Many different species of cherry blossoms are now in full bloom in Brooklyn!
Prospect Park: You can find a gorgeous collection of cherry blossom trees by entering at Grand Army Plaza and walking the path to Long Meadow. Check out Prospect Park Alliance’s guide to what’s blooming right now!
Sunset Park: The park has many flowering Kanzan (or Kwanzan) cherry trees. This species is named for a mountain in Japan.
Maria Hernandez Park: Bushwick’s largest park has a large collection of cherry blossom trees.
McCarren Park: Head to Williamsburg to find lots of blooming trees in the spring.
Brooklyn Bridge Park: The waterfront park has some blooming trees, including at Pier 2 Uplands, the green space overlooking Pier 2.
Green-Wood Cemetery: The cemetery is actually an accredited arboretum, and has an impressive collection of trees, including magnolias and Higan cherry trees. Make a day of your day trip to see them by also checking out one of cemetery’s education programs or guided tours.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The famous Cherry Esplanade is lined with Kanzan trees, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden has more than 200 cherry trees in total throughout its various gardens. You can keep tabs on when trees are blooming by using CherryWatch, which is updated by BBG gardeners. There are many special events and programs to celebrate the cherry blossoms, including Hanami Nights (Tuesday, April 23 through Thursday, April 25) and Weekends in Bloom (weekends, April 27 through May 12). This year’s Weekends in Bloom programming will include many musical and dance performances, ranging from Japanese dance (pictured below) to Guadeloupean guitar to a performance by an all-female Black-led percussion ensemble, plus many activities for kids and families.
Starting April 1, BBG also has extended hours (Tuesday-Thursday, 8am-8pm, Friday-Sunday 8am-6pm, closed Mondays). Admission is $18/adult, $12/students 12+ with ID, and free for children under 12.
Main Image: Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Cherry Esplanade.
