See just now that the "peak bloom time" has been updated to April 3. Maybe I won't get to see them after all. Am I week too early?

I think so.

"Staying at Holiday Inn on C St. SW...right behind the Air & Space Museum. Is that walking distance to see the blossoms? About how far?"

I was using google maps just this week for DC walking directions. when I started typing in Tidal Basin, Tidal Basin, Washington, DC came up as an auto fill in. Give it a try.

"Is there any transportation around the Tidal Basin and/or Potomac Park or is it walking only?"

Just walking as far as I know unless a cab goes by.

http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm?a
Take the blue line north from L'Enfant Plaza to the second stop and transfer to the red line 2 stops east at Union Station. When you exit Union Station walk south to the Capitol Building. From there walk west along the Mall back toward your hotel or if you want to go further you can walk all the way to the Lincoln Memorial. You will see some blossoms but not the full display.
You will also be walking past several Smithsonian buildings which may have things you want to see more than cherry blossoms

I don't see a question asking about walking to the Capitol but if you are going to walk from Union Station, you may as well walk from your hotel.

WIth all due respect, Tom, your suggestion is ridiculous -- it's convoluted and takes the OP away from her destination.

The OP's hotel is a 20 minutes walk along the southern side of the National Mall to the Washington Monument where the OP will begin to see the cherry blossoms.

For the OP, from your hotel point your smart phone in the direction of Independence Ave and turn left. You'll be there in under 15 minutes walking. The cherry blossoms are blooming late this year. Hard to say what it'll look like on the 27th.

>>There appears to be a major freeway running right through the middle of that area --Southwest Freeway/395. Is that a problem to cross if walking?<<

It's not the "middle of the area" but it is a major highway and no one in their right mind would be a pedestrian there.

Whew, it wasn't just me

Correct.

O.K. Thanks(almost)all. 15-20 minute walk...may see a partial blooming of the cherry trees...no need to go near the freeway.

Sorry OBX...don't have a smart phone

Sounds like fun.

I don't have one either.

Your hotel can direct you to Independence Avenue. It will take you less than 2 minutes to get there. Turn left onto Independence and keep walking the in the direction on the Washington Monument. Hope you have good weather. Forecast is definitely on the cooler side.

To anyone reading this thread in future, indeed, tomfuller's route makes no sense.

The National Parks Service's webcam shows the cherry blossoms' progress
http://tinyurl.com/dx5wzkf

The Third Street tunnel takes I-395 underneath the National Mall. Why people go to the National Mall solely to see cherry blossoms baffles me.
I will attempt to explain the logic of my crazy route from the hotel.
One of the best views of the entire mall area is from the west side of the Capitol building looking west to the Lincoln Memorial. Starting there in the morning and walking west makes sense to me since the sun will be at your back for most of the morning. As the sun warms the blossoms, more will open.

Thanks all.

Tom: That does make more sense. Your original post without this explanation, was a bit confusing.

Shucks....the web cam makes the cherry trees look pretty darn drab right now. Not even a hint of green, let alone pink. Oh well....maybe next time.

On to the Smithsonian.

This will help with identifying the type of Prunus species you are looking at. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011_species.html
Japan gave the original gift with only 1 specie of Cherry.
After some of the originals died or were vandalized, Japan gave a more hearty variety for replacements. They blossom at slightly different times.