With temperatures finally beginning to inch upwards, New Yorkers are taking to the streets, cafes and parks in droves. And since there’s nothing quite like seeing the city come alive with the arrival of spring, we’ve decided to do a three-part series on the best springtime activities in New York City. Coming in at #3: taking a trip to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens to see the magnificent cherry blossoms in full bloom.
While traveling to an outer borough may seem daunting at first, especially to first-time visitors to New York, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens is absolutely worth the trip. With the largest and most diverse collection of cherry trees outside Japan, the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens celebrates the Cherry Blossom Season from April 4 to May 10. It’s breathtaking to see the explosion of color as you stroll along the Garden’s Cherry Esplanade and Japanese Hill-and-Pond — and the blossoms’ sweet fragrance is intoxicating.
The Cherry Blossom Season culminates with the Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival on May 2 and May 3. Now in its 28th year, the weekend-long festival allows visitors to enjoy contemporary and traditional Japanese music and dance, taiko drumming, ikebana flower arranging, tea ceremonies and much more.
For information on the festival, and for the CherryWatch bloom status, visit the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens official site.
Whether you’re planning a trip to New York for the cherry blossoms, or simply have a case of spring fever, New York Habitat has the perfect vacation rental for you in Bedford Stuyvesant or Crown Heights. Choose from dozens of conveniently located apartments in Brooklyn, near the botanical gardens, or in buzzing Manhattan, including:
This comfortable 2-Bedroom Duplex vacation rental inBrooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood – New York (NY-14852), conveniently located just a few minutes walk from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and beautiful Prospect Park. The apartment is in a charming brownstone building.
This 1-Bedroom apartment rental in Crown Heights, Brooklyn (NY-16357) is located on the first floor of a gorgeous brownstone building. Enjoy the floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed brick, and high ceilings of this classicly Brooklyn apartment.
This 2-bedroom accommodation in Bedford-Stuyvesant (NY-15678), located in a townhouse from the 19th century and with authentic details such as wood floors and a decorative fireplace.
Have you ever been to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens? Do you have a favorite springtime activity that should make our Top Three list? Please share your comments and recommendations with us.
I have been once to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, it was during the Cherry Blossom and Japanese Festival. It was great, but a little to crowded. However, I loved it.
Springtime in New York is great. I look forward to seeing all of the cherry blossoms because they are beutufl and remind me of home!!
Cherry blossoms are great…it means that summer is well on the way or already here!
This is one thing I love from the city. Always be able to find a green patch. Botanical Garden Brooklyn Garden is the equivalent to Central Park for Manhattan.
I love the Cherry Blossom festival at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. I missed it last year because I was out of town but I plan to be in attendance this year for sure. Not only do you get to see the beautiful blossoms there are plenty vendors selling there wares. This is definitely an activity for the entire family. Thanks NY Habitat, I’ll be sure to check it out!
I love Cherry Blossoms! They are called Sakura in Japanese, there are some beautiful ones in Branch Brook Park in NJ, I didn’t know New York had a collection as well. I want to visit Brooklyn now and stay in a nice Brooklyn apartment.
My one and only visit to the Brooklyn Botonical Gardens was back in the eighties, my first vist to New York. After a very long break I’m back in the City this spring with curiouse eyes and a Digital camera to capture millions of cherished moments and nature at it’s best. I’m heading across the Brooklyn Bridge once again. Thanks New York Habitat!