What is more romantic than New York City in the spring? Here’s my honest take on where to find tulips in New York City. the tips, the tricks, and what to skip entirely. I mean, there’s a whole song written about the experience. Spring has quickly become my favorite season, largely thanks to the breathtaking flowers that pop out around April and May.
Of all the lovely spring blooms, tulips are my favorite. Symbolizing the end of winter, they officially kick off the pleasant spring season. If you’re visiting the Big Apple and want to know about the best spots to see tulips in New York City, I have you covered.
When do tulips bloom in NYC? New York City’s tulip season peaks around late April to early May.
Where to Find Tulips in New York City
(Table of Contents)
New York City Tulips (Table of Contents)
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The 10 Best Neighborhoods for First Timers & 3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park span 550 acres and hugs the Hudson River, offering spectacular waterfront views. In fact, more than 400 acres of the park is located on piers that stretch over the water. The abundance and variety of tulips found here, particularly near the Irish Hunger Memorial and Belvedere Plaza, create colorful display of spring color.
I never get tired of this view.
Further Reading. 15 ICONIC NYC Parks Everyone Should Know About
Park Avenue Tulips
Park Avenue is arguably the most popular spot to find tulips in New York City. Indeed, for many New Yorkers spring doesn’t officially start until the tulips on Park Avenue have bloomed. What makes this spot especially beautiful, apart from the rows of vibrant tulips, are the prolific cherry blossoms that span the length of the Avenue.
Come early. Seriously. The crowds hit hard by noon.
Speaking of cherry blossoms, you may also enjoy reading— 10 (Breathtaking) Spots for Cherry Blossoms in New York City
This what happens when passion meets a perfect location.
West Side Community Garden
Located on 89th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues, the West Side Community Garden (WSCG) is a true gem. Lounging at the park is one of the most relaxing things to do on the Upper West Side.
Originally founded in 1976, the park was created to address an eyesore in the neighborhood. a neglected trash-strewn lot. The garden is privately owned and run by volunteers that rely on donations and grants. The garden is a joy to visit any time of year, but it truly shines in the spring. More than 15,000 tulips adorn the garden in the most colorful display, it’s easily one of the best places to see tulips in New York City.
Further Reading.20 EPIC Things to Do on the Upper West Side
Local tip. Here’s something most visitors don’t know. the best time to visit is right when they open.
New York Public Library
You simply can’t visit New York City without seeing the New York Public Library, I recommend it to all first-time visitors! When it opened to the public in 1911, the New York Public Library was officially the largest marble building in the country.
No small task, considering it took 16 years to construct this monolithic structure, but the wait was worth it. more than 50,000 people showed up on opening day. Luckily for you, this also a great spot to find tulips in New York City!
Admittedly there’s not as many tulips here as some of the other places mentioned on the list, but what this area lacks in quantity it makes up for in beauty. I mean, anything in front of the two iconic marble lions is bound to impress!
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden
It’s no secret that the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of the best spots in NYC for spring blooms, and the tulips are no exception! Come here for a dazzling display of blooming tulips and cherry blossoms. The highest concentration of spring blooms can be found at the Shakespeare Garden, Cherry Valley, the Arthur and Janet Ross Conifer Arboretum and Daffodil Hill.
Where to Find Tulips in Central Park
The Shakespeare Garden
In my opinion, the best spots for tulips in New York City is the Shakespeare Garden in Central Park. A stunning display of tulips completely carpets this lovely garden during the months of April and May. Knowing how popular this little garden is during the spring months, the gardeners try to change theme every year.
For example, theme for 2021 was sunrise and the color scheme was pink, red and orange. I can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store but one thing is certain. this one the best spots to see tulips in Central Park.
Conservatory Garden
Opened in 1937, the Conservatory Garden is the only formal garden in Central Park. Spanning six acres, the garden is sectioned off into three beautiful gardens– the French North Garden, Italian Center Garden and English South Garden.
This where the highest concentration of tulips in Central Park can be found. The amount of tulips planted varies from year to year but it’s usually an average of 25,000+ tulips, making this garden quite the sight to behold.
Further Reading. 15 Famous Things to Do in Central Park
Grand Army Plaza
Located in the southeast corner of Central Park, Grand Army Plaza is one of the best spots to find tulips in NYC. A carpet of color graces the feet of Sherman’s statue while the famous Plaza Hotel looms in the background.
A (Short) History on Tulips in New York City
We’re all about education here at New York Simply, so let’s cover the brief history of tulips in New York City. Tulips originated in Central Asia and were cultivated by the Turks who exported them to the Dutch in the 16th century. It’s believed that the first tulips in NYC date back to the 1600s when they were brought to America by Dutch explorers, reflecting the city’s early Dutch heritage when it was known as New Amsterdam.
Local’s Advice. Don’t forget your sunscreen.Contrary to popular belief, NYC is a sunny place, so don’t forget to wear your sunscreen. Here’s the only sunscreen I use (I discovered it 6 years ago and never leave the house without it).
Where to See Tulips in New York City (Post Summary)
In sum, here’s a quick roundup of where to see tulips in New York City.
- Park Avenue Tulips
- West Side Community Garden
- Hudson River Park
- West Village Apple Garden
- New York Public Library
- Rockefeller Center
- The Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Shakespeare Garden
- Conservatory Garden
- Grand Army Plaza
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The 10 Best Neighborhoods for First Timers +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Map of Best Spots for Tulips in NYC
Based on our extensive local experience, we cover the top picks for spots to see tulips in New York City in this guide. Each spot has been personally visited and reviewed.
Helpful Related Articles for Spring in Central Park
Where to See NYC Cherry Blossoms. 10 Stunning Spots for Cherry Blossoms in New York City
NYC Cherry Blossom Tracker. The New York City Cherry Blossoms Tracker – What to Expect This Year
Things to Do NYC Spring. 30+ Spectacular Things to Do in New York City in Spring
Things to Do NYC in April. 20 Amazing Things to Do in New York City in April (2023)
Where to See NYC Tulips. 10 Outstanding Spots to Find Tulips in New York City
Quite simply, I was in love with New York. I do not mean “love” in any colloquial way, I mean that I was in love with the city, the way you love the first person who ever touches you and you never love anyone quite that way again.
Joan Didion
Cheers!
Final Thoughts
That wraps up our guide to Spots to See Tulips in New York City. Have a favorite spot we missed?
Hungry while exploring? Check out our guide to the best food in Upper West Side for local dining picks.
Have you been here before?
If you liked this guide, you might also enjoy exploring my other local recommendations.
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