Cherry Blossoms in NYC: Cherry Blossom Festivals and Where to See the Blooms

Viewing the beautiful cherry blossoms in New York City or attending a local cherry blossom festival is one of the most delightful rites of spring. In Japan, cherry blossom viewing is taken to almost religious heights. Blooming flowers are carefully watched, enjoyed, and celebrated. Traditional Sakura Hanami parties feature eating, drinking, and music.

There are many places to enjoy gorgeous cherry blossoms in NYC this spring, and take note—the cherry blossoms are just beginning to burst to life. Here are the best places to see cherry blossoms and celebrate whith cherry blossom festivals in New York City this spring. Find more seasonal happenings in our NYC Kids' Guide to Spring Fun.

Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Manhattan and the Bronx

Randall's Island – Randall's Island

Randall's Island's annual cherry blossom celebration is part of its Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 20. Families can enjoy arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations, and live musical performances. Be sure to visit the cherry blossoms surrounding the Urban Farm and in the Cottage Garden.

Riverside Park Cherry Walk – Morningside Heights

Riverside Park has its own Sakura Park with a beautiful cherry walk featuring trees gifted by the Committee of Japanese Residents of New York. These were given decades ago in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Robert Fulton's steam-power demonstration on the Hudson and the 300th anniversary of Henry Hudson's discovery of the river. The cherry blossoms are located between 100th and 125th streets.

Roosevelt Island – Roosevelt Island

Take the tram or F train from Manhattan or the bus from Queens to enjoy the beautiful blooms all along the East River walkway, then stick around and explore the rest of the isle.

RELATED: 19 Best Spring Festivals and Fairs in NYC this April for Families

Picnic under the cherry blossoms in Central Park. Photo courtesy of Ayumi Sakamoto

Central Park – Upper West Side

Central Park is a great place to view cherry blossoms and have a picnic, plus visit the Central Park Zoo, a destination playground, or a museum. Some of the best cherry blossom viewing sites are on the bridle path at 90th Street, the East Drive at 66th Street, the east side of the boathouse at 74th Street, and Cherry Hill, mid-park at 72nd Street just west of Bethesda Terrace. Be sure to bookmark the Central Park Conservancy's Cherry Blossom Tracker to perfectly time your visit.

Pelham Bay Park – Pelham, the Bronx

Coming in at triple the size of Central Park, many people don't know Pelham Bay Park is the city's largest park. The space features a lovely collection of Yoshino cherry blossoms; head to the City Island Bridge to find them. Just over the bridge lies City Island—a mini-getaway complete with museums, ice cream, and delicious seafood restaurants.

New York Botanical Garden – Bronx Park, the Bronx

NYBG's cherry collection doesn't get a fest, but the cherry blossoms at this Bronx institution are still sweet. There are more cherry blossoms scattered throughout the Ross Conifer Arboretum, too. Check the cherry blossom tracker to pick the best time to visit. While you're there, don't forget to visit the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden and The Edible Academy. Of course, the Orchid Show is on view through Sunday, April 21, too.

Little Island – Meatpacking District

Gardeners have been hard at work, prepping for spring on Little Island, where many things have grown since the island's opening. Visitors can stroll among beautiful daffodils, tulips, lilies, pasque flowers, and many other flowers that bloom from more than 66,000 bulbs. Its collection of Akebono Yoshino cherry trees is a seasonal standout, too.

RELATED: 33 Spring Staycations and Day Trips near NYC

Visit the Queens Botanical Garden's Cherry Circle. Photo courtesy of the garden

Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Queens

Queens Botanical Garden Cherry Circle – Flushing

While the Queens Botanical Garden does not have a special cherry blossom festival, it does have a beautiful cherry circle, where you'll find cherry blossom trees planted along a winding path and bursting with blooms each spring.

Flushing Meadows Corona Park – Flushing

Take in a spring day at this expansive park and enjoy the cherry blossoms adorning the areas surrounding the Queens Museum and the Queens Theatre. For the most picturesque views, head west on the promenade toward the Unisphere.

Rainey Park – Long Island City

Head to this sweet neighborhood hidden gem which comes to life in the spring with Okame cherry trees blossoming all along the promenade. The Kwanzan cherry blossoms on the lawns follow suit a bit later in the season.

Hunter's Point South Park – Long Island City

If Yoshino cherry trees, with their pale pink cherry blossoms maturing into white clusters are your thing, this is the place for you. This special variety of cherry blossoms blooms around the park's oval, which also boasts stellar views of the Manhattan skyline. This little park packs in a lot of features including a central green, playgrounds, adult fitness equipment, a dog run, a bikeway, a waterside promenade, picnic terraces, and a basketball court.

RELATED: 45 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids in April 2024

Wander the paths under the cover of cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. Photo by Diana Kim

Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Brooklyn

Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Prospect Heights

The BBG has the most well-known collection of cherry blossoms in the city. It celebrates its collection with a cherry blossom festival dubbed Weekends in Bloom from Saturday, April 27-Sunday, May 12. BBG also hosts Hanami Nights from Tuesday, April 23-Thursday, April 25. This evening event takes place along the famous cherry esplanade with origami, live music, and food and drinks.

The garden offers some extended hours and outdoor programs during the cherry blossom season. Track the blossoms online to perfectly time your visit.

Green-Wood Cemetery – Greenwood Heights

Though it may not be on your radar for cherry blossom viewing, this 478-acre cemetery boasts more than 170 blossoming cherry trees of various varieties. Guests can stroll the many winding paths to admire the extensive collection of cherry blossoms.

Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms on Staten Island

Silver Lake Park – Staten Island

We didn't want to neglect Staten Island, and if you make the trek there for some cherry blossom viewing, you won't be disappointed. The many Kwanzan cherry blossoms bloom alongside sweet crabapples and plenty of red maple trees. Cool fact: The lake—which is the natural centerpiece of the park—was an inspiration for renowned poet Audre Lorde and her name now graces signage in the park.

This article was originally published in April 2012 and is updated annually. Vanessa Leigh​ contributed additional reporting.