• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • TravelingDad

Traveling Mom

Traveling tips, deals, info from moms and families

  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • ROAD TRIPS ACROSS THE USA
    • ROAD TRIP PLANNER
    • ILLINOIS ROAD TRIPS
    • TEXAS ROAD TRIPS
    • GEORGIA ROAD TRIPS
    • CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIPS
    • NORTHEAST ROAD TRIPS
    • MIDWEST ROAD TRIPS
  • Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
    • US Cities
      • New York City
      • Chicago
      • Los Angeles
      • Orlando
      • San Diego
      • San Francisco
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Outdoors
    • Skiing
    • National Parks
    • RV/Camping
    • Beaches
  • Travel Resources
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Free Things to Do
    • Packing
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Ticket
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Grandparents
    • Cruising
    • TravelingDad
  • Search
  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • Road Trips Across the USA
    • Road Trip Planner
    • Illinois Road Trips
    • Texas Road Trips
    • Georgia Road Trips
    • California Road Trips
    • Northeast Road Trips
    • Midwest Road Trips
  • US National Parks
  • RV and Camping
  • Beaches
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Cruises
  • Skiing
  • Free Things to Do
  • Traveling with Babies and Toddlers
  • Traveling Grandparents
  • TravelingDad
  • US Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
  • US Cities
    • NYC
    • Chicago
    • Los Angeles
    • Orlando
    • San Diego
    • San Francisco
  • International
  • Travel Resources
    • Book A Trip
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Packing
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
You are here: Home / Free in New York / NYC Cherry Blossoms: Where to See the Pretty Blooms in 2021
kanzan cherry blossoms at The New York Botanical Garden, one of the best places to see NYC cherry blossoms
The trunk on this cherry tree is as interesting as the petals. Photo credit: Judy Antell

NYC Cherry Blossoms: Where to See the Pretty Blooms in 2021

February 27, 2021 //  by Cathy Bennett Kopf

Facebook10TweetPin76LinkedInShares86
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Cherry Blossoms in New York City
  • Brooklyn Botanic Garden Sakura Matsuri Festival
  • Other NYC Cherry Blossom Festivals
  • New York Botanical Garden Cherry Blossoms
  • FREE Places to See Cherry Blossoms in New York City+−
    • Central Park
    • Riverside Park
    • Sakura Park
    • Green-Wood Cemetery
  • More Insider Info on Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossom season in New York City marks the beginning of longer, warmer spring days. It’s time to shake off winter, pack a picnic and enjoy the great outdoors. Here’s a guide to the best cherry blossom locations and celebrations in NYC, including the famous Sakura Matsuri festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Cherry Blossoms in New York City

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, TravelingMom may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

The most famous cherry blossom festival in the US is held each spring in Washington DC when the city’s Tidal Basin goes into full bloom. (The 2021 festival will be a Covid-safe combo of in-person and virtual events.) Other popular destinations include the Horticulture Center in Philadelphia and the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, GA.

But I think NYC is the best spot to see and snap the showy pink cherry blossoms in spring. City residents are overjoyed that winter’s finally over. They’re happy. And friendly. So it’s a great time to visit.

Although bloom time varies, plan on the peak occurring some time during the latter half of April. Cherry blossom festivals are held in various locations during that time. Or feel free to celebrate the season in the traditional Japanese manner, called “hanami.” It’s the peaceful contemplation of the annual spring blooms.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Sakura Matsuri Festival

cherry trees in bloom at the New York Botanical Garden
If cherry trees could talk, they’d scream “Look at ME!” Photo Credit: Courtesy of The New York Botanical Garden.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden hosts an annual Sakura Matsuri festival, celebrating Japanese culture. When Mother Nature cooperates, the Garden’s Cherry Esplanade is in full bloom. The festival is traditionally held during the last weekend in April.

TravelingMom Tip: Arrive early in the day or late in the afternoon (last admission is at 5:30 p.m.) to avoid crowds.

If the Sakura Matsuri festival is canceled due to Covid, the Garden’s grounds are still open for strolling and snapping Instagrammable cherry blossom photos!

Other NYC Cherry Blossom Festivals

People enjoying the Cherry Esplanade - brooklyn botanic garden
The Cherry Esplanade in full bloom at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Photo Credit: Rebecca Bullene. Courtesy of Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

The following locations hosted cherry blossom festivals prior to Covid. In lieu of organized events, you can visit these destinations during mid- to late April for beautiful blooms – bring a picnic!

  • Randall’s Island Park – unique recreation area in the East River, between Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx
  • Flushing Meadows Corona Park – site of two World’s Fairs
  • Roosevelt Island – take the Tramway for a bird’s eye view of NYC

New York Botanical Garden Cherry Blossoms

Enid Haupt Conservatory flanked by cherry blossom trees
Weeping cherry trees look like delicately old fashioned ballgowns. Photo Credit: Courtesy of The New York Botanical Garden.

Located in the Bronx near the Zoo and famously delicious Arthur Avenue, The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is worth a visit any time of the year. But in spring, the gardens and conservatory are truly a delight.

