Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in NYC
Updated: Sep 15, 2021
Spring is hands down one of the prettiest seasons in New York City. If your planning a visit this is a great time to go. Starting in late March/early April, cherry blossom trees begin to bloom and blanket parts of the city in spectacular shades of pink and purple.
The blooms last for a short time (about a month or so) and certain locations peak faster than others. Mid to late April is your best bet to see the cherry blossoms in all their glory. By early May most of the trees have peaked.
So where can you see the cherry blossom trees in NYC? Here are some of the best places to catch the spring blooms.
1. Roosevelt Island
Roosevelt Island is one of the best locations to catch the cherry blossoms in NYC. Not only is the Riverwalk lined with stunning bright pink cherry trees, there's also a great view of the city. Take the F train to Roosevelt Island and walk south from the subway station to see the long row of cherry blossoms.
Where: Roosevelt Island
2. Central Park
There are tons of cherry blossom trees (as well as other beautiful spring flowers) all throughout Central Park. However, the west side of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, specifically along the Bridal Path, is the best place in Central Park to find a bunch of cherry blossoms.
Where: Central Park West/ Bridal Path
3. Brooklyn Botanic Garden
If you want to see the most cherry blossom trees in one place (along with some spectacular tree tunnels) then head to Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The annual Brooklyn Cherry Blossom Festival is held here, usually the last weekend in April. However, I would recommend skipping the festival and instead visit during the week to avoid the insane crowds.
The cherry blossoms at Brooklyn Botanic Garden last the longest, so you can still catch the blooms in early May (when most of the other locations have peaked). For the current status of the cherry blossom trees check out the Cherry Watch page.
Where: Brooklyn Botanic Garden
4. Washington Square Park
