The cherry blossoms may arrive much the same each year, but that doesn't mean you have to see them in the same old way. This year, visit at dusk and take a lantern walk with a National Park Service ranger. The two-hour walks begin at 8 p.m., after the crowds have gone home, so you can traverse the Tidal Basin with only the light of lanterns and the moon to illuminate the trees, and a ranger filling you in on all the juicy cherry blossom history. The tours kick off Saturday, March 26, with the beginning of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and continue Fridays-Sundays through April 10.

Free. Meet at the Tidal Basin Welcome Area tent (near the paddle boats). For more details visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org . 

And for all cherry blossom events, Washington Post readers' best cherry-blossom haikus, best places to pick up a picnic and more, be sure to visit wapo.st/cherryblossoms2011 .