19 Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Ohio

There are a plethora of fun spring things to do in Ohio, but one of the most fun activities each spring is to look at the cherry blossoms in Ohio.

When the snow melts and the weather turns nice, there’s nothing better than getting outside. The arrival of spring encourages flowers to bloom and everywhere you look in Ohio, there are thousands upon thousands of pretty flowers to see.

There are thousands of cherry trees in Ohio and a simple search for “cherry blossoms near me” will guide you somewhere nearby where you can admire these beauties.

About Cherry Blossoms in Ohio

Seeing cherry blossoms in Ohio can be a truly wondrous thing. When one sees tree branches filled with vibrant flowers of red, pink, and white, it’s a sure sign that spring is here. But as beautiful as seeing cherry blossoms can be, the bloom season doesn’t last long, so be sure to get out to see them in late March and early April.

Cherry blossoms have different meanings in different cultures and they are adored in the United States. The U.S. was gifted a thousand cherry trees by Japan in 1912 and they are seen as symbols of peace and tranquility.

Through the years, the Buckeye State has been the recipient of many cherry trees as well, including some descendants of the Washington D.C. trees. This has transformed Ohio into a cherry blossom wonderland when springtime comes around, with many of the state’s major cities having their own unique spots to see cherry blossoms in bloom.

Now that you’re ready to get outside and see Ohio cherry blossoms for yourself, here are some of the best spots in the Buckeye State to see them:

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Cleveland, Ohio

Brookside Reservation in Cleveland

One of the best spots to see cherry blossoms in Ohio is at Brookside Reservation. More than 100 Yoshino cherry trees can be found here, which were planted in the 1990s. These trees were gifted to Cleveland by the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio (JANO).

Cherry Blossoms at Wade Park in University Circle

Another great spot to see cherry blossoms in Ohio is at the oval at Wade Park in the University Circle. For residents and visitors to Cleveland, there’s nothing more beautiful than seeing cherry blossoms framing the Fine Arts Garden at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Wade Lagoon

Every year around mid-April, the area around Wade Lagoon springs to life, thanks to the cherry blossoms. The bloom can last up to two weeks, and it’s a real treat for anyone who’s able to see the cherry blossoms up close.

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Akron, Ohio

Towpath Trail in Akron

A stroll along the Towpath Trail in Akron allows visitors to admire hundreds of cherry trees and thousands of blossoms. The trees were planted with the support of JANO to celebrate a cross-cultural exchange between Akron and Japan. Cherry trees in Ohio on this trail can be found from Lock 3 to Channelwood Village on Thornton Street.

Canal Park in Akron

This could be considered a hidden gem in Northwest Ohio. In the spring, thousands of blossoms spring up in the shadow of Akron’s industrial past and create a corridor of pink that really is breathtaking to behold.

Downtown Japanese Cherry Blossom Celebration

Akron will celebrate its annual cherry blossom bloom in 2022 with its second annual festival. This festival will have hundreds of luminaries on hand, sake tasting, story walks along the Towpath Trail, and many other activities.

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Athens, Ohio

Ohio University in Athens

Ohio University is renowned for its cherry blossoms, which were donated in 1979. These were given by Chubu University in Japan in 1979 to celebrate Ohio’s 175th anniversary.

Athens has been named by National Geographic as one of the best places in the nation to see cherry blossoms. Another 100 trees were donated in 2003, just before the university’s bicentennial.

The university grove, between the campus and Hockhocking Adena Parkway, is filled with thousands of blossoms along a bike path from the Hocking River to O’Bleness Hospital.

Peden Stadium

The grove at Ohio University is a great spot to see cherry blossoms in Ohio, but the cherry trees also blossom by Peden Stadium, home to the university’s football team. It’s also a great place to park and walk to the grove to see the cherry blossoms.

