10+ Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Ottawa [2025]

Cherry Blossoms in Ottawa

Looking for some best places to see the Cherry blossom in Ottawa? Here we have compiled a list of more than 10 locations where you can see and enjoy the view of Cherry Blossom.

During the Spring Season, the cherry trees in Ottawa transform into a wonderland filled with thousands of delicate pink and white blossoms called sakura. The city is home to over 100,000 cherry blossom trees and exploring it will give a perfect vibe as you are walking in Heaven Alive. If you are a newcomer to the city then you should see this beautiful creation of nature.

Walking in the parks and strolling around streets filled with Cherry blossom is one of my favorite things to do as the spring season arrives. Major’s Hill Park, Confederation Park, the Dominion Arboretum, and the Botanical Garden are some of the best places to witness this beautiful natural event. Besides that, there are also a lot of places where you can see the Cherry Blossom in Ottawa.

Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Ottawa

Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau

Located on the banks of the Ottawa River, Jacques Cartier Park is one of the best places to witness this mesmerizing experience of Cherry Blossoms in Ottawa. From late April to early May, is the perfect time to watch at this beautiful natural event.

Besides that the park is also a great spot for walking, cycling, and camping activities. During the winter season, it transforms into a winter wonderland, with skating rinks and snow sculptures. Plus, it also has a playground for kids where they can play in the snow.

The park is named after Jacques Cartier, a French explorer who was the first European to reach the St. Lawrence River in 1534.

Arboretum & Ornamental Gardens

It would not be wrong to say that the Arboretum and Ornamental Gardens are one of the finest locations to see the cherry blossom in the city, during the spring season. If you are kind of a nature enthusiast, then trust me, it’s the best location to explore and have a picnic trip with your closed ones.

Being home to more than 1,700 different varieties of flora and fauna, you are sure to find cherry blossom trees of almost all sizes in every corner of the park.

It’s one of the most renowned places in Ottawa to witness the beauty of cherry blossoms. Besides that, the place is also home to several crabapple trees that blossom the same as the beautiful pink cherry blossoms.

Major’s Hill Park

Major’s Hill Park

Located in downtown Ottawa, Major’s Hill Park transforms into a scenic wonderland as the cherry blossom trees bloom during the spring season. The blossom trees are located right next to a colorful bed of tulip flowers, making the whole place even more beautiful and enjoyable.

Mackenzie Avenue is the best place if you truly want to enjoy the mesmerizing view of the cherry trees at Major’s Hill Park. Don’t forget to take a bunch of selfies as a sweet reminder that you have witnessed such a beautiful natural event of mother nature.

Along the Rideau Canal

Along the Rideau Canal

The Rideau Canal is also a great place to watch the beauty of cherry blossoms in Ottawa. The trees bloom from late April to early May, watching it while being on a sailing boat is like a fairy tale comes true.

There are many places along the canal where you can enjoy the scenic view of cherry blossoms like Laurier Bridge, the Flora MacDonald footbridge, the Glebe neighborhood, near Waverley Street, the Bank Street bridge at Queen Elizabeth Parkway, and the Shaw Centre.

Depending upon the weather conditions, the canal may be closed so make your plans accordingly.

Confederation Park

Another spot in Ottawa to see the Cherry Blossom is Confederation Park which is located between the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River. 

There are a lot of cherry trees in the park but they are not as big as they should be. The place also has a lot of sculptures, monuments, and small fountains which make it worth visiting and exploring especially during the spring season.

All these trees were planted in the park in the late 2000s under The Sakura Project. It was an initiative by the Consulate-General of Japan to plant thousands of cherry blossom trees across Ontario province to strengthen the friendship between Canada and Japan as a token of friendship.

At Dow’s Lake

At Dow's Lake

Moving on to the next one, Dow’s Lake is also a great place to witness the mesmerizing views of cherry blossoms. Plus it is also a popular spot for boating and picnicking which further makes it a must-visit place if you are planning to explore the city in the Spring Season. People really like to picnic under the trees while enjoying the views of natural beauty.

