{"id":149151,"date":"2026-03-26T15:50:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T15:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/149151\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T15:50:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T15:50:09","slug":"heres-where-you-can-see-cherry-blossoms-in-philly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/149151\/","title":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s where you can see cherry blossoms in Philly"},"content":{"rendered":"

Love Philly? So do we. Let\u2019s be friends.\u00a0Sign up for the Billy Penn newsletter today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cherry blossoms are a Philly spring staple. The colorful, Japanese trees have already started showing off their vibrant blooms.<\/p>\n

The exact timing of when trees in different parts of the city will bloom depends, said Sandi Polyakov, the Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center garden curator.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething that\u2019s blooming here might actually be blooming five days earlier downtown, around buildings, and kind of those sort of microclimate areas that are warmer,\u201d he said. \u201cSo it\u2019s difficult, and actually kind of a little disingenuous to give it an exact sort of bloom time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Polyakov shows a cherry blossom tree that is not quite in bloom yet. (Violet Comber-Wilen\/Billy Penn) <\/p>\n

Polyakov explained that there are also different species of cherry blossoms throughout the city. He said the most plentiful Yoshino cherry trees may still take some time to flower.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are probably not going to be blooming for another week and a half, but we\u2019re already starting to get some of the earlier blooming varieties downtown blooming now,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And this year is special \u2013 the Shofuso Japanese Center is using the 250th anniversary to plant more cherry trees around the city.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis past year or so, we embarked on a pretty large and ambitious project to plant 250 new cherry trees around the city of Philadelphia,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Polyakov has been busy planting cherry blossoms around Fairmount Park (Violet Comber-Wilen\/Billy Penn) <\/p>\n

This year also marks 100 years since the Japanese government gifted Philadelphia 1,600 trees to plant. Some of the original trees planted around that time are still here, Polyakov said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But, since 1998, the city has been trying to revitalize the trees and push for more planting.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe planted about 1,000 trees from 1998 to about 2008, and we wanted to restart that kind of \u2018cherry tree initiative,\u2019 because trees are living things,\u201d he said. \u201cThey live a long life if they\u2019re lucky.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The goal is to plant a total of 1,600 trees over the next few years, to honor the original contributions of the Japanese government.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In this year\u2019s bloom, Polyakov said he expects most trees to be unaffected by past winter weather.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe seem to be on track for the buds being completely healthy,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re still in the earlier stages, so those frosts that are coming up are not going to affect them at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"A cherry blossom tree outside of Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center (Violet Comber-Wilen\/Billy Penn) <\/p>\n

To view cherry trees, Polyakov said that there are a few main spots \u2013 including the Mann Center and the Horticulture Center in Fairmount Park.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo it crosses along the Schuylkill River Trail on both sides, or on Kelly Drive and on Martin Luther King Drive,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are also going to be smaller groupings of five trees here, maybe ten trees somewhere else around the city,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There are plenty of other places you can view cherry blossoms throughout the city this season \u2013 including the annual cherry blossom festival.<\/p>\n

We put together a guide.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cherry Blossom Festival<\/p>\n

The Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center will host this year\u2019s Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Philadelphia on March 28-29 \u2013 which will feature lots of opportunities to take the perfect shot of one of the blooms.<\/p>\n

The event allows Philadelphians to enjoy Japanese art and culture, entertainment, food and drink in the company of the flowering trees.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The festival has grown massively since its start in 1998, said Kazumi Teune, the executive director of the Japan American Society of Greater Philadelphia, an organization focusing on connecting Philadelphia with Japan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Cherry Blossom Festival started from 30-40 people to now 25,000 for two days,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen I was there [when it began] in 1998, I never thought it could come to this point.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

She said the event has been able to host many different types of performances and presentations over the years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe participants are getting younger, especially the performers,\u201d she said. \u201cWe used to invite traditional, authentic dancers here. However, we added locally famous groups like dancers and even tea ceremony performers, who are now locally raised. We also have karaoke and other martial arts demonstrations here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

She explained this event is a great way for Philadelphians to kick off the warm weather and spring season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can learn more and buy tickets on their website.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Other main viewing spots\u00a0<\/p>\n

Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center<\/p>\n

The Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center celebrates Japanese culture \u2013 with exhibits like a koi pond, tea house and courtyard garden. Outside of the Cherry Blossom Festival, you can visit the attraction to see the flowering trees on the premises and learn more about their history.<\/p>\n

The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can get your tickets and learn more online.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Please Touch Museum<\/p>\n

Get some playtime in and enjoy the beauty of cherry blossom trees inside Fairmount Park at the Please Touch Museum.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The area behind the museum tends to host the vibrant, pink blossom trees. Take a look for yourself during your next visit.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Belmont Plateau\u00a0<\/p>\n

Also in Fairmount Park at Philly\u2019s \u201cmost scenic overlook,\u201d <\/a>you can get a nice view of the city\u2019s cherry blossoms. The area, known for hosting everything from bike and cross-country races to Philadelphians looking to picnic, offers a nice view of the city, and its trees.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The area is open<\/a> from sunrise to sunset.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Drexel Square Park<\/p>\n

Located right next to 30th Street Station and local universities, Drexel Square Park<\/a> is a great park to pass through and get a good look at cherry blossom trees. Pass through before your next Amtrak trip or visit to West Philly to experience the blooms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kelly Drive & Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Trail\u00a0<\/p>\n

Located in West Fairmount Park, the Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Trail is a 4.3-mile journey that is covered in cherry blossoms. The two-mile path from Montgomery Drive to Falls Bridge<\/a> offers an up-close and personal view of the trees. You can run, walk or bike down the trail to explore the beauty.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On the opposite side of the river, Kelly Drive<\/a> provides another beautiful view of cherry blossom trees on the Schuylkill River Trail. Walk, bike, or even drive down the street adjacent to the trail to get a good look at the trees as they bloom over the next few weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Museum of Art<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re feeling artsy, kill two birds with one stone with a visit to Philadelphia\u2019s iconic art museum and some subsequent cherry blossom viewing. The museum\u2019s backyard is home to many flowering trees during peak season \u2013 and you may even be able to catch some around the iconic steps as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Plan your visit to the museum here<\/a> or plan your trip to its backyard<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Washington Square<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re visiting the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall or other iconic Philly monuments near Old City, Washington Square Park<\/a> is a great resting point that also offers a view of cherry blossoms. The park has benches and green space and is quieter than some other parks in the area \u2013 providing a chill vibe for your cherry blossom spectating.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Delaware River Trail<\/p>\n

If you live closer to the eastern side of the city, the Delaware River Trail also offers an up-close look at the blossoming cherry trees.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The trail, which runs parallel to Columbus Drive, will offer views of the colorful blooms everywhere from Penn\u2019s Landing and Cherry Street Pier to Penn Treaty Park. Whether you\u2019re walking, running, skipping or biking, the trail offers a great set of ways to enjoy views.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rittenhouse Square<\/p>\n

If you find yourself near Center City, Rittenhouse Square provides a grassy escape from the bustling city life \u2013 and a view of more cherry blossoms. Grab a bite at nearby spots on Chestnut or Walnut Street and have a picnic, do some shopping and stroll through the park, or just enjoy the view from one of the park\u2019s benches as cherry blossoms continue to bloom over the next week!<\/p>\n

Clark Park\u00a0<\/p>\n

As another iconic West Philly park, Clark Park offers<\/a> a great spot for community gatherings and cherry blossom watching. Head over to relax on one of the benches or a spot on the lawn, grab coffee or food from nearby vendors or take your children to play on the playgrounds or at the gaga ball court \u2013 all while getting nice views of the cherry blossoms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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