By Jennifer Brunton
In Japan, the tradition of appreciating the short-lived wonders of cherry blossoms goes back over a thousand years.
By now, it’s an American thing, too. Inspired by Japan’s lovely trees and spring festivals, prominent residents of Washington, D.C. began importing cherry trees to the capital region at the beginning of the 20th century.
Both the trees themselves and the traditions around them took root in Washington. Tokyo’s mayor donated thousands of trees to the American capital, and several first ladies played key roles in making Washington a wonderland for cherry-blossom lovers.
A century later, D.C.’s cherry blossoms — at their peak in late March and early April — provide weeks of stunning bloom each spring. With 3,000-plus trees on view, the city’s Cherry Festival is a seasonal highlight for more than 1.5 million visitors each year.
While Washington, D.C. remains America’s cherry-tree capital, these welcome messengers of spring still bring lots of joy in many other areas of the country.
Cherry trees in full bloom are a sure sign that the warmth and abundance of spring are finally here.
GettyCherry trees tend to bloom around the time daffodils begin their spring show. Across the country, that can mean anywhere from early March to late May.
Here are five special spots where you can view masses of blossoms in settings designed to surround you with serenity and beauty.
Enjoy A Classic New England Scene On Boston’s Charles River Esplanade
The buds of Boston’s cherry trees usually start to open in mid-April, lasting through early May. Much anticipated by Bostonians, the rows of fluffy flowering cherries along the three-mile waterfront park signal that spring has truly arrived.
The heart-lifting sight of these beloved trees abloom and humming with bees (cherry trees are a great early spring nectar source) tempts local students, families and visitors alike to get outside and revel in the warming weather.
Pack a picnic and choose your own spot for riverside relaxation under a flowering canopy.
Or grab your bikes and take the gang for a rolling adventure through the blooms.
Bike, Drive, Run Or Walk Along Nashville’s Four-Mile Loop
Throughout April, Music City residents and visitors can experience a breathtaking collection of flowering cherries by following a convenient urban trail. This loop in Nashville’s Sylvan Park neighborhood offers families a great way to see the pink-and-white display at their own pace.
Over the past decade, Nashville residents have planted 1,000 cherry trees, focusing on two types. Yoshino cherries, which have pinkish-white, almond-scented blooms, come into their glory first. These are followed by Kwanzan cherries, a variety with dark pink flowers.
The Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival welcomes families with children’s art activities, cosplay contests, in which people can dress up as their favorite characters from Japanese manga cartoons and culture, and more.
Visit A Cherry-Growing Paradise Around Traverse City, Michigan
The rolling hills around Traverse City, known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” are dotted with the cherry orchards that produce the majority of tart cherries in the United States. The white blossoms here can reward viewers as late as mid-May.
It’s easy to find hiking and biking routes with fantastic vistas in this bit of the upper Midwest. Families who prefer to drive can choose automobile itineraries that wind through the region. Whatever way of getting around you choose, you’ll see some striking views over Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay.
Come back for the fruit a few months later: Traverse City hosts the National Cherry Festival every summer.
Stroll Among The Petals In The Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The cherry walk at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden delights city dwellers each spring with hundreds of shapely trees, including weeping, semi-weeping and upright specimens, all covered in bloom.
As you wander, you’ll be surrounded by blossoms in shades ranging from ivory and the palest pinks and peaches to hot pink and fuchsia.
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s flowering cherry collection includes more than 20 types of trees, and is at its best in April and early May. The wide variety of trees ensures a longer bloom season, and to find out when exactly it pays to visit, take a look at the garden’s Cherrywatch Map, which breaks down what’s in bud day by day to help you time your visit perfectly.
On the last weekend in April, the garden hosts Sakura Matsuri, a festival that celebrates Japanese culture with performances, tea ceremonies and lots of cosplay.
Experience Cherry-Blossom Traditions At San Francisco’s Japanese Tea Garden
Located in Golden Gate Park, the Japanese Tea Garden is the oldest public Japanese garden in the country. In March and April, delicate cherry blossoms nod above steppingstone paths, stone lanterns and koi ponds.
After exploring the garden’s magical sights, kids of all ages will enjoy tea and classic Japanese snacks, such as miso soup, edamame and sweets, at the on-site Tea House.
A Sure Sign Of Spring
Cherry trees in full bloom are a sure sign that the warmth and abundance of spring are finally here. With a little attention to Mother Nature’s timing, you’ll find that these lovely locales will offer your family many ways to appreciate blossom season.
A former academic turned freelance writer and editor, Jennifer Brunton lives and works in Vermont.
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