Cherry Blossoms in bloom throughout Brooklyn & Queens

Spring has sprung, meaning that — for a few short weeks — cherry blossoms will be in season.

The beautiful trees are located throughout the five boroughs in various parks and public spaces, earning the attention and appreciation of restless residents enjoying some time outside in the late-stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most famously, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden feature an expansive and impressive Cherry Esplanade every year. Traditionally, the park holds an annual Cherry Blossom Festival as well, but is unable to do so in 2021 due to the pandemic, the second year in a row that the event has been cancelled).

However — and unlike last year — guests can now visit the garden to enjoy the trees in a safe, socially distanced manner.

The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens this year added of a new sound installation that encourages visitors to see the trees as an invitation to meditation and wellness. The installation features new music from acclaimed Queens composer and percussionists David Cossin, and will be in the park until May 9.

Additionally, the garden has added tree-tracking and virtual visit features to their website that allow COVID-conscious New Yorkers to still enjoy the bloom in some capacity.

If the crowds of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden pose too much of a hassle, New Yorkers can still enjoy cherry blossom season elsewhere in Queens and Brooklyn.

In Queens, the pink-and-white trees can be found in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park beneath the shadow of the Unisphere. Randall’s Island also has its own cherry blossoms tucked away along the waterfront.

In Brooklyn, cherry blossoms are also located in Prospect Park and Greenpoint’s McCarrren Park.

“We love it and wish there were more,” said Greenpoint residents Tristan and Mattie, the parents of two young boys on a family bike ride in the park. “The kids are chasing the petals because it looks like snowfall. We love coming down every year to take some pictures.”

Cherry Blossoms only stay in bloom for about two weeks, so now is the time to get out and enjoy a little bit of spring. Erving, an artist from Bushwick, made a special trip down to McCarren Park to see the trees. Sitting beneath a tree, the artist sketched some ideas on his iPad.

“I guess it just calls to me,” he explained. “I wanted a change of scenery and it’s very contemplative here. I’m happy to be sharing in something so positive.”