Nothing quite captures the joyful arrival of spring more than cherry blossom season.
The ancient Japanese celebration of hanami (flower viewing) may be the first image that pops into your mind when you think of this sight of ephemeral flowers. However, there are many destinations along the East and West coasts where you can see the spotless pink and white flowers with your own eyes.
From Washington, DC’s Tidal Basin to the serene Japanese Garden in Portland’s Washington Park, the cherry blossom display is accompanied by elaborate Japanese cultural events and traditions.
It’s a profoundly brief period of opportunity — and Mother Nature is notoriously unpredictable — but you can expect the best blooms to be in late March and early April, with slight variation from north to south.
National Park Service forecast full bloom However, in Washington, DC, from March 22 to 25 (depending on the weather), you can see flowers in bloom both before and after those dates.
Here are eight of the best places to see cherry blossoms in the US this spring.
Washington DC
the capital’s annual three weeks National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from March 20 to April 16. More than 3,000 trees span the fields and gardens within the city limits, but the title action opens at the Tidal Basin, where blooming flowers frame some the country’s most popular landmarks. More than 1.5 million people converge on the city each year to witness this spectacle, so be prepared to scramble for a good viewing spot.
The festival is a lavish pink festival with elaborate floats, marching bands, kite festival, famous artists and a “Pink Tie” ball. Along the banks of the Anacostia River, April 8 “Petalpalooza” showcases local musicians and artists with live performances, walks and art installations, as well as family-centered activities. center and fireworks show at 8:30pm
The celebrations culminate April 15 and 16 with the Japan Street Festival — the largest of its kind in the United States Along Pennsylvania Avenue (between 3rd and 7th streets), you’ll See martial arts shows, J-pop, traditional food and drink stalls, and Ginza Market. One-day tickets are $10 and two-day tickets are $15.
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If you want to see gorgeous blooms — and beat the crowds — head to the US National Arboretum, about 30 minutes from downtown.
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Where: The Salamander Washington DC (formerly Mandarin Oriental), between the National Mall and The Wharf, a short walk from the Tidal Basin. The hotel’s Cherry Blossom Views package comes with basin views and a cherry blossom-themed afternoon tea service for two in your room or suite. Cash rates for Cherry Blossom Views in a standard king-size room start at $720/night.
Related: Best time to visit Washington, DC
Macon, Georgia
One of the nation’s proudest and most splendid cherry blossom displays takes place in Macon. It is celebrated with 10 long days International Cherry Blossom Festival (March 17-26), starting in 1982.
More than 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees bloom from mid to late March while “the pinkest party on Earth” features hundreds of events, including the Cherry Blossom Festival, spinning dog racing, tribute bands and dance party.
Where: An affordable option for families, Springhill Suites Macon’s Marriott have rooms from 33,500 Marriott Bonvoy points or $105 a night. Rooms are spacious, functional, with microwave, refrigerator, indoor swimming pool and gym.
Nashville
Nashville may be better known for its country music scene, but it also plays host to Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival on April 15. It has a 2-and-a-half-mile Cherry Blossom Walk that begins at Nashville Public Square. There are also children’s activities, martial arts, sumo wrestling, a “Pups in Pink” parade, traditional Japanese music and dance, and vendors of specialty Japanese dishes. Copy.
The city’s passion for cherry blossoms dates back to 2008 when the Consulate General of Japan in the South Central United States moved from New Orleans to Nashville and donated 1,000 cherry blossom trees.
Where: Hotel Indigo offers luxurious rooms and an ideal location, just a two-minute walk from Nashville Public Square. There’s also live music nightly and designs inspired by Nashville’s commercial history. Mid-April cash rate starts at $359 or you can exchange IHG A bonus from 57,000 points per night.
Related: Music city on mind? These are the best new spot hotels in Nashville
Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
Philly’s Fairmount Park is home to more than 1,600 donated cherry blossom trees Philadelphia by the people of Japan in 1926 as a gift to mark 150 years of independence of the United States.
Held on April 15 and 16, family friendly Greater Philadelphia’s Cherry Blossom Festival attracted more than 17,000 visitors in two days. It features kimono dressing, origami instruction, sushi making classes, martial arts, taiko drumming, live music performances, and a traditional tea party.
Where: Based on West Philadelphia and combine viewing the brilliant cherry blossoms with a tour of Philadelphia’s historic sites. Just a 10-minute walk from Rittenhouse Square and 20 minutes from the Liberty Bell, this charming building Marriott Bonvoy properties will cost you from $243 or from 43,000 Bonvoy points per night in April.
