Spring in NYC is a beautiful time to visit, and it’s a great occasion to see cherry blossoms in bloom and magnolias and wisteria-covered buildings and parks.
There are tons of free places to see the cherry blossoms throughout the city, beginning from Central Park, an all-ages destination. There are two types of varieties of cherry blossom trees in New York City, and they bloom at separate times. So my best advice if your visit is to come the first two weeks of April to spot the Yoshino Cherry Trees (producing slight pink almost white flowers) and the first weeks of May for the Kwanzan, also known as Japanese Cherry (has double-petal pink flowers). You can check Central Park Conservancy for maps and locations and the “Cherry’s bloom watch” for regular updates on the blooming times.
Here is a guide of my fave places and Insta worty pictures. Starting from Central Park 🌸. Grab your camera a blanket, and be ready to be showered by these beautiful flowers’ blossoms. You can check my IG for pictures and stories too https://www.instagram.com/p/CNSfMz9sd50/?utm_medium=copy_link
Top places for Yoshino and Kwanzan Trees
- Reservoir (east and west sides) both Yoshino and Kwanzan
- Cherry Hill with beautiful lakeside and bow Bridge. Make sure to snap a picture of the trees with the Sanremo Towers in the background!
- Pilgrim Hill
- Nell Singer Lilac Walk (northeast of Sheep Meadow)
- Delacorte Theater
- Great Lawn
- Cedar Hill (mostly Kwanzan)
- Bethesda Fountain
- Wagner Cove
- Conservatory Garden East Side from 104th to 106th Street)
Other spots to admire the Cherry Blossoms are Union Square and Washington Square Park (by the Arch), Riverside Park, Roosevelt Island, Prospect Park, New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Randalls Island Park, Green-Wood Cemetery, Snug Harbor Cultural Center
Speaking of Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the very first cherry trees to blossom is in late March through mid-May. No one tree remains in flower for more than a week, and there is no moment when all are blooming at once, allowing many opportunities to savor the season.
Where the Cherry trees are located at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden?
- Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden (“pendula rosea” variety)
- Cherry Cultivars Area ( “prunus okame )
- Cherry Walk located to the east of Cherry Esplanade
- Cherry Esplanade an open lawn (very picturesque) lined with two allies of Prunus Kanzan
- Osborne Garden (by the Eastern Parkway entrance).
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden celebrates one of the city’s most anticipated spring festivals (well, due to pandemic 2022 being canceled) called Sakura Matsuri. This annual tradition celebrates Japanese culture with a rich program of events.
What’s the Sakura Matsuri cherry blossom 🌸 festival?
Japan is particularly famous for its cherry blossom (many were donated to cities like NYC and Washington D.C.) due to its large number of varieties and the nationwide celebrations during the blooming season. As the buds burst open in parks and streets across the country, people throw picnic and hanami (flower viewing) parties to appreciate the transient beauty of the flowers and welcome them in the warmer weather. Cherry blossoms in Japanese are known as sakura, and it would not be an exaggeration to say they are a national obsession. The blossoms become a topic of everyday conversation, and it is common to see people transfixed in the street, photographing a tree in bloom from many different angles. Products and decorations in stores become pink, flowery shapes, and sakura-flavored sweets and drinks adorn menus – the Starbucks sakura-themed drinks have an almost cult-like following!
For more pictures and stories follow our Instagram accounts @mary_wandermom76 and @camilla_z_nyc
Evelina says
Che bello leggerti e vedere le vostre foto! Ci fate sempre sognare di ritornare nella ‘nostra’ New York .. perché in fondo NY è una città cosmopolita che accoglie tutti ed è un po’ di tutti noi che l’amiamo ❤️
marfo76 says
Grazie Evelina per io sostegno!! Si sono d’accordo NYC è un po’ la città di tutti. Speriamo possiate tornare a visitarla presto!
Lolo says
Can’t wait for the cherry blossom tree season!
Jerey says
I can’t wait to come visit NYC. Such a great tips here for the best spots! Any restaurants you recommend nearby too! Or in the city that we should go? Thanks Mary I’m happy for this guide