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

Nashville, TN, USA
Facebook/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

Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA
Facebook/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

Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
Facebook/Missouri Botanical Garden
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.

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4. Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, San Francisco

San Francisco, CA, USA
Facebook/Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival
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

Newark, NJ, USA
Facebook/Sakura Matsuri in Branch Brook Park New Jersey
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

Charles River Esplanades, Boston, MA, USA
Flickr/Sean Ob'Brien
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

Philadelphia, PA, USA
Facebook/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:

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More to Explore

More Great USA Adventures

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | February 23, 2024

Where can we find the best hotels and resorts in the United States?

  • The Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island features a full-service spa, an upscale restaurant, and a private beach with complimentary butler service.
  • The Acqualina Resort & Spa in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida is set on a pristine stretch of Miami Beach and features beachfront pools, cabanas, dining, and more.
  • The Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California features classic Mediterranean architecture, luxurious suites, bungalows, casitas, and villas.

Read on to learn more about some of the many excellent hotels and resorts in the United States.

Where can we find some of the best scenic drives in the United States?

  • Route 66, also known as “The Mother Road,” is truly scenic along its 2,400 miles crossing eight states.
  • The Great River Road National Scenic Byway follows the course of the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
  • The Park Loop Road is a 27-mile scenic drive around the east side of Mount Desert Island in Maine's Acadia National Park.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other wonderful scenic drives in the United States.

Where can we find beaches in the United States?

  • The Bandon State Natural Area in Oregon features a spectacular beach with interesting sea stacks and excellent beachcombing opportunities.
  • Kauapea Beach in Kauai, Hawaii is a very under-visited beach, so much so that it’s often called “Secret Beach.”
  • Kiawah Island in South Carolina features 10 miles of pristine coastline for swimming, sunbathing, and more.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other wonderful beaches in the United States.

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