Best time to travel to Portland

Cherry Blossoms in Portland

Portland has a bunch of beautiful places with cherry blossoms. Read on to make your bucket list richer!

Best time: mid-March–mid-April

Cherry Blossoms in Portland
Cherry Blossoms in Portland
Cherry Blossoms in Portland

Both locals and tourists await spring cherry blossoms in Portland with anticipation—and for a good reason. This incredible spectacle points out that the days become longer, the weather warmer, and the nights shorter. Yes, nobody can get enough of this natural display.

The best time to visit Portland to enjoy cherry blossoms is between mid-March and mid-April. However, as a general rule of thumb, the blooming period is really short, so consider it when planning your trip.

Portland Waterfront cherry blossoms

The most beautiful place worth visiting is Tom McCall Waterfront Park. To see the flowering cherry trees, head to the Japanese American Historical Plaza near the Steel Bridge. Let us be more precise: the most jaw-dropping area with cherry blossoms in all Portland is between the Burnside Bridge and the Steel Bridge. This highly popular spot is also highly crowded during the season. So, the best time to visit Tom McCall Waterfront Park is in the early morning. Early birds rock!

Portland Japanese Garden

Another breathtaking spot is the Portland Japanese Garden, which is often referred to as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens. The park is open to the public from Wednesday through Monday (except Tuesday) from 10 am to 3:30 pm. The ticket price ranges from $13.50 to $18.95.

Washington Park

Washington Park in Portland features 410 ac (165 ha) of amazing natural landscapes, with cherry blossoms all over its area. Yet the best spot to enjoy this flower display is near the tennis courts. By the way, Washington Park has no admission fee, so grab a blanket, some snacks, and enjoy nature to the fullest.

Hoyt Arboretum

Suppose you missed the cherry blossoms in Washington Park. Well, no worries. Portland is huge enough to offer you really a lot of spots, even for the late-blooming. And Hoyt Arboretum is one of them. Another benefit of this place is that it is less popular than, for example, Tom McCall Waterfront Park and thus, less crowded. The best time to go to Hoyt Arboretum is April or early May. It’s open daily from 5 am to 10 pm and has no admission fee.

Laurelhurst Park

Laurelhurst Park is an ideal spot for a picnic with family, long walks, and morning runs. It features a nice pond, restrooms, picnic tables, playgrounds, all kinds of courts, a football field, a dog area, and, of course, many trees that bloom brightly in spring. The best place to see cherry blossoms is along the outer edges of Laurelhurst Park, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Practical info

When is the ideal period to witness Portland's cherry blossoms?

Portland's cherry blossoms are observable from mid-March to mid-April, though the time can slightly differ each year due to weather changes. Ensure to check the cherry blossom forecast to organize your visit. It's essential to design your trip beforehand since the blossoming period is restricted. Show more

What is the most popular location for cherishing Portland's cherry blossoms?

Tom McCall Waterfront Park between the Burnside Bridge and Steel Bridge is most well-liked for Portland's cherry blossoms. This site pulls a substantial crowd, so it's better to visit early in the morning. Also, other popular sites for catching a glimpse of cherry blossoms include the Portland Japanese Garden, Laurelhurst Park, and Washington Park. Show more

When is the best time to visit Hoyt Arboretum?

April or the commencement of May is ideal for visiting Hoyt Arboretum, depending on the weather. It typically blooms during this period, and the space sees more tranquility than other spots, like Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The park demands no admission fee and is open every day from 5 am to 10 pm. Show more

What is the cost of entering the Portland Japanese Garden?

The entrance fee for the Portland Japanese Garden amounts to $13.50 to $18.95, based on the day and time of your visit. The garden is accessible every day except for Tuesday, and it's deemed one of the most actual Japanese gardens. Alongside cherry blossoms, it exhibits beautiful landscapes and other plants that add to its magnificence. Show more

Are there additional spots in Portland to experience cherry blossoms?

Apart from Tom McCall Waterfront Park, more spots in Portland feature cherry blossoms, including Washington Park and Laurelhurst Park. Washington Park is known for its extensive space of natural landscapes, with cherry blossoms surrounding the tennis courts. Laurelhurst Park also has cherry blossoms, and it's an excellent location for picnicking and relaxing. Hoyt Arboretum is open every day and contains cherry blossoms as well. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin