The cherry blossoms are making their appearance a little early this year, and we're so ready! Celebrate the occasion with the annual Sakura Matsuri festival at Brooklyn Botanical Garden, where over 60 events and activities will help families celebrate hanami (the Japanese tradition of enjoying the blossoms each year). This year's event will be held on April 29 and 30, so don't miss it!
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is not the only place to find cherry blossoms in NYC. Start looking in April and May, and you'll see 'em everywhere! You'll also want to scout out local public gardens and NYC parks where you can gaze at the flowers while the trees are blooming. Here are all of our favorite spots to see 'em below:
This 50-acre forest features some of the oldest trees in the city, which just so happens to include quite a few cherry blossoms for your photo-snapping pleasure.
2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Offering the most lavish celebration of cherry blossoms in New York City, you can expect to find plenty of Japanese shrubs here.
3. Riverside Park
Did you know this park has it's own Cherry walk? The trees were gifted from the Committee of Japanese Residents of New York decades ago and you can spot them between 100th and 125th Sts.
4. Central Park
While discovering winding trails, rocks and streams, you'll spot cherry blossoms around the bridal path at 90th St, East Drive at 66th St, the east side of the Boathouse at 74th St and Cherry Hill mid-park at 72nd St.
5. Randall's Island
Located on the East River between East Harlem, the South Bronx and Astoria, Queens, this park offers waterfront views of the East River along its western shoreline, which also features cherry blossoms that you can admire while cycling or walking the pedestrian trails.