Top 5: Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the United States

Cherry blossoms are abundant in Japan, with visitors flocking to the country from late February through early May to catch a glimpse of the spectacular blooms. If you can’t make the trip to Japan, there are plenty of locations in the United States with prime cherry blossom viewing.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden houses more than 200 cherry trees on its grounds. There are 42 different species to discover during the spring. April is the prime month to view cherry blossoms.

Macon, Ga.

Known as the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World, the town is home to more than 300,000 cherry trees. Macon hosts a 10-day cherry blossom festival each March. Blooms are located throughout town, with the highest concentration running from Central City Park to Bass Road.

Nashville

Nashville’s cherry blossom tradition began as a quest to plant 1,000 cherry trees throughout the city. Currently, 800 cherry trees have a home in Nashville. The city celebrates with a festival each April, including a 2.5-mile cherry blossom walk.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park comes alive in the spring with blooms from cherry trees, some of which were a gift from the Japanese government. The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia sponsors an annual festival, celebrating cherry blossoms as well as Japanese culture.

Washington, D.C.

Perhaps the most popular location on this list, our nation’s capital hosts an impressive, annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival commemorates the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to the city of Washington, D.C. in 1912. The website features a bloom watch and bloom cam to monitor progress.