The Top 10 Best States to See Cherry Blossoms Bloom This Spring

Written by Em Casalena
Updated: March 17, 2023
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While the precise date of the elusive cherry blossoms’ much-anticipated debut is impossible to predict, March and April are typically thought of as the peak season. As winter gives way to spring, anticipation for the blossoms’ appearance grows every year. Several communities around the nation hold celebrations and events to honor their ephemeral but lovely presence. If you can’t make it to Japan, you can still appreciate cherry blossoms in bloom from the United States.

The famous cherry blossoms bloom in shades of pink and white, but the show is short-lived. The cherry blossoms are viewed as a sign of the transient nature of life by the Japanese. Popular customs include gathering under the flowers with food, music, and friends celebrating existence. Many U.S. communities have festivals and provide tours of their magnificent cherry tree collections. As we near the end of winter, think about taking a road trip to see the blossoms.

In this guide, we’ll explore 10 awesome states with these blooming cherry blossoms in the United States. Keep in mind that these states are not in order of importance! Also, keep in mind that the festival or event dates in this guide could change each year on short notice.

1. Hawaii

Prepare for one of the State of Hawaii’s oldest and longest-running festivals. This festival is filled with enjoyable activities, lovely flowers, and a celebration of both Japanese and Hawaiian traditions. The festival also aims to improve the lives of Japanese-American women living in Hawaii. It does so by providing them with the chance to receive cultural and professional training. These women then display their newly acquired skills during the festival. They also introduce themselves at the Festival Ball on March 21st.

While the inaugural celebration was held at the end of January, festivities continue through April. Unlike other cherry blossom festivals, which tend to start late and conclude early. Cherry blossom viewing is especially unique at Wahiawa in Honolulu County. Trees are said to have originated from a single tree transported from Okinawa, Japan. Check the website since many of the cherry blossom festival events will be released closer to the day.

Close up of pink Japanese cherry blossoms blooming late winter in Waimea, Hawaii.

Waimea, Hawaii, is another popular Hawaiian destination to view cherry blossoms (pictured).

©Jody-Ann/Shutterstock.com

2. Oregon

Tom McCall Waterfront Park and the Portland Japanese Garden are two excellent locations in Portland, Oregon, to see cherry blossoms every spring. The Japanese American Historical Plaza, created in 1990, borders Tom McCall Waterfront Park. 

Visitors are also urged to explore the remainder of the Plaza. The plaza is peppered with poetry on the Japanese American experience. The 100 cherry blossom trees placed in the park are a remarkable spring feature.

Visitors to the Portland Japanese Garden also get to learn about Japanese culture and take in a few cherry trees. These trees have been thoughtfully placed across the area to produce vistas typical of traditional Japanese gardens. Tickets for timed entrance are $13 to $19 per person, and reservations are advised. Under-six-year-olds are admitted for free. Just remember to allow enough time to enjoy tea and mochi at the local cafe. You’ll also want to save some time for the numerous cultural events. These include Japanese harp concerts or flower arrangement demonstrations.

There’s also Salem, Oregon. Cherry Blossom Day at the Capitol, sponsored by the Oregon State Capitol Foundation, honors not just the American cherry blossoms but also the significant influence that Japanese culture has had on the region. On March 21st, the major celebration takes place. The Capitol Mall in Salem, which has grounds covered in rows of cherry trees that bloom between late February and early March, is where you may find the greatest trees in the area.

3. Georgia

The Macon Georgia International Cherry Blossom Festival, which has been going on for over 35 years, is one of the biggest and rosiest in the nation. Although many people believe that Washington, D.C., is the place to see cherry blossoms, it turns out that Macon, Georgia, has an astounding 300,000 Yoshino cherry trees that are in bloom, with the majority of them being in Central City Park.

The city organizes various activities every day of the week, some more traditional than others but all a lot of fun. The festival kicks out on March 27th with an opening ceremony, and highlights include the yearly parade on March 29th and a celebration in the park on April 4th. 

4. New York

New York City has some of the most well-known cherry trees in the nation. You’ll spot them at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York. Each of the park’s several cherry tree types blooms and then drops its leaves sequentially from mid-March to late April. This creates an almost synchronized show of beauty.

The largest cherry blossom event in the park is called Sakura Matsuri. It takes place each year over the weekend of April 25th and 26th. There will be 60 activities at the festival, including traditional Japanese performances and more modern ones like cosplay competitions. Don’t miss the opportunity to stroll around the 1921-established Cherry Walk at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden.

Cherry blossoms in Central Park, New York City.

Cherry blossoms (pictured) are also abundant in Central Park, New York City.

©Kristjan Veski/Shutterstock.com

5. Texas

Horticulture lovers in Dallas look forward to the Dallas Arboretum’s floral celebrations every spring. Visitors may take in the trees’ magnificent tulip displays while strolling or sitting among them when they are fully bloomed. The Dallas Blooms celebration at the Arboretum takes place during the cherry blossom season, from February to April. Visitors may also take in live performances, wine, and beer.

