Unexpected U.S. Destinations to See Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossom season has become synonymous with places like Japan and even Washington, D.C., but family travelers might be surprised to learn they don’t have to travel far to see these beautiful blooms. Between late March and late April, these unexpected U.S. destinations also erupt into pink, red and white.

Nashville, Tennessee

On April 12, the city hosts the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival, a free and family-friendly event celebrating cherry blossom season, as well as Japanese culture, food and music. During the festival, families can walk the 2.5-mile path along Nashville’s Public Square, Cumberland River Greenway and Morgan Park to view the blooms. The festival also includes various children’s activities and the Pups in Pink contest, which sees dogs parade around the festival grounds.

New York City, New York

Even the Big Apple has cherry blossoms! These trees bloom across the five boroughs, with Okame cherry trees usually flowering in mid- to late March, while Yoshino and Kwanzan cherry trees bloom in April. Great spots to see these flowers include Sakura Park in Upper Manhattan, home to more than 2,000 cherry trees gifted by Japan in 1912; Central Park, featuring Okame blossoms; Cherry Hill, a great spot to see Yoshino cherry trees; the reservoir’s many Kwanzan cherry trees; and Brooklyn Botanical Garden in Prospect Park, which provides a grove of blossoms when the trees are in full bloom.

Dallas, Texas

Come spring, Dallas hosts one of the Southwest’s largest floral festivals. Held at Dallas Arboretum, Dallas Blooms (Feb. 22–April 13) takes on a fun theme this year, Outside the Ordinary, which will feature sculptures by Seward Johnson. These works of art will be complemented by 500,000 blooming flowers, including cherry trees, tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and azaleas.

Macon, Georgia

Yes, places as far south as Georgia have cherry blossoms. In Macon, don’t miss the annual Cherry Blossom Festival (March 21–30), where you can witness the bloom of hundreds of thousands of Yoshino cherry trees. Macon even has its own cherry blossom trail to see the best blooms in the city.