logo
Cherry blossoms are blooming in Toronto. Here's where to see them in High Park and beyond

Cherry blossoms are blooming in Toronto. Here's where to see them in High Park and beyond

Cherry blossoms are blooming in Toronto.
'Cherry Blossom Watch' in High Park reports High Park cherry blossoms are in Stage 4 of the bloom development process as of April 28.
'In a few days, we will be able to predict when peak bloom in High Park will occur,' the
cherry blossom watch
reads.
Spring is finally here and ever since first being planted in Canada almost 70 years ago, the blooming of the cherry blossoms has attracted locals and tourists alike.
Toru-Hagiwara, the Japanese ambassador to Canada, first presented 2,000 Japanese Somei-Yoshino trees in 1959 to the citizens of Toronto on behalf of the citizens of Tokyo, planted in appreciation of the city accepting relocated Japanese-Canadians following the Second World War, according to the
City of Toronto
.
Thousands of Canadians and tourists gather annually at parks to partake in the centuries-old tradition of hanami, which is the Japanese term for flower viewing.
A post shared by High Park Nature Centre 🌿 (@highparknaturecentre)
Each year, the peak bloom dates of the cherry blossoms vary, with April 18 being the big day in 2024.
Ahead of this year's bloom, the City of Toronto has released the different locations to witness the spectacle across the GTA.
For a full list of locations across the GTA, visit
Toronto.ca
.
The City of Toronto has provided some advice for those heading out to any of the locations.
Do not climb trees, pull off branches or pluck any blooms, which can damage the trees.
Visitors are also advised to stay on existing trails to protect ecologically sensitive areas, as well as put litter in designated spots to keep the area beautiful.
To track the development of the cherry blossoms in the famous High Park location,
HighParkNatureCentre.com
has a detailed and updated tracker so you can plan your visit.
Typically, late April to early May is the peak bloom time, depending on the weather.
Additionally, a Cherry Blossom Hotline offering information about bloom predictions can be reached at
647-946-2547
.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Elbows-up tourism surge could see sector ‘eke out' a gain even as Americans stay away
Elbows-up tourism surge could see sector ‘eke out' a gain even as Americans stay away

Hamilton Spectator

time3 hours ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Elbows-up tourism surge could see sector ‘eke out' a gain even as Americans stay away

From the front desk of Hotel Bedford in Goderich, Ont., Lynda Cross welcomes guests from regions ranging from southern Ontario to the South Pacific. 'A lot of them come from Toronto,' said the manager, standing just inside the Romanesque arches of the 129-year-old establishment. 'Just lately, we've had a few groups come from Australia' — a first, she said. But one crop of tourists has been conspicuously absent this year: Americans. 'May and June have been slow.' A groundswell of economic patriotism has stoked curiosity in Canadian destinations, fuelling a domestic bookings surge as travellers turn away from cross-border trips. But a drop in American visitors north of the border and fears that many Canadians will simply stay home to save money has many wondering whether homegrown and overseas tourism can make up for the stateside decline. Canadian vacationers' boycotting the U.S. could net this country's tourism sector up to $8.8 billion in extra business this year as travellers explore spots closer to home, according to a report from the Conference Board of Canada. An April survey on travel intentions prompted the group to predict a windfall despite fewer border crossings this year by American tourists — Canada's largest source of inbound travellers by far. The number of Americans who visited Canada by car fell nearly 11 per cent in April compared with the same month last year, the third straight month of year-over-year decreases, according to Statistics Canada. While trip numbers for Canadians heading to the U.S. have fallen off far more steeply as part of a backlash against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and '51st state' threats, Americans' more moderate pullback owes to factors ranging from pinched pocketbooks to fears of feeling unwelcome to angst over the border crossing on the drive home. The American retreat could hit communities that hug the border especially hard. 'Border towns that have tended to experience the shorter, more frequent back-and-forth visits — those are going to be communities that are going to be more heavily affected,' said Andrew Siegwart, who heads the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. Duty-free stores have seen their revenue drop by 60 to 80 per cent in the last few months, according to an association representing 32 of the mostly mom-and-pop shops. Whether overseas travellers can make up for much of the lower American traffic across the country is questionable. Visitor volume from China, previously a key source of tourists, sat at 40 per cent of 2019 levels last year amid ongoing restrictions on group travel to Canada, according to Destination Canada. The federal government imposed new visa requirements on Mexican visitors last year, making it harder for tourists from that country to come. 'Travel from India has also been down for a number of reasons. So it's going to take some time,' said Siegwart. However, many America-averse Canadians are spending their travel budget in their own backyards. More than half of respondents to a survey released Monday by Ontario's travel regulator said they were more likely to make excursions closer to home, with the trend holding across all age groups. 'It could be a year where we manage to stay on par with last year, or maybe even eke out a little bit of a gain,' said Siegwart. But he acknowledged the hurdle of consumer anxiety over the economy. 'I'm cautiously optimistic,' he said, 'but it's too early to tell.' Summer bookings were either the same or higher than last year at two out of three businesses surveyed by the association in a poll released last month. John Steele, who owns seven hotels in Newfoundland and Labrador and one in Fredericton, said visitor levels look 'pretty good' at most of his properties but softer in Gander. New direct flights to St. John's from London and Paris have made it easier for international travellers to come from away. 'Air access seems to be improving for us. That's a big thing for us,' Steele said. At Okanagan Wine Country Tours in British Columbia, bookings from Europe and the United Kingdom have risen about 20 per cent year-over-year, said partner and manager Marsha Morrish. 'The traffic from Quebec is up substantially,' she added. Americans are more tepid — even those who do head north. 'They did email me to do a bit of a temperature check on how Canadians were feeling about Americans visiting,' Morrish said, referring to a Colorado couple coming up to sample Pinot Gris. While there's a chance American tourist numbers could surge, it's unlikely to happen this year, Siegwart suggested — including for corporate gatherings. 'Some convention centres, both in Ontario and across the country, have seen some drops in American conference bookings.' Much of it has to do with personal safety and security, as some workers worry about how they'll be treated at the border. 'Depending on your immigration status, depending on if you're a member of an LGBTQIA community, if your gender markers or identities on your passports are different than your gender expression — all sorts of things like that are really coming into play,' Siegwart said. 'My colleagues south of the border are a little more cautious in how they plan things because of the unpredictable way in which their administration is conducting business.' On the flip side, there's more interest from corporate event planners in Europe 'who still want to come to North America but see Canada as a safer bet.' Some Americans remain undeterred though. 'I've seen way more people from the States this year,' said Wendy Mooney, owner of Country Hideaway RV Campground, which sits barely a kilometre from the border in the B.C.'s West Kootenay region. 'Some people just fly by the seat of their pants.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025.

