See the stunning cherry blossoms of Newark

In comparison to Washington, D.C., Newark, New Jersey, boasts more cherry blossom trees. The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, which includes a 10K run and bike ride, kicks off each April when more than 5,000 Japanese cherry blossom trees bloom around Branch Brook Park in Belleville and Newark. Live music, food and craft sellers, kid-friendly activities, and demonstrations of Japanese culture are all part of a week's worth of events. Check the Branch Brook Park website for specifics because the dates change every year depending on when the trees blossom.

The last three days have been cold and quite rainy, which contrasts with the usual springtime experience of cherry blossom trees in full bloom on a warm and sunny spring day. But the beauty of nature is not constrained. Last Thursday, while walking around Branch Brook Park in Newark in the pouring rain, I saw some underappreciated angles on some of the park's 5,200 blossoming cherry blossom trees, which come in more than 14 different species. The blossoms are physically bathed and showered in the water they require to flourish rather than soaking in the stark contrast of bright sunlight and gloomy shadows. All year long, the park also provides free, self-guided Historic Cell Phone Tours. Explore any or all of the 72 tour destinations over the course of a day.

Location: the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

Website: https://essexcountyparks.org/parks/branch-brook-park