What can be a better way to welcome the spring by enjoying the beautiful tiny pink buds, cherry blossoms?
Every year the New Yorkers enjoy the Sakura Matsuri cherry blossom festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Unfortunately, this year the beloved cherry blossom festival has been cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But do not worry, there are still many places where you can view these Japanese shrubs in their full bloom, as in late April, the spring is in full swing in New York City.
We have listed down a few spots where you can view the cherry blossoms with your family, friends or alone. Check them out!
Central Park
One of the best places to enjoy the cherry blossom in New York City is, surprisingly, Central Park. The good thing about Central Park is that you can have a picnic over there, so grab your picnic basket, blanket and spend a whole day in the park amid the little pink buds.
You can have the best view of the Kwanzan and Yoshino cherry blossom trees from the East Drive at 66th street, mid park at 72nd St., the boathouse at 74th street, and bridle path at 90th street.
Randalls Island Park
This park is located between the South Bronx, East Harlem, Queens, and Astoria. The park features a view of the western shoreline of the East River, and it has plenty of cherry blossom trees.
Randalls Island host an annual festival of cherry blossom, which, unfortunately, is not happening this year. However, you can still enjoy the picturesque view of cherry blossoms while cycling or walking in the park.
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
The Brooklyn Botanical Garden is well known for its Sakura Matsuri lavish festival of the cherry blossom, but you can still see the cherry blossoms this year without any festivities.
This garden features 26 species of cherry blossom, and the cherrywatch map will show whether the trees are in their full bloom, peak bloom, or post-peak bloom.
New York Botanical Garden
The NYBG features around 200 cherry blossom trees, some of which are the oldest trees of the city. You can find the array of trees around the curving path of the cherry collection.
You can also find some of the cherry trees, the Arthur and Janet Ross Conifer Arboretum, and some in front of the Enid A. Haupt conservatory, along with crabapple and daffodil trees.
If you do not want to miss the cherry blossom peak bloom, you can use their handy Cherry Blossom Tracker.
Riverside Park
Riverside Park has its own cherry walk. The cherry trees are planted on the four-mile path along the Hudson River, and all the trees are gifted by the committee of Japanese (residents of New York City).
You can find the cherry trees between 100th and 125th street, near Riverside church and Grand’s Tomb.
Roosevelt Island
The Roosevelt Island also hosts a cherry blossom festival at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedom Park, which was cancelled in 2020, and even this year, there is no news of it happening.
But you can view the stunning cherry blossom while trekking the park or by taking the tram and enjoy the pink canopy of cherry blossom over the East River walkway.
Have you already seen the blossoms this year? Which is your favorite place to see the first cherry blossoms? Let us know in the comments below.
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