Nothing quite captures the joyous arrival of spring like cherry blossom season.
Ancient hanami (flower-watching) celebrations in Japan may be the first image that springs to mind when you think of this fleeting floral spectacle. However, there are plenty of destinations along the East and West coasts where you can view those puffs of flawless pink and white blossoms.
From Washington, D.C.'s Tidal Basin to the serene Japanese Garden of Washington Park in Portland, Oregon, sakura displays are accompanied by elaborate Japanese cultural events and traditions.
It's a poignantly short window of opportunity — and Mother Nature is notoriously unpredictable — but you can expect peak blooms to occur in late March and early April, with slight variations from north to south.
The National Park Service forecasts peak bloom to occur March 23-26, but you can expect to see blossoms both before and after those dates.
Here are nine of the best places to see cherry blossoms in the U.S. this spring.
Washington, DC
The capital's annual three-week National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place from March 20 to April 14. More than 3,000 trees span fields and gardens within city limits, but the headline act unfolds at the Tidal Basin, where blossoms photogenically frame some of the nation's most cherished landmarks. More than 1.5 million people converge on the city each year to witness the spectacle, so be prepared to jockey for a good viewing spot.
The festival is a pink petal extravaganza featuring elaborate parade floats, marching bands, a kite festival, celebrity entertainers and a "Pink Tie" ball. Along the banks of the Anacostia River, "Petalpalooza" on April 6 showcases local musicians and artists with live performances, art walks and installations; there are also family-centric activities and a fireworks show at 8:30 p.m.
Celebrations culminate on April 13 and 14 with the Japanese Street Festival — the largest of its kind in the U.S. Along Pennsylvania Avenue (between Third and Seventh streets), you'll find martial arts demos, J-pop, traditional food and beverage vendors, and a Ginza Marketplace.
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If you want to see gorgeous blooms — and beat the crowds — head to the U.S. National Arboretum, about 30 minutes from downtown.
You can follow Washington, D.C.'s bloom forecast here.
Where to stay: Salamander Washington DC (formerly the Mandarin Oriental), between the National Mall and The Wharf, is a short walk from the Tidal Basin. The hotel's Cherry Blossom Views package comes with views of the basin and a cherry blossom-themed afternoon tea service for two in your room or suite; it also offers private walkway access to Tidal Basin. Cash rates for the Cherry Blossom Views package in a standard king room start at $580 per night.
Related: The best times to visit Washington, DC
Macon, Georgia
One of the nation's most extravagant and proudest cherry blossom displays occurs in Macon. It's celebrated with a 10-day International Cherry Blossom Festival (March 15-24), which dates back to 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 Ball, wiener dog racing, tribute bands and dance parties.
Where to stay: A solid budget option for families, Springhill Suites Macon by Marriott has rooms from 33,500 Marriott Bonvoy points or $89 per night. Spacious, functional rooms come with microwaves and fridges, and there's an indoor pool and fitness center.
Nashville
Nashville might be better known for its country music scene, but it also hosts the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival on April 13. It features a 2 1/2-mile Cherry Blossom Walk, which begins in Nashville Public Square. There are also children's activities, martial arts, sumo suit wrestling, a "Pups in Pink" parade, traditional Japanese music, dancing and purveyors of Japanese specialty fare.
The city's passion for cherry blossoms dates to 2008 when the Japanese Consulate-General for South-Central U.S. transferred from New Orleans to Nashville and donated 1,000 cherry blossom trees.
Where to stay: Hotel Indigo has chic rooms and an ideal location, just a two-minute walk from Nashville Public Square. There's also live music every night and a design that takes its cues from Nashville's commercial history. Cash rates in mid-April start at $389, or you can redeem IHG One Rewards from 57,000 points per night.
Related: The best hotels to book in Nashville for the full Music City experience
Fairmount Park, Philadephia
Philly's Fairmount Park is home to more than 1,600 sakura trees, which were donated to Philadelphia by the people of Japan in 1926 as a gift to mark 150 years of American independence.
Held April 13 and 14, the family-friendly Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia draws more than 17,000 visitors over two days. It features kimono dressing, origami tutorials, sushi-making classes, martial arts, taiko drumming, live music performances and a traditional tea ceremony.
Where to stay: Base yourself at the W Philadelphia and combine glorious cherry blossom viewing with a tour of Philadelphia's historic sites. Just a 10-minute walk from Rittenhouse Square and 20 minutes from the Liberty Bell, this glam Marriott Bonvoy property starts at $211 or 43,000 Bonvoy points per night in April.
Japantown, San Francisco
You'll find cherry blossom trees throughout San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. They cascade photogenically over the bridges and jewel box tea house of its beloved Japanese Tea Garden — the oldest public Japanese garden in the U.S. (dating back to 1894).
Spring's top event is the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, held in the Japantown neighborhood. It's second only to Washington, D.C.'s in size, drawing more than 220,000 people over the first two weekends in April.
Cultural activities include taiko drum performances, bonsai displays, tea ceremonies, doll making, flower arranging, a Japanese food bazaar with a beer garden, a dedicated Children's Village, and traditional art vendors and workshops. Most events take place on Post Street.
