New York City cherry blossoms come around once a year and drive the city into a frenzy. Every spring, the city comes alive with bloom hunters looking for the best cherry blossoms in New York City. Central Park comes to life in a riot of color and crowds, and the botanical gardens fill with eager visitors.
As a New York local, I know all the best places to find cherry blossoms in New York. There are endless places to see these beautiful white and pink blooms, but I’ve carefully researched and visited the cream of the crop!
When Do Cherry Trees Bloom in New York City?
Did you know that New York City has over a dozen varieties of cherry blossom trees? You can even see certain varieties blooming as early as February!
However, the most popular peak blooming season for cherry blossoms in New York City is from the end of March through the end of April. The beginning of spring can be unpredictable in terms of weather in the city, so I recommend checking the forecast every day—depending on temperature and precipitation, trees can bloom or die literally overnight!
Weather During Cherry Blossom Season in New York City
It’s still rather chilly in New York City all the way until the end of April. In recent years, weather has been wildly unpredictable, swinging from strangely warm to coat-weather cold from one day to the next. I recommend dressing in layers and always carrying a jacket and umbrella during spring in New York. You never know when it’ll start raining or when a cold breeze will come through.
Where to Find Cherry Blossoms in New York City
For a concrete jungle, there are plenty of places to find cherry blossoms in New York. I can’t even pin every location because you can easily find cherry blossoms simply by walking around!
However, not all cherry blossom spots are made equal. I’m sharing some of my favorite places to catch New York’s cherry blossoms so you can enjoy flowers and blooms all spring long.
Magnolia Blossoms in NYC
Blooming period: End of March through the first 2 weeks of April
While magnolias aren’t cherry blossoms at all, I couldn’t not include these striking pink-and-white blooms that flower elegantly all over the city. Magnolias bloom slightly earlier than the classic somei yoshino cherry blossoms, but they typically have a longer blooming period and a more visible color.
Cleopatra’s Needle
Cleopatra’s Needle is an obelisk located behind the MET Museum in Central Park. It’s surrounded by large, beautiful magnolia trees! The best part is that it’s rarely crowded, even in the middle of the day. Don’t forget to explore the area as well, because there are many other lovely magnolias on the lawns nearby.
Bethesda Fountain
Bethesda Fountain is one of the most crowded, popular locations in all of Central Park. Its beautiful tiled terrace and view overlooking the lake mean that it’s a favorite for photoshoots, proposals, and groups simply hanging out! However, if you can come early in the morning, you can snag a beautifully framed photo with the magnolias in the foreground.
Grace Church
Grace Church has to be my favorite magnolia bloom location in New York City. This still-functioning church has gorgeous magnolias in front of the building, offering a lovely perspective for a photo. They also have some kwanzan cherry blossom trees in the front, so you can even come to this location twice. Definitely gorgeous and one of the most unique and quiet places to see cherry blossoms in New York City.
Grand Central Terminal
Surprise, Grand Central Terminal also has some beautiful blooming trees in the spring! You’ll have to walk down a few streets to 38th Street to find this stunning frame with magnolias on one side and pear trees on the other. Be warned: you’ll have to walk through the crosswalk to snap this exact shot with Grand Central Terminal in the middle, but it’s such a perfect cross between spring and New York!
Somei Yoshino Cherry Blossoms in NYC
Blooming period: First 2 weeks of April
The somei yoshino is the variety that you think of upon hearing “cherry blossoms:” pale, white-pink flowers with five delicate petals. The somei yoshino are the crowning pride of New York City’s cherry blossoms and a surefire way to tell that spring is here! However, yoshino trees are very delicate and sensitive to wind and rain. Bad weather can easily destroy them and cold weather can keep them from opening for an extra week.
Cherry Hill, Central Park
Cherry Hill is the most popular place to catch cherry blossoms in New York City. The short but stunning path winds down towards the Lake through a display of beautiful yoshino trees. The grassy lawn also invites visitors to come and sit underneath the pale pink blooms in the sun.
Cherry Hill is gorgeous but also extremely crowded for good reason! If you want to take pictures here without others around, make sure to show up before 8 AM.
Pilgrim Hill, Central Park
Pilgrim Hill is a lesser-known place to catch cherry blossoms in Central Park, but I personally like this spot even more than Cherry Hill. Especially on a sunny day, Pilgrim Hill’s cherry blossom trees are positively bursting with fluffy pastel petals, and the grassy hill is perfect for picnics. This is one of my favorite places to see cherry blossoms in NYC!
