Branch Brook Park

If you’re looking for a perfect spring day, Branch Brook Park during the Cherry Blossom Festival is the place to be! The cherry trees are absolutely stunning — just look at how gorgeous they are (sharing a few pics!). Some trees were like waterfalls of pink petals, and it honestly felt like being inside a painting. The park is massive, so even though it gets crowded during the festival, there’s plenty of space to spread out. We loved chilling by the lake near the fountain — the view with the cathedral in the background was just beautiful and super peaceful. Perfect spot to sit, relax, and people-watch. The Prudential Concert Grove area had groups flying kites, picnicking, and just enjoying the vibes. It’s a very family-friendly place, and you can tell people come prepared with blankets, snacks, and good energy. Parking can be a little tricky during peak times, but once you’re in, it’s totally worth it. The blooms, the breeze, and the smiles all around made it such a happy experience. Highly recommend visiting during peak bloom if you can — it’s pure magic!

Branch Brook Park Review Branch Brook Park is a beautiful place to spend the day, whether you're walking, biking, or fishing. I visited during cherry blossom season, which was absolutely stunning. Even on a Wednesday afternoon, the park was quite crowded—especially around the paved paths—so biking there was a bit tricky. However, the park is huge, and if you have a mountain bike, there are plenty of areas to enjoy a peaceful ride away from the crowds. There’s ample parking, and despite spending a good amount of time there, we only saw a fraction of what the park has to offer. One of the highlights is that Branch Brook Park has the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the country. It’s truly a sight to see. The park was designed by the Olmsted Brothers, the sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, the renowned landscape architect who designed Central Park. Their vision and attention to natural beauty really shine through in every corner of the park.

Visited Branch Brook Park on April 19 during Easter weekend and had such a great time. There was an egg hunt for kids and they were giving out free hot dogs which was a really nice surprise. Most of the cherry blossoms had already fallen but it was still really pretty. When the wind blew and petals floated down it felt super peaceful and beautiful. There’s a fun playground for kids and a welcome center nearby so restrooms weren’t an issue. It’s a great spot for a family day out and we’d love to visit again.

This was a beautiful park with lots of walking areas and street side parking. It does get a bit tricky moving through some area of the park as certain busy rodes cut through it, but shouldn't be a huge problem once you cross carefully in the designated areas. There is an area in the park where you can get an amazing view of Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, with the pond as a foreground. Highly recommend this area for pictures and definitely a beautiful stroll on a nice day. We came for the Sakura trees in a misty day, and we were still able to enjoy it. So many cherry blossom trees throughout the park! You can pretty much start anywhere and walk around to enjoy the experience.

Branch Brook Park is a gem in the heart of Newark that brings nature to life in an urban setting. What makes it truly special is the stunning display of over 5,000 cherry blossom trees—more than even Washington, D.C.! Whether you’re walking, biking, or fishing, the park offers a peaceful escape with plenty of space to explore. Cherry blossom season is hands down the best time to visit—the views are unreal, and the atmosphere is like something out of a postcard. Just across the street, don’t miss the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart—one of the largest and most beautiful cathedrals in the country. Its breathtaking architecture and stained glass windows add a historical and cultural touch to your visit, making the whole area feel even more special. If you’re from New Jersey and haven’t been yet, it’s definitely a must-see.

I don't know that I've ever posted a review or pictures from here, but it is one of my favorite places, and I go often. The bathrooms are easy to find if you use the interactive map from their website. The least busy time to go is early morning, at least before noon. The busiest time is during the Cherry Blossom blooming. That is the time of the pictures I posted. They are beautiful but I do wish more people do not know about this park. 🧠🤯FUN FACTS: Essex County Branch Brook Park has the largest and most varied collection of Japanese Flowering Cherry Blossom trees in the United States; with 5,300 in 18 varieties. 🌸 It's that time of year and I was blessed to be able to visit one of the largest displays of cherry blossoms! They also have a Webcam setup that you can watch online and see if they are still blooming or to just get a preview. Nothing beats being there in person

Visited the park yesterday with some friends to enjoy the cherry blossoms and have a picnic. The weather was pleasant, and the environment was really good overall. We especially appreciated the playground, which was great for the kids to have fun! To make the experience even better, it would be great to see more benches available throughout the park. Also, adding some dedicated picnic tables would be a fantastic addition for visitors looking to dine al fresco. Despite these small suggestions, it was a lovely visit and a beautiful spot for enjoying nature and family time.

I'm a tattoo artist and today I decided to breathe fresh air and this place is really amazing. Enjoy being in that place, very clean nice and safe. I will leave my instagram for those who want a tattoo @Hendritattoo