The best places to see cherry blossoms in New York City

There would be no better way to celebrate the end of winter – and the of the snow, the freezing weather and the heavy coats season (sorry people, me and 95% of people I know are already tired of the long winter) – with the arrival of spring and its flowers. One of the most magical things in New York City is being able to witness the change of the seasons. It is realizing the color of the landscapes, the weather, and even the sunlight. I love summer and all the possibilities that the season brings – but, without a doubt, spring and fall are the most beautiful seasons. And from the second half of April, the cherry blossom show begins and it is magical! If you live here or if you are visiting, you should appreciate it! So today I bring you a list of the best places to see cherry blossoms in New York City!

Brooklyn Botanical Garden – without doubt, the best place to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossom – and certainly the most crowded. Every year, the place promotes the Sakura Festival to celebrate the flowers – and it usually happens the last weekend of April. My tip? Don’t visit the place on weekends during the cherry season. It gets crowded. If you can, go during the week. Oh, and remember that Brooklyn’s botanical garden has more than 12,000 species in an area adjacent to Prospect Park with lots of green space and beautiful flowers. Do not be sad if you miss the Cherry Blossom season. You can check the predictions of other garden flowers here.

Address: 990 Washington Ave. Entrada: U$15 – free on Fridays, from 8 am to 12 pm.

Conservatory Garden – Central Park has a lot of great spots to see the cherry blossom, but you must visit the Conservatory Garden. Located at 5th Avenue and 105th street and open daily from 8 am until dusk, Conservatory Garden is the only formal garden found in Central Park. The quiet, calm atmosphere of the Garden, free from runners and bikes, makes it a perfect spot for relaxing walks. Opened in 1937, it features six acres of beautiful seasonal plants that are arranged into three styles: English, French, and Italian. The vibe is different from the park itself, it is like a botanical garden. Conservatory Garden has a lot of places to sit and also an elevated area where you can see all the gardens. It’s also a favorite place for weddings.

Address: 402 5th Ave. Free

Roosevelt Island – this residential island is located between Manhattan and Queens and well worth the visit, at any time of the year. All this because you can get there by the Tramway – and this route will be worth your ride. One of the requests is to walk to the southern tip of the island  – and this path is crowded with cherry trees. Well worth the visit!

Corona Park – one of my favorite places in New York, Corona Park is a huge park in Queens. It makes my heart beat harder because of the Unisphere, a wonderful and gigantic monument, which was designed by the architect Gilmore D. Clarke for the New York World’s Fair of 1964-65. During the summer, the fountain is turned on and the monument is even more beautiful.  You will see cherry blossom around Unisphere.

Randalls Island – It is located in the north of Manhattan, between Harlem and Astoria. It’s also where Governor’s Ball, famous music festival, takes place every summer. It is an island dedicated to sports and fun activities. The south of the island is a great place to walk and see cherry blossoms.

Riverside Park – Stretching four miles from 72nd to 158th streets along the Hudson River, Riverside Park is widely regarded as Manhattan’s most spectacular waterfront park. The highlight of this park is a special detail: the river view. Playgrounds, tennis court, skateboard area, basketball courts, and snack bars are just a few of the things that are part of the park. Another highlight is Cherry Walk, a continuous four-mile-long path along the Hudson River from 72nd to 158th Street. It’s amazing to walk through this path!

New York Botanical Garden –  Obviously, I believe it is better to visit the place during the spring to see all the beauty of the gardens with roses, tulips, and azaleas. The area is extensive and has thousands of species, in addition to periodic exhibitions. There is a shuttle to have a general tour around the garden.

Address: 2900 Southern Blvd. Free admission all day on Wednesdays and from 9 am to 10 am on Saturday- otherwise, you pay $20-$25. 

Central Park – during the peek, you will probably come across several isolated cherry trees in different areas of the park. However, if you want a special place, there is a concentration of them on the 90th, on the west side of the park, next to the Jackie Onassis Reservoir. It’s beautiful!

What you need to know about cherry blossoms in New York City:

• The most common question of whoever is coming to the city in the Spring is: will I see the cherry blossoms? Spring starts on March 21 and ends on June 20 and the trees begin to blossom at the end of March – very, very slow. The peak begins in the second half of April through the first week of May, at most. Obviously, these are predictions. Spring temperatures can vary, and the higher the temperatures, the faster the cherry blossoms. But overall, this is the average.
• On the Brooklyn Botanical Garden website, you can follow the flowering status through CherryWatch. This map is only from the Botanical Garden, but you can base it on how the rest of the city is.
• The New York Botanical Garden website also has a Cherry Tracker.
• Another smart way to keep up with the cherry blossoms is on Instagram! Search for the places above and check out the recent images. 

Laura Peruchi

Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!