tourism industry, but every little one helps … it’s nice to be part of it, but you know that we are all part of it.”

And there is nothing better than going with a new memory to grasp the moment.

“Come and look at yourself,” said Lanier when he packed his drawing.

“I love it! I love it,” said Carrington-Zurita. She added how much she enjoys all diversity cherry blossoms that bring to DC.

“I love to see all the different people who bring it. I love to hear different languages, the cultural guests … It is really cool to get a memory of how big the world is and how many people bring this together,” said Carrington-Zurita.