Heading to New York City this Spring? If so, I bet knowing where to find the best places to see cherry blossoms in NYC is on your bucket list! In this New York travel guide, I will be covering some of the best places to explore cherry blossoms in NYC this Spring!
As a New York local, I have extensively explored Manhattan. Therefore, you will find tons of additional links about NYC throughout this blog post! Or you can just head straight to my New York travel guide page for all my articles.
First time in New York? Make sure to check out my NYC travel tips!
When to See Cherry Blossoms in NYC
If you are planning to visit NYC in the Spring – specifically around mid-April through early May, your chances of seeing cherry blossoms in peak bloom are likely.
Of course, seeing cherry blossoms in NYC is always dependent on the weather. Sometimes, they can bloom a little earlier, slightly later, or we can have a storm that blows off a lot of the flowers.
Don’t get too discouraged, though, because I have seen cherry tree blossoms every year. Also, there are a lot of other flowers in bloom around April and May as well. This includes tulips, daffodils, and magnolias. These flower blooms make NYC look a little extra special.
So, while it may be hard to time your visit perfectly with the cherry blossoms in full bloom, visiting New York City around the end of April will likely be your best bet.
Related: Best places to see Tulips in New York
If you live close enough, you can always stay up-to-date with several bloom charts that I have linked below.
Where to Find Beautiful Cherry Blossoms in NYC this Spring
Cherry Blossoms in Central Park NYC
One of the best places to experience cherry blossoms in NYC is in Central Park. With over 840 acres, Central Park is just teeming with places to see cherry trees. This is also one of the best free things to do in NYC!
During NYC cherry blossom season, you can see cherry trees all around the Park. However, some of the best Central Park cherry tree viewing are below.
The Conservatory Garden
Known as the only formal garden in Central Park, The Conservatory Garden offers 6 acres with lovely cherry trees to enjoy. You can enjoy not only cherry blossoms but also tulips, lilacs, and more here. You can find the Conservatory Garden on the northeast corner of Central Park.
Cherry Hill in Central Park
Named after the cherry blossom trees that grow each Spring, Cherry Hill is one of the most popular places to enjoy blossoms. The pink and white Yoshino cherry trees that bloom here lead all the way up to the top of the hill.
You can also head to the Cherry Hill Fountain, which was originally designed as a drinking fountain for horses. This location gets crowded fast, so come early. Mid-Park at 72nd.
Pilgrim Hill
Located right by East 72nd, this hill gained its name from the statue of a pilgrim that resides at the top. This is another NYC location with a lot of beautiful Yoshino cherry blossom trees.
When the park was originally planned, Olmsted believed that if the Cherry trees were planted, then visitors would not enjoy or be distracted from the views that the park has to offer.
Fortunately, the advice was ignored, and actually, more varieties of plants were planted, including magnolias and apple trees – which made it the loved attraction that it is today.
Engineers Gate on 90th St
You can also find cherry blossoms by Engineers Gate off next to the sidewalk. This is also a pretty place to see daffodils as well.
Bethesda Fountain
Founded in 1868 and the focal point of Bethesda Terrace, the Bethesda Fountain is another must-visit in Central Park. This top attraction in Central Park is especially special during cherry blossom season.
Known as “the angel of the waters,” it was designed by Emma Stebbins, the first woman to be commissioned for major artwork in New York City. You can find both Kwanzan and Yoshino Cherry trees here. While in the area, make sure to also walk by Bow Bridge, which is one of the most Instagrammable places in NYC.
Bridle Path on 89th St
If you are looking for a nice stroll, make sure to head down Bridle Path Loop. It surrounds the Reservoir and has lovely blossoms covering the path.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s mission is to connect people to plants while learning how to truly appreciate being within nature. So, as you can imagine, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden makes for the perfect place to experience cherry blossom trees in NYC.
In fact, they even host an entire Sakura Matsuri festival. This cherry blossom festival usually happens in mid-April and lasts for a week. Cherry blossoms start blooming around late March or early April and then continue through mid-May, depending on the variety.
Throughout the Botanic Garden, you will experience different variations of Cherry Trees. Some of the top places to enjoy cherry blossoms in the garden are at Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, along the designated cherry walkway, and Cherry Esplanade.
