Cherry Blossom Season Arrives: NYC Parks’ Cherry Trees Burst Into Bloom Across The City

Photo by Daniel Avila / NYC Parks

Cherry Blossom trees bloom in parks across the five boroughs, including Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Queens), Sakura Park (Manhattan), and Walter Gladwin Park (Bronx) 

Spring is in full swing, and that means one thing—cherry blossom season is here! NYC Parks is pleased to announce that peak bloom has officially arrived, painting the city in shades of pink and white. Every year, New Yorkers eagerly await this magical moment, flocking to parks across all five boroughs to take in the breathtaking blooms. It’s the perfect excuse to step outside, soak up the sunshine, and celebrate spring in the city! 

“Cherry blossom season is one of the most magical times of the year in NYC, and our parks are the ultimate destination to experience it,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “From the iconic blooms of Sakura Park to the breathtaking displays in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, or even our newly planted trees in Sunset Park that will bloom for the first time this year, every borough bursts into color, offering New Yorkers and visitors alike a stunning backdrop to welcome spring.” 

“There’s no better way to welcome spring than by stepping outside and soaking in the beauty of NYC’s cherry blossoms,” said NYC Parks Director of Tree Planting Navé Strauss. “These stunning blooms are one of the city’s most cherished seasonal highlights, and they’re just the beginning—our diverse urban forest is coming to life, with more flowering trees set to dazzle us in the weeks ahead.” 

In addition, NYC Parks is excited to share an incredible gift from the City of Tokyo—more than 50 seeds of the iconic Akebono Cherry! These are the same beloved cherry tree that graces Washington, D.C. each spring. To ensure these trees thrive in New York City’s climate, our Tree Planting team has arranged for the seeds to be sent to a specialized grower in Oregon, where they will be carefully nurtured over the next four to five years.  

Once they reach the ideal size, the trees will be brought to NYC, adding to the city’s rich canopy of flowering trees. This generous donation highlights the ongoing friendship between Tokyo and New York City, celebrating the beauty and cultural significance of cherry blossoms. 

This spring, Parks has you covered for the best locations to see the famous cherry trees in every borough, how to identify all of the varieties, and a brand new NYC Tree Map to help you pin-point each and every one. 

Where to go: 

BRONX 

Pelham Bay Park 

Escape the city for a minute with a trip to City Island for fresh air, seafood, and cherry blossoms! NYC’s largest park features Yoshino blossoms near the City Island Bridge. 

BROOKLYN 

Sunset Park  

The new grove of Cherries includes several different types of trees, and each will bloom at slightly different times over the course of roughly a month! 

MANHATTAN 

Sakura Park 

Sakura means cherry blossom in Japanese, so what better place to experience cherry blossom season in New York City than at the park named for them! The cherry trees in this park were gifted from Japan in 1912. Dozens of Yoshino cherry trees blossom here, usually in early April. 

QUEENS 

Flushing Meadows Corona Park 

Experience the arrival of cherry blossom season at the world’s park in Queens near the Unisphere! This not-to-be-missed grove of Okame cherry trees is usually the first to blossom in NYC. 

STATEN ISLAND 

Silver Lake Park 

Kwanzan cherry blossoms are the highlight of spring in this beautiful Staten Island park, but don’t forget about the crabapples and red maple trees, too!  

For more cherry blossom viewing sites, please visit the cherry blossom page of our website.