Cherry Blossoms in New York: When They Bloom and Where to See Them

Most people know about the cherry blossoms that adorn the Washington, D.C., landscape each spring. It’s a stunning spectacle, no doubt. But New York should not be overlooked when considering the best places to view these lovely harbingers of spring.

The Empire State bursts with color each year during the cherry blossom bloom. Let’s explore some of the best locations to check out New York’s cherry blossoms.

Albany 

The state capital dazzles with spring color during its annual tulip festival. But, not to be outdone, the cherry blossoms of Albany bloom with their own brand of spring beauty.

Washington Park is an idyllic setting to enjoy a picnic lunch and some lovely spring cherry blossoms.

The campus of the University at Albany is also a beautiful spot to catch these blooms. Don’t miss the university’s Life Sciences Garden. It’s a stunner!

Albany’s Lincoln Park neighborhood is a lovely setting when the cherry trees bloom. 

The Congregation Gates of Heaven synagogue in neighboring Schenectady is a hidden gem. The annual display of weeping cherry blossoms on the grounds of this beautiful place creates a unique spring spectacle. The synagogue holds an annual cherry blossom festival each spring, celebrating the arrival of these gorgeous blooms.

Syracuse

The spring cherry blossom bloom in the Salt City will leave you feeling a little more cheery and a lot less salty.

Take a walk down the streets of Franklin Square in the Lakefront area. The pastel pink-and-white blooms will lift your spirits and remind you that the dreary days of winter are ending, and spring is ready to begin.

Many side streets and residential areas in Syracuse are lined with blooming cherry trees each spring. Take a stroll or a leisurely drive and enjoy the all-too-brief beauty of these blossoms.

There is also a beautiful oddity in Syracuse that you won’t want to miss. The Tree of 40 Fruit, located on the Shaw Quad of Syracuse University, looks like a normal tree for much of the year. But when spring flowers bloom, its Frankenstein nature is indeed revealed.

The tree was created through grafting and can grow 40 different kinds of stone fruit, including peaches, apricots, plums, nectarines, and cherries. When the blossoms arrive in the spring, the cherry blossoms are interspersed with other blooms, creating a truly magical display.

And if you’re up for a short drive, there is an amazing Instagram-worthy photo spot about an hour north of Syracuse. If you’re not a resident of the area, there’s a good chance you’re never heard of the small town of Sodus. This quaint village sits on Lake Ontario in Upstate New York. 

While it is more well-known for its apple orchards, the Lake Breeze Fruit Farm in Sodus has fields of cherry trees that are jaw-dropping when the blossoms appear each spring. Combine that with the large population of white-tail deer and other wildlife, and it’s totally worth the drive to Sodus!

Buffalo

The annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival aims to bring a “Blizzard of Blossoms” to Buffalo, following the city’s usual winter blizzards. And they are well on their way to doing just that.

This annual festival is held in Delaware Park. That’s where you’ll find the Japanese Garden of Buffalo, located next to the Buffalo History Museum. This garden features a stunning display of cherry blossoms. 

Situated on Mirror Lake, this is the perfect place to stroll or take a boat ride to view the blooming blizzard. And, as the name of the garden suggests, the festival celebrates the broader Japanese culture along with the cherry blossoms.

There is also a “secret street” where Buffalonians can take in a truly stunning cherry blossom display each year. For example, Linden Avenue in Kenmore is a residential street that is lined with cherry trees. The blooms help to frame the lovely architecture of the homes in this neighborhood, making a most delightful spring scene.

Note: There is a Linden Avenue in Buffalo, but the cherry blossoms are on Linden Avenue in Kenmore. Kenmore is part of the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metro area.

Peekskill and North Salem

There are two small towns, each a little over an hour’s drive north of New York City, that cherry blossom aficionados need to know about: Peekskill and North Salem.

There is an annual cherry blossom festival in Peekskill’s picturesque Riverfront Green Park. Located on the Hudson River, 100 cherry trees bloom each spring along the riverfront walkway. Easily accessible from the Peekskill train station, this is a lovely place for some cherry blossom viewing away from the crowds of New York City.

The Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden in North Salem is another place where you can enjoy spring’s beauty at a slower pace. The paths of the Stroll Garden invite visitors to do just that: stroll. An unhurried walk through the cherry blossoms in this magnificent setting is sure to get you in a springtime frame of mind.

New York City

The most populous city in the United States also has a staggering population of cherry blossoms each spring. It would be nearly impossible to compile an exhaustive list, but here are some of the must-see spots for cherry blossoms in New York City.

