These are the best places to see cherry blossoms in USA.
It’s a time-honored tradition in Japanese culture that often involves travel. This tradition of welcoming spring is called ‘hanami’ and focuses on appreciating the short life span of natural beauty. Traveling to see cherry blossoms and/or partake in a cherry blossom festival can be exciting, but timing peak bloom is tricky.
Some festivals have been known to be flexible with their dates, and if you’re lucky, you can experience its fleeting beauty.
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Last Updated: January 23, 2025
Where to See Cherry Blossoms in the US
1. Bethesda, Maryland – Kenwood Neighborhood
When: Mid-March to mid-April
A great alternative to the crowded Tidal Basin is a short drive outside of D.C. in the neighborhood of Kenwood. Historical houses sit regally as a backdrop to mature cherry trees that create a solid canopy along the streets. The oldest cherry tree in the neighborhood is 90 years young!
Pro Tip: Kenwood is an easy bike ride from the Capital Crescent Trail or you can sign up for a guided tour. The closest metro stop is Friendship Heights.
See More: 15 Beautiful Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the World
2. Boston, Massachusetts – Charles River Esplanade
When: Mid-April to early May
You’ll find the highest concentration of cherry trees in the section of the Charles River Esplanade bordering Back Bay, roughly between the Fiedler Footbridge (off Arlington Street) and the Mass Ave access ramp.
See More: 15 Best Day Trips from Boston MA
3. Brooklyn, New York – Sakura Matsuri Festival →
When: Late April – Early May
Price: $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students 12+ with ID, free if under 12 or BBG Members
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a lovely place to see cherry blossoms, and Sakura Matsuri is the festival held in the park. The festival has 60 events and performances to celebrate Japanese culture.
The BBG website offers a map that depicts each tree’s bloom stage and even provides detailed information about 26 different varieties of cherry trees!
Though cherry trees typically only live 30-40 years, the BBG has two of the oldest living cultivars in the country. At the north end of Cherry Walk, you will find two weeping Higan cherries.
Local Tip: There’s also history to be found at Cherry Tree Park, renamed from the George Washington Houses Playground, as a symbol of the late president’s honesty when confronted by his father for cutting down his prized tree on a whim. Volunteers in the neighborhood now maintain the park.
See More: The Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in NYC
4. Big Island, Hawaii – Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival
When: February
Location: 65-1108 Mamalahoa Hwy Waimea, 96743
There are several events on the Big Island, and free shuttles run between most locations. Waimea has the most extensive collection of trees on all the islands.
See More: 19 Incredible Road to Hana Stops You Can’t Miss
5. Los Angeles, California – Lake Balboa / Anthony C. Beilenson Park
When: March – April
The largest collection of cherry trees in Los Angeles is in the San Fernando Valley. There are over 1,000 pink cloud cherry blossom trees in the Lake Balboa / Anthony C. Beilenson Park off Balboa Boulevard. This is the place to be in the springtime for peace amid the city.
You can also find blossoms at Descanso Gardens.
See More: Your Ultimate Los Angeles Bucket List – 101 Things to Do in LA
6. Macon, Georgia – International Cherry Blossom Festival
When: March 24 – April 2
Macon, Georgia is the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World and has bragging rights to 350,000 cherry trees that burst into bloom in the Spring. It all started when a Mr. Fickling Sr. was browsing around in his yard and noticed a tree growing that he couldn’t identify.
He asked everyone he knew about the tree but no one could provide him any answers. Several years later he was in Washington D.C. on a business trip and spotted what he thought was the same tree. After bringing home a cutting he was able to confirm his suspicions. It was a Yoshino cherry tree!
He then learned to propagate the Yoshinos and began giving them away. The Fickling family has since then gifted 6,500 trees that have been distributed by The Cherry Blossom Festival and Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission.
Local Tip: The Cherry Blossom Trail takes you through the 12 historic districts of the city where you’ll see thousands of flowering trees.
See More: 15 Best Day Trips from Atlanta Georgia
7. Nashville, TN – 4-Mile Loop
When: April
Music City has a 4-mile loop lined with cherry trees that brings you through Sylvan Park and the historic Richland-West End neighborhood.
You will see the Yoshino trees bloom in early April, and the Kwanzan trees bloom in late April after the threat of frost is over. So, lace up those tennis shoes and hop on outside! Click here to check out a suggested loop.
See More: 9 Awesome Things to Do in Nashville Tennessee
8. Newark, New Jersey – Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival
When: April
The Garden State has more cherry trees than Washington D.C (Shhh)! Branch Brook Park has more than 4,000 Japanese cherry trees running through Belleville and Newark. Stroll through the park or attend the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival (it lasts 2 weeks)!
9. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival
When: April 5-6, 2025
Price: TBA adults, free for children under 12
The first year the trees were planted in Fairmount Park was 1926. Another 1,000 trees have been added to date. Over time, it became the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia, a 9-day festival with a Silent Auction, Japanese Culture Week, and even a 5K.
This festival celebrates Japanese culture, including Japan’s traditional hanami: parties underneath the blooming trees with entertainment, food, and drink.
Also, check out the trees around the city! Here are the best spots:
- More spots to see cherry blossoms in Philadelphia
- Columbus Boulevard
- Martin Luther King Jr Drive (two-mile stretch) from Montgomery Drive to the Falls Bridge
- Shofuso Japanese House and Garden in Fairmount Park
See More: 25 Free Things to Do in Philly
10. Portland, Oregon – Tom McCall Waterfront Park →
When: Mid-March
The best place to see them is along the bank of the Willamette River at the Japanese American Historical Plaza, which is part of Tom McCall Waterfront Park. It was dedicated in 1990 as a memorial to those who were interned during WWII.
