Planning a Spring Getaway? Where Can You Find the Best Cherry Blossom Views in the US?
As spring approaches, travelers are gearing up for their journeys to Japan to witness the breathtaking cherry blossoms in full bloom. But did you know that you can also enjoy the splendor of cherry blossoms right here in the USA? As another blooming season draws near, we've curated a list of the top ten places to see cherry blossoms in 2024. So, whether you're a seasoned cherry blossom enthusiast or a newcomer to the beauty of these delicate flowers, it's time to check out these stunning destinations and plan your springtime adventure!
1. The National Mall, Washington, DC
When to experience it in 2024: follow the National Park Service's Bloom Watch for their peak bloom announcement on February 29.
Every year, over 1.5 million visitors flock to the nation's capital to witness the breathtaking beauty of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, spanning three weeks from March 20 to April 14. This beloved festival traces its roots back to 1912 when Tokyo gifted two cherry trees to Washington, D.C.'s West Potomac Park. Now, more than a century later, these trees adorn the scenic Tidal Basin reservoir, creating a mesmerizing display of pink and white blooms. Beyond the Tidal Basin, the festival has expanded to include events across the city, with restaurants, bars, and neighborhoods joining in the celebration with special offerings.
2. Missouri Botanical Garden, St Louis
When to experience it in 2024: the last two weeks of March through the first week of April.
At the Missouri Botanical Garden, over 100 varieties of cherry trees grace the landscape, including 20 specimens propagated from the original trees gifted to Washington, D.C. in 1912. Many of these varieties can be found in the Japanese Garden, known as Seiwa-en, while lesser-known types like the Mt Fuji cherry "Shirotae" bloom in the George Washington Carver Garden. On April 5, visitors can revel in the trees' splendor at the "Sake and Sakura" event, featuring Japanese cuisine and beverages. Additionally, guests have the opportunity to explore the garden's captivating Teahouse Island during this enchanting celebration.
3. Balboa Park’s Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego, California
When to experience it in 2024: The Cherry Blossom Festival taking place from March 7–10.
Enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms in San Diego at Balboa Park's Japanese Friendship Garden. During mid-March, the garden comes alive with Cherry Blossom Week, featuring a diverse range of programs. Engage in local merchant offerings, enjoy performances, explore a children's arts-and-crafts area, and unwind at the beer and sake garden. Don't miss the serene tea garden at the Inamori Pavilion, where the delicate charm of cherry blossoms creates a captivating atmosphere in the heart of San Diego's stunning Balboa Park.
4. The Cumberland River Greenway, Nashville, Tennessee
When to experience it in 2024: the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival is on April 13.
In Music City, Nashville, cherry blossoms grace parks and neighborhoods thanks to a collaborative tree-planting effort by government officials and the Japan-America Society of Tennessee. During the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival, visitors can join the Cherry Blossom Walk, a scenic 2.5-mile route through these areas, starting and ending at Nashville Public Square. This one-day festival in April celebrates spring and Japanese culture with a variety of activities on the front lawn of the Metro Courthouse at Public Square Park. Enjoy traditional and contemporary Japanese music and dance, martial arts demonstrations, a "Pups in Pink Parade," and indulge in Japanese cuisine from festival menus.
5. Central City Park, Macon, Georgia
When to experience it in 2024: The Macon Georgia International Cherry Blossom Festival is over ten days from March 15–24.
Central City Park hosts the Macon Georgia International Cherry Blossom Festival, celebrating the 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees that paint this Georgia town pink each spring. The festival owes its existence in part to William A. Fickling Sr., a local realtor thrilled to find the first Yoshino cherry tree planted on his estate in 1949. Inspired, he propagated and distributed Yoshinos across Macon. Today, this ten-day festival features highlights like the "Little Mr. and Miss Cherry Blossom" pageant, cherry blossom car painting, a dog show, hot-air balloon rides, and a cherry blossom ball. Explore Macon's Cherry Blossom Trail, starting from the downtown Visitor Center, or catch the live BloomCam if you can't make it to the festival.
6. Wooster Square, New Haven, Connecticut
When to experience it in 2024: the Cherry Blossom Festival will be held on April 14.
New Haven hosts an annual Cherry Blossom Festival every April to celebrate the Yoshino Japanese cherry blossoms adorning the square. These trees were planted in 1973, and over the years, the one-day festival has expanded to include music, a family and children's activity area, food trucks, and more. It's a vibrant event that brings the community together to revel in the beauty of spring and the delightful cherry blossoms.
7. Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When to experience it in 2024: the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival is April 13–14.
In 1926, the people of Japan gifted a series of sakura flowering cherry trees to Fairmount Park Horticulture Center, adorning it with breathtaking blooms every year. These cherry blossoms are the focal point of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia. Traditionally held on a mid-April weekend, the festival features origami sessions, sushi-making classes, drumming performances, and Cherry Blossom 5K and 10K races. Stay tuned for the schedule announcement as the festival dates draw nearer, promising another memorable celebration of spring's beauty.
8. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Dallas, Texas
When to experience it in 2024: Dallas Blooms runs February 24–April 8
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden features 150 cherry blossom trees, highlighted during Dallas Blooms, a six-week festivity from late February to early April. This year, the theme "A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words" will introduce oversized living selfie walls, offering a unique photo opportunity.
9. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York
When to experience it in 2024: The park advises to follow the Cherrywatch map for updates on blooms from mid-March.
To monitor the cherry blossoms' growth at New York City’s Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG), visitors can access the "Cherrywatch" map on the garden’s website, updated daily. Typically, blooms grace the garden from mid-March to late April. With 26 varieties in BBG’s Flowering Cherry Collection, these trees adorn the 52-acre space, notably in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, the Cherry Cultivars Area, the Cherry Esplanade, and the Cherry Walk. Sakura Matsuri, a cherished weekend festival in spring, not only celebrates these blooms but also pays homage to Japanese culture with music, dance, food, and art.
10. Japanese Garden at Delaware Park, Buffalo, New York
When to experience it in 2024: the Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival takes place over two days from April 27–28.
Donated by its sister city of Kanazawa, the Japanese Garden at Delaware Park in Buffalo boasts cherry blossoms that bloom later than those in DC but are equally vibrant during the Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival. In addition to self-guided walks, past events have featured drum demonstrations, presentations on Japanese culture at the Buffalo History Museum, and pink boat rides on the park’s Mirror Lake. Stay updated on this year's event lineup by checking the festival website as the dates draw near.