The lake beside the cherry blossom tree becomes the ultimate destination for relaxing and escaping the bustle of your everyday life.

At City Hall

At City Hall

To be very frank, this particular place is not as famous as the Canada Museum of History and Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau. So why the hell am I recommending you to visit it, because the place is less crowded which allows you to enjoy the scenic view of nature more peacefully.

If you are planning to explore Confederation Park then you can also visit the Ottawa at City Hall as it is not that far from the park. You can easily cover both locations on the same day.

Mooney’s Bay

Mooney’s Bay

The next one, Mooney’s Bay in Ottawa, is also a public park where you can witness the beauty of cherry blossoms in the spring season. Being located next to the Rideau Canal, it’s a hub for a variety of recreational activities, like swimming, boating, fishing, and a lot more. If you are thinking of visiting the place, one thing is sure you are not going to get bored.

From Late April to early May, it’s the best time to visit and see the cherry blossoms at Mooney’s Bay. During this time, the park is transformed into an ocean of pink and white blossoms.

Visitors in the park can enjoy stunning views of the cherry blossoms by taking a walk or riding a bicycle through the park.

Hog’s Back Falls

Located on the south side of the Ottawa River, the park is home to many cherry blossom trees, as well as a waterfall. During the spring season, tree of cherry blossoms bloom which makes it a popular spot for picnics and camping.

Besides that, the place is also famous for the falls that are located just north of Mooney’s Bay and the point where the Rideau Canal splits from the Rideau River. All the falls are man-made and were created in the early 19th century.

Britannia Beach

Britannia Beach

Located on the east end of the Ottawa River, Britannia Beach Park is home to a variety of cherry blossom trees. During the spring season, from late April the trees begin to bloom with flowers of pink, white, and red color, making it literally a real-life heaven on earth.

Visitors are allowed to swim, boat, fish, or camp in the park while enjoying the wonderful and mesmerizing view of the Cherry blossom.

Lincoln Field

Lincoln Field

I know it’s a quite strange place to see cherry blossom trees in Ottawa. It’s a bus station with so many cherry blossom trees and as the trees bloom they look so beautiful and soothing that you can’t take your eyes off them.

It’s not a popular place which makes it a must-visit place for those who want to enjoy the scenic beauty of nature in a peaceful and calm atmosphere.

Best Route to See The Blossoms in Ottawa

It depends upon your plan whether you want to explore all the locations in one day or you want to explore one location in the day.

If you are planning to visit more than one place to see the Cherry Blossom in Ottawa then I highly recommend you begin by visiting the Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau first.

Next, you can visit the Arboretum & Ornamental Gardens which have hundreds of Cherry blossom trees, and exploring it is like you are walking in heaven.

Don’t forget to take a bunch of photos while enjoying the scenic view of nature. If you are running short of time then try to visit both (Jacques Cartier Park & Arboretum & Ornamental Gardens) as these are the best locations in Ottawa to see the cherry blossom.

Best time to see the Cherry Blossom in Ottawa

Best time to see the Cherry Blossom in Ottawa

The best time to see the Ottawa cherry blossom is from late April to early May. The blooming of the flowers may vary from year to year depending on the weather conditions. On the safe side, visit all the locations on the very first week of May.

If you want to see the Cherry blossoms at their peak, then you should plan your trip from the last week of April to early May. However, if you are interested in seeing the blooming of flowers at different stages, then you can visit Ottawa in early April time during the blooming period of the flowers.

Best hotels to stay during Cherry Blossom in Ottawa

Fairmont Chateau Laurier

Fairmont Chateau Laurier

Located right along Rideau Street, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel offers stunning views of the whole city. It’s located within walking distance of many popular attractions in Canada, like the Parliament Buildings and the National Gallery of Canada. All the rooms in the hotel are quite spacious and have all the modern amenities that you want.