Engineer’s Gate, Central Park
The Engineer’s Gate entrance to Central Park leads straight from the sidewalk into a cherry blossom heaven. While the gritty sand path isn’t much to look at, the trees that flank the sidewalk are some of the most beautiful cherry blossoms in New York City. The path is popular with runners, even in the morning, but it’s possible to get good photos even in the middle of the day.
East Side Reservoir, Central Park
The East Side Reservoir near 91st Street has a path lined with pale pink yoshino trees. This spot is less crowded because it’s not as easy to access and has fewer trees, but it’s a beautiful spot if you get the angle right! If you’re already going to Engineer’s Gate, don’t forget to take a stroll along the reservoir as well.
American Museum of Natural History
Did you know that there is a massive, beautiful cherry blossom tree behind the American Museum of Natural History? No one seems to know about this spot, making it one of the prettiest places to see cherry blossoms in New York! The elegant museum architecture also makes it extra photogenic.
💡 Pro tip: Entry to the Natural History Museum is pay-as-you-wish for New Yorkers. Ticket reservations are required for all guests.
Hunter’s Point South Park
Hunter’s Point South Park is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in New York City. The bowl-shaped park is perched on the west side of Long Island City, offering beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline with a ring of cherry blossom trees in the foreground. The space is large and popular with families.
Hunter’s Point gets the most incredible hanafubuki, or cherry blossom petal rains, possibly because of the winds that come through!
Roosevelt Island
The slim Roosevelt Island between Manhattan and Queens is home to some of the most beautiful cherry blossoms in New York. All along the south end of the island, cherry blossoms wave in the wind along a beautiful walking path by the water. If you’re too late for the yoshino blossoms, there is also a row of bright pink kwanzan blossoms that bloom here two weeks later. The Roosevelt Island cherry blossoms tend to bloom slightly later than the others in New York!
Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park is one of the most popular public spaces in Manhattan—I’ve never seen this park empty. The iconic arch that is a small replica of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris sits right next to a few beautiful magnolia and yoshino cherry blossom trees in early spring and some deep pink kwanzans in late April. It pays to get creative with the angles here!
Kwanzan Cherry Blossoms in NYC
Blooming period: 3rd-4th weeks of April
The yoshino bloom is not the end of spring in New York City—in fact, it’s just the beginning. The kwanzan cherry blossom trees bloom around 2 weeks after the somei yoshino and have a fuller, deep pink color with lots of petals. I personally love this variety because it’s so pigmented! You can find these all over New York, but here are some of the best spots.
89th Street Bridle Path
The Bridle Path on 89th Street in Central Park has the most breathtaking display of kwanzan cherry blossoms. Not only is the path perfectly framed with a photogenic arch of cherry blossom trees, but the low branches and ample green space here mean it’s the perfect place for cherry blossom picnics.
Laduree Soho
The beautiful Laduree cafe branch in Soho features a gorgeous outdoor patio underneath a canopy of cherry blossoms. This is one of the most romantic places to have breakfast or afternoon tea in New York City—dining while the petals flutter down around you. Make sure to make your reservation well in advance during the spring season.
📰 Read more: The Most Beautiful Restaurants & Cafes in NYC
Roosevelt Island
As I mentioned above, Roosevelt Island cherry blossom trees come in a few different varieties. If you’re late for the yoshino bloom or just prefer the kwanzan blossoms, there is a decent-sized row of these dark pink trees on the south end of Roosevelt Island. Don’t forget to take the super-cute tram to and from the island for the same price as a subway ticket!
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
The stunning Brooklyn Botanical Garden has at least a dozen varieties of cherry blossom trees, but the kwanzan bloom here is possibly the best in all of New York City. The beautiful Cherry Esplanade is just one of the many gorgeous displays to be found in this stunning garden.
Aside from the Brooklyn Botanical cherry blossoms, you can also find events, music, performances, and more always happening here at the garden.
📰 Read more: A Brooklyn Guide: What to Do, Eat, & See (According to a New Yorker)
As spring blooms across the city, nothing feels more seasonal than exploring all the most beautiful cherry blossom locations in New York City. Of course, you can find beautiful spring blooms no matter where you are in New York, as every corner of the parks and charming neighborhoods is bursting with colorful petals. Enjoy your spring blossom hunting in NYC!
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