In Japanese tradition, the landscape is used to tell a story. Here, cherry trees create a backdrop to exploring history through engraved poetry and bronze relief. You can also find a few blooming at the Portland Japanese Garden.
See More: The Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Portland Oregon
11. San Francisco, CA – Japanese Tea Garden
When: March 15 – April 15
The cherry trees start blooming in the meadows of Golden Gate Park in mid-March, but keep an eye on the ones in the Tea Garden. They are spectacular and were initially planted as a ‘Japanese Village’ exhibit in 1894 for the California Midwinter International Exposition.
The Tea Garden is one of the most popular attractions in the cit,y and the cherry blossom season is the cremé de la cremé!
See More: 101 Things to Do in San Francisco + Bay Area
12. Seattle, Washington – Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival
When: Bloom 2nd or 3rd week of March
In addition to the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival, the city has some mature cherry trees you shouldn’t miss! The quad at the University of Washington has 30 Yoshino cherry trees relocated from the Arboretum in the 1960s.
Seward Park has trees that were donated in 1929 by Japan. You can find the oldest cherries in the city at Jefferson Park. They were planted in 1912 and another 25 were planted to mark the park’s 100 year anniversary.
See More: Weekend Trip to Seattle – How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days
13. Vienna, Virginia – Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
When: Late March – mid-April
Just outside of Washington DC, the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens have cherry trees surrounding the lake near the entrance to the park, as well as walking paths that become solid pink when the petals fall. Ride your bike or hike into the park via the W&OD Connector Trail to make a day of it!
14. St. Louis, Missouri – Missouri Botanical Garden
When: March through early April
Price: $16 for adults and free for children under 12
Be sure not to miss the weeping Higan cherry trees, which display long sweeping branches covered in blush-colored blossoms. There are 40 of them and Yoshino, Twenty Centennial, and Sargent varieties throughout the park, particularly in the Japanese Garden.
See More: 11 Things You Can’t Miss in Kansas City
15. Washington, DC – National Cherry Blossom Festival
When: March 20 – April 13
The cherry blossom trees grow in three National Park Service locations: around the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, East Potomac Park (Hains Point), and Washington Monument grounds.
The city gets excited and crowded during the National Cherry Blossom Festival (but for good reason). This is one of THE biggest cherry blossom festivals in the country.
Pro Tip: Take the Metrorail or Metrobus to avoid parking hassles. There is an opening ceremony, a kite festival, a parade, and even a free fireworks show!
See More: Ultimate Washington DC Bucket List
More Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the US
- Athens, Ohio – Ohio University (late March)
- Atlanta, GA – Piedmont Park, Atlanta Botanical Gardens (late March-early April)
- Baltimore, MD – Cylburn Arboretum (late March-early April)
- Chicago, IL – Jackson Park’s Japanese Garden (late April-early May
- Dallas TX – Dallas Arboretum (late Feb-mid-April)
- Denver CO – Denver Botanic Gardens (late March-early April)
- Fort Worth, TX – Botanic Garden (late Mar)
- Houston, TX – Hermann Park (mid-March – early April)
- Irmo, SC – Irmo Town Park (early April)
- Newark, OH – Dawes Arboretum (late Mar- mid-April)
- Raleigh, NC – State Capitol grounds (early Mar-mid-April)
- Richmond, VA – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (early-mid-April)
- Salem, OR – The Capitol Mall (late Mar)
- Salt Lake City, UT – Utah State Capitol grounds (early April)
- San Diego, CA – Japanese Friendship Garden (Mar)
- San Mateo, CA – Japanese Garden (late Mar- early April)
- Spokane, WA – Nishonomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden (early-mid-April)
- Traverse City, Michigan – driving on M-37 or along County Road 633 (late April-early May)
Cherry Blossom Festivals in USA
- Hawaii Cherry Blossom Festival (Feb-April)
- San Diego Cherry Blossom Week (Mar 13-16, 2025)
- OC Cherry Blossom Festival (2025 TBA)
- Portland Japanese Garden CBF (mid-March-early April)
- Salem Oregon Cherry Blossom Day (Mar 15, 2025)
- Macon Georgia’s Intl Cherry Blossom Festival (Mar 21-30, 2025)
- DC National Cherry Blossom Festival (Mar 20-April 13, 2025)
- Irmo, SC Cherry Blossom Festival (Mar 22, 2025)
- Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival (Mar 22-23, 2025)
- Hatsume Fair at the Morikami Museum and Gardens, FL (2025 TBA)
- Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival (2025 TBA)
- Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival (April 2025)
- Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival (April 2025)
- SF’s Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival (April 2025)
- Philadelphia’s Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival (April 5-6, 2025)
- Santa Ana CA Festival at Bowers Museum (April 6, 2025)
- Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival (April 24-26, 2025)
- New Haven CT Wooster Square Cherry Blossom Festival (2025 TBA)
- Randall’s Island NYC Cherry Blossom Celebration (2025 TBA)
- Fort Wayne IN Cherry Blossom Festival (May 18, 2025)
- Barberton OH Cherry Blossom Festival (2025 TBA)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden Sakura Matsuri (2025 TBA)
- Boston’s Japan Festival (2025 TBA)
- Tuscaloosa AL – University of Alabama’s Sakura Festival (2025 TBA)
- Virginia Beach Cherry Blossom Festival (2025 TBA)
Fun Cherry Blossom Facts
- There are over 600 varieties of cherry trees grown today.
- Did you know that though the flowering cherry does not produce edible cherries as we know them? They still produce a small sour fruit that birds go crazy for.
- Before making it to Japan, they are believed to originate in the Himalayas.
Have you been to any of these festivals? Did we miss any?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
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