A few weeks after I arrived in New York City, I returned to Central Park again to witness the beautiful peak bloom of the cherry blossoms. Compared to the delicate colours of the first bloom of the cherry blossoms, peak bloom was outrageously pink – I could hardly believe my eyes! This time, I walked around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir and stopped for a while on the west side of the reservoir to sketch under the cherry blossom trees. The path around the reservoir was lined with cherry blossoms, and I loved the way they framed the view of the reservoir with the towers of the art deco Eldorado Building in the background. On the west side of the reservoir, the draping branches of the cherry blossoms form a pink tunnel along a pathway, again framing The Eldorado building beautifully.
The best cherry blossom spots in Central Park
You can find the best cherry blossoms in Central Park around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, on aptly-named Cherry Hill, in Sheep Meadow, and along the Great Lawn. I think the best spot for cherry blossoms is around the Reservoir, especially along the west side near W 90th Street.
Kwanzan Cherry Blossoms at the Reservoir
The cherry blossoms around the Reservoir are Kwanzan cherry blossoms trees, which bloom in clusters of bubble gum pink blossoms. Near 90th street, on the west side of the Reservoir, they even form a tunnel of cherry blossom trees at some points! Typically their peak bloom is between April and May, and on my visit it was in late April. The Kwanzan cherry blossoms were a gift from the Mayor of Tokyo to the United States, gifted in 1912.
When are the cherry blossoms in bloom in New York City?
Cherry blossom season is typically in April and early May each year. Central Park offers an excellent cherry blossom tracker on its website, which is really helpful, as well as a guide to the other beautiful spring blooms. Even if you are too early or late for cherry blossoms, New York City is absolutely gorgeous in Autumn with tulips, daffodils, peonies, roses and violets.
These photos are from Spring 2019.
Have you seen the cherry blossoms in Central Park? Or anywhere else on your travels?
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