Nothing says spring like cherry trees blossoming around the Seattle area. You’ll find more than a thousand trees throughout the city donated to Seattle by Japan as a symbol of friendship.
Many are in public gardens, while others are landscaped throughout neighborhoods and nearby attractions. Along with other early spring bloomers like daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, plum trees, and magnolias — cherry blossoms begin to bud in late February and peak in March and early April.
So catch these white-flowered beauties before they’re gone! They typically have a three- to four-week window of bloom before their petals fall to the ground, creating spring “snow.” Here are eight places for picture-perfect views of cherry blossoms all around town.
UW’s Quad is by far the most popular place in the city to see blossoms. (Image: Jasmin Thankachen)
The University of Washington Quad
1410 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA 98195
The Quad is the most popular gathering place to find blossoms.
The 90-year-old Yoshino variety of trees was a gift from Japan and is gorgeous. Rows of these trees line the rectangular pathway, usually crowded with people taking photos. Climbing isn’t allowed on the trees, but be sure to check out the awesome intertwined trunks of these beauties. Come early in the morning or late in the day for fewer crowds. Parking is available on 45th Street and 15th Avenue, and other paid lots around campus. The path is stroller-friendly, but there are stairs to navigate, depending on how you enter the park. Bring a picnic and maybe some bubbles. There are benches to sit on and grass to lay out a blanket.
Trying to avoid crowds or have seasonal allergies that get irritated from flowers? UW broadcasts a live stream of the Quad where you can take a peek at the grounds and see what it’s like on any given day. They also have a Twitter account and an Instagram account devoted to the cherry blossoms. It’s a great place to follow for tree updates and any event information.
This is a “mild foot traffic” day. In peak bloom, thousands can be found on the Quad. (Image: Jasmin Thankachen)
Washington Park Arboretum
2300 Arboretum Drive E, Seattle 98112
Visit this 230-acre garden park and stroll down Azalea Way (one of the main paths through the Arboretum). You’ll find rows of cherry blossoms, azaleas, dogwoods, and magnolias among the many blooms. The cherry trees here typically peak a couple of weeks after the trees at UW. Stop for a picnic lunch and enjoy the open grassy areas to play. Bring a scooter or bike to ride along the paved paths.
Limited parking is available at the Graham Visitors Center and the Japanese Garden
You’ll also find azaleas, dogwoods, and magnolias at the Arboretum. (Image courtesy of Jasmin Thankachen)
Seattle Japanese Garden
- 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E. Seattle, Washington 98112;
- Admission: Adults 18-64: $8, Youths 6–17, Senior Adults 65+: $4, Children 0-5: Free
What better place to see cherry blossoms than a garden setting devoted to Japanese heritage? The Seattle Japanese Garden is a 3.5-acre garden with winding paths encompassing a central pond. Blossoms are not grouped but are spotted among the landscape. The walk-through here is more of a peaceful, quiet experience. There are benches to sit and reflect on, but no food or drink is allowed. Children will have a wonderful time seeing the fish in the pond and walking the paths adorned with lanterns and bridges. Don’t miss their select “Family Saturdays”, where children 12 and under get free admission from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Walkups are welcome during the week, but reservations are highly recommended on weekends. (The park is closed on Monday.) Parking is free.
View this post on Instagram
Seward Park
5900 Lake Washington Blvd S, Seattle 98118
Seward Park has many of the cherry blossom trees that were gifted to Seattle in the 1900s. You don’t have to travel very far to find them, some are located at the entrance at the circle garden. But don’t stop there. Take a walk around the 2.4-mile trail called Shore Loop. You’ll walk along the lake, viewing all the trees (cherry included), plants, and wildlife around the perimeter of the park. A great place for a picnic where you can spread out on the green grass or find the small beach and explore the shore. On clear days you can see Mount Rainier. Be sure to stop at the playground and take a ride on the zip line. The park is stroller and bike-friendly. Parking is onsite.
Most of the cherry blossom trees found in Seattle were donated by Japan as a symbol of friendship. (Image: Jasmin Thankachen)
Seattle Center
- 305 Harrison Street Seattle 98109
- Festival dates: April 11-13, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cherry blossoms can be spotted all around the Seattle Center. Japan donated many of these trees, which have taken root over the past several decades. Join in on the fun at the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival in April and celebrate Japanese culture and Seattle’s historic connection with the country. Indulge in music, food, dance, and entertainment over this weekend-long event.
The Seattle Center Cherry Blossom Festival is taking place April 11-13. (Image: Jasmin Thankachen)
Kobe Terrace
650 S. Main St., Seattle 98104
On the International District’s northeast edge, Mt. Fuji cherry trees line the paths along the terraced hillside. The trees and the 200-ton stone lantern on the hill are gifts from the people of Seattle’s sister city of Kobe, Japan.
Visit the lower part of Kobe Terrace, where you will find the Danny Woo Community Garden. The garden contains small plots of veggies and herbs, tended by the community. Stairs connect the upper and lower parts of this park and it is best to carry little ones in a pack.
View this post on Instagram
Green Lake Park
7201 E Green Lake Drive N Seattle 98115
Green Lake Park is popular for families to walk around the lake. Play “I Spy” to try and find the cherry blossoms. Snuggled between Northwest native trees, cherry trees are incorporated into the landscape. Take the Green Lake Park tree walk for a more informative park tour. Use the map to discover all the different species of plants (Hint: Look for the species name, Prunus, located west of the bathhouse).
Stay and play awhile in the water, sand, or the 2.8-mile paved path. Be careful of runners and other bikers if you choose to scoot along this trail or are beginning to learn on a two-wheeler. Take a rest by the lake: Picnic and play on the lawn.
View this post on Instagram
Jefferson Park
3801 Beacon Ave S. Seattle 98108
Jefferson Park received a gift of 25 young cherry trees in 2012, planted in various locations around the park. Explore the sixth-largest park in Seattle, find these trees, and stay a while to check out the skate park, the playground, the golf course, and the open field to play catch or fly a kite. Picnic at the tables and enjoy a lazy spring day.
Check out a Seattle neighborhood or your own!
You may not have to travel far to see a blooming cherry tree. There could be a few lining the streets of your very own neighborhood! Take a walk around and look for trees with white, light pink, and, depending on the species, yellow oval-shaped petals. The petals of a cherry blossom have a split at the ends. Take a look at the trunk of the tree: there will be horizontal lines running across it. See how many you can find!