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Columbus, Ohio

Ohio Statehouse

Believe it or not, one of the best places to see cherry trees in Ohio and plenty of cherry blossoms is at the Ohio state capitol building. Once you’ve marveled at the iconic cherry trees, take a tour of the building, and visit the museum gift shop.

Goodale Park

There are plenty of great spots around Columbus to see the pink blossoms of the cherry trees once they’re in bloom and Goodale Park is considered one of the best places. Seeing the pink flowers makes it a great place for a family picnic, a nature walk, or even a family photoshoot.

Franklin Park Conservatory

Visitors will see nearly two dozen Japanese cherry trees here, which were gifted from Japan, 100 years after thousands of trees were shipped to Washington DC. Franklin Park serves as the backdrop for the conservatory celebrating this fascinating aspect of Japanese culture.

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Cincinnati, Ohio

Ault Park

Visitors can literally find hundreds of cherry trees in Ohio here. Thousands of cherry trees were gifted to the city in the 1930s and new trees are always planted. Visitors can find two groves of blossoming trees: the Kwanzan Cherry Grove near the park entrance and the Japanese Cherry Blossom Grove near Observatory Road and Observatory Circle.

Sawyer Point

This mile-long stretch is the perfect spot to get some cherry blossom photos. Visitors can walk along rows of beautiful cherry blossoms near the Serpentine Wall and spend time enjoying other park amenities like the playground and tennis courts.

Bellevue Beach Park

Visitors here will be in heaven with a scenic view along the river and vibrant cherry blossoms all around. The waterfront trail is the perfect spot to enjoy the weather, enjoy the scenery, and get some great photos.

Eden Park

This is one of the city’s most popular parks and for good reason. It’s got plenty of landmarks and lots of spring blooms. A walk to the park’s gazebo through the memorial tree groves is a great experience and there are plenty of other hot spots in this “Garden of Eden”, including the Bettman Fountain and Mirror Lake.

Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum

There are 750 acres of gardens here and ornamental cherry trees here usually blossom in mid-April. Hally Jolivette cherry trees bloom later in the month. Online photo galleries let visitors know what’s in bloom and when, so when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, make time to get there and see them.

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Dayton, Ohio

Carillon Historical Park

Community leaders in Dayton came together to create a cherry blossom trail, connecting Carillon Historical Park and the Dayton Art Institute. In addition to connecting two historic landmarks, visitors can enjoy a trail of hundreds of cherry trees. Additionally, a grant helped oversee a project to plant cherry trees all around Dayton, creating another springtime paradise in Ohio.

More Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Ohio

The Dawes Arboretum

This is located just a short way away from Columbus in Newark, Ohio. Visitors will want to head to the Japanese Garden. The garden has a meditation house, a pond, bridges, an incredibly scenic backdrop, and, of course, plenty of flowering cherry trees. Visitors can start at the garden, and then take a drive around the south end of the Auto Tour to see more trees.

Bowling Green State University

Ohio University has lots of cherry trees, but don’t discount Bowling Green. Visitors can find dozens of cherry blossom trees at the Alumni Mall, located between the Kreischer and Harshman quadrangles. Believe it or not, three of the trees at Bowling Green are descendants of Washington D.C.’s famous cherry trees. There is also an annual Cherry Blossom Festival, hosted by Bowling Green’s Japanese Club and Asian Studies Program.

Go Enjoy Ohio Cherry Blossoms

If you’re sitting at home wondering where are there cherry blossoms near me, the answer is, they’re closer than you think. No matter where you go in the Buckeye States, there are hundreds, if not thousands of cherry trees in Ohio that are so pretty, that you might think your eyes are playing tricks on you.

Whether you’re going for a scenic day’s drive or attending one of Ohio’s cherry blossom festivals, it’s not hard to be awestruck by the beauty of seeing so many cherry trees in Ohio and so many cherry blossoms in bloom.

So when spring comes in Ohio, get out and see the cherry blossoms while they’re in peak bloom; it’s one of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of the Buckeye State.