Japan Street, San Francisco
You will find cherry blossom trees everywhere San Franciscoof Golden Gate Park and the photogenic cascading over the bridges and jewel-box teahouses of the beloved Japanese Tea Garden, the oldest Japanese public garden in the United States (dating back to 1894).
Spring’s top event is Northern California Cherry Blossom Festivalheld in the Japantown neighborhood and second only to Washington, DC in size, attracting more than 220,000 people during the first two weekends of April.
Cultural activities include taiko drum performance, bonsai display, tea ceremony, doll making, flower arrangement, Japanese food market with beer garden, dedicated Children’s Village and vendors and workshops traditional art. Most events take place on Post Street.
Where: In Japantown, Hotel Kabuki, a JdV of Hyatt property, featuring Japanese-style pop art of the 1930s and 1940s. End the cherry blossom festival with Southeast Asian specialties at Nari and then hang out in the hotel’s zen garden. As a Category 5 Hyatt property, award rates for April range from 17,000 to 23,000 Hyatt’s World points per night, or $338 cash.
Related: Book this, not that: San Francisco Hotel
Seattle
The Emerald City ushers in spring with a three-day celebration of Japanese culture along with cherry blossom viewing at several locations throughout the city. Across the Pacific Northwest, cherry blossom season is usually in full bloom in the third week of March.
The largest and oldest festival of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, the festival Seattle Cherry Blossoms & Japanese Culture Festival dates back to 1976 when Prime Minister Takeo Miki of Japan donated 1,000 cherry trees in honor of the bicentennial of the United States. Held from April 14 to 16, cultural events include traditional music performances, silk threading, origami paper folding demonstrations, kibori wood carvings, Japanese cuisine and games.
The best place to see flowers is at the Liberal Arts Quadrangle at the University of Washington, where 130 Yoshino cherry trees line the stately lawns of the quad and Gothic buildings. At the Washington Park Arboretum, you’ll also find cherry trees along Azalea Road and along bridges and walkways in the Japanese Garden.
Where: Hyatt Regency Seattle is one of TPG’s favorite Seattle hotels thanks to its low score rate and proximity to downtown must-see attractions, such as Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum . For flower viewing, it’s a 12-minute drive to the University of Washington. If you decide to rent a car and you are a global member, the nightly self-parking fee of $40 will be waived. Plus, you’ll get free access to the Regency Club, which serves a full breakfast each morning, evening canapes, and panoramic skyline views.
Related: Hyatt hop over Seattle: Which Hyatt should you choose on your next trip to the Emerald City?
Portland, Oregon
The best place to see cherry blossoms in Portland is Governor Tom McCall’s Waterfront Park, across from the Willamette River. More than 100 cherry trees bloom throughout the northern recesses of the park, adjacent to the Japanese American History Square, which commemorates the 120,000 Japanese Americans who were deported to internment camps during World War II.
In the hills of Washington Park in Portland, the city’s beloved Japanese Garden is hailed as the most beautiful in the nation. It hosts a number of sold-out cultural workshops, including ikebana (flower arrangement) and wine tasting.
In late March, cherry blossoms bloom along the serene paths that lead visitors to temples, bridges, waterfalls and koi ponds. Advance booking is recommended and tickets cost $19.95 for adults. The striking Umami Café, designed to resemble the Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto, is a great spot to enjoy traditional Japanese tea.
Where: The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Portland is one of the city’s top hotels. It is in a prime location next to Pioneer Court Square and a 30-minute walk from Washington Park’s Japanese Garden. The Departure rooftop bar and restaurant is a favorite with locals thanks to its creative Asian fusion dishes, vibrant cocktail scene and stunning city views. Luxurious rooms, filled with satin and velvet, combine modern style with historic charm, and walls are adorned with original artwork by local students. Rooms start at $257 or 43,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Brooklyn, New York
At the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 26 species of cherry trees line the green lawns of the Cherry Esplanade. One of the highlights of the season is the double-blooming Kanzan cherry, which usually blooms in late April.
The Cherry Walk winds behind the Japanese Pond and Hill Garden, one of the oldest and most visited Japanese-inspired gardens outside of Japan. It features traditional architectural elements, including red wooden torii gates, ornate bridges, stone lanterns and Shinto shrines.
Where: In 2021, Ace Hotel launches its second New York outpost at South Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill. Like a local hipster haven as a tourist destination, it hosts pop-up parties in its trendy lobby and boasts a chic bar and well-appointed rooms featuring artefacts. eclectic works such as custom Tivoli radios, guitars, turntables and vintage furniture. Ace Hotel does not have a loyalty program. Cash rates for April start at $349 per night.
