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There's no better way to welcome spring than with a trip to see cherry blossoms. The pink and white flowers are synonymous with two places: their native country of Japan and Washington D.C., a city that was famously gifted the pastel blooms by Japan in 1912 as a display of friendship.
Although both Japan and D.C. deliver top-tier views year after year, there are dozens of other cities across the country with displays worth visiting. To help plan your trip, we’re not only highlighting where to find the best views in each location, but also when each city should be at peak bloom. (Mother Nature gets final say, though, of course!) All you need to worry about is what to pack in your picnic basket.
Whether you want to celebrate at one of the country's cherry blossom festivals or plan a quiet stroll through a botanical garden, scroll through for the 30 best places to see cherry blossoms in the United States, from college campuses in Washington to mountain ranges in Montana.
1
Manhattan, New York
Take a break from exploring the big city to pop into serene Central Park for breathtaking cherry blossom views. Although the blooms can be spotted all over the park throughout the spring, we recommend swinging by the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, pictured here, around mid-April.
2
Traverse City, Michigan
Pack up the car for a road trip up M-37 to view Michigan's impressive cherry blossom display. There are an estimated two million cherry trees along the drive, with trees reaching peak bloom in May. If you prefer biking, the Leelanau Trail—which spans 17 miles—allows you to get up close and personal with the trees.
3
Washington, D.C.
Visiting Washington, D.C. during peak cherry blossom season (mid-March to early April) should be on everyone's bucket list. Sure, the blossoms are stunning on their own, but they're absolutely breathtaking against some of America's most famous landmarks. While The Tidal Basin and the National Mall feature some of the most popular views, try the National Harbor or The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to avoid crowds.
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4
Hood River, Oregon
Hood River is home to a 35-mile loop that includes blooming cherry, pear, peach, and apple trees from late March through the middle of May. Don't forget to stop by the region's local orchards, wineries, and farm stands to sample the goods.
5
Seattle, Washington
Imagine gazing out the window during a college lecture to find this view! Nestled among the University of Washington's gorgeous Gothic buildings are 29 cherry trees that become the focal point of the school's quad every spring. The trees were replanted at the university in 1964 after being moved from the Washington Park Arboretum. Visit in early April to see them in full glory.
6
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis's best blossom views can be found at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The garden is home to 100 cherry trees of several varieties, all of which bloom at different times throughout March and April. If you’re a little early, spot Japanese apricot trees, which typically bloom in late February.
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7
Macon, Georgia
Who wouldn't want to be invited to "the pinkest party on Earth"? Every March, Macon holds its annual International Cherry Blossom Festival—complete with food trucks, carnival rides, and concerts— to celebrate the city's 350,000 cherry trees. If you prefer a more low-key affair, opt for the city's 17-mile cherry blossom driving trail.
8
La Cañada Flintridge, California
Anyone looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles can find it in Descanso Gardens in nearby La Cañada Flintridge. Pack a picnic to enjoy after your stroll through the expansive property, where cherry trees typically begin to bloom in March.
9
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Blossoms can be spotted all over the City of Brotherly Love, including around Independence Hall—but no spring visit is complete without time spent marveling the cherry blossom trees in Fairmount Park in early April. (That's where the city's annual cherry blossom festival takes place.) While the views at the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in the park are lovely, peek at the trees along Kelly Drive too. (In 1933, Japanese residents donated over 500 trees to plant along the street!)
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10
Boston, Massachusetts
While Boston's display might not be as vast as some of the other locales on this list, Bostonians and tourists can spot stunning blooms along the Charles River Esplanade as the trees begin blooming in late April. Weather-permitting, try kayaking down the river for a closer look.
11
New Haven, Connecticut
In 1973, locals teamed up with the Historical Commission and Parks Department to plant over 70 cherry trees in New Haven's Wooster Square neighborhood. This is the perfect trip for east coasters who missed the D.C. blooms, because Connecticut's trees typically flower two weeks after Washington's, due to New England's cooler spring temperatures.
12
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville's cherry tree collection might be the youngest on this list, but it doesn't fail to impress! In 2008, the Japanese South-Central Consulate moved from New Orleans to Nashville—and to celebrate, Japan gifted the musical city 1,000 cherry trees, which were planted between 2009 and 2018. Take in the fresh blooms at Public Square Park in mid-April.
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13
San Francisco, California
By mid-April, San Francisco is awash with rosy cherry blossom blooms. Although the trees can be spotted throughout Golden Gate Park—with The Painted Ladies serving as a colorful backdrop—the best views are found at the Japanese Tea Garden, where cherry blossom branches peep out between traditional Japanese bridges and pagodas.
14
Kalispell, Montana
Montana's blooms don't have their moment until mid-May, but they're well worth the wait. The best views can be found around Flathead Lake, located just south of Kalispell, where the pink flowers really pop against Montana's many mountains.
15
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
If you want to pair your blossom viewing with a tour of a gorgeous old home, look no further than Winston-Salem's Reynolda Estate. The mansion, which was designed in 1917, features stunning garden views, complete with weeping cherry blossoms that usually bloom in late March. In 2020, 44 new cherry trees were planted, cementing the grounds as the biggest cherry blossom display in the Carolinas.
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16
San Diego, California
If you're hoping to catch an early glimpse of the blossoms, venture to San Diego, where the trees begin blooming in mid-March. The best place to see them is in the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, which features over 200 trees in a 12-acre plot, complete with koi ponds and traditional Japanese buildings.
17
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is less than 10 miles away from Washington, D.C., so plan a day trip from the nation's capital to really get your fill of the pink and white flowering trees. Few things are quite as picturesque as the blossoms framing Old Town's iconic row of colorful houses, but Founder's Park along the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront shouldn't be missed either.
18
Chicago, Illinois
Once Chicago's blisteringly cold winters end, residents look forward to scoping out the cherry blossoms in Millennium Park and beyond. For the best views in Jackson Park, head to the the Japanese Garden on the park's Wooded Island—it was designed by Olmsted and Vaux for the 1893 World's Fair. (Yep, that's the same duo who designed Central Park and Buffalo's Delaware Park. Looks like they had a thing for cherry blossoms!)
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19
Buffalo, New York
While the cherry blossom displays in New York City are impressive, don't discount the rest of the state! Buffalo's Delaware Park—which was designed by the masterminds behind Central Park—is a prime blossom-viewing destination, especially around Hoyt Lake, once the trees bloom in late April.
20
Cincinnati, Ohio
In the 1930s, the mayor of Cincinnati was gifted 1,000 cherry trees, which were divided between Ault and Eden parks. Plan your trip to the Queen City for late March or early April to catch a glimpse of the weeping cherry grove in Ault Park.
Madison McGee
Lifestyle Editor
Madison McGee is a lifestyle editor for Hearst Magazines. She can usually be found reading, exploring New York’s many indie bookstores, cheering on the Baltimore Ravens and the Ole Miss Rebels, or wishing she was lying on the beach.
