In spring, New York City comes into full bloom, and it is magical. Central Park is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms, with beautiful cherry trees scattered throughout the park. Every spring, these delicate pink and white blooms transform parts of Central Park into some of the prettiest spots in NYC.
But with more than 800 acres to explore, knowing where to find the best cherry blossoms in Central Park can save you a lot of wandering around. From the famous Cherry Hill to the paths around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, there are several fantastic locations to add to your spring itinerary.
In this guide, I’ll share the best places to see cherry blossoms in Central Park, including where to find them, what you can expect to see and the best spots for photos.
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When is the Best Time to See Cherry Blossoms in Central Park?
Typically, cherry blossoms bloom in early to mid-April. In previous years, cherry blossoms have started to bloom at the end of March. They usually only last a maximum of 2 weeks. Luckily, not all the trees flower at the same time, so you usually get a good few weeks of cherry blossom season.
The Central Park Conservatory website has a cherry blossom tracker. This is very useful to avoid wasting time going to a location that isn’t in bloom.
Tips for Taking the Perfect Cherry Blossom Photos
Central Park is popular with locals and tourists alike. As soon as the sun comes out, the park can get very crowded, especially around the cherry blossom trees.
You’ll find the best time to take photos without crowds of people in them is early in the morning. If you’re not a morning person, you can try to wait for a break in the traffic or find an angle with no one in the background!
The park is much quieter on a weekday morning and even quieter on a rainy day.
Where are the Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Central Park?
If you’re wondering where to see cherry blossoms in Central Park, the list below will tell you the exact spots to visit!
The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir – Upper West Side
Located towards the North of Central Park, the Reservoir is a place a lot of tourists skip, however, it’s one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Central Park. There are multiple locations around the reservoir to spot cherry blossoms blooming.
My all-time favourite is the Bride Path on the West Side of the park. You’ll find the closest entrance is West 86th Street. The walkway becomes covered by a canopy of beautiful blossoms. This really is something special to see, which also makes it a very popular spot with Instagrammers.
There are also a few other trees on this side which flower in a deep pink colour; these are also lovely to see. These tend to bloom slightly earlier.
Cherry Blossoms on the West Side of the Reservoir
The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir – Upper East Side
The next location around the reservoir is along the Bridle Path on the East Side of the park; you’ll see them from the East 90th Street Entrance.
This is a popular place for runners, so it does get busy even in the early mornings, but there are also plenty of blossoms here to enjoy!
Cherry Blossoms on the East Side of the Reservoir
Pilgrim Hill
You’ll find Pilgrim Hill located just below Conservatory Water. The closest entrance is at East 72nd Street.
The hill is named after the statue that stands at the top of it. In spring, this statue is surrounded by beautiful cherry blossom trees, which make a perfect photo backdrop.
Pilgrim Hill
Next to the Alice in Wonderland Statue
If you find the Alice in Wonderland Statue, then look to the left, on the other side of the hedge, is a gorgeous, low-hanging cherry blossom tree. This one is a lovely photo backdrop as the flowers aren’t too high up!
You can either go in front of the bench or go around to the side for even lower-hanging branches.
You’ll also find lots more options between the statue and East Drive.
Blossoms next to the Alice in Wonderland Statue.
Cherry Hill
If you start at the water fountain at the top of Cherry Hill, then walk down the hill towards The Lake, you’ll see what is quite possibly the best cherry blossom view in all of Central Park! The closest entrance for this one is on West 72nd Street.
Being so beautiful also makes this a really busy location. You will have to be really quite dedicated to getting photos here without people in the background!
Cherry Hill, one of the most iconic places to see Cherry Blossoms in Central Park.
Final Thoughts on the Best Cherry Blossoms in Central Park
Seeing the cherry blossoms in Central Park is one of my favourite things to do in New York City in spring. With beautiful trees scattered throughout the park, there are plenty of opportunities to see the blooms, take some beautiful photos and enjoy Central Park at one of the prettiest times of year.
Whether you head to the famous Cherry Hill, walk around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir or discover some of the quieter cherry trees along the park’s paths, I hope this guide has helped you find the best places to see cherry blossoms in Central Park.
The exact bloom dates change from year to year, so I recommend checking the latest updates before you visit. And if you’re visiting New York with kids, cherry blossom season is a particularly lovely time to explore Central Park, pack a picnic, allow plenty of time to wander and enjoy the spring scenery.
Thank you for reading my guide on the best places to find cherry blossoms in Central Park. I hope you get some beautiful photos!
Happy Exploring,
A London mum sharing stylish, family-friendly travel guides.
I In our travel guides, I show you that you can still travel as a family and create beautiful memories, even when trips aren’t full of kid-centric activities.
When I’m not planning our next adventure, I also share timeless style inspiration and ideas for living more thoughtfully and sustainably.
Central Park is a good option for enjoying the cherry blossom season. In fact, I always try to enjoy myself there. In fact, these days, I will enjoy cherry blossom dc.
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