Everything to Know About Cherry Blossom Sessions in Central Park
One of the most exciting times of the year is when cherry blossoms bloom in New York City, specifically Central Park. They’re so stunning and an absolutely dreamy backdrop for family or maternity portraits. There are several things to keep in mind if you have your heart set on cherry blossom sessions in Central Park, and today I’m going to share everything you need to know!
When do cherry blossoms bloom in Central Park?
The cherry blossoms in Central Park mostly bloom throughout the month of April. Different species of cherry blossoms bloom at different times and for different lengths of time, depending on the weather. There are even some that bloom in mid-March and early May!
Where do cherry blossoms bloom in Central Park?
The small, delicate, white and very light pink Yoshino cherry blossoms bloom first, in the early part of April, on Pilgrim Hill. These go very quickly, lasting only about a week.
Around the same time, in early to mid April, you’ll find delicate pink Yoshino cherry blossoms by Bow Bridge and all over the aptly named Cherry Hill.
The last to bloom are the large, brighter pink Kwanzan cherry blossoms which you can find concentrated on the west side of Central Park along the reservoir (accessible via the Bridle Path or by entering around 90th on the west side). From my experience, these seem to last the longest, with peak bloom sometimes stretching out over two weeks.
Other places to find cherry blossoms in Central Park include: behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art, all along the Reservoir, near Bethesda Fountain, and along the lawn on the East Side south of 72nd Street, to name a few!
What time of day is best for cherry blossom sessions in Central Park?
The cherry blossoms are so beautiful and so fleeting, and because of these facts, they’re also SO crowded. This is one of the reasons why I require cherry blossom sessions to start very early in the morning. Trying to photograph a cherry blossom session while battling crowds of tourists, visitors, and other photoshoots is stressful on families and kids, and just really not fun for anyone. Ultimately if you can commit to getting there early, you’re going to have a better, more pleasant, and less stressful experience at your session. This is also when the lighting is best, so that’s double the reason to start early!
What day of the week is best for cherry blossom sessions in Central Park?
If a weekday is possible, that’s always going to be a better option for cherry blossom sessions because it’s naturally going to be less crowded than a weekend. However, we can make weekends work as long as we start early!
Are there other places for cherry blossom sessions in New York City besides Central Park?
Yes! Cherry blossoms bloom all over the city, not just in Central Park. One particularly beautiful bunch of cherry blossoms can be found blooming in mid-April in Carl Schurz Park on the Upper East Side. You’ll also find cherry blossoms on Roosevelt Island, as well as scattered throughout the West Village, Upper East Side, and other neighborhoods. Riverside Park has plenty, especially in the area known as Sakura Park around 122nd St. and Riverside Drive.
What else blooms besides cherry trees?
So many things! I particularly love the magnolias, which are some of the first trees to bloom in late March/early April, with a beautiful, distinctive shape and vibrant purply pink petals. These are all over Central Park but there’s a really pretty bunch of them by Cleopatra’s Needle on the East side of the Park. There are daffodils, tulips, crabapple trees…the list goes on!
If you’d like to start planning your own cherry blossom session in Central Park, be sure to reach out now! Bookings for spring are in full swing and spots are limited, so now is the time to get in touch.
