A Long Island Spring brings a beautiful assortment of flower-filled activities that will delight your mind, sweep away your winter blues, and inspire envy in those who see the pictures you upload to social media. During April and May, dozens of locations boom into what many describe as picturesque scenes of cherry blossom trees.
The island’s “Gold Coast,” nestled along the north shore, features elegant Gatsby-era mansions with elaborate public gardens and landscapes. As one travels east from the shore, the island tapers out into farm country, where public parks, fields of flowers, and historic downtown areas are found.
You can visit these locations from April to June to experience the thrill of cherry blossom season.
Greenport Village Cherry Blossom Festival (Greenport) – End of April-Mid-June
Forbes Magazine named Greenport, New York, one of the “11 prettiest towns and villages in America.” It is nestled along the tip of the island’s “Noth Fork Wine Country.” The village is also home to 300+ cherry blossom trees, some of which line the main streets and downtown community. The village also hosts the Cherry Blossom Festival Petal Tour.
Old Westbury Gardens (Old Westbury) – Mid-April – Mid-May
The Old Westbury Gardens of Long Island make one feel like they are in an English country estate, and mid-April through mid-May is one of the prettiest times to visit the Old Westbury Gardens. Visitors can enjoy the gardens by themselves or take a guided tour now that they have reopened for this April season.
Mill Neck Manor (Mill Neck) – Mid-late April
The historic charm of Mill Neck Manor will inspire romantic feelings among its majestic cherry blossoms and luscious vistas. The manor boasts 500-year-old doors, stained glass featuring Shakespearean plays, and beautiful woodwork and ceilings. This popular wedding photography spot is often a tourist attraction in mid-late April when the cherry blossoms are full.
Planting Fields Arboretum (Oyster Bay) – Mid-April – Mid-May
Initially a Gold Coast estate, Planting Fields rests on over 4000 acres and features everything from hiking trails to formal gardens and gorgeous plantings. The Camellia Greenhouse has the most extensive collection of camellias in the northeast, and the Main Greenhouse area has collections of hibiscus, orchids, succulents, and seasonal displays. The property’s many cherry blossoms are in full bloom in mid-April, and their annual Arbor Day Festival on April 29 and 30 features activities for the whole family, including a petting zoo.
Sakura Matsuri: Cherry Blossom Festival (Stony Brook) – Saturday, May 7
This daylong Japanese festival takes place at Stony Brook University’s Charles B. Wang Center. It features cultural exhibits, children’s drawings, and live events, which include Japanese dance and music performances, origami workshops, and more. Admission includes all workshop and theater performances. Advanced registration is required and is $30 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, and $10 for children 6 through 12. Children 5 and younger enter for free.
Argyle Park (Babylon) – Mid-April – Mid-May
The park is named after the perch-filled lake in Babylon Village and is known for its serenity year-round, especially when cherry blossoms are in bloom. Argyl Park is within walking distance of the strip of shops and restaurants that line Babylon’s Main Street.
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve (Lloyd Neck) – Mid-April – Mid-May
Caumsett’s garden is the perfect spot for engagement or sweet sixteen pictures and comes to life on the former estate of Marshall Field III in the Caumsett State Historic Park. It offers miles of hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and nature trails over woodlands, meadows, shorelines, and salt marshes. It even provides surf fishing if you’re licensed and is ideal for scuba diving conditions for those undersea explorers looking to adventure off the coast.
