Spring in New York is one of my favorite times to experience the city. It’s so refreshing to be among the beautiful cherry blossoms and warm weather after what feels like a long winter. If I had to choose the best times to be in New York, it would be during the holiday season and cherry blossom season.
There is no concrete way to predict peak season as it varies every year depending on the weather but in general, the trees usually bloom from the last week of March – the third week in April and you can catch some in early May.
Keep in mind peak bloom will only last for about 3-4 days.
Have fun visiting these locations!
Roosevelt Island
This is my favorite spot to catch cherry blossoms. You can find tunnels of trees here while also enjoying views of the East River, Manhattan, and Queens. It does tend to get crowded here so plan accordingly and visit early in the morning.
Central Park
If you are looking for a one-stop-all, Central Park is the path to go. There are so many spots that one can enjoy. The most popular ones are:
Jackie Kennedy Reservoir
Cherry Hill
Bridle Path
The Conservatory Garden
This spot is technically part of Central Park but because the visiting hours are different from the rest of the park, I decided to list it separately. It is a small but formal garden that has the most beautiful and fluffiest trees. There are tons of photo opportunities but my favorite is using the high angle as shown below.
Washington Square Park
I love the contrast of the arch with the cherry blossoms framing it. Throughout the park, you’ll find tulips or daffodils to use for other photo opportunities.
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
This is the only spot on the list that requires you to pay for entry so if you are on a budget, feel free to skip it. I decided to visit the Brooklyn Botanical Garden in 2022 and it bears a stunning tunnel of trees plus more scattered around the area. They always share a live tracker on their website so you can plan your trip accordingly.
Grace Church
I love Grace Church for its stunning architecture but the addition of the Cherry Blossoms in the yard elevates the scene. It also looks like a piece of Europe was planted in the middle of the city. I am not sure if the gates are open all day but I recommend going during Sunday service. As always, please be respectful when taking photos here
Park Avenue
Park Avenue is probably the prettiest street during spring. You can find the perfect shot with a Yoshino and Magnolia Tree framing Grand Station Terminal.
West Village
If you head downtown you will find a few Yoshino trees that perfectly contrasts the brownstone buildings in the West Village. This is also the perfect spot to visit at any time since it isn’t very crowded. You can also enjoy a delicious brunch before or after admiring the stunning trees.
I hope you found this guide helpful and please let me know what are your favorite spring blooms in the comments!
