13 weekend getaways to see cherry blossoms this spring (2024)

1.Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is probably the U.S. city most famous for its cherry blossoms, and for good reason: More than 3,000 trees are in the city, creating legit cherry blossom fields within city limits.The Tidal Basin is the best place to see D.C.'s blossom spectacular in March or April, but be prepared to battle the crowds.

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2.Portland, OR

Portland's cherry blossom trees in the Japanese American Historical Plazaare relative newcomers to the city. The plaza was dedicated in 1990 to remember the Japanese-Americans interned during World War II.Thirty years later, the park turns pink every spring with cherry blossoms. Don't miss the famous works by Japanese-American poets engraved in 12 granite stones throughout the park.

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3.Seattle, WA

Head to theUniversity of Washingtonto see 130 cherry blossom trees turn the college quad pink every spring.The original trees were donated to the city by Japan in 1939, and the country ended up donating 12 additional Shirofugentrees and six Yoshino trees—variations of the cherry blossom trees—to the UW campus.

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4.Brooklyn, NY

TheBrooklyn Botanic Gardenhas 26 flowering cherry species and cultivars in the garden. Fans eagerly await the appearance of buds in preparation for blooming.Make sure to check thewebsitefor blossom status and any other events celebrating their appearance.

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5.Macon, GA

Never heard of Macon, Georgia? You're missing out. The Southern city is home to a whopping 300,000 Yoshino cherry blossom trees that turn the entire city pink every spring. What started as a horticulturists' pastimein the 1970sgrew to be a major part of the city's identity including a festival, theInternational Cherry Blossom Festival, which is held every March.

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6.Athens, OH

Given as a giftin 1979 by Ohio University's sister campusChubu University (located in Kasugai Japan), the 200 cherry trees in Athens weremeant to honor and celebrateOhio’s 175th anniversary as well as the 50-year global partnershipbetween the schools. Winter is no joke in Ohio, and the arrival of the blossoms—which line the banks of the Hocking River in Athens—is always a welcome sign of spring.

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7.Nashville, TN

From 2008 to 2018, Nashville planted 100 cherry trees every year, resulting in more than 1,000 pink- and white-hued trees in the city, covering everywhere from Morgan Park to the Tennessee State Capitol. Start at Nashville's public square and walk the 2.5 miles to Morgan Park to recreate the annual cherry blossom walk as part of the city's annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

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8.Dallas, TX

Dallas might come as an unexpected surprise on this list, but cherry blossom enthusiasts would be wise to check out theDallas Arboretum, whichhouses more than 100 trees that bloom spectacularly every March. The "Dallas Blooms" spring festival celebrates with a roster of activities and events, including live concerts, chef demonstrations, and wine tastings.

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9.Traverse City, MI

Michigan is known for its picturesque cherry farms, and people travel from all over to see thewhite blossoms once they arrive in the late spring (most often around mid-May.)Because thenearly 2 million trees throughout the state (primarily near Traverse City) are locatedon private farms, you can't walk through the orchards (unless you know a farmer), so opt for scenic drives or bike rides. To make your trip easier, download the Blossom Tour Guide.

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10.Boston, MA

Offering prime riverfront views, theCharles River Esplanadeis covered in cherry blossom trees that bloom each year. This three-mile stretch of green space offers more than five miles of walking and biking trails among the blooms leading up to the historic Hatch Shell amphitheater. In normal times, onigri, and yukatas are staples of the local cherry blossom andJapanese cultural festivalsin Boston.

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11.San Francisco, CA

The Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco'sGolden Gate Parkmakes you feel like you've been transported to Japan—andthebeautiful cherry trees only add to the experience. You'll find the trees dotted through the gardens, where you can stroll, sit, or even sip tea in the teahouse. It's most common to see the blooms in mid-March to mid-April, and every year, the city hosts an annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in April.

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12.St. Louis, MO

TheMissouri Botanical Gardenin St. Louis contains more than 100 varieties of cherry blossom trees, including 20 cuttings from the original trees gifted to Washington, D.C. by the Japanese government. Stroll through theJapanese Gardento see the original trees, then head to theGeorge Washington Carver Gardento see other specimens like theMount Fuji cherry.

13.Philadelphia, PA

Fairmont Park in Philly is the place to go if you want to see cherry blossoms while in town. The park has a forest of sakura—a specific type of Japanese cherry tree—planted in 1926 as a gift from the people of Japan. Each April, the Shofusu Cherry Blossom Festival celebrateswithmusic, performances and other community activities.

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