HOW TO SEE TORONTO'S HIGH PARK CHERRY BLOSSOMS
These iconic trees only bloom for a short time each year. Make the most of your High Park visit with tips and tricks from a local!
The cherry blossoms during peak bloom in May of 2022.
Toronto's Cherry Blossom Timing
It's almost Cherry Blossom season in Toronto, and here's everything you need to know to see these beautiful flowers up close! If you're wondering when to see the cherry blossoms in peak bloom, the answer is that it changes from year to year based on the weather, but usually the gorgeous pink flowers emerge in April or May. The trees are expected to bloom in late April this year, while last year it was later in May. You can check here for updates to the bloom progress of the trees from Sakura Watch, a great resource for all things cherry blossom. Peak bloom only lasts a couple of weeks at the very most, so if you are planning to visit from out of town, you'll have to time your trip carefully!
Getting to High Park to See the Cherry Blossoms
During the bloom, they close the roads inside the park to vehicle traffic so flower seekers can wander freely, and parking in the area can be tough to find, so transit is the way to go-- but expect High Park & Keele stations to be busy! High Park Station currently has renovations underway to add an elevator, but for now Keele Station is the best option for those with accessibility needs or strollers.
Once you get to the park, the signs (and the crowds!) will guide you to Cherry Hill, where you'll find most of the trees-- but there are more scattered throughout the park if you are looking to escape some of the crowds. It's a bit of a walk from the top of the park to the cherry blossoms, which are towards the south-western corner of High Park. Along the way you'll likely see buskers, food trucks, picnickers, hikers, puppies, and people of all ages enjoying the park, which is extra busy during this time of year as people flock to it both to see the blossoms and to take advantage of the nicer weather. Visiting earlier in the day or on a weekday is also the best option if your goal is to avoid the busy-ness of weekend afternoons.
High Park's Cherry Blossom History
High Park's cherry blossom season is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in Toronto's spring calendar. But how did this tradition begin, and what's the story behind it? Cherry blossom trees in High Park date back to 1959, when the Japanese ambassador to Canada presented 2,000 Sakura (cherry blossom) trees to the people of Toronto as a gift, celebrating the long-standing friendship between Japan and Canada. Some of these trees were planted in High Park, and over the years, the park's cherry blossom season has grown into an annual pilgrimage for tourists and locals alike that marks the beginning of spring. More trees were added to the park in 2001 and 2016, making it one of the best places in the city to see these iconic flowers.
High Park Beyond the Blossoms
High Park is a large park, measuring in at over 400 acres, so comfortable shoes are a must to ensure that you can explore everything it has to offer. Beyond the blossoms, there are many other attractions to enjoy, including the zoo, unique playgrounds, off-leash dog areas, and Grenadier Pond, home to the park's majestic swans. Once you've explored all the green space and worked up an appetite, why not make a day of it and visit Bloor West Village, the Junction, or Roncesvalles for delicious snacks, yummy drinks, and great shopping.
Some of my favourite spots in the neighbourhood include Annette Food Market, Hannah's Café, Mugshot Tavern, Arts Market, Botham's, The Alpine, and Caked Coffee.
Overall, High Park's Cherry Blossom season is a magical time of year that shouldn't be missed. And if you enjoy visiting the park during this time, be sure to come back throughout the rest of the year to take advantage of everything it has to offer.
