Where to Find Cherry Blossoms in New York
Last spring, I went with Joyce to see the cherry blossoms on Roosevelt Island. It’s a little difficult to predict exactly when the trees will bloom but typically the Cherry Blossom season and the Japanese festivals occur around late April and early March.
Did you know that there are actually two species of cherry trees?
The Yoshino cherry tree produces a hybrid cherry and blooms first. These are the trees in the photos above. I was a little disappointed that the park wasn’t a riot of pink flowers but that comes about a week or so later when the Kwanzan trees, or Japanese Cherry trees, bloom.
Kwanzan trees have double petal pink flowers and are shorter than the Yoshinos. If you time it right, you can see the best of both! There’s also lots of Japanese Sakura Matsuri festivals which are fun to attend.
Here are some other great places around NYC to spot the cherry blossoms in 2017!
- the Brooklyn Botanical Garden holds an annual Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival
- Central Park
- WEST side: bridle path near the reservoir
- CENTRAL: Cherry hill at 72nd, just west of Bethesda Terrace
- EAST side: just west of the Met along 83rd and 84th streets, east side of the Loeb Boathouse at 74th st, east drive at 66th st, and SE corner of the Great Lawn
- Riverside Park (cherry walk of trees donated by the Committee of Japanese Residents of New York, along 100 – 125th streets)
- Queens Botanical Garden in Flushing
- New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx
- and of course, Roosevelt Island!
Amazingly beautiful, and great shots with two beautiful girls!
On my list of great spots to see cherry blossoms in NYC!
Author
Thanks Tiff!
You have really good photos! :)
Author
Thanks so much Tatiana!!
I love taking that tram over to the Island. It’s a nice spot to walk around with great views. This weekend will be perfect for it!
I love your photos, great job.