We are right in cherry blossom season here in Seattle. Between March and April, the city is covered in a dusting of pink as the Japanese cherry trees bloom them drop their petals to the ground. It’s one of my favorite times of year here in Seattle. Everything is pink and full of life and hope after grey dreary winters.
One of my first blog posts featured these blooming trees. I have a dedicated post showing them almost every single year (I’ve linked them all at the bottom of this post)
But where are the best spots for peak cherry blossoms? Well, I have a little roundup of all the key spots around the city. These are all great spots if you want to get pictures taken but honestly, the whole city is covered with these trees so you don’t have to go anywhere special if you want to enjoy the blossoms.
The Best Spots to See Cherry Blossoms in Seattle
The Quad at the University of Washington
Quad obviously the best spot for cherry blossoms. They have giant trees that are old but well cared for and they bloom in sync with each other annually. They even have their own webcam so you can check upon them. This, however, draws crowds. Like massive crowds. I’ve arrived at the Quad to snap some pictures as early as 7:30 and it’s already overrun.
The Washington Park Arboretum
It’s home to the UW Botanical Garden and a great location to see the blossoms in a more “natural” environment. You can park and walk around and enjoy the different scenes at your leisure. It is another popular spot, especially on the weekends for locals and tourists alike.
Seattle Japanese Garden
It’s a little off the beaten path but you’ll have a much more quiet calm time seeing the cherry blossoms. I read online that these trees tend to bloom a little later than the ones located at the University of Washington, so it’s a good spot to visit if you missed the main bloom.
Steward Park & Jefferson Park
I’ve never been but they are other hot spots for easy tree viewing. These two parks have the oldest and original cherry trees in Seattle. Jefferson Park had more trees planted a couple of years ago to celebrate the anniversary of the original trees being planted.
Tacoma’s Wright Park
If you are willing to drive about an hour (including traffic) south of Seattle, Tacoma has a park with a great selection of cherry trees. You’ll get a UW-like experience with the blossoms but without any of the crowds. Andrew and I actually took some of our engagement pictures there and our wedding photographer got these amazing shots. Specifically, look near the conservatory.
Just Walk Around
Honestly, most neighborhoods in Seattle have these pretty pink trees scattered throughout. You can find them all over as your drive throughout the city. If you see a smattering of the trees, just pull over and snap a couple of pictures.
Other posts where you can see the cherry blossoms in bloom:
- Easter Outfits with J.Crew (2019)
- Spring Style Essentials: Trench Coat (2018)
- Spring in Seattle (2017)
- Life A La Instagram (2015)
- Spring Has Sprung (2014)
I don’t know what happened in 2016
