Best US Cities To Visit To See Cherry Blossoms
By SYDNEY BAKER
Washington, D.C.
The first cherry blossom trees of many varietals were sent to the U.S. capital as gifts from Japan in 1912, and two of the original large trees remain today near the Tidal Basin.
The White House grounds, National Mall, National Arboretum, Hains Point, and Georgetown also have trees, with the blossoms usually peaking between mid-March and early April.
Nashville, Tennessee
In 2009, Nashville had its first Cherry Blossom Festival, and over 1,000 trees have since been planted at Nashville Public Square, Riverfront Park, and Centennial Park.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston’s come from the cutting of D.C.'s trees, and the best place to see their blooms is along the Charles River, Arnold Arboretum, or Harvard’s Boston Common and Public Garden.
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis’ Botanical Gardens are home to more offshoots of the trees in D.C., and blossoms surround the Gateway Arch National Park, Japanese Gardens, and Kiener Plaza come spring.
San Francisco, California
The Bay Area hosts one of the largest cherry blossom festivals in the country, with staggered blooms in Berkeley, Hakone Gardens, Golden Gate Park, Japantown, and Presidio.