1. Washington, D.C.
Arguably the most iconic cherry blossom destination in the nation, D.C.'s pink blooms were gifted by the mayor of Tokyo in 1912. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the National Mall and Tidal Basin to take in the stars of springtime in the nation's capital.
2. Nashville, Tennessee
Celebrate the annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Nashville this April and take in the 1,000+ cherry trees. Don't miss fun events available for the whole family, including crafts, a dog parade, lectures, live music and more.
3. Chicago, Illinois
Drop by in mid-April to early May to take in more than 160 cherry trees in the Columbia Basin. Home to different variations such as Gooseberry, Snow Goose, Snow Fountains and Accolade cherry blossoms, Jackson Park's trees draw thousands of visitors each year.
4. Portland, Oregon
Welcome the start of the season with these pink-hued petals at the Portland Japanese Garden and the Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Both promise exquisite viewing experiences at the end of March and through the first few weeks of April.
5. Newark, New Jersey
Did you know that Branch Brook Park features more than 5,200 cherry blossom trees, the largest and most varied collection in an American park? Celebrate the countless flowers during the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, held April 6-14.
6. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The city comes alive with pink hues at the end of March and early April. Explore the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, West Fairmount Park Centennial District, Kelly Drive and Belmont Plateau for prime cherry blossom viewing. If you're in search of activities, check out the multi-day Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival for drumming performances, recitals, sushi-making classes and more.
7. St. Louis, Missouri
Let soft pink hues fill your vision at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Take in peak blooming season over 14 acres throughout April; Missouri's cherry blossoms tend to hit their peak at the same time as D.C.
8. Seattle, Washington
Escape to Seattle to picnic under cherry blossoms. Hot viewing spots include the quad at the University of Washington, Lake Washington Boulevard and Seattle Center. Here, you'll find large Yoshino cherry trees in full bloom during this time.