GO’s Guide to Cherry Blossoms in Ontario

Springtime in the Greater Golden Horseshoe is a delightful spectacle marked by the enchanting sight and fragrance of cherry blossom trees in full bloom. These blossoms not only symbolize the arrival of spring but also offer a picturesque backdrop for capturing the season's essence in beautiful photographs.

The fleeting nature of cherry blossoms adds to their allure, as they typically last for about 10 days once they bloom. Keep an eye on the High Park Cherry Blossom Watch, the Royal Botanical Gardens What’s in Bloom page, the Niagara Parks What’s in Bloom page and others for updated bloom reports.

Embark on your journey with GO Transit, ensuring seamless travel to and from the perfect cherry blossom viewing locations. Make sure you take advantage of our $10 Weekend One-Day Pass for weekend travelers or Weekday Group Passes starting at $30. Plus, kids 12 and under always ride GO for free.

Immerse yourself in the beautiful blooms by getting there with GO.

Where to See Cherry Blossoms with GO

There are numerous picturesque and serene locations where you can experience the captivating beauty of cherry blossoms across the Greater Golden area. Here are some destinations that GO can take you to:

Toronto Cherry Blossoms

The cherry blossoms that bloom around Toronto are not only a beautiful sign of spring, they are also part of the city’s history.

• High Park – High Park is home to thousands of Sakura trees, and it is one of the most popular spots in Ontario for viewing the spring cherry blossoms. Cars aren’t allowed during the bloom period, so you can walk to High Park from Bloor GO Station, or take TTC from Exhibition GO Station. Keep an eye on the High Park Cherry Blossom Watch.
• Centre Island – You can get some beautiful family photos with the cherry blossom trees near William Meany Maze, and then enjoy a picnic, walk through Franklin’s Garden, and have some fun at the playground. Take GO to Union Station and then walk to Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
• Exhibition Place – Take GO to Exhibition Station and then enjoy a relaxing stroll around the Exhibition grounds. You’ll find cherry blossom trees just north of Princes’ Gate, near the Princess Margaret Fountain, and in front of the Liberty Grand.

Brampton Cherry Blossoms

In 2000, the Consulate General of Japan in Toronto organized the Sakura Project. The goal of the project was to plant 3000 Sakura trees in Ontario as a symbol of goodwill and friendship between Japan and Ontario. The city of Brampton was gifted cherry blossom trees as part of the Sakura Project.

• Joyce Archdekin Park – There are approximately 70 cherry blossom trees in Brampton’s Joyce Archdekin Park, along Main St South. Take GO to Brampton Innovation District GO Station and or connect to Brampton Transit using One Fare

Mississauga Cherry Blossoms

Mississauga is another popular Ontario destination for seeing cherry blossom trees! Kariya Park in downtown Mississauga is a tranquil Japanese garden and an ideal spot for some Hanami.

• Kariya Park – Kariya Park, named after Mississauga's sister city in Japan, offers a serene escape with Japanese architecture, a zen garden, koi-filled ponds, and 80 cherry blossom trees gifted by the mayor of Kariya, easily accessible with GO to Square One GO Station, and then a short walk away.

Burlington Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossom trees bloom in abundance in Burlington at Spencer Smith Park and the always beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens.

• Royal Botanical Gardens - Cherry blossom trees can be found in the Arboretum, Rock Garden, and Laking Garden at Royal Botanical Gardens, with the majority of the Sakura trees located at the Arboretum. The Arboretum is free to enter, but Garden Admission is required for the Rock Garden and Laking Garden (get 15% off Adult Admission when you show your PRESTO card!). To get to RBG, take GO to Burlington GO Station and then connect to Burlington Transit. Royal Botanical Gardens What’s in Bloom page
• Spencer Smith Park – The trees line either side of a limestone walkway that was also gifted by the city of Itabashi. Take GO to Burlington GO Station and then connect to Burlington Transit to get to Spencer Smith Park.

Hamilton Cherry Blossoms

There are a few places to admire cherry blossom trees in Hamilton, including in front of Hamilton City Hall (just a quick walk from Hamilton GO Centre), Bayfront Park, and Gage Park.

• Bayfront Park – Spend the day enjoying the Hamilton waterfront and snap some fantastic photos of the cherry blossom trees that line the walkway near the entrance to Bayfront Park. Take GO to West Harbour GO Station and then it’s less than a 10-minute walk to the park entrance.
• Gage Park – Enjoy the tranquility of cherry blossom trees in Gage Park, near the free-to-visit Tropical Greenhouse with its serene waterfall and rare plants, accessible via GO bus to Hamilton Centre Bus Station, then Hamilton Street Railway.

Niagara Falls Cherry Blossoms

The Niagara Parks are beautiful at any time of year, but especially so when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom! With so many great attractions and dining options, you can easily turn your cherry blossom outing into a full day trip or weekend excursion in Niagara Falls. Use GO+WEGO Combo Tickets for easy and affordable travel to and from Niagara Falls along with unlimited Niagara Falls WEGO bus service during your trip!

• Queenston Heights Park - There are cherry blossom trees in the picnic field at Queenston Heights Park, making it the perfect location for an outdoor lunch amid the beautiful spring scenery! Or, you can dine at nearby Queenston Heights Restaurant before or after your stroll through the Sakura trees. Queenston Heights Park is accessible by WEGO.
• Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens – Explore 99 acres of stunning landscapes and gardens at Niagara Parks’ Botanical Gardens, boasting cherry blossom trees at the entrance and offering a delightful array of floral-inspired photo opportunities, conveniently accessible via WEGO from Niagara Falls GO.

For more information, please visit Niagara Parks' What’s in Bloom page.

Happy Cherry Blossom Season!

Spring is truly a beautiful time of year in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and a perfect time to plan outdoor adventures like admiring the cherry blossom trees and attending spring events in the area. GO Transit makes your adventures easy and affordable with $10 Weekend One-Day Pass and Weekday Group Passes starting at $30. And, of course, kids 12 and under always ride free on GO!

GO out and enjoy the cherry blossom season while it lasts! Have fun capturing your springtime memories, but remember not to shake the trees or pull off any blossoms or branches while taking your photos. Leave the cherry blossom trees the way you found them so that they can be enjoyed each spring for generations to come.