Surely we can all agree on one thing: There’s nothing like spring in NYC! As the weather begins to warm, the city becomes a veritable rainbow of beautiful blooms, blue skies, and smiles, as everyone is able to emerge from their winter hibernation. Here are some of the best places to see springtime blooms in New York City.
The Central Park Conservatory Garden
The Conservatory Garden is one of New York’s best-kept secrets. It’s not exactly hidden, but it is far enough off the beaten path to retain a more peaceful, calm atmosphere than other parts of Central Park. It is actually one of the Park’s eight officially designated quiet zones, which means music, bikes, and running are banned, and dogs must be leashed. This makes the Conservatory Garden the perfect place for a quiet stroll or an afternoon relaxing with a good book. The Conservatory Garden is the only formal garden in the Park (the Garden actually consists of three formal gardens), and it truly is beautiful all-year round — but spring is when the area really comes to life. Tulips bloom in the northern French garden, and the more wild English garden shines with all manner of colors and textures.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is never more beautiful than during spring in NYC, for one simple reason: cherry blossoms! The BBG puts on a resplendent display of cherry blossoms every year, which are celebrated each spring at the Garden’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival. You can see the blooms in several spots in the Garden, and various different cultivars are scattered throughout — they all bloom at different times, so you have a great chance of seeing the beautiful blossoms no matter when you go in spring. In addition to the cherry blossoms, spring brings other beautiful blooms to the BBG, such as tree peonies, Japanese wisteria, flowering crab apple trees, and so much more.
Carl Schurz Park
Carl Schurz Park is somewhat of a hidden gem in the city. Tucked away on East End Avenue on the Upper East Side, Carl Schurz Park is a lovely green space full of charming corners, benches to sit and relax, gorgeous foliage, and a walkway that affords stunning views of the East River. During springtime, Carl Schurz Park bursts to life with multi-colored tulips, stunning pink cherry blossoms, and a proliferation of other springtime blooms.
Riverside Park
Riverside Park is a great alternative to Central Park if you’re looking for something a little quieter and a little less crowded, or if you simply happen to be spending time on the Upper West Side. Spring in NYC is a great time to visit this Park. There is an abundance of cherry blossoms and other flowering trees, and the charming Garden People’s Garden between 90th and 91st is full of pretty, colorful flowers (plus it was featured in You’ve Got Mail).
Overall, there is no shortage of places to enjoy spring in NYC and take in the city’s abundance of blooms. Take your pick and enjoy the blooms to the fullest while they last!
