Central Park Introduces New Cherry Blossom Tracker—Early Blooms Observed

While Washington, D.C. may steal the spotlight for cherry blossom celebrations on the East Coast, New York City also showcases a stunning display each spring, featuring hundreds of cherry blossom trees in Central Park. To help visitors time their trips perfectly, the Central Park Conservancy has launched a new interactive map that tracks the real-time blooming status of cherry blossoms in the park.

“Due to this year’s mild winter, the blossoms are appearing much earlier than normal,” states the Central Park Conservancy.

How early are they blooming? The tracker reveals that a grove of Okame cherry trees along the reservoir’s west side is already at peak bloom. Although the main walkway lined with Kwanzan cherry trees has yet to bloom, you can see the dark pink petals of the Okame cherry trees peaking this week between 86th and 96th streets, alongside the reservoir running track and bridle path. As a Nor’easter approaches New York on Tuesday, March 14, Central Park is experiencing only light snow, as reported by the National Weather Service. Fortunately, snow typically doesn’t harm cherry blossoms, but strong winds expected to arrive Tuesday evening could be a concern.

Currently, the cherry trees in other sections of Central Park have not yet reached peak bloom. Keep an eye on the tracker over the next few weeks to ensure you don’t miss the prime blooming period. (If the storm on Tuesday doesn’t significantly affect the blossoms, they are expected to bloom in late March.) Here’s what to anticipate according to the tracker:

• A grove of white-pink Yoshino cherry trees located on the east side of the reservoir between 86th and 96th streets
• The famous weeping branches of Higan cherry trees at the southwest corner of the Great Lawn
• Additional Yoshino trees at Pilgrim Hill on the park's east side at 73rd Street
• Cherry Hill, filled with—you guessed it—Yoshino cherry trees in the park's center (enter at 72nd Street and walk toward the southern end of the lake)
• More Higan cherry trees on the west side of Sheep Meadow (access the park between 66th and 69th streets)

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has been monitoring its cherry blossom blooms online for years through its popular Cherrywatch. As of March 12, 2023, only two out of over 200 cherry trees are in first bloom, while the majority remain in prebloom. “We currently have just a few cherry blossoms blooming, so despite today’s rain and snow knocking off some petals, most of our collection was not affected as they aren’t yet blooming,” a Brooklyn Botanic Garden representative shared with Dinogo on March 14. Unlike Central Park, which is free to enter, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden charges admission: $18 for adults, $12 for seniors and students over 12. Children under 12 can enter for free. During peak bloom, advance tickets are highly recommended due to the expected crowds.

Where to stay in NYC during the cherry blossom season

Several of New York’s most exciting new hotels not only provide easy access to the city’s cherry trees but also offer special promotions during cherry blossom season. The Park Lane New York hotel, situated right on Central Park South, boasts Park View rooms that overlook—surprise!—Central Park. Its City in Bloom package gives guests 15 percent off stays of two nights or more, including breakfast for two each day at Darling, its rooftop restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating.

Roosevelt Island—nestled between Manhattan and Queens—might not be a typical destination for first-time visitors to New York, but it has its own grove of cherry trees at its southern end. The island’s sole hotel, the Graduate New York, is featuring a Beneath the Cherry Blossoms package, which includes two cherry-themed cocktails from Anything At All, its lobby bar and restaurant.

If you’re planning an extended visit that includes Brooklyn (which you definitely should), the Ace Hotel Brooklyn makes for an excellent base. While it doesn’t have any special offers, it places you within walking distance of the shops and eateries in Boerum Hill and is just five stops away from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden via the 2/3 train.