Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Central Park
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Spring is arguably the best time to visit New York City, not least because of the cherry blossoms that bloom throughout the five boroughs. When the blooms start, New Yorkers know that the best place to see the cherry blossoms is in Central Park.
Central Park, located in the middle of Manhattan, boasts a greater concentration of cherry trees than anywhere else in the city.
If you’re coming to New York in search of these fleeting blooms, then head to Central Park for the best cherry blossoms in New York City.
You may be asking, where in Central park can I find cherry blossoms? Look no further, because this post outlines where to see cherry blossoms in Central Park.
When do cherry blossoms bloom in Central Park?
Peak bloom for cherry blossoms in New York varies from year to year but usually occurs between mid-March and mid-April.
Cherry blossom peak bloom is an estimate. If you plan to visit NYC for the cherry blossoms, your best bet is to be flexible with your dates and plan your visit over one to two weeks.
Which species of cherry trees are found in Central Park?
The two main species of cherry trees in Central Park are Yoshino Cherry and Kwanzan Cherry.
The Yoshino Cherries found in the park were gifts from Japan in the early 1900s. These trees are the first to flower and have delicate white flowers.
The Kwanzan Cherry has distinctive fluffy pink flowers favored by photographers and Instagrammers alike. These trees bloom after the Yoshino Cherries, sometimes peaking as late as early May.
How long do cherry blossoms bloom in Central Park?
While peak bloom for cherry blossom trees lasts between 4-7 days, buds may last as long as two weeks on the trees. Since Central Park has both the early blooming Yoshino Cherries and the later blooming Kwanzan Cherries, cherry blossoms in Central Park bloom for approximately four weeks.
Where are the best places to see cherry blossoms in Central Park?
Cherry trees can be found throughout Central Park, but not all locations are equal. Some spots have large concentrations of cherry trees, while others have just one or two trees. The best places to see cherry blossoms in Central Park are:
- Cherry Hill
- The Reservoir
- Pilgrim Hill
- The Glade
- Behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Where can I see cherry blossoms in Central Park?
Here is the complete list of where to see cherry blossoms in Central Park:
- The Reservoir (Mid-Park from 85th Street to 96th Street): The 1.6-mile track around the Reservoir is lined with 400 cherry trees. There are 200 Yoshino cherry trees planted along the east side and 200 Kwanzan cherry trees along the west.
- Pilgrim Hill (East Side at 72nd Street): Off 72nd Street on the east side of the park, Pilgrim Hill contains a grove of Yoshino cherry trees.
- Cherry Hill (Mid-Park at 72nd Street): In the middle of the park, between 71st and 72nd streets, sits Cherry Hill. Named for the Yoshino cherry trees that bloom here each spring, this idyllic spot overlooks the lake and is a popular picnic destination.
- Dene Slope (East Side from 65th to 67th Street): Just north of the Central Park Zoo, Dene Slope is a quiet place to view some cherry blossoms.
- The Park’s Shakespeare Garden (West Side from 79th to 80th Street): The Shakespeare Garden, just north of the 79th Street transverse and west of Belvedere Castle is a small garden oasis within the park.
- The Glade (East side between 74th and 77th Streets): Home to a large concentration of Kwanzan Cherry trees, the Glade is located west of the iconic Alice in Wonderland statue and east of the Loeb Boathouse.
- Cedar Hill (East 79th): On the east side of the park just south of the 79th Street transverse is Cedar Hill. During the winter this spot is a popular sledding hill, but in springtime, you can’t go wrong with a picnic under the branches of the budding Kwanzan cherry trees.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art (East 80th): The Met spans Fifth Avenue from 80th to 84th. Just behind the building, on the south side, is a cluster of Kwanzan Cherry trees. This spot is particularly striking in spring due to the magnolia trees flowering alongside.
- Great Lawn (Mid-Park between 82nd and 84th): The eastern and southern edges of the Great Lawn are lined with both Yoshino and Kwanzan Cherry trees.
- East Green (East 72nd): On the eastern edge of Central Park, just south of East 72nd Street, are Kwanzan Cherry trees.
- Bethesda Fountain (Mid-Park around 73rd Street): Both Kwanzan and Yoshino Cherry trees can be found on either side of this iconic fountain.
- Trefoil Arch (East Side around 74th): Some Kwanzan Cherry trees can be found around the arch, between the Conservatory Water to the Lake.
- Wagner Cove (West Side between 71st and 72nd): Just west of Cherry Hill, this tucked-away spot contains a few cherry trees.
- East Meadow (East Side between 97th and 100th Streets): This lawn, popular with sunbathers, is home to a few Kwanzan Cherry trees.
- Nell Singer Lilac Walk (Mid-Park between 67th and 69th Streets): Planted along this path are Yoshino Cherry trees.
- The Ramble (Mid-Park between 75th and 79th Streets): Hidden amongst the woods of the Ramble are flowering cherry trees waiting for you to stumble upon them.
- Delacorte Theater (North of the 79th Street Transverse): Just behind the Delacorte Theater is a small cluster of Yoshino Cherry trees.
- Sheep Meadow (West Side between 66th and 68th Streets): This meadow is home to the less common Higan Cherry trees.
Map of where to find cherry blossoms in Central Park
The map below gives approximate locations of where to find cherry blossoms in Central Park.
Map of where to see cherry blossoms in Central Park, NYC
