From Central Park to Roosevelt Island, cherry blossoms are a welcome sign of spring across NYC
Each yr , starting in March , cherry red tree across the U.S. announce the arrival of spring with a ‘ fireworks display of pink - hue beauty . ’ While D.C. is known as the res publica ’s elemental destination for the flower , more than 40,000 ornamental cherry tree , or sakura , bloom in New York City alone , thanks to a gift and gesture of friendly relationship from theCommittee of Japanese Residentsmore than a century ago .
As of March 20 , spring has formally sprung . It ’s time to leave seasonal depression behind us and search out the ethereal beauty of local sakura in NYC ’s parks , esplanade , and street . allow ’s get alfresco and disturb some grass : Here ’s where to view cherry blossom in NYC this year .
When will cherry blossoms bloom in NYC?
upright intelligence : they already are ! Peak bloom isdependent on warm weather , and since NYC has seen above 60 - point temps recently , the blossoms are out to dally . While there is no citywide tracker to keep up with the blooms , most botanical garden have their own single trackers which are updated daily .
What types of cherry blossoms are in NYC?
The most common type of cerise trees in NYC are the okame , yoshino , and kwanzan , however , the Brooklyn Botanic Garden alone has26 unlike cherry species . Each type hasits own blooming schedule : the okame kicks off the time of year with its dingy fuschia flowers in March to mid - April , the white heyday of the yoshino ( also seen along DC ’s Tidal Basin ) emerge in April , and the kanzan ’s hopeful pinkish blooms show up in later April to mid - May .
Where to see cherry blossoms in NYC
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Botanic GardenProspect ParkAs far as New York City is concerned , theBrooklyn Botanic Gardenmight be the supreme cherry blossom viewing spot . Take photos with each of the park’s26 cherry speciesas you roam along the walkway of a Japanese garden and cherry - lined esplanade . Between April 26 and May 11 , visitor can see duringWeekends in Bloomfor live music , dance functioning , and other cultural programs . Keep an eye onCherrywatch , an online map that ’s update day by day to reflect the efflorescence progression of every sakura in the garden .
Green - Wood CemeteryGreenwood HeightsWith peal hill , wooded paths , and ornate mausoleums , the 478 - Akka landscape at Green - Wood Cemetery can be astonishingly joyous . The memorial park shines during the give with 172 cerise blossom trees dating back to the 1920s blooming in the expansivearboretum .. Enter through the main Gothic arch and you ’ll quickly stumble upon a colorfulspringtime scene of cherry trees .
Manhattan
Cherry HillCentral ParkAs one of the city ’s largest and most well - kempt green spaces , Central Park is naturally a peachy set forcherry blossom hunting . While several area of the ballpark attend as stellar viewing point — theReservoir , Great Lawn , andCedar Hillamong them — Cherry Hill , beside the Central Park Lake , is a surefire spot for scenic snapshots . Named for the cherry trees that bloom there each spring , flower frame notable construction on the Upper West Side and row Panama on the lake . KeepCentral Park ’s cherry flush maphandy when you bring down .
Cherry WalkRiverside ParkThe stretching of Riverside Park between 100th and 125th Streets is recognized by NYC Parks as Cherry Walk , a beautiful Hudson River path for pedestrians and rockers that springiness to life in April . Lined with cherry tree gift by the Committee of Japanese Residents of New York over a century ago , the path is a living piece of history that cue its walker of the city ’s transversal - cultural influence . The Cherry Walk has been under twist for the past six months but is set to announce its reopening date any day now , so keep an optic out .
Little IslandHudson River ParkThe Hudson River ’s float slice of nature , Little Island , greets visitors with a gorgeous show of Akebono Yoshino cherry trees . Along with the white - and - pink cherry blossoms , take in the more than 66,000 other seasonal blossom in bloom — from Narcissus pseudonarcissus and tulip to crocuses and irises . Embark on a inscrutable prima donna of Little Island by listen to an informativeaudio tour .
Cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden|NattyC/Shutterstock
Randall ’s IslandRandall ’s IslandTucked between the East Side of Manhattan and Astoria Park in Queens , Randall ’s Island is anoften - overlooked waterfront park , perfect with 360 - degree views and enough heyday to reset your tenseness time . Trees on Randall ’s Island can be find near the Urban Farm , as well as Field 62 and 63 . For the full cherry red blossom experience , drip by on April 26 for the annualEarth Day Festivalhosted by the island ’s horticulture department .
Roosevelt IslandRoosevelt IslandJust a quick underground or scenic air tram drive from the mainland ( which is an attraction in itself ) , the narrow island is landscape with rows of cherry tree bloom that sprain already impressive skyline views into an unparalleled spectacle . Roam toFour Freedoms Parkat the island ’s southerly tip for a blend of story and living knockout , and — if you want the full lam experience — book a stay at theGraduate Hotel .
Sakura ParkRiverside ParkA flying departure from the Riverside Park ’s Cherry Walk will bring you to Sakura Park , where many of the trees remaining from Japan ’s twentieth - hundred friendship natural endowment ended up . The rectangular two - acre park borders West 122nd Street and features notable monuments , including a Japanese stone lantern gifted by Tokyo in 1960 , when NYC formalize its sister metropolis position with Japan ’s uppercase . There ’s also a performance marquee used by the Manhattan School of Music and a playground for young children .
Cherry trees in Green-Wood Cemetery|David Berkowitz/Flickr
Queens
even out Meadows Corona ParkFlushingThe land site of the 1939 and 1964 World ’s Fairs , Flushing Meadows Corona Park was plan to impress . While it ’s photograph - worthy in its own rightfield , the cherry blossom canopy line the parkland in spring dead add to the allure . South of Roosevelt Avenue and Citi Field , past Arthur Ashe Stadium , the sprawling landscape light up with pinkish and magnify the steel Unisphere ’s brilliance .
Hunter ’s Point South ParkLong Island CityYoshino cherry trees thrive at Long Island City ’s waterfront park . While gazing out at the Manhattan skyline , stroll under the canopy of ashen blooms before train advantage of other parking lot fringe benefit like vacation spot , a dog run , bike paths , weapons platform bench , a hoops court , and more .
Queens Botanical GardenFlushingStraight through the main garden entrance of the Queens Botanical Garden , you ’ll find Cherry Circle , a curved walking path bordered by cherry trees . Many of the anthesis trees have been adopted by biotic community members and dedicate in honor of loved one they have lost , giving an already revered crime syndicate of Tree an added layer of sanctity .
Cherry trees in Green-Wood Cemetery|David Berkowitz/Flickr
Staten Island
Snug HarborNew BrightonBlossoms are bountiful at Snug Harbor come April . A promenade on bungalow run-in puts cherry red tree on full display , and theNY Chinese Scholar ’s Gardenon campus provide a serene setting for cherry bloom , magnolias , and redbuds to color the horizon with all spook of pink . Also at Snug Harbor are plum blossoms : Early bloomers , they take the public eye through March , budding with flowers both full-bodied in color and fragrance . Aside from cultural significance , the handful of Asian tree lift up Staten Island ’s ecosystem , giving bees the nutrients needed to stay in business and helpSnug Harbor ’s farmthrive .
Bronx
New York Botanical GardenBronx ParkIn a garden so big you involve aplant trackerto chance your way around , you have it away you ’re in for a goody ejaculate springtime . With more than500 flowering cherry treesin the 250 - Accho parking lot , New York Botanical Garden is an well-heeled spot to catch sight of salad days . Visitors can wander just about anywhere on the ground to discover cherry tree blossoms , but the hot spot are the Cherry Collection , Conservatory , Conifer Arboretum , and Daffodil Hill . A check of the onlinebloom trackerwill ensure height views .
Kristjan Veski/Shutterstock
