It’s April in New York, which means the cherry blossom trees at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden are at their finest. You can keep track of their bloom stage at the BBG website, but at the moment most of them are at their peak, so if you want to see them in their full glory, head over to the garden as soon as possible.
There are cherry trees throughout the garden, but they are mostly concentrated on the Cherry Esplanade, which boasts several long rows of the Prunus ‘Kanzan’ variety, with its rich pink flowers that make a striking contrast against a blue sky.
In addition to the cherry trees, you can check out the lilac collection, the native flora garden, Patrick Dougherty’s “Natural History” installation, or any of several other gardens and collections. [Ed. Note: We’ve got a suggested route here.] There’s a lot to see and plenty of ground to cover, so make sure you’re equipped with comfy shoes and sunblock–not to mention your allergy medicine of choice.
Admission to the garden is free on Tuesdays and before noon on Saturdays. Otherwise, it’s $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, and free for kids under 12. The annual cherry blossom festival, Sakura Marsuri, takes place April 28 and 29 and features performances, art and music celebrating Japanese culture.
