Following a cold, wet April, Mother Nature is giving us a lot of reasons to wander New York City this season. Each spring, the city’s flowers bring bursts of color to the parks and streets. From cherry trees to daffodils, tulips, and more, here is where to find the prettiest spring flowers in NYC.
Central Park
The park is blanketed with beautiful blooms come spring. Find cherry trees along the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir Bridle Path and at Pilgrim Hill and Cherry Hill; tulips, daffodils, and other spring bulbs at Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater; lilacs, crabapple blossoms, and more at the Central Park Conservatory Garden; and magnolia flowers at the Central Park Shakespeare Garden. For a map, check out Central Park’s spring bloom guide.
West Side Community Garden
The community space on the Upper West Side between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue in Manhattan is open from dawn to dusk for everyone to enjoy, every day. The maintenance of the garden is an all-volunteer activity, and you’ll find colorful blooms, vegetable plots, and shaded garden seating areas throughout. Time your visit just right and you’ll catch the Tulip Festival, held in the garden each spring.
Riverside Park
The large park along the west side of Manhattan has several spots to stop and smell the roses. Find cherry trees at Sakura Park and gorgeous spring blossoms at the 91st Street garden. The lush community garden is tended to by more than 40 locals and has been maintained for decades! The crabapple grove just north of the park is particularly lovely.
Roosevelt Island
See full flower power on the narrow island in NYC’s East River. Considered the cherry blossom paradise of the city, Roosevelt Island’s west side is lined with the pink flowers that are indicative of spring's arrival. This photogenic seasonal landscape looks spectacular against the city skyline.
Hudson River Park
Colorful buds spring up all over the 550-acre park that runs four miles along the west side of Manhattan. From Jack Frost and crocus to Cornelian cherry dogwood, hyacinth, and saucer magnolias, see what’s flowering in the park and where to find it with the Hudson River Park Conservancy's Bloom Guide.
Randall's Island
The island just east of Harlem is home to the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. This year, Randall’s Park Alliance is hosting Cherry Blossom Celebration activities that you can experience virtually, at the park, or both. Partake in cherry blossom tours, see live photos and videos from the island, and more. Find a guide to the island’s several types of flowering cherry trees here.
Don’t forget the streets! Kiosks of beautiful blooms line Manhattan’s streets this time of year. Have a look around Park Avenue, Columbus Circle, and Times Square to buy a bouquet of your own.
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