Springtime brings gorgeous cherry blossoms all over New York City, starting in late March and stretching through April/May all the way to the roses that proliferate in June. There are blooms and amazing views in the Flatiron district, Roosevelt Island, The New York Botanical Garden, Central Park, and more – it would be a full-time job to see them all (how can I get that gig?) So today I wanted to highlight my favorite spots to see blooms uptown and on the Upper East Side!

Where to Find Spring Cherry Blossoms

Central Park: west of the Jacqueline Onassis Reservoir (mid-late April)

As you can see above in the first photo, this is where you’ll get a great view of the Eldorado (that double-headed building) and discover absolute masses of cherry blossoms – a whole grove of them! It’s just amazing, and while it’s technically not the UES, I wanted to share it here because the Reservoir is a loop – you can start on the UES at 90th and Fifth (where there are also cherry blossoms) and then walk the loop over to this spot!

Carl Schurz Park (mid-late April)

Two rows of cherry trees bloom in mid-late April at Carl Schurz Park, and there’s also a whimsical and colorful display of tulips (two this year, actually). It’s the prettiest time of year at this little UES enclave.

Central Park: between Bow Bridge and Cherry Hill (early April)

These gorgeous Yoshino cherry trees are so light pink they almost appear white, and they bloom in a few different places in Central Park. Near Cherry Hill and Bow Bridge you can get this great view of the San Remo with cherry trees in front, like this shot from my Instagram.

Park Avenue Tulips

The tulips along the Park Avenue Mall are such a welcome sign of spring on the Upper East Side! A different color each year, they’re planted from 54th-86th streets and are accompanied by blossoming cherry trees. The Park Avenue tulips are one of my favorite things about the city – it just makes me happy to see people care for the place where they live.

Central Park: Cleopatra’s Needle (early April)

I found out about this little nook from Georgianna Lane’s book New York in Bloom – which I can’t recommend highly enough! Not only are the photos stunning, but she included a total guide to blooms in the city that tells you the best places to see them as well as when they bloom. Anyway, I’m so glad she alerted me to the presence of these incredible magnolias in this part of the Park, which is behind the Met at Cleopatra’s Needle – which, fun fact, is the oldest man-made object on the island of Manhattan!

Saucer Magnolias at the Frick Museum (early April)

The Frick Collection has two stunning and sculptural magnolia trees that bloom in early April, and they’re just gorgeous – even the shape of the branches looks artistic.

Central Park Conservatory Garden (mid to late April)

So many beautiful things bloom in the Central Park Conservatory Garden. In the English Garden there’s lilac, saucer magnolias, tulips, and so much more. In the middle (French) garden, you’ll see these rows of crabapple trees blooming snowy white in mid-late April, along with cherry blossoms galore. In the Italian garden, you’ll find tons and tons of tulips and daffodils. It’s a flower lovers’ paradise!

I hope you guys enjoyed this little round-up of spring on the Upper East Side! I know it’s a little late in coming since some of these are already past their bloom, but hopefully you can bookmark it for next year.

PS – my complete Upper East Side Guide and more spring in New York.