The Largest Cherry Blossom Collection In America Has Officially Hit Peak Bloom — It’s Only 30 Minutes From NYC And Has 2,000 More Trees Than D.C.

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Sydney Hargrove

 –  Junior Staff Writer

 ·  April 9, 2026

20 Best Things To Do In NYC On A Rainy Day

The Largest Lilac Collection In The Country Is Just A Scenic Drive From NYC With Over 500 Varieties In Bloom— And Its Massive 10-Day Bloom Festival Starts Soon

NYC’s peak cherry blossom season is a fleeting masterpiece. It’s here one second and gone with a gust of wind the next, meaning that it’s currently time to go big or go home.

By “go big,” we mean crossing the Hudson!

Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ, holds the title for the largest and most diverse collection of cherry blossoms in the United States. While Washington D.C. boasts around 3,000 trees, Branch Brook has over 5,300 trees across 18 different varieties.

The best part? It’s currently in peak bloom, turning the Garden State into a literal pink wonderland.

🌸 What to Know Before You Go

Branch Brook Park shines with over 5,300 trees across 18 varieties. Since it’s the 50th Anniversary of the festival this year, expect more energy (and crowds) than usual.

Head to the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center for the dense “pink tunnel” effect, or the Prudential Concert Grove to frame the blooms against the stunning Cathedral Basilica.

📆 The 2026 Bloom Timeline

Timing is everything. Because there are 18 different species of trees, the “bloom” actually lasts longer here than in most places, but the Peak Bloom (when 70% of the Yoshino trees are open) is happening right now.

• Early April: The darker pink Akebono and Yoshino trees lead the charge.
• Mid-April (Current): This is the sweet spot. The park is a sea of white and light pink clouds.
• Late April: The “double-petal” Kwanzan trees usually finish the season with a deep, dramatic pink flourish.

Pro Tip: Check the Branch Brook Park webcam before you head out to see the live status of the petals!

🗽 How to Get There From NYC

You don’t need a car to get your floral fix. In fact, on festival weekends, public transit is much faster than fighting for a parking spot.

1. PATH or NJ Transit: Take the PATH from WTC or 33rd St, or NJ Transit from Penn Station to Newark Penn Station.
2. Newark Light Rail: From Newark Penn, hop on the Newark Light Rail (look for the “Grove Street” or “Branch Brook Park” bound trains).
3. Exit: Get off at the Park Avenue station for the Southern Division, or the Branch Brook Park station to be dropped right at the park’s edge.