Cherry Blossom Festival under way in D.C.

WASHINGTON It's that time of year again, when a swath of the nation's capital becomes awash in a sea of pink.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicked off yesterday and runs through April 12, with more than a million visitors expected to stroll through the 3,700 cherry trees that circle Washington's Tidal Basin and participate in a slew of festival events.

Highlights of the celebration include a chance to explore a floating tea house and design your own kirigami structure -- which is made of cut paper.

A week into the festivities on April 4, chefs from Washington and Maryland will roll their way through the first-ever SushiMasters competition on the East Coast. Founded by the California Rice Commission, contestants will create a sushi combination plate and then design their own signature roll. They'll have 22 minutes to do so in each category and judges will score them on style, technical skills and originality. The winner will compete in the SushiMasters finals this fall.

During the festival, visitors can also enjoy boat rides on the Potomac River, photo safaris among the blossoms and cherry-inspired cocktails and dishes at area restaurants. If you're planning your Cherry Blossom Festival trip around the peak bloom period, April 1-4 are your dates. And if you grow weary of crowds at the Tidal Basin, you may want to visit some blossoms elsewhere in the city, such as at the National Arboretum. Its 446 acres carry 2,000 cherry tree species, most of which were created by arboretum researchers and aren't found at the Tidal Basin. The arboretum offers a self-guided tour of the blossoms, which may be done on foot or by car.

While you're in town, or if you're done enjoying the festival, you may want to do some other sightseeing. One option is to follow in the footsteps of President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, with a self-guided tour of places they've visited or that have connections to the first family.

For instance, take a gander at Abraham Lincoln's Bible -- the one Obama used during his oath of office -- at the Library of Congress. It's on display through May 9 as part of the library's Lincoln bicentennial exhibition.

Or you could slip into the historic Hay-Adams Hotel, where the Obamas stayed before moving into the White House and the site of the first lady's recent Vogue cover shoot.

If culinary pleasure is your thing, grab some Southern flavor at Georgia Brown's restaurant in downtown Washington, where the first lady had her first lunch outing (she ordered fried catfish, fried green tomatoes and peach cobbler) in D.C. Or sip on Belgian beer at Marvin bistro and lounge, located in the heart of the city's U Street corridor. Named for D.C.'s own Marvin Gaye, Marvin is at the epicenter of the street celebration that erupted the night of Obama's election.

"We've really had such an interest in the Obamas and the energy and excitement that they've brought to D.C. They've really embraced the city, from date night at the Kennedy Center to half smokes at Ben's Chili Bowl," said Victoria Isley, senior vice president of marketing for Destination D.C., the city's tourism organization, which designed the Obama tour. "It's a fun way to show off the new first family and the heart of the city."

For more information on the Obama itinerary, visit the Destination D.C. Web site at http://www.washington.org.

The city has also opened a number of new or newly renovated attractions in the past year. Here are some highlights to consider exploring while in town for the Cherry Blossom Festival:

• The National Museum of American History, which recently reopened after a two-year renovation, features a dramatic display of the flag that inspired the national anthem. The museum also features exhibits on the presidency and first ladies, and costumed historic characters wander through the halls every weekend. Free. Details at http://americanhistory.si.edu.

• The new Capitol Visitor Center, an underground museum that's now the first stop for people touring Congress. Admission is free. Tours of the Capitol are limited to free timed-entry tickets that should be reserved in advance online at http://www.visitthecapitol.gov or through a congressional office.

• A wax figure of the first lady will be unveiled on April 7 at Madame Tussauds wax museum. Her figure will stand behind the president's in the museum's replica of the Oval Office, and will feature a special, custom sleeveless dress. Admission: $18 for adults, $12 for children. The museum also will hold special cherry blossom-related events. Details at http://www.madametussauds.com.

• The story of a Japanese monster, samurai and a sake potion is told through brightly illustrated scrolls, screens and fans in "The Tale of Shuten Doji" exhibition at the Smithsonian's Arthur M. Sackler Gallery through Sept. 20. Visitors also can check out the Freer Gallery of Art, which features an exhibit by Japanese artists from the ninth to 19th centuries who specialized in using gold and silver in painting, calligraphy and metalwork. Both exhibitions are through Nov. 8. Free. For details: http://www.asia.si.edu.

If you go