15 Unexpected Places To See Cherry Blossoms This Spring (That Aren’t Washington, D.C.)

For me, spring means cherry blossoms. The sweet flower symbolizes renewal, and the colorful blooms cast out any lingering winter gloom from Mother Nature. Washington, D.C., is often the first place I think of to view cherry trees, but there are many unexpected places throughout the U.S. where you can walk, drive, and admire these flowers. Plus, many of these destinations make for swoon-worthy spring getaways or day trips.

Whether you find cherry blossoms this spring in city parks, botanical gardens, or even college campuses, you can always expect a dreamy landscape. The following are 15 unexpected places to view cherry blossoms in the U.S.

1. Cherry Blossoms in Manhattan: A Hidden Urban Oasis

When I think of Manhattan, I think of a concrete jungle with buildings reaching up to the clouds. However, some of my favorite attractions in Manhattan are the city parks, especially Central Park. In spring, Central Park draws visitors from around the country to admire the cherry blossoms. While you can spot cherry trees all over the park, some of the highest concentrations are near the Reservoir, Pilgrim Hill, the Great Lawn, and Cedar Hill. The best time to view the cherry blossoms in Manhattan is typically between early April and early May.

2. Boston Blooms: Where History Meets Springtime Beauty

From late March to mid-April, you’ll want to be on the lookout for inspiring spring scenes in Boston, and one of the best places is along the Charles River Esplanade. This green space along the Charles River is the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon stroll, a picnic, or even some quiet time outdoors while surrounded by cherry trees. We also recommend visiting the Boston Common, Public Garden, and the Arnold Arboretum for even more gorgeous bloom views.

3. Philadelphia’s Secret Cherry Blossom Spots

Philadelphia is easily one of the best cities in the U.S. for viewing cherry blossoms. In fact, this Pennsylvania city hosts the annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival each spring. If you are eager to capture images of the blooms, plan a visit between the last week of March and the first week of April. Then head to destinations such as Fairmount Park, Kelly Drive, and the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center.

If you want to admire the blooms on foot, I recommend the Martin Luther King Drive Trail. Along this 4.3-mile trail, a stretch from Montgomery Drive to Falls Bridge is breathtaking during the peak bloom period.

4. Nashville in Bloom: More Than Just Music City

You will want to visit Nashville from late March to early April to view the colorful cherry blossoms. Each spring, Music City hosts the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival, complete with music, dance, contests, vendors, and more. The highlight of this festival is the Nashville Cherry Blossom Walk, a 2.5-mile walk that begins and ends at the city’s Public Square and takes you along many streets and neighborhoods for prime viewing.

5. Macon, Georgia: The Cherry Blossom Capital of the South

Did you know that Macon, Georgia, is known as the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World and hosts the International Cherry Blossom Festival each March? This is one of the best places to view cherry blossoms in America, as there are thousands of cherry trees throughout the city. Visit in late March for peak viewing, and some of the best places to view cherry blossoms in Macon include Carolyn Crayton Park, which is the site of the International Cherry Blossom Festival, and several neighborhoods. You can also follow Macon’s Cherry Blossom Trail for picture-perfect views.

6. Cleveland’s Stunning Springtime Cherry Displays

While there is so much to love about Cleveland, the cherry blossoms each spring are at the top of our list. There are several popular places around the city where you can view these spring flowers, including Public Square in downtown Cleveland, the Wade Oval, and Brookside Reservation, one of Cleveland’s oldest neighborhood parks.

While technically not part of Cleveland, I also recommend you put on a good pair of shoes or hop on your bike and explore portions of the Towpath Trail. Between the Ohio and Erie Canal Park and Lock 3 in Akron, you can find more than 400 cherry trees. The best time to view cherry blossoms in Cleveland and the surrounding area is between late March and early May.

7. Traverse City Blooms: Michigan’s Scenic Cherry Spots

While Traverse City is breathtaking all year, there’s nothing quite like the spring. This area transforms as colorful blossoms cover hills and line streets. In fact, Traverse City offers a self-guided Blossom Tour that highlights three distinct areas of the city, each perfect for exploring by car, on foot, or even on a bike. In Traverse City, cherry blossoms usually appear in early May, and areas farther from the water typically bloom first.

