12 Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US

Every spring, cherry blossoms bloom alongside a plethora of plants at Portland, Oregon's serene Japanese Garden.

Although Japan is the most well-known destination for cherry blossoms, these pale pink flowers can be found all over the United States in parks, gardens, and scenic drives.

Cherry blossoms aren't only found in Japan. There are many places in the United States to see the pale pink blossoms each spring, from the iconic blooms of Washington, D.C. to lesser-known groves like those that line the roads in Traverse City, Michigan.

Although it is difficult to predict when they will bloom each year, most areas will see peak blooms in March or April. Depending on the weather, they can appear as early as February in some places, such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, or as late as May in Traverse City, Michigan. These iconic flowers don't last long after they bloom. But, historically, this has been part of their allure. The cherry blossom (called sakura in Japanese) symbolizes the fleeting nature of life in Japan, where the world's obsession with these flowers began. Hanami, a long-standing Japanese tradition of gathering beneath the blossoms with food, music, and friends to celebrate rather than mourn, counteracts this notion of impending decay.

If a trip to Nagano isn't in the cards, consider visiting one of these 12 locations in the United States where you can see cherry blossoms.

1- Tom McCall Waterfront Park and the Portland Japanese Garden Portland, Oregon.

Each spring, Tom McCall Waterfront Park and the Portland Japanese Garden are two of the best places in Portland to see cherry blossoms.

McCall, Tom Waterfront Park is located on the outskirts of the Japanese American Historical Plaza, which was built in 1990 to honor those who were forced to endure Japanese internment camps during WWII. Visitors are encouraged to explore the rest of the Plaza, which is dotted with poems about the Japanese American experience, in addition to the 100 cherry trees planted in the park.

Visitors to the Portland Japanese Garden can also learn about Japanese culture while admiring a collection of cherry trees that have been artfully arranged throughout the space to create carefully considered views—a key feature of traditional Japanese gardens. Reservations for timed entry are advised, and tickets range from $13–$19 per person (children under six enter for free). Make time for tea and mochi at the garden's Umami Café, as well as one of the many cultural offerings, such as koto (Japanese harp) performances or ikebana (flower arrangement) demonstrations.

2- The Arboretum in Dallas, Texas

Horticulture enthusiasts in Dallas look forward to the bloom festivities at the Dallas Arboretum every spring. Visitors can enjoy the trees in full bloom by walking or sitting among the equally impressive tulip displays. The "Dallas Blooms" festival at the Arboretum, which runs from February 19 to April 10, 2022, coincides with the cherry blossoms. Visitors can also enjoy live concerts, wine, and beer at the same time, thanks to a daily schedule of activities and events.

3- Golden Gate Park Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, California

Although cherry trees can be found throughout San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, a visit to the park's Japanese Tea Garden, where a few trees are scattered among the historic garden's bridges, pagodas, and iconic teahouse, is well worth the detour. The peak season for San Francisco's cherry blossoms is usually between mid-March and mid-April (although the city is already seeing some trees bloom). The season culminates each year with the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown, which will be held April 9–17, 2022.The

4- University of Washington Quad, Seattle, Washington

Locals in Seattle have known that spring at the University of Washington is synonymous with one thing: cherry blossoms, since 1962. When the flowers are in bloom, the dozens of trees that line UW's central quad look so ethereal that stressed-out students, harried professors, and those simply passing by can't help but stop and stare. In fact, the much-awaited cherry blossoms have their own Twitter account.

5- The National Mall in Washington, D.C.

A list of cherry blossoms in the United States would be incomplete without mentioning Washington, D.C. As a symbol of Japanese-American friendship, the mayor of Tokyo presented the District with 3,000 trees in 1912.

The most popular way to see the flowers is to go to the National Mall while they are in bloom. Locals who think the Mall is stale will go in the evening after the crowds have dispersed, or they will stroll through Dumbarton Oaks, a beautiful (and relatively tourist-free) historic estate in D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood. While it is still too early to predict when the flowers will be in full bloom, forecasts for Washington, D.C.'s cherry blossoms will begin in early March.

6- Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

When the city's thousands upon thousands of cherry trees bloom in the spring, Philadelphia transforms into a magnificently pink city. The beautiful Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in Fairmount Park is the pinnacle of the sakura display, but there are many other viewing spots throughout the city that are free of charge. The rows of pink trees behind the Please Touch Museum in West Fairmount Park and the stretch of Kelly Drive behind Boathouse Row are both favorites of ours.

7- Brooklyn Botanic Garden is located in Brooklyn, New York.

No spring in Brooklyn is complete without a visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. (Indoor spaces require proof of vaccination and advance tickets are recommended.) Visitors can stroll among rows of over 200 blossoming trees at the enclosed Japanese Hill-and-Pond garden or the aptly named Cherry Walk, a meandering path lined with Prunus "Kanzan" cherry trees, a spectacular variety with fuller-than-normal flowers.

8- Charles River Esplanade in Boston, Massachusetts

There aren’t many places in Boston to see cherry blossoms, but bloom season along the Charles River Esplanade in Back Bay is truly spectacular. Onlookers can float down the river in a kayak or paddle up close for a view from the water if the weather is warm enough.

9- Branch Brook Park in Newark, New Jersey

Branch Brook Park has about 4,000 cherry trees, which is 1,000 more than the country's most famous springtime display in Washington, D.C. The incredible number of blooms at this Essex County park has been a major draw for visitors since 1927.

This year, the park will host a free Cherry Blossom Festival from April 2 to 10, culminating in Bloomfest!, a celebration of Japanese culture on the 10th, which will include demonstrations, live music, and a craft market.

10 - Ohio University, Athens, Ohio

The 200 cherry trees that line the campus of Ohio University were a gift from the school's Japanese sister campus, Chubu University, in 1972. In the 50 years since the trees were planted, the pink blossoms that decorate Athens' Hocking River from late March to April have become a symbol of spring for students and faculty, as well as a commemoration of the two institutions' long-standing friendship.

11- Highway M-37 in Traverse City, Michigan

Because Michigan is known as the "Cherry State," it's only natural that the state's fruit-bearing trees put on a spectacular spring display around mid-May each year. There are some scenic drives, such as Highway M-37 in Traverse City, which takes visitors through approximately 2 million cherry trees. Although you can't walk through the orchards, the 17-mile Leelanau Trail, which includes several sections that pass by cherry trees, is ideal for those who want to take their time admiring the blooms.

12- Descanso Gardens, Los Angeles, California

Descanso Gardens, located about 20 minutes outside of downtown Los Angeles, is a museum of living collections known for its seasonal horticultural displays. There's even a What's in Bloom resource page where you can see which flowers are budding, blooming, or have passed their prime (pssst, cherry blossoms have already started to appear).

The cherry trees here are a riot of color in March and April, and the Gardens frequently host cherry blossom–themed programming, such as guided walks, origami demonstrations, and flower-arranging workshops. But you might just want to bring a picnic and enjoy the flowers—you'll also get to see one of the most extensive collections of camellias in the Western Hemisphere in bloom.