As spring settles in, New Yorkers are gearing up to enjoy the most floral few weeks of the year.
Our favorite city is home to a wide variety of blooms across our beloved parks and botanical gardens. But if you’re on the hunt for a unique nature getaway perfect for this time of year, one of NYC’s best features is its proximity to expansive adventures beyond the city.
In upstate New York, the country’s largest collection of lilacs is waiting to be explored. Located in Rochester, Highland Park offers a sensory experience unlike anywhere else.
☀️ What To Know
Highland Park is a 150-acre masterpiece designed by Frederick Law Olmsted—the same visionary behind Central Park.
While it functions as a year-round arboretum, its crowning jewel is the lilac collection. Established in 1892, the park now holds over 1,200 lilac shrubs spanning more than 500 varieties.
The park is a living museum of horticulture where you can find everything from the deep sky-blue ‘President Lincoln’ to the dreamy ‘Rochester’ cultivars.
🪻 The Lilac Festival
The Rochester Lilac Festival is the largest free festival of its kind in North America. In 2026, the festival runs from May 8 to May 17. For ten days, the park transforms into a vibrant celebration of spring, drawing over 500,000 visitors.
- The Vibe: A mix of garden party and massive community fair.
- Cost: Admission to the festival and the gardens is free, though you’ll want to bring spending money for the local vendors.
- Events: Look forward to the Lilac Parade, the Lilac Run (5K and 10K), and a juried Art in the Park show.
🔎 What You’ll See
Beyond the sea of purple and white lilacs, Highland Park is home to a diverse array of flora and historical landmarks:
- The Lamberton Conservatory: A beautiful glass structure featuring tropical plants and desert blooms.
- The Pansy Bed: A massive “floral carpet” made of 10,000 pansies, designed with a new pattern every year.
- The Sunken Garden: Located behind the Warner Castle, this is a quiet, fairy-tale-esque spot perfect for photos.
- Additional Blooms: Depending on the exact timing of your visit, you may also catch the park’s magnolias, azaleas, and Japanese maples in various stages of spring awakening.
🗓️ Peak Bloom Timelines
Lilacs are famously temperamental, but Highland Park’s massive variety ensures there is almost always something in bloom during the festival.
- Early May: Early-season varieties begin to open; the fragrance starts to fill the air.
- Mother’s Day Weekend: Traditionally the “sweet spot” for peak bloom across the majority of the collection.
- Mid-to-Late May: Late-blooming varieties keep the park colorful even as the earlier shrubs begin to fade.
Pro-Tip: Because Rochester weather can be unpredictable, check the official Lilac Festival website for real-time “bloom watches” as your trip approaches.
🚗 How To Get There From NYC
Rochester is roughly 330 miles from NYC, making it a long day trip or a perfect weekend getaway.
- Car: ~5.5–6 hours — Take I-81 N or I-90 W; scenic Catskills and Finger Lakes drive
- Train: ~7 hours — Amtrak Empire Service or Maple Leaf from Moynihan Train Hall to Rochester Louise M. Slaughter Station
- Bus: ~6–8 hours — Greyhound, FlixBus, or OurBus from Port Authority or George Washington Bridge Bus Station
- Flight: ~1.5 hours — Fly from JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark to ROC, then short Uber/Lyft ride
For more information on the blooms, see the conservancy’s official website.