Spring has officially begun, and the flora is starting to show color once more…which means it’s officially cherry blossom season! Japanese cherry blossoms, known as sakura (桜) in Japanese, are one of the quintessential spring flowers. Revered for their beauty and impermanence, these flowers are one of the highlights of spring!
Cherry blossom season typically runs from late March to early May, with peak season occurring in early-mid April. However, don’t worry! You won’t need to fly to Japan or travel to Washington DC to see these flowers in bloom. Here are some of the best places to view the blossoms right here in New Jersey!
- 🌸 Branch Brook Park, Newark 🌸
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Branch Brook Park is home to the largest and most varied collection of flowering cherry blossom trees in a park in the United States. Featuring more than 5,200 Japanese cherry blossom trees, this is the top spot in New Jersey for viewing! This year, Branch Brook Park will also host the annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival from April 6-14, consisting of bike races, runs, walks, and Bloomfest!, with music, food, and traditional Japanese cultural activities and performances!
- 🌸 Hurd Park, Dover 🌸
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The blossoming trees take Hurd Park’s scenery to another level! When in full bloom, the flowers highlight the park’s signature pergola, footbridge, and World War I memorial.
- 🌸 Divine Park, Spring Lake 🌸
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Divine Park in Spring Lake, NJ is a 16-acre park with a freshwater lake and 90 flowering trees of four varieties. The park is also a well-known location for engagement, wedding, and family photos!
- 🌸 Sayen House and Gardens, Hamilton 🌸
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This 30-acre land houses the plants and flowers collected by Frederick Sayen on his travels around the world. Featuring walking trails, fish ponds, and gazebos, this is a great location to take some stunning photos!
- 🌸 Verona Park, Verona 🌸
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This 54-acre park with a lovely lake is a great spot to take photos of the cherry blossoms this season! Spend the day lounging on the grass, circling the walking path, or boating on the water with the flowers!
Other places to see cherry blossom trees:
🌸 Chapel Avenue, Cherry Hill
🌸 Frehlinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown
🌸 Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
🌸 New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Now that you know of all these great, nearby places to see Japanese cherry blossoms in bloom this year, there’s no excuse not to spend a beautiful, relaxing day with these flowers! Gather your friends, set up a picnic, and have a little photoshoot under the cherry blossoms this season!