Where to stay: In Japantown, the Hotel Kabuki, a JdV by Hyatt property, features 1930s and 1940s Japanese-style pop art. Bookend cherry blossom festivities with Southeast Asian specialties at Nari and then retreat to the hotel's meditation garden. As a Category 5 Hyatt property, the hotel offers award rates in April ranging between 17,000 and 23,000 World of Hyatt points per night, or $260 cash.
Related: Book this, not that: San Francisco hotels
Seattle
The Emerald City ushers in the spring season with a three-day celebration of Japanese culture along with cherry blossom viewing at a handful of locations. Across the Pacific Northwest, cherry blossom season generally peaks the third week in March.
The largest and oldest festival of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, the Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival dates to 1976 when then-Prime Minister Takeo Miki of Japan donated 1,000 cherry trees in honor of the U.S.' bicentennial. Held April 12-14, cultural events include traditional music performances, silk threading, origami demonstrations, kibori wood carving, Japanese cuisine and games.
The best place to view the blossoms is at the Liberal Arts Quadrangle at the University of Washington, where 130 Yoshino cherry trees line the quad's stately lawns and Gothic buildings. At Washington Park Arboretum, you'll also find cherry trees along Azalea Way as well as alongside bridges and walkways in the Japanese Garden.
Where to stay: The Hyatt Regency Seattle is one of TPG's favorite Seattle hotels for its low points rate and proximity to can't-miss downtown attractions, such as Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum. As for blossom peeping, it's just a 12-minute drive to the University of Washington. If you decide to rent a car and are a Globalist member, the hotel will waive your nightly self-parking fee of $40. Also, you'll receive complimentary access to the Regency Club, which offers a full breakfast, evening canapes and panoramic skyline views. Rates start from $280 per night in April or 23,000 World of Hyatt points.
Related: A Hyatt hop through 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 Waterfront Park, which fronts the Willamette River. More than 100 cherry trees bloom across the park's northern recesses, adjacent to the Japanese American Historical Plaza; the plaza commemorates the 120,000 Japanese Americans who were deported to internment camps during World War II.
In the hills of Portland's Washington Park, the city's beloved Japanese Garden is hailed as the nation's most beautiful. It hosts a number of sell-out cultural workshops, including ikebana (flower arranging) and wine tastings.
At the end of March, cherry blossoms explode along serene walkways that lead visitors to pagodas, bridges, waterfalls and koi ponds. Reservations are recommended, and tickets cost $19.95 for adults. The striking Umami Cafe, designed to resemble Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera temple, is a lovely spot for traditional Japanese tea.
Where to stay: The Nines, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Portland, is one of the city's premier hotels. It's in a prime location next to Pioneer Courthouse Square and is a 30-minute walk to Washington Park's Japanese Garden. The rooftop Departure restaurant and bar is a local favorite for its innovative Asian fusion cuisine, vibrant co*cktail scene and stunning city views. Luxe rooms, awash with satin and velvet, marry contemporary styling with historical charm; walls are graced with original artworks from local students. Rooms start from $257 or 43,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Traverse City, Michigan
A late bloomer, Traverse City's bucolic hillsides are awash with blossoms in early May; counties farther from the water (Acme and Williamsburg) see the first blush. They are followed in mid-May by blooms in the more northern regions: Leelanau County, Old Mission Peninsula, Northport and the Mission Point Lighthouse.
In Leelanau, you can combine prime cherry blossom viewing along County Road 633 (south of Suttons Bay) with excellent wine tasting at one of 20 award-winning wineries. In Benzie County, Joyfield Road, between M-22 and US-31, is another popular route dotted with farms and orchards to deliver those classic northern Michigan vistas.
Traverse City's National Cherry Festival, which dates to 1925, runs from June 29 to July 6. One of the nation's largest festivals, drawing more than 500,000 visitors, it's packed with family-friendly activities, including midway rides; the robust, eight-day entertainment schedule includes performances from local and regional musicians.
Where to stay: The 150-year-old Old Mission Inn oozes timeless charm and character. With a picturesque porch overlooking East Grand Traverse Bay, it's ideally located on Traverse City's Old Mission Peninsula. Each of the individually styled rooms and suites is filled with artwork, antiques and period furnishings, like four-poster beds. Rates start from $229 per night during cherry blossom festivities.
Brooklyn, New York
At the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 26 cherry tree species fringe the green lawns of the Cherry Esplanade. One of the season's highlights is the double-flowering Kanzan cherries, which generally bloom toward the end of April.
The Cherry Walk winds behind the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, one of the oldest and most visited Japanese-inspired gardens outside Japan. It's dotted with traditional architectural elements, including a red wooden torii, ornate bridges, stone lanterns and a Shinto shrine.
Where to stay: In 2021, Ace Hotel debuted its second New York outpost in South Brooklyn's Boerum Hill. As much a local hipster paradise as a destination for travelers, it hosts pop-up parties in the hip lobby. It also boasts a sultry bar and well-appointed rooms that feature eclectic artifacts such as custom Tivoli radios, guitars, turntables and vintage furniture. Ace Hotel does not have a loyalty program. Cash rates in April start at $382 per night.
Related: New hotels in New York City give travelers more options, from Manhattan high-rises to boutique stays in Brooklyn
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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