Why? Because cherry blossom season coincides with the botanical garden’s annual Orchid Show. A full blown show won’t be held in 2021 due to Covid, but the Garden’s Haupt Conservatory will feature orchids in the permanent exhibits from February 20, 2021 – April 4, 2021.

The grounds feature more than 200 cherry blossom trees. Called sakura in Japan, cherry trees come in different varieties including yoshino and kwanzan. The botanical garden showstoppers are the weeping cherries planted in front of the Conservatory.

To catch the trees in full bloom, plan your visit to the New York Botanical Garden using this Cherry Tracker.

FREE Places to See Cherry Blossoms in New York City

Central Park

New York’s Central Park in spring is a wonderful place to visit. The first warm days are perfect for exploring its 840 acres, 21 playgrounds, the vintage carousel, Great Lawn and family-friendly zoo.

And visitors in spring can see gorgeous cherry blossoms in bloom at a number of different FREE locations in the park:

  • Conservatory Garden (East Side from 104th to 106th Street)
  • The Reservoir (85th Street to 96th Street)
  • Pilgrim Hill (East Side at 72nd Street)
  • Cherry Hill (Mid-Park at 72nd Street)
  • Dene Slope (East Side from 65th to 67th Street)

A bountiful number of spring bulbs (in addition to flowering cherry blossom trees) are planted in the Park’s Shakespeare Garden (West Side from 79th to 80th Street). It’s a visual treat that rivals the masterpieces hanging at the Met.

TravelingMom Tip: If you are visiting NYC with teens struggling with Shakespeare sonnets and plays, reading the 10 plaques featuring some of the author’s famous flower quotes might help them understand the Bard.

If you’d like to know more about Central Park cherry blossom tours, the Central Park Conservancy conducts guided Cherry Blossoms Tours on select dates in April. Tickets are $15 for non-members. Check out the handy Central Park Bloom Guide to follow the flowers in the park. 

During Covid, Central Park tours are conducted virtually, via Zoom. The park’s website has the latest information.

Riverside Park

kanzan cherry blossoms at The New York Botanical Garden
Kanzan cherry trees feature double blooms of pink flowers – they’re the superstars of a spring landscape. Photo Credit: Courtesy of The New York Botanical Garden

Want to get the kids some exercise while you’re checking out NYC’s cherry blossoms? Then head to Riverside Park. Sited along the Hudson River on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Riverside Park features a 4-mile long path. The section between 100th and 125th Streets is called the Cherry Walk.

Many of these trees were part of the same batch of trees planted at the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C.. They were presented as a gift in 1912 by the Committee of Japanese Residents of New York. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving!

TravelingMom Tip: The closest parking lot to access the Cherry Walk is at 97th Street and the Henry Hudson Drive.

Sakura Park

Another batch of the gifted cherry trees with pink flowers thrives in Sakura Park, located close to Riverside Park at West 122nd Street.

This 2-acre park also features a ten-foot tall Japanese stone tori or lantern, a children’s playground and outdoor performance space.

Green-Wood Cemetery

Historic Green-Wood Cemetery covers 478 beautiful acres in Brooklyn, planted with plenty of mature spring-blooming shrubs and cherry trees.

The cemetery offers two-hour historic trolley tours, so you can combine traditional sightseeing with your hanami. Check the cemetery website for tour availability during Covid.

More Insider Info on Cherry Blossoms

  • What’s the best time to see the cherry blossoms in Washington D.C.?
  • Escape the crowds and check out Philly’s fantastic cherry blossoms!
Facebook10TweetPin76LinkedInShares86

Category: Family Vacations in New York, Free Fun Things to Do in the 50 States, Free in New YorkTag: free, New York, New York City

You May Also Like

  • The Horticultural Center in West Philly is free - and a less crowded place to enjoy cherry blossoms in Philadelphia.
    Cherry Blossoms in Philadelphia 2020
  • cherry blossoms washington dc
    It's Cherry Blossom Time in Washington DC! Viewing Tips for Families
  • Have you been to a Korean spa? Visit one on a NYC spa day
    NYC Girlfriend Getaway
  • Did you know you can see the Manhattan skyline from Green-wood Cemetery
    Free in NYC: Green-Wood Cemetery
  • Thinking of visiting NYC in winter?
    Free Things to Do in New York City in the Winter
  • Time for apple picking in New York
    Best Places to Go Apple Picking Near NYC
Previous Post: « Planning a Family Reunion in 5 Easy Steps
Next Post: Where to Find Texas Bluebonnets Where to find Texas Bluebonnets»

1 Comment on “NYC Cherry Blossoms: Where to See the Pretty Blooms in 2021”

  1. avelina lapastora says:
    March 25, 2020 at 6:29 am

    New York is lock down right now. Can we still visit Central Park to see the cherry blossoms ?

Comments are closed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Manage Push Notifications
  • Site Admin

Copyright © 2021 Traveling Mom ยท All Rights Reserved