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  4. I visited the New Jersey park that has more cherry blossoms than DC. It was breathtaking and way less crowded.

I visited the New Jersey park that has more cherry blossoms than DC. It was breathtaking and way less crowded.

I visited the New Jersey park that has more cherry blossoms than DC. It was breathtaking and way less crowded.
Insider reporter Amanda Paule stands between cherry-blossom branches.Amanda Paule
  • I visited Branch Brook Park in Newark, New Jersey, during its spring Cherry Blossom Festival.
  • The park has around 5,200 Japanese cherry trees, compared to around 3,800 in Washington DC.

On Saturday, I visited the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival in Branch Brook Park, the largest public park in Newark, New Jersey.

On Saturday, I visited the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival in Branch Brook Park, the largest public park in Newark, New Jersey.
Amanda walks a path between Japanese cherry trees at Branch Brook Park.      Amanda Paule

Branch Brook Park spans about 360 acres from Newark's North Ward up to the southern portion of Belleville.

Branch Brook Park spans about 360 acres from Newark
A map shows the primary areas of Branch Brook Park where you can find the groves of cherry-blossom trees.      Amanda Paule/Google Maps

Locals started the Cherry Blossom Festival in 1976, and Branch Brook Park has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1981.

Locals started the Cherry Blossom Festival in 1976, and Branch Brook Park has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1981.
A sign marks the entrance to the historic Forest Hill neighborhood of Newark.      Amanda Paule

As a Jersey native, I was surprised I'd never heard of Branch Brook and its 5,200 cherry-blossom trees — that's more than any other park in the US.

As a Jersey native, I was surprised I
Cherry blossoms surround the lake on the southern side of the park.      Amanda Paule

The trees arrived in 1927 when local philanthropist Caroline Bamberger Fuld returned from a trip to Japan and donated more than 2,000 of them to the park.

The trees arrived in 1927 when local philanthropist Caroline Bamberger Fuld returned from a trip to Japan and donated more than 2,000 of them to the park.
Cherry blossoms can be several shades of white and pink.      Amanda Paule

Source: Patch, NJ.com

This festival sees only a fraction of the visitors that flock to DC this time of year — about 100,000 attendees compared to DC's 1.6 million.

This festival sees only a fraction of the visitors that flock to DC this time of year — about 100,000 attendees compared to DC
Visitors walk the path near the lake and pause to take photos.      Amanda Paule

The park now has 18 varieties of the Japanese cherry tree, with blooms ranging in hue from white to bright pink.

The park now has 18 varieties of the Japanese cherry tree, with blooms ranging in hue from white to bright pink.
Visitors snap photos of cherry blossoms overhead.      Amanda Paule

To start my visit, I found parking along the street near the under-construction Cherry Blossom Welcome Center (set to open fall 2023).

To start my visit, I found parking along the street near the under-construction Cherry Blossom Welcome Center (set to open fall 2023).
Parked cars line the road under a Cherry Blossom Festival banner.      Amanda Paule

The park is open from dawn until 10 p.m. each day, but I arrived at 10 a.m. after driving from South Jersey.

The park is open from dawn until 10 p.m. each day, but I arrived at 10 a.m. after driving from South Jersey.
A visitor walks next to a cherry-blossom tree.      Amanda Paule

The views were gorgeous, and the paths were perfect for a romantic stroll or a day trip with family and friends.

The views were gorgeous, and the paths were perfect for a romantic stroll or a day trip with family and friends.
Two visitors kiss under the bough of a vibrant-pink flowering tree.      Amanda Paule

There was plenty of space on paths and in open fields for gazing at the blossoms and posing for photos.

There was plenty of space on paths and in open fields for gazing at the blossoms and posing for photos.
Two visitors pose as someone takes their photo near a large tree.      Amanda Paule

I saw photographers snapping pictures for maternity photoshoots, family portraits, and a quinceañera.

I saw photographers snapping pictures for maternity photoshoots, family portraits, and a quinceañera.
A woman poses for a maternity photoshoot.      Amanda Paule

Most of the trees are planted in the southernmost and northernmost sections of the park, so I walked 45 minutes along a path between the two areas.

Most of the trees are planted in the southernmost and northernmost sections of the park, so I walked 45 minutes along a path between the two areas.
An unpaved trail connects with a paved path that runs between the northern and southern portions of the park.      Amanda Paule

I saw dozens of people walking cute dogs along the way.

I saw dozens of people walking cute dogs along the way.
A couple walks their dog under the Park Avenue overpass near the park's southern cherry-blossom grove.      Amanda Paule

Several groups had laid out picnic blankets throughout the park, including a few near Newark's Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

Several groups had laid out picnic blankets throughout the park, including a few near Newark
Visitors picnic on a grassy slope under the blossoms.      Amanda Paule

Near the lake, a group was playing traditional Japanese music and dancing with parasols.

Near the lake, a group was playing traditional Japanese music and dancing with parasols.
A group dances with multicolored parasols.      Amanda Paule

And a massive crowd had assembled for a community Easter egg hunt.

And a massive crowd had assembled for a community Easter egg hunt.
A crowd gathers in the park's Concert Grove.      Amanda Paule

On certain days during the two-week festival, the park hosts events like Japanese cultural performances, a 10k run, and a bike race.

On certain days during the two-week festival, the park hosts events like Japanese cultural performances, a 10k run, and a bike race.
A group lines up while performing a choreographed dance with Japanese parasols.      Amanda Paule

A few visitors were fishing on the lake.

A few visitors were fishing on the lake.
Two visitors use fishing poles on the lake.      Amanda Paule

Calling the number on this sign brought me into a guided tour of the park. At this stop, I learned about a nearby gazebo's architecture.

Calling the number on this sign brought me into a guided tour of the park. At this stop, I learned about a nearby gazebo
A sign marks a stop on the park's phone tour.      Amanda Paule

I especially loved the weeping cherry trees, like this one near the gazebo.

I especially loved the weeping cherry trees, like this one near the gazebo.
Amanda takes a selfie next to a weeping cherry tree.      Amanda Paule

I ended the afternoon with a treat from a nearby ice-cream truck.

I ended the afternoon with a treat from a nearby ice-cream truck.
A crowd waits in line for ice cream.      Amanda Paule

I'll definitely be back to Branch Brook Park for next year's festival, and I'll probably visit throughout the year to walk along the trails or find a green space to read.

I
Amanda ends the day walking along a path surrounded by cherry blossoms.      Amanda Paule

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