Roosevelt Island

Roosevelt Island provides sensational views of Manhattan year-round. But, when you add cherry blossoms to the scene each spring, the view becomes like a real-life postcard. Sit on a park bench or stroll the cherry tree grove along the East River. There’s no wrong way to enjoy Roosevelt Island in the springtime.

Prospect Park

Brooklyn’s Prospect Park features eye-popping spring cherry blossoms. It’s a great place to picnic, relax, and unwind on a sunny spring day. The Long Meadow is an especially lovely place to view the cherry blossoms in the park.

Central Park

This iconic 843-acre park is one of the best places in the city to view the cherry blossom bloom. You’ll want to plan out your trip ahead of time (did we mention Central Park is 843 acres?) to ensure the best experience.

A few of the hotspots in Central Park for cherry blossoms include the Shakespeare Garden, Cherry Hill, Conservatory Garden, Pilgrim Hill, and the Kennedy ​​Onassis Reservoir.

Green-Wood Cemetery

While it may sound strange, this cemetery is one of the most beautiful settings in the city for cherry blossoms. Green-Wood Cemetery is nearly 480 acres, and the cherry blossoms by the ponds are simply stunning. It doubles as a wonderful space for birdwatching, and there is never an admission fee to the cemetery grounds. This is a quieter, more reflective place to view the blossoms than a city park, but maybe that’s exactly what you’re looking for.

Riverside Park

This park is, without a doubt, one of the premiere blossom viewing spots in Manhattan. A stretch within the park known as the Cherry Walk bursts with color from the Kwanzan cherry trees each spring. These trees, interspersed with crabapple trees, make Riverside Park an unmatched picturesque spring scene.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The grounds of this world-renowned garden make Brooklyn Botanic Garden a blissful place to view the annual cherry blossom bloom. The Cherry Blossom Esplanade offers some of the most splendid cherry blossoms in the city. There is also the annual Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival, which celebrates the blossoms and Japanese culture. 

Pelham Bay Park

Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx is the city’s largest park. It is three times the size of Central Park. There is a delightful display of Yoshino cherry blossoms in the park, especially near the City Island Bridge.

New York Botanical Garden

Some consider New York Botanical Garden to be New York City’s best cherry blossom destination. When the 200+ Kwanzan cherry trees bloom, they intermingle with the park’s daffodils to create an utterly surreal scene. Cherry Hill, the arboretum, and Daffodil Hill are prime places to view the springtime cherry blossoms.

Union Square Park

Union Square Park’s name hints at its roots. It was originally built as a town square in the mid-1800s. Today, the park is bustling with activity, especially in the spring when everyone wants to view the blooming Kwanzan cherry trees. And we do mean everyone! This park tends to be crowded, especially at lunchtime and on weekends. 

Flushing Meadows Corona Park 

This large park in Queens features wonderful views of springtime cherry blossoms in the areas around the Queens Museum and the Queens Theatre. And the Unisphere is picture-ready when flanked by blooming cherry trees. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is a delightful place to spend a spring afternoon!

Washington Square Park

This park has a stunning display of spring blooms. Daffodils, magnolias, and cherry blossoms all combine to form a quintessential New York spring scene. Plus, it’s in Greenwich Village, which has a vibe all its own. If you need to shake the winter doldrums and put a little “spring” in your step, Washington Square Park is just the ticket!

So many more!

Again, this is far from an exhaustive list of cherry blossom locations in New York City. There are so many more! When these flowers bloom in the spring, the Big Apple is prolific. There are very few places that rival its romantic beauty and charm when those pastel blossoms are at their peak.

When to View the Cherry Blossoms of New York State

If there is a downside to cherry blossoms, it’s their short and always-changing bloom time. When the flowers do reach their peak, they normally only hang around for 4-5 days. In years with calm weather, the bloom time may stretch a little longer. But a rainy, windy day can also cut the blooms short.

And the timing of the blooms changes from year to year. Cooler weather will delay the blooms, while warmer weather could coax them to peak earlier.

As a general rule, mid-April to early-May is the blooming window for New York cherry blossoms. Yoshino cherries will usually bloom on the early side of that window, and Kwanzan cherries will bloom toward the latter half of the timeframe. Knowing what variety of cherry trees inhabit your area can help you begin to zero in on a peak bloom window.

But again, much of it depends on the weather, and springtime in New York is anything but predictable. Monitor local weather forecasts. Follow horticulturists and flower enthusiasts on their blogs and social media platforms. This will keep you “in the know,” so you’ll be ready when that oh-so-short window of springtime loveliness opens up. Then, when you see the glory of New York’s cherry blossoms, you’ll thank yourself for your advanced preparation!