Every spring, New York City is a sea of pink and white as the cherry trees around the city bloom. Already a vibrant city, NYC takes on an extra-special glow during cherry blossom season. Spectacularly flowering cherry trees bring vibrancy and energy to move the city’s energy levels up while reminding visitors that life is short and sweet.
Cherry blossom season doesn’t last long, so planning out a tour of cherry blossom attractions in NYC is the best way to take advantage of this special time of year. Here are some of the best places to experience cherry blossoms in the Big Apple.
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is the premier spot in NYC to go for cherry blossom sightings. Visitors will be treated to several different varieties of cherry blossom trees, including the Kwanzan, Yoshino, and Weeping Higan. The garden is home to one of the oldest and largest collections of flowering cherry trees in the East Coast. Plus, admission to the garden is free during certain days and times.
- Central Park
If you’re headed to Central Park this time of year, you’ll be greeted with a magnificent sight of blushing cherry trees. Yoshino and Kwanzan trees can be found scattered all over Central Park’s 840 acres, providing an almost surreal backdrop to outdoor activities like biking and picnicking. Many of Central Park’s famous attractions — such as the Bethesda Fountain and Dairy — are even more magical when the Singapore cherry blossom trees surrounding them are in full bloom.
- High Line
The High Line is one of the most popular urban parks in the city, offering a fresh take on green spaces and city life. During cherry blossom season, the 1.45-mile-long linear park takes on an even more picturesque feeling. Cherry blossoms are found throughout the route and the elevated park offers unmatched views of the NYC skyline surrounded by billows of pink and white.
- Riverside Park
With four miles of green space along Manhattan’s western edge, Riverside Park borders the Hudson River and is a delightful destination during cherry blossom season. Many of the trees that can be found on Riverside Park’s well-tended grounds give off a special vibrancy during bloom — making it a hotspot among locals in the know.
- Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is the third largest park in NYC and home to several varieties of flowering cherry trees. During the springtime, the park’s most iconic locations — such as the Unisphere and the park’s renowned boulevards — come into their own with the additions of soft-petal cherry blossoms. A stroll through this park will no doubt take your breath away.
- Queens Botanical Garden
The Queens Botanical Garden comes alive with cherry blossoms in the springtime. Visitors will be treated to some of the most incredible flower shows in New York City. The garden’s Japanese-style walking and contemplation paths are especially beautiful when they are lined with cascading Kwanzan cherry trees.
- Snug Harbor Cultural Center
The Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Staten Island is home to cherry trees of direct lineage to the ones Theodore Roosevelt planted on the property in 1910. The Cultural Center’s 83-acre campus offers a special serenity to visitors and its many fruit trees, medicinal plants and meadow walks take on an extra-special splendor during the bloom of the cherry blossom trees.
Cherry Blossom Tips
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Check the Cherry Blossom Status map: The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation publishes a live “Cherry Blossom Status” map which provides updates on when the trees are expected to bloom. This is a great resource for timing your cherry blossom visit.
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Best Times for Viewing: To experience the full vibrancy of the cherry blossoms, plan your visit for the peak bloom — usually the first two weeks of May.
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What to Bring: A camera for breathtaking shots, sunglasses and a hat for protection from the sun, and folding chairs or a blanket to sit upon.
Cherry blossom season is one of the most celebrated events of the year in New York City. Taking advantage of the city’s unique and special attractions is a great way to make the most of this exciting time of year. Whether you’re a local looking for a staycation or a visitor hoping to take in NYC’s incredible blooms, a visit to one of these prime cherry blossom spots will not disappoint.