8. Chicago Cherry Blossoms: Spring in the Windy City

Chicago, Illinois, may seem like an unexpected place to view cherry blossoms, but it’s one of our favorites. While there are several places around the city to view cherry trees, such as Millennium Park in downtown Chicago (as shown in the image above), Jackson Park is among the most popular. Here, you’ll find more than 160-190 cherry trees that transform the area when in bloom. The best time to view cherry blossoms in Chicago is from late April to early May.

9. St. Louis Spring Blooms You Can’t Miss

There are two areas in St. Louis where we love to view cherry blossoms: Gateway Arch National Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden. From mid-March to mid-April, cherry trees bloom, adding color and beauty to this iconic monument. The Missouri Botanical Garden is truly breathtaking, with more than 230 cherry trees in one destination. And, when you add in all of the other seasonal flowers in bloom, St. Louis makes a picture-perfect spring day trip.

10. Dallas Blossoms: Discover Unexpected Cherry Spots

If you wish to see the cherry blossoms in Dallas, timing is everything. The blooms only last for about a week, but when they peak, they are gorgeous. Typically, the cherry trees in Dallas blossom from mid-March to early April, and there are a handful of destinations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area to enjoy their colors, including the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Here, you’ll find more than 100 Yoshino trees that line the main walkway of the garden.

11. Salt Lake City: Cherry Blossoms Among Mountain Views

Most Utahns know (this is where I was born and raised) that if you want to view cherry blossoms in the Beehive State, you visit one place – the Utah State Capitol Building. More than 430 Yoshino Cherry Trees line the building's pathway, transforming this space each spring. The blossoms are weather-dependent and typically only last for one week. Typically, you will see blooms in Salt Lake by late March.

12. Seattle in Spring: Cherry Blossoms Beyond the City Parks

If you are like me, when you think of Seattle in the spring, you typically don’t think of cherry blossoms ... but you should. Washington Park Arboretum and the Seattle Japanese Garden are two beautiful places in the Emerald City where you can take an afternoon stroll and enjoy the colorful blooms. Several city parks should also be on your list, like Seward Park and Green Lake Park. The Quad at the University of Washington is another unexpected destination in Seattle that you don’t want to overlook. The best time to view cherry blossoms in Seattle is from mid-March to early April.

13. Hood River, Oregon: A Picturesque Blossom Destination

Hood River is one of our favorite places to view cherry blossoms in the U.S. Here, you can take a 35-mile scenic drive along the Hood River County Fruit Loop, which takes you through gorgeous orchards. Plan to take this drive from late March through May to see the fruit trees in bloom. You can also make several stops to sip wine, sample delicious food, and enjoy the breathtaking views.

14. San Diego Blooms: Coastal Cherry Blossom Beauty

San Diego isn’t just a destination with incredible beaches. Each spring, it is also home to some of the best cherry blossoms in America. In fact, you can attend the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park each March. This may be one of the sweetest spring festivals in California. The best times to view the cherry blossoms in San Diego are typically between late March and early April, and this may become your favorite time to visit America's Finest City.

15. San Francisco Cherry Blossoms: Hidden City Gems

Southern California isn’t the only place in the Golden State to view cherry blossoms. Head up north to San Francisco to admire the extraordinary scenery and attend the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival each April. The best time to see the cherry blossoms in NorCal is between late March and early April, and there are numerous places to view these trees in the Bay Area, including Golden Gate Park, the San Francisco Botanical Gardens, and Japantown, which is also where the annual Cherry Blossom Festival is held each year.

Doesn't a spring getaway to view cherry blossoms around the U.S. sound like a dream? Just make sure you check the region's peak blooming period before you visit. And don't wait! Cherry blossoms don't last forever (even though we wish they did!). You won't want to miss the colorful, sweet sights.

No matter where you go to view cherry blossoms each spring, I recommend you stay for a while. Consider booking a vacation rental to set up your base camp. Pack some good shoes for walking, load your vehicle with car-friendly snacks for a scenic drive, and don't forget a camera. There's no better way to enjoy spring than with cherry blossom views. Thank you, Mother Nature.

Planning your own cherry blossom getaway? Use the Only In Your State itinerary planner to map out parks, festivals, and scenic drives near your destination.