There are also a lot of other beautiful flowers blooming at this time, including tulips and Magnolia flowers. Furthermore, while in the area, you can also walk around Prospect Park to find cherry trees blooming.
If you do plan on visiting during the Cherry Blossom Festival, expect crowds, as this is a very popular event.
You can also check the blooms by monitoring their Cherry Blossom map here.
Address: 990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Hours: Thursday to Sunday – 10 AM – 4:30 PM
Admission: Adults $18; Students $12; Children under 12 Free; Seniors(65+) $12
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Located in Flushing, Queens, The Flushing Meadows Corona Park is famous for being the location of the World Fair. Aside from being a famous park, it is another iconic New York park where you will find cherry blossoms blooming throughout the Spring.
On a nice spring day, you can also enjoy a picnic, a walk down the urban hiking trails, and take photos of the iconic landmarks around the park.
Address: Between Grand Central Pkwy and, Van Wyck Expy, 11354
Hours: Everyday – 6 AM – 9 PM
New York Botanical Garden
Established in 1891, New York Botanical Gardens is 250 acres (the largest in any city in the United States) and consists of mainly outdoor spaces.
This National Historic Landmark is located about an hour from Grand Central, but it is worth the trip with 200 blooming cherry trees!
If you’re hoping to feel re-inspired or are looking to unplug from the hustle and bustle that comes with the busy city, this is the place you need to be.
The garden sees a variety of flowers and plants throughout the year, which changes with the seasons. In early May, you can expect to see cherry blossoms, daffodils, and even azaleas. The garden also has a café where you can grab a bite to eat!
If possible, it would be best to visit during the week as it can become very busy at the weekends and it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking.
Keep up to date with the NYBG spring flower tracker here.
Address: 2900 Southern Blvd, The Bronx, NY 10458
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday – 10 AM – 5 PM
Greenwood-Cemetery Cherry Blossoms
The Green-Wood Cemetery is another popular place in NYC to experience cherry blossoms and one of my favorite unique places to visit. It was founded in 1838 and remains an active cemetery to this day. Visiting is popular among tourists and locals year-round.
The 478-acre Cemetery starts to get its cherry blossoms in April and continues into May.
During a visit, you can experience around 172 different species of cherry blossoms, including the famous Yoshino Cherry and the Kansan Japanese Flowering Cherry.
The cemetery even hosts its own “Hanami Festival,” which translates from Japanese as “flower viewing.”
During this event, which usually happens around April 20th, you can stroll through Greenwood’s entire park and see the extensive collection of cherry blossoms while enjoying music and entertainment. Usually, the cemetery is free to enter, aside from attending the event.
Address: 500 25th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Hours: Everyday 8 AM – 5 PM
Roosevelt Island
If you want to enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms with the NYC skyline as your backdrop, then make sure to head to Roosevelt Island. You can catch the Roosevelt tram, which comes around every 7-15 minutes. Oh, did I mention the tram also offers lovely views of Manhattan? Once arriving, enjoy a canopy of blooms over the benches that face East River.
While you are here, you can also visit the ruins of the Smallpox Memorial Hospital, Blackwell House, The Lighthouse, and Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park. The island is about 2 miles long, so you can see a lot in a small amount of time!
Cherry Walk in Riverside Park
Cherry Walk is part of the Riverside Walk. Riverside Walk itself is 4 miles worth of paving that runs along the Hudson River from 72nd to 158th Street.
Curious about how Cherry Walk got its name? Well, for all the beautiful cherry blossoms that bloom here in the spring, of course. You will see cherry blossoms between 100th and 125th Streets.
The pink and white trees looking out to the Hudson River make for a picturesque view, and if you’re lucky enough to see the sunset, you will be wowed by the view.
This is a city walk, which may be busy with joggers and dog walkers at times, but the walk provides stunning views and a nature escape in the middle of the city – so you can’t blame the many people who live to spend time here.
The best way to get here is by taking the 1 train to this upper Manhattan location. Never used the Subway? Here is my guide to Navigating the NYC Subway.
Sakura Park at 122nd Street
Another place to enjoy cherry blossoms in NYC is Sakura Park. Located on the West side near Riverside Church and International House, you can enjoy a green space of a little over 2 acres. Since this cute park is abundant with cherry blossoms, they named it “Sakura,” which is Japanese for “cherry blossom.”
In 1912, the Japanese residents donated over 2,000 cherry trees, and a handful were put here. Others can be found all around New York City.
Despite being across from the General Grant National Memorial (the 18th President’s final resting place), this park is a small hidden gem in the big city that is often quiet and not populated by tourists.
It is best to visit during early to mid-April. This is usually when the trees will be in full bloom, and you will be able to enjoy this quaint oasis.
This is located right next to the Cherry Walk as well, so you can do them both!
Madison Square Park
One of my favorite parks in NYC is Madison Square Park. This lovely two-acre green space was founded in 1686 and is located in the Flatiron District. Not only is Madison Square Park near some top NYC attractions, including the Empire State Building, Flat Iron Building, and Eataly, but you can also experience some cherry blossoms outcropping the Manhattan skyline!
Madison Square Garden has both Yoshino cherry trees and Kwanzan cherry trees. They also have crab apple blossoms to enjoy as well, which are also pretty pink flowers.
The trees in Madison Square Garden usually bloom around the same time as the rest of the city. Be on the lookout from mid-April through early May.
You can even find magnolia blooms right next to the park, outcropping the flatiron building during the spring as well. Oh, and for any NYC locals, they just opened up a new dog run.
For a bite to eat, I always recommend checking out Eatly after.
Address: 11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010
Hours: Everyday – 6 AM – 11 PM
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is not only known for its arch that honors George Washington but also for being a favorite park in New York City among locals to enjoy the spring weather and cherry blossoms.
Founded in 1871, this NYC bucket list park has always been a popular meeting spot for both tourists and locals. It is located in the charming neighborhood of Greenwich Village, and you will find people from all walks of life, including chess enthusiasts, long-time friends catching up, and a huge variety of people meeting and enjoying lunch.
This is also a popular place to take photos, see fall colors in NYC, and a free activity to enjoy in NYC. During the spring and summer months, the fountain is also turned on, and you will see tons of people sitting around it enjoying the weather.
Washington Square Park’s flowering cherry trees usually start around late April to early May. Once the flowers start blooming, you can expect crowds to increase, so get here early if you want photos with the flowers!
Ladurée in Soho
Ladurée is a whimsical French café where you can sit under the blossoming cherry trees and enjoy pastries, teas, and other delicious desserts – what more could you want?
The café has an open courtyard, which is wonderful to enjoy in Spring and Summer. Due to the stunning scenery and food, this café has become an increasingly popular spot for tourists to visit.
Described as a bakery combined with a luxury dining experience, this experience, while sitting surrounded by Cherry Trees, is to die for. They are most well-known for their macaroons, and if you ever visit Paris, you can visit their Flagship store in Champs-Elysées. They first opened in 1997.
Spring is the best time to fully experience the pink and white flower scenery. It is also the perfect location to stop by after a busy day of sightseeing in New York City. It is also known as one of the most photo-worthy cafes in NYC!
Soho is one of my favorite neighborhoods to explore. In this area, you will find great shopping, cobblestone streets, cute restaurants, murals, The Color Factory, and more.
Address: 398 W Broadway, New York, NY 10012
Hours: Everyday 9 AM – 7 PM
Things to Know Before Visiting Cherry Blossoms
Now that you know where to find some of the best places to see cherry blossoms in NYC, here are some tips to know before you go!
- Don’t wear fragrant perfumes. This can attract bees to you while taking photos with the flowers.
- Bees love cherry blossom flowers. Make sure you don’t swat at the bees. They are only interested in the flowers, not you.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Traveling around NYC can be tough on the feet.
- Bring sunscreen or a hat.
- When taking photos, look to create fun angles with the cherry blossom flowers close up in the frame.
Cherry Blossoms in NYC Wrap-up
This covers some of the best places to see cherry blossoms in NYC. I hope you enjoy exploring NYC this spring and see tons of beautiful blooming trees.
Honorable NYC Cherry Blossom mentions:
- 23rd Street Train Station
- Down Grand Central
- Silver Lake Park in Staten Island
- Queens Botanical Garden
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