Manitoba government urges tourists not to visit as 21,000 people flee wildfires
Manitoba government urges tourists not to visit as 21,000 people flee wildfires

Hamilton Spectator

time9 hours ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Manitoba government urges tourists not to visit as 21,000 people flee wildfires

WINNIPEG - Manitoba's emergency management minister says tourists should hit the pause button on visiting the province as the government works to accommodate about 21,000 wildfire evacuees. Lisa Naylor says it's one of the largest evacuations in Manitoba's history and that the province expects more people will have to flee as wildfire season continues. She says emergency officials are working closely with businesses within the province's tourism sector to secure hotel rooms for those fleeing the flames. To do that, Naylor says this means Manitoba residents and Canadians should put off things ranging from large meetings and conventions to family reunions. Thousands also remained out of their homes in Saskatchewan and Alberta, including between 10,000 and 15,000 in Saskatchewan alone. Some residents of Pelican Narrows, Sask., in the province's remote north, can start to return home provided they are healthy and they have access to their own vehicles. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

Mills reaffirms commitment to foreign trade partners amid tariff uncertainty
Mills reaffirms commitment to foreign trade partners amid tariff uncertainty

Yahoo

time11 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Mills reaffirms commitment to foreign trade partners amid tariff uncertainty

Jun. 9—Gov. Janet Mills reaffirmed Maine's commitment to its northern and European neighbors and to preserving the Arctic landscape in the face of climate change at an annual breakfast with business and trade leaders. Speaking to a crowd of hundreds at the Governor's International Breakfast on Monday, Mills emphasized the interconnectedness of trade and the environment, and she championed the importance of understanding and minimizing the worst effects of climate change. The theme of Monday's breakfast was "Maine: Gateway to the Arctic and North Atlantic." Speakers, including representatives of shipping logistics company Eimskip and the Maine International Trade Center, discussed Maine's role as a shipping and marine industry hub. Mills said the actions of other nations working in the Arctic, including Canada and Maine's European trading partners, directly impact "our little state." "And the actions of our little state affect the Arctic," she said. Mills paid particular attention to Maine and Canada's "historic friendship and deeply intertwined economies," noting that the state took in billions of dollars' worth of goods last year, including high quantities of fuel and heating oil that rural Mainers rely on. She highlighted a recent campaign to install signage welcoming Canadians at each of Maine's 13 border crossings. Canadian tourism is anticipated to drop by about a quarter this summer, as Canadians feel increasingly hesitant to visit in light of President Donald Trump's tariffs and threats to make their country the 51st state. "While we can't fix this economic uncertainty coming from the nation's capital," Maine can show Canadians tourists that they are welcome, Mills said. "It's the least we can do." Mills followed remarks by Bernadette Jordan, consul general of Canada in Boston, who thanked the governor for her "steadfast friendship." The Arctic, including Canada's Arctic Archipelago, has been warming four times faster than the rest of the world, Jordan said. Meanwhile, the country's northwest passage could become the most efficient shipping route between Europe and East Asia, which would lead to increased international traffic, she said. "The threats to our sovereignty are real when it comes to the North," she said, adding that Canada is pursuing intelligence-sharing agreements with other nations that include or do business in arctic territories. At one point, Mills directed her remarks to a table of visiting students from Edward Little High School in Auburn, urging them to ask questions of their elected officials and to avoid isolationism when they grow old enough to vote. She said Maine has learned improved forest production and fishery techniques from officials and tradespeople in Finland and Iceland, citing these as examples of cross-cultural knowledge sharing that drives innovation at home. Mills will join a handful of northeastern governors and a half-dozen Canadian premiers in Boston next week to discuss the impacts of tariffs and develop plans for ensuring cross-border trade continues. Copy the Story Link

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store