Ottawa Marriott Hotel

Ottawa Marriott Hotel

Located in the heart of downtown, The Ottawa Marriott Hotel is a modern and stylish hotel that you can choose to stay in if you want to explore the nearby popular attractions like the ByWard Market, Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, and the Rideau Centre.

It is a great place to stay especially for travelers who are looking for a grand hotel in a convenient location.

SOHO Residences Champagne

SOHO Residences Champagne

SOHO Residences Champagne is a luxurious hotel located in the heart of Ottawa’s trendy Little Italy neighborhood, just steps away from Dow’s Lake.

It is a perfect place to stay for those who want to experience the best of what Ottawa has to offer.

ARC The Hotel

ARC The Hotel is a boutique hotel that is situated within walking distance from the Rideau Canal in downtown Ottawa.

The hotel has many amenities for guests to enjoy, like a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the city, a fitness center, a business center, and a lot more. Plus, its proximity to the canal makes it an ideal place to visit if you are planning to visit the canal and other places in a single day.

In which month do cherry blossoms bloom in Canada?

Usually, Late April to early May are the months when Cherry blossoms bloom in Canada. Weather plays quite an important role here and can easily alter the timing of the blossom every year. In some parts of the country, such as British Columbia, the cherry blossoms can bloom as early as March while in other parts of the country, such as Alberta, the cherry blossoms may not bloom until late May.

Here is the timing of cherry blossom season in different provinces of Canada: (this is an estimation the exact time may vary)

  • British Columbia: Late March to early April
  • Ontario: Late April to early May
  • Quebec: Early May to mid-May
  • Manitoba: Early May to mid-May
  • Saskatchewan: Mid-May to late May
  • Alberta: Late May to early June

So the best time to see the cherry blossoms in each province will vary, so you are required to check the local forecasts and bloom predictions before planning your trip.

Which city in Canada has the most cherry blossoms?

Vancouver and British Columbia are generally considered to have the most cherry blossoms in Canada. The reason behind this is the generous gift of hundreds of cherry trees from Japan in the 1930s, as a thank-you to Japanese Canadians who served in World War I.

Today, Vancouver has over 40,000 cherry trees, which bloom in a variety of colors, including pink, white, and red every single year and makes the city more beautiful.

How long do cherry blossoms last in Ottawa?

Cherry blossoms in Ottawa typically last for about 7 to 10 days. However, the exact days of the bloom vary every year because of the weather conditions. In warm weather conditions, the blossoms may only last for a week, while in cool weather conditions, they may last for up to two weeks.

The best time to see the cherry blossoms in Ottawa is during the peak bloom, which usually occurs around the first week of May. Exploring famous destinations like Major’s Hill Park, Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau, and a lot more in Ottawa for cherry blossoms is like having a stroll in heaven.

Why did Japan give Cherry Blossom Trees to Canada?

Here’s the reason why Japan gave Cherry Blossom Trees to Canada, during WWI many Japanese Canadians were forced to relocate and faced discrimination. Canada was one of the few countries that welcomed them with open arms.

The first gift of cherry blossom trees from Japan to Canada was made in 1959. The Japanese ambassador to Canada, Toru Hagiwara, presented 2,000 Yoshino cherry trees to the city of Toronto. The trees were planted in High Park, and over the years the cherry trees have become a popular tourist attraction in the City.

Now, these cherry trees can be found in many cities across the country. They are a true reminder of the strong friendship between Japan and Canada.

Final Thoughts: Cherry Blossom in Ottawa

Cherry Blossom in Ottawa

Ottawa has many wonderful places where you can see and enjoy cherry blossoms from the last week of April until the beginning of May.

The best places to see the sakura (Japanese term for Cherry Blossom) or Cherry blossom in Ottawa are Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau, Arboretum & Ornamental Gardens, and Major’s Hill Park.

So, what are you waiting for head out to explore the free places to see Cherry Blossom in Ottawa.

Have a Safe Journey.

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