Visit the Dallas Arboretum during the spring if you’re in Dallas to see the cherry blossoms. In total, there are around 150 cherry trees in the region. You may also have your own picnic and eat it amid the flowers, or you can spend tea time in the garden. Along with their cherry blossom trees, they also have tulip and daffodil fields that visitors may visit.

6. Washington

Returning to the great outdoors in Seattle after a chilly, wet winter is a treat, especially when the city is blanketed in cherry blossoms. Even though there isn’t a formal cherry blossom festival in Washington state, it’s difficult to overlook the hundreds of trees that are strewn around the city. 

That being said, the University of Washington quad is one of the greatest spots to see a large group of Yoshino trees. It might be hectic and bustling, but don’t let that stop you from taking a stroll around campus or having a picnic to soak in the scenery. One of the nicest aspects of seeing them at the university is that you can follow their real-time Twitter updates on the cherry blossoms. You may also go to the Seattle Japanese Garden, where the trees bloom a little later, and there will be fewer people there, to see the flowers.

7. Ohio

If you happen to live in or near the state of Ohio, take a drive to Ohio University to find cherry blossom trees. The beautiful university grounds, which are home to some 200 trees, are covered in delicate pink petals in the spring. The university’s landscape has been impacted by trees for more than 30 years. Despite the fact that there isn’t a particular event hosted on the grounds during cherry blossom season, it is still worthwhile to stop by in the afternoon and spend some time there. The trees are lighted much like they are in Japan as the day progresses into the evening.

Cherry blossoms in bloom surrounding a brick Ohio University sign in Athens, Ohio.

Ohio University (pictured) is a surprising member of this list, but cherry blossoms grow quite easily in the cold state’s climate.

©Robert A. Powell/Shutterstock.com

8. California

If you want to see cherry blossoms in a more serene setting, head to the San Mateo Japanese Garden. Even though it is bordered by suburban structures, once you are within the garden and admiring the koi pond, meandering walks lined with blossoming trees, and pagodas, you wouldn’t know. It is one of the few Japanese Gardens in the United States with free admission, making it ideal for return trips and leisurely strolls. Before you go, stop by the tea house for a drink with a view.

San Fransisco is another California hotspot for cherry blossoms. Even though there are cherry trees all across San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, it’s worthwhile to take a side trip to the Japanese Tea Garden since there are a few of them strewn amid the garden’s famed teahouse, bridges, and pagodas. Mid-March to mid-April is normally when San Francisco’s cherry blossoms are at their most abundant. The Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown, which takes place in April, is the season’s high point each year.

9. Missouri

Did you know that the Missouri Botanical Garden, renowned for its geodesic-dome greenhouse, is also a top location for cherry blossom viewing? With over 14 acres of ground to explore, bridges to cross, and over 230 different varieties of flowering trees to observe, including the Yoshino and Kanzan trees, the park has one of the largest traditional Japanese gardens in the United States. 

Set aside some time for a leisurely lunchtime stroll in the garden! You may participate in Marshfield’s annual Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival events, which include parties and presentations by famous people and authors.

10. Washington, D.C.

While Washington, D.C. is not a state but rather a district, it is absolutely worth including on this list. In fact, Washington, D.C., must be mentioned on any list regarding cherry blossoms in the United States. The District received 3,000 trees as a token of friendship between Japanese Americans from the mayor of Tokyo in 1912.

The most common approach to experience the cherry blossom flowers is to go to the National Mall while they are in bloom. However, locals who believe the Mall is outdated will go there later in the day when the crowds have dispersed or stroll around Dumbarton Oaks, a stunning and largely tourist-free historical house near Georgetown, Washington, D.C. 

Forecasts for D.C.’s cherry blossoms will start in early March, while it’s still too early to say with certainty when the flowers will be at their greatest bloom.

With so many options on where to visit, you’ll surely find a destination to view the ethereal and beautiful cherry blossoms in bloom that should only take a short road trip to see. Why not make cherry blossoms a destination for your upcoming road trip? You definitely won’t be disappointed.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/:Masaaki Ohashi


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About the Author

Em Casalena is a writer at A-Z Animals where their primary focus is on plants, gardening, and sustainability. Em has been writing and researching about plants for nearly a decade and is a proud Southwest Institute of Healing Arts graduate and certified Urban Farming instructor. Em is a resident of Arizona and enjoys learning about eco-conscious living, thrifting at local shops, and caring for their Siamese cat Vladimir.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Do cherry blossoms grow in the United States?

While not native to the United States, many places around the country grow thriving cherry blossom populations.

Which state has the most cherry blossoms?

Washington, D.C. and Georgia are both known for their abundant cherry blossoms.

Where do cherry blossoms grow in the United States?

Cherry blossoms grow all over the U.S. They have a tendency to not tolerate extreme cold or extreme heat, and will thrive in milder climates along the coasts and in the Midwest.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.