Where Can I see Cherry Blossoms in NYC this Spring in 2026?
Spring in New York City means one thing: it's finally time for New York City's Cherry Blossom Season. During the short amount of time that they are in bloom, the delicate pink and white blossoms transform the parks and gardens across all five Boroughs of New York City into stunning displays. Whether you are a photographer looking for the perfect photo opportunity or just a person who loves nature, there are plenty of places to enjoy the beauty of the Cherry Blossom Season in New York City. Below is your complete guide to finding the best Cherry Blossoms in the city during the upcoming Spring Season.
How Do We Know When to Expect the Bloom?
While the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms in New York City is not a singular event, it is instead a series of blooming events that occur over the course of several weeks. The timing of the blooming will depend on the weather, however the general timeline is as follows: Okame cherry trees bloom in the middle to end of March with their small pink flowers and red calyxes; the well-known Yoshino cherries bloom from the middle to the end of March through to April with their white to light pink blossoms; and the fluffy double petaled Kwanzan cherry trees bring the season to a close from the middle of April through to the beginning of May (NYC Parks). According to local photographers who follow the patterns of blooming, the Cherry Blossoms in New York City usually reach their peak bloom approximately two weeks after Washington D.C.'s peak, which usually happens in the early part of April. Based upon the past bloom data, the primary show should be happening from the middle of April through to the beginning of May, although some of the early varieties could begin blooming as early as late March.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The Crown Jewel of Cherry Blossoms
As far as seeing Cherry Blossoms go in New York City, Brooklyn Botanic Garden is the place to be. The garden has a number of varieties of cherry trees throughout its grounds, therefore there are always beautiful blooms to see regardless of when you visit in the Spring. The variety of cherry trees being used in the garden allow for the blooming to occur in succession rather than all at once, and this extends the viewing period of the Cherry Blossoms by a significant margin.
Additionally, the garden hosts an annual Hanami Nights festival which will take place from April 21-24, 2026. The event will include evening events such as live music, cultural activities, and the cherry trees will be lit up to create a magical atmosphere. However, the events will require tickets, so you would need to purchase them in advance as the events tend to sell out quickly (Brooklyn Botanic Garden).
Central Park's Cherry Blossom Paradise
Central Park contains nearly 100 cherry trees that are located primarily in the area of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, Cherry Hill (which is appropriately named), Pilgrim Hill, the Great Lawn, Cedar Hill, and Sheep Meadow (Central Park Conservancy). As mentioned above, the best displays can be viewed in the area of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, however other areas also contain beautiful displays. The Central Park Conservancy offers an interactive map with real time information regarding which trees are at pre-bloom, at peak, or post-bloom. This is a very useful resource as it allows you to determine when the trees will be at their most vibrant and when you should plan your visit. Additionally, the Yoshino cherry trees near Cherry Hill provide a beautiful example of the white to light pink blossoms that are typically associated with the Cherry Blossom Season.
Queens: A Skyline View with Your Blossoms
Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City has been described by many photographers as having the best Cherry Blossom experience available in New York City. The Yoshino cherry trees along the waterfront at Gantry Plaza provide a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline surrounded by the delicate pink blossoms. As the sun sets and the golden light hits both the blossoms and the skyscrapers, this location becomes almost magical.
In addition to the views of the skyline provided by the Yoshino cherry trees at Gantry Plaza State Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which is a popular filming location for movies (most notably the first Men in Black film), contains cherry blossoms in close proximity to cultural landmarks such as the Unisphere and the NY Pavilion. Therefore, Flushing Meadows Corona Park is an ideal destination for those interested in both exploring cultural landmarks and enjoying the natural beauty of the Cherry Blossoms.
