Where To See Cherry Blossoms
With city views and your dog.
New York City is covered in cherry blossoms every April, and the good news is that most of the best spots are completely dog-friendly. Here's your guide to chasing blooms across the five boroughs with your pup. (HINT: The photo ops are unreal!)
When Do Cherry Blossoms Peak in NYC?
Timing is everything. Cherry blossoms in New York City typically reach peak bloom in early to mid-April, though warmer springs can push the first trees to open in late March. The window is short — often about a week before petals begin to fall. Different varieties bloom at different times: Okame cherry trees tend to flower first, followed by Yoshino cherry blossoms, while later varieties like Kwanzan extend the season into late April.
For 2026 specifically, Yoshino cherry blossoms hit peak bloom on April 3, and Kwanzan blossoms peaked around April 14. So if you're reading this in real time — the Kwanzans may still be putting on a show right now.
The takeaway: late March through late April gives you the widest window, with multiple waves of bloom to catch.
Our Favorite Spots (Dog-Friendly, Obviously)
🌸 Hunter's Point South Park — Long Island City, Queens
This is our spot — and honestly, it might be the most underrated cherry blossom location in the entire city. Hunter's Point South Park features Yoshino cherry trees that bloom around the park's oval, which boasts stellar views of the Manhattan skyline. The park also has a dog run, a waterside promenade, and picnic terraces, making it a full morning out with your pup. Peak bloom here typically aligns with the broader Yoshino window — early April.
🌸 Central Park — Manhattan
Central Park is one of the most accessible places to experience cherry blossoms in the city, with concentrations around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, Cherry Hill, Pilgrim Hill, the Great Lawn, and Sheep Meadow. If you have a dog, morning off-leash hours run from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. — arriving early means cherry blossom viewing is a little more fun for both you and your pup. The East Side sections tend to have more early bloomers, while the western edges often hold their color a little longer into the season. Visit late March through late April to catch something in bloom.
🌸 Riverside Park & Sakura Park — Upper West Side, Manhattan
Riverside Park and nearby Sakura Park feel quieter and more local, with flowering cherry trees lining paths overlooking the Hudson, and crowds tend to be lighter than in Central Park. The park has a four-mile-long path along the Hudson River that's perfect for admiring the cherry blossoms, with Kwanzan Cherry trees and Crabapple trees blooming side by side. This is an ideal long walk with a dog. Best window: mid-to-late April for the Kwanzans.
🌸 Prospect Park — Brooklyn
Many dedicated New Yorkers consider Prospect Park the single best cherry blossom destination in the five boroughs. The park is fully dog-friendly and the crowds are notably more manageable than neighboring Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Aim for mid-April for peak color along the main loop.
🌸 Washington Square Park — Greenwich Village
Washington Square Park features beautiful Yoshino and Kwanzan cherry blossom trees that are perfect to sit under and admire the view and atmosphere. It's a classic NYC backdrop, always buzzing with energy, and leashed dogs are welcome throughout. Best for early-to-mid April.
🌸 Roosevelt Island
Roosevelt Island offers a quieter alternative, with cherry trees lining the waterfront and open views back toward Manhattan. Take the tram from the Upper East Side for a scenic arrival — and leashed dogs ride free. Best timing: early-to-mid April.
🌸 Randall's Island
Randall's Island Park hosts a Cherry Blossom Festival as part of its Earth Day event, where families enjoy arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations, and live musical performances, with cherry blossoms surrounding the Urban Farm and Cottage Garden. In 2026, that's April 25 — and yes, dogs are welcome on the island's paths.
Tips for Cherry Blossom Season With Your Dog
- Go early. Crowds build fast on weekends. Early morning light is also magic for photos.
- Use bloom trackers. The Central Park Conservancy has a real-time cherry blossom tracker, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden has its CherryWatch map — both are updated regularly so you can plan your outing at peak.
- Extend your season. Even as one variety begins to fall, others begin to bloom — so if you miss the Yoshinos, the Kwanzans will be right behind them.
- Always bring water for your dog — spring sun gets warmer than it looks.
Cherry blossom season in New York is fleeting, beautiful, and best experienced without rushing. Grab the leash, pick a park, and go. The blooms won't wait — but they will absolutely make for the best photos of the year. 🌸🐾
—The Bernedoodettes
