Cherry blossom season, which typically kicks off in late March and stretches through April, is officially here.
To help you find the iconic spring bloom, the NYC Parks Department has narrowed down the top parks in the city for cherry blossom peeping, including four in Upper Manhattan.
Keep in mind that different types of cherry trees bloom at various times—Okame in late March, Yoshino in the first half of April, and the fluffy Kwanzan toward the end of the month.
Here are the four uptown parks that made the cut. From south to north, they are:
Morningside Heights Cherry Walk between 100th and 125th Sts
Named after the mix of Yoshino and Kwanzan cherry trees planted along its path, Cherry Walk runs by the Hudson River from 100th Street to 125th Street. A bonus stretch of cherry trees—Okame and Kwanzan—can be found on the Hudson River Greenway between W 135th and W 145th Streets.
East Harlem Enter from East Harlem by foot or bike via the 103rd Street Footbridge or the RFK Triborough Bridge
Randall's Island has eight varieties of cherry trees that bloom over the course of the season, culminating with a cherry blossom tour at this year's Earth Day Festival on April 22. Use this cherry blossom guide to help you identify the different tree species, their locations, and their blooming order.
Morningside Heights Between W 122nd St and International House & Riverside Drive and Claremont Ave
This peaceful two-acre park with its iconic central pavilion is named after the 2,000 cherry trees that were a gift from Japan in 1912. The Yoshino cherry trees here produce a delicate white flower and tend to bloom in the first half of April.
Central Harlem Between 120th and 124th Sts & Madison Ave and Mount Morris Park West
Receiving an "honorable mention" for cherry blossom spotting, this Harlem park has a row of Kwanzan cherry trees near the north entrance on Fifth Avenue and 124th Street.
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