7 Places To See Gorgeous Cherry Blossoms Around The U.S. This Spring Besides D.C.

Washington D.C. may get all the attention, but there are plenty of other spots that I believe are among the best places to see cherry blossoms in the U.S. Be sure to plan to catch a glimpse of one of spring’s most beautiful displays that delight as well as inspire!

1. Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival

Be sure to head to Tennessee for the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival, a definite cherry blossom extravaganza! The best part about this festival is that it gets bigger and better every year – the city is aiming to plant 1,000 cherry trees in 10 years, so there are more and more blooms to enjoy over time. See the best of the best on the city’s 2.5-mile Cherry Blossom Walk. The festival itself is usually held in April.

2. Hanami, Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Head to the aptly named Cherry Esplanade in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for a fairytale walk beneath boughs laden with cherry blossoms. The garden hosts a monthlong hanami celebration of spring, which culminates in the Sakura Matsuri festival where you can find sword demonstrations, tea ceremonies, and J-pop bands. The cherry blossoms here are at their best beginning in early April, and The Sakura Matsuri Festival is usually also held in April.

3. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis

If you feel like enjoying some cherry blossoms at your own pace, head to the Missouri Botanical Garden. There, you’ll find more than 230 cherry blossom trees including 20 different varieties. The pink blossoms of the Higan cherry trees droop down towards the ground like weeping willow boughs. These flowers are at their best between late March and early April.

4. Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, San Francisco

One of the best celebrations of spring on the West Coast, the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival has been held annually for over 50 years. Stop by for dance performances, karate demos, origami workshops, and of course, plenty of blossoms. The festival is usually held in mid-April.

5. Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, Newark

New Jersey is home to one of the prettiest collections of cherry blossom trees on the East Coast, and the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is no exception. Over 5,000 trees have been gracing the city with their blooms since 1927, and the festival celebrates the arrival of spring in style. Join one of the 45-minute guided tours of the blossoms, or just head to town for the Bloomfest event featuring live music, Japanese cultural demonstrations, and more. The festival is usually held in mid-April.

6. Charles River Esplanade, Boston

Take in some water views framed by countless petals at the Charles River Esplanade in Boston. The trees here were a gift from Japan, and they’re in flower between late March and early April (depending on fickle New England weather, of course). Catch a show at the Hatch Shell while you’re in the area.

7. Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia

No, the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia doesn’t involve sedans. It does involve thousands of cherry blossoms, however. Featuring an array of Japanese food stalls, martial arts demonstrations and a 5K run, this flower festival offers locals and visitors the chance to take in the sight of hundreds of cherry trees in bloom. Don’t miss the Harajuku fashion show which is part of this celebration typically held in mid-April. There's no doubt you'll agree that this, like the others, is among the best places to see cherry blossoms in the U.S.!

Can you see now why some visitors think these are among the best U.S. cherry blossoms? Where do you like to admire cherry blossom trees in the USA? In general, where do you like to spend spring in the U.S.?

If you’d like to explore hikes around any of these cities, you can find some great trails by going to the overall AllTrails website.

While you're bopping around the country, be sure to read 6 Hidden Beaches Around The U.S. That Will Take You A Million Miles Away From It All.

If you’re still in the mood for more U.S.A. adventures, take a look at this video about our National Parks: