Branch Brook Park, Newark: Photos, Reviews & Location

Scenic, 360-acre park featuring cherry trees, lakes & bridges plus bicycling & other activities.

At a glance

#5 of 15 Tourist attractions in Newark #1 of 17 Parks in Newark

LocalGuideWorld score: 4.60

2.4 km from the center of Newark

Rating breakdown

5 ★72%
4 ★20%
3 ★5%
2 ★1%
1 ★1%

What reviewers talk about

Share of 16 recent reviews that mention each topic.

View50%
Waiting & crowds38%
Cleanliness19%
Service & staff6%

& Park Avenue, Lake St, Newark, NJ 07104, United States

essexcountyparks.org

+1 973-268-3500

Photos of Branch Brook Park (203)

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Quick facts

What is the rating of Branch Brook Park?: Branch Brook Park is rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 21,031 reviews.
How does Branch Brook Park rank in Newark?: Branch Brook Park is #5 of 15 Tourist attractions in Newark by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
Where is Branch Brook Park located?: & Park Avenue, Lake St, Newark, NJ 07104, United States — 2.4 km from the center of Newark.
What do visitors mention most about Branch Brook Park?: Most often: view, waiting & crowds, cleanliness (from 16 recent reviews).
How can I contact Branch Brook Park?: Phone: +1 973-268-3500 · Website: essexcountyparks.org

Reviews (16)

Balaji Ravivarman 2024 May 21

Large & Spacious park with play area for kids