If there’s one good reason to get excited about spring (aside from the warmer weather, of course), it’s the promise of cherry blossoms. The sight of those fluffy, pink perennials can do a lot to refresh a city, bathing it in a certain Wes Anderson light. Across the US—from Washington, DC, to Portland, Oregon—you’ll start to spy those sakura beauties as early as mid-March, while international destinations, like Kyoto, exhibit peak blooms in early April. Springtime strolls in these cities are simply unparalleled, thanks to their botanical splendor. While walking around cherry blossom-lined streets is one way to appreciate the seasons, there are plenty of other ways to join in on the fun, whether that means attending a flowery festival in Macon, Georgia (the cherry blossom capital of the world!), or seeing the trees by boat on a canal tour through Copenhagen. Below, seven unconventional ways to chase cherry blossoms, at home and abroad.
When you’ve seen the cherry blossoms in Central Park, take the train to Newark
Towards the end of March, you’ll start to see cherry blossoms pop up in various locations around New York City, from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to Riverside Park in Morningside Heights (did you know there’s a dedicated patch called “Sakura Park”?). Central Park is perhaps the most popular site, where selfie-snapping visitors encircle the reservoir—and if you treat yourself to a park-facing room at a hotel like The Pierre, you might even spot patches of pink from above. But for a lesser-trodden cherry blossom fix, consider hopping on a train at Penn Station and getting off at Newark to explore Branch Brook Park, a stunning stretch of nature designed by the architectural duo behind the New York Public Library. This gem of a park in New Jersey is home to the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the US, with over 18 different varieties (full bloom is expected the first or second week of April). Spend a half-day winding through the trails, then take a gander at the Gothic church nearby, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart—Jersey’s version of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Embark on scenic train rides through Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka
Hanami, or the custom of viewing cherry blossoms, is a big deal in Japan—so much so that the country welcomed a record-breaking 3.9 million tourists last April alone. Rather than focus your sights on Tokyo, consider branching out to greater Japan and hopping through various flower-friendly cities via train—Kinetsu Railway, for instance, connects destinations across Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. For a sample itinerary, start in Kyoto and consider staying at the Four Seasons to experience the sakura trees from Shakusui-en, the hotel’s private, 800-year-old garden. Take a stroll along the city’s blossom-filled Philosopher’s Path and Maruyama Park, then hop on the train (Kintetsu Kyoto Line) to Nara, home to Mount Yoshino, widely regarded as one of Japan’s most famous cherry blossom destinations with over 30,000 trees. From Nara, head to Osaka, where you’ll visit Osaka Castle Park, whose Nishinomaru Garden hosts evening illuminations for a different kind of hanami experience. Stay at Patina Osaka for views of Osaka Castle plus sakura-themed spa treatments and afternoon teas, available in March and April.
Take a tour of DC’s cherry blossoms with a retired park ranger
Washington, DC famously becomes a hub for cherry blossom tourism in the months of March and April, when Yoshino trees decorate the Tidal Basin, the reservoir located near the National Mall. In fact, in honor of the United States’s 250th anniversary this year, Japan has gifted the city 250 more cherry blossoms to celebrate the country’s birthday. For proximity to the Tidal Basin, book a stay at Hotel Washington, from which you can take an approximate 25-minute walk to enjoy early morning blooms before the crowds roll in. For a more informed experience, consider a tour guided by a retired park ranger, who will have insider info about the Tidal Basin and teach you about the history of DC’s cherry blossoms, including the Cherry Tree Rebellion of 1938 and the evolving relationship between Japan and the US. Make sure to keep an eye on the district’s BloomCam to track when trees are at their peak.
Stroll through the gardens of Portland, Oregon
If you can’t make it out to Japan, you can always visit the Portland Japanese Garden, located within the city’s Washington Park, which is splashed in pink between the end of March and the beginning of April (the view is especially lovely from the Moon Bridge, hovering above the Strolling Pond Garden). The springtime spirit also comes alive at the Japanese American Historical Plaza, at downtown Tom McCall Waterfront Park. A stay at The Hoxton, Portland, will put you less than a 10-minute walk away from the waterfront—be sure to take advantage of the free Hox Bikes available during your stay and plan a ride along the scenic Willamette River, where over a hundred cherry blossom trees line the banks. Or, get a little collegiate and stroll around the campuses of Reed College or the University of Portland, where you’ll spot even more blossoming beauties.
Attend the Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia
Did you know that the cherry blossom capital of the world—yes, the world—is Macon, Georgia? It all began in 1949, when local real estate magnate William A. Fickling (regarded as “Macon’s Johnny Appleseed”) discovered a Yoshino cherry tree in his backyard and matched it to those he encountered on a business trip to DC a few years later, eventually donating 150,000 trees to the sleepy Southern town. The pretty tree eventually became synonymous with Macon, and in 1982, the Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission decided to celebrate with a festival. The celebration still goes strong today, in that delightful small town way, with annual events like a Pink Pancake Breakfast, a pageant with a chosen royal court, and a hot air balloon finale. If you’re in town for this year’s festival (March 20–29, 2026), book one of the 18 rooms at the 1842 Inn, a Greek Revival mansion promising an old-fashioned stay in Macon’s Historic District. During your visit, be sure to hop in a car and drive from Carolyn Crayton Park to Bass Road, where you’ll have the best views of the town’s famous blossoms.
See the blooms by boat in Copenhagen
In Denmark’s capital city, cherry blossom trees bloom in late March at Langelinie Park, located near the famous Little Mermaid statue. The park is also the site of the Copenhagen Sakura Festival, taking place this year from April 18–19, during which you can expect everything from tea ceremonies to calligraphy workshops. If you prefer to experience the trees from Copenhagen’s gorgeous canals, you can book a classic boat tour that will ride past Langelinie, allowing you to sit back and relax as you take in the springtime scents.
If there’s one thing the Danish love to do, it’s treat a cemetery as a peaceful walkthrough. There’s nothing quite as fairy-tale-like as a cemetery dressed in pink petals, and the sakura-lined Bispebjerg Kirkegård cemetery offers just that. If you’re looking for a place to stay, former Traveler editor Lara Kramer is a big fan of this cozy Copenhagen apartment, located in hip Vesterbro.
Drive through a pink and yellow road on Jeju Island
Jeju Island—the South Korean stunner known for volcanic mountains, lava tubes, and tangerine farms—is also home to a multitude of cherry blossom trees. First things first: Be sure to check out senior features editor Megan Spurrell’s favorite Airbnb on the island, a 50-year-old airy home with volcano views. Once you’ve settled in, consider booking a driving tour through the east side of the island, where—if you time it to late March or early April—you’ll experience the beauty of Jeju in the spring, notably the Jeonnong-ro Cherry Blossom Road in Jeju City, as well as Noksan-ro Road, where vibrant yellow canola flower fields line up with pink cherry blossom trees—an unforgettable color combo worth traveling for.