The Less Known Cherry Blossom Spots in the City
Roosevelt Island's riverside promenade offers a less crowded alternative to viewing the Cherry Blossoms in New York City. The promenade provides a scenic view of the Manhattan skyline surrounded by the blossoms. As Roosevelt Island is a smaller island, it provides an intimate viewing experience. Additionally, the historic red tram ride that runs on Roosevelt Island adds another layer of excitement to the experience. While the other locations listed in this article offer great opportunities to view the Cherry Blossoms in New York City, Roosevelt Island is a hidden gem that offers an experience that is unique and worth visiting.
The Harlem River Greenway in Inwood, Manhattan, has more than 80 flowering cherry trees of Kwanzan, Okame, and Yoshino varieties. The trees were planted as part of the MillionTreesNYC initiative in 2007 and bloom from mid-March through early May, with peak bloom typically occurring in early April. Perhaps the greatest benefit to visiting the Harlem River Greenway to view the Cherry Blossoms is that the area tends to be much less crowded than other locations in the city (Time Out New York).
Sakura Park near Columbia University is historically significant because in 1912, 2,000 cherry trees were donated to the United States by the people of Japan and planted in the park. The park's name translates from the Japanese language to mean "cherry blossom" and continues to be a serene and peaceful location to enjoy the blossoms without the crowds of tourists that flock to other locations.
The Bronx's Impressive Collection
The New York Botanical Garden has over 500 cherry trees, representing 82 different species, hybrids, and cultivated varieties spread out across its 250 acres. The bloom times of the cherry trees vary from March to mid-May, and therefore the New York Botanical Garden provides one of the longest periods of time that you can view the Cherry Blossoms in the city. Using the New York Botanical Garden's Plant Tracker Tool allows you to find specific varieties that you wish to see (New York Botanical Garden).
Enjoy the Cherry Blossom Season
As stated previously, the Cherry Blossom season is extremely short-lived. Each individual tree blooms for approximately one week. This creates a sense of urgency to make the most of the experience, while at the same time making it even more special. Plan to arrive at the more popular locations, such as the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, early in order to minimize the impact of the crowds, especially on weekends. Visiting during the weekdays provides a more relaxed experience.
With the various outdoor activities that are now possible due to the Cherry Blossom season, you will undoubtedly be tracking pollen and spring allergens into your home. Many New Yorkers will elect to perform a deep cleaning of their home during this transition. Companies such as Sparkly Maid NYC have experienced an increase in demand for their services during the spring as homeowners prepare their homes for the season while spending more time outside to appreciate the natural beauty of the Cherry Blossoms.
Photographers, the ideal time to capture the beauty of the Cherry Blossoms in New York City is during the golden hour. Bringing a wide angle lens will enable you to capture both the blossoms and the surrounding landscape. Follow NYC Parks and the individual parks' social media pages to stay current on bloom updates.
Cherry Blossom season serves as a reminder to slow down and appreciate the beauty that exists in our world, albeit fleeting. Regardless of whether you are walking beneath the pink canopy of trees in Central Park, capturing skyline views of Manhattan from the cherry blossoms at Gantry Plaza State Park, or celebrating culture with the Hanami Nights Festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the beauty of the Cherry Blossoms provides a magical escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. And, as you spend the days of the Cherry Blossom season traveling the five boroughs of New York City to view the blossoms, returning home to a clean and fresh environment—regardless of whether it was cleaned by you or a professional service such as Sparkly Maid NYC—will only add to your enjoyment of the entire Spring Season. Don't delay in planning your visits to the locations that interest you, as the blossoms will only be visible for a short period of time.
Sources:
Brooklyn Botanic Garden. "Cherry Blossoms at BBG." Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Central Park Conservancy. "Central Park Cherry Blossom Trees." Central Park Conservancy
Central Park Conservancy. "Tracking Central Park Cherry Blossoms in 2026." Central Park Conservancy
Donahue, Nire. "A Photographer's 2026 Guide to Finding Cherry Blossoms in NYC." Nire Donahue, 20 Dec. 2025
New York Botanical Garden. "Cherries." New York Botanical Garden
New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. "Best Parks to See Cherry Blossoms in New York City." NYC Parks
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