Stroll through the gardens of Portland, Oregon
If you can’t make it out to Japan, you can always visit the Portland Japanese Garden, located within the city’s Washington Park, which is splashed in pink between the end of March and the beginning of April (the view is especially lovely from the Moon Bridge, hovering above the Strolling Pond Garden). The springtime spirit also comes alive at the Japanese American Historical Plaza, at downtown Tom McCall Waterfront Park. A stay at The Hoxton, Portland, will put you less than a 10-minute walk away from the waterfront—be sure to take advantage of the free Hox Bikes available during your stay and plan a ride along the scenic Willamette River, where over a hundred cherry blossom trees line the banks. Or, get a little collegiate and stroll around the campuses of Reed College or the University of Portland, where you’ll spot even more blossoming beauties.
Visit the cherry blossom capital of the world: Macon, Georgia
Did you know that the cherry blossom capital of the world—yes, the world—is Macon, Georgia? It all began in 1949, when local real estate magnate William A. Fickling (regarded as “Macon’s Johnny Appleseed”) discovered a Yoshino cherry tree in his backyard and matched it to those he encountered on a business trip to DC a few years later, eventually donating 150,000 trees to the sleepy Southern town. The pretty tree eventually became synonymous with Macon, and in 1982, the Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission decided to celebrate with a festival. The celebration still goes strong today, in that delightful small town way, with annual events like a Pink Pancake Breakfast, a pageant with a chosen royal court, and a hot air balloon finale (this year’s festival ran from March 20–29, 2026).
If you’re in town to see the trees, book a stay at the 1842 Inn, a Greek Revival mansion promising an old-fashioned stay in Macon’s Historic District. During your visit, be sure to hop in a car and drive from Carolyn Crayton Park to Bass Road, where you’ll have the best views of the town’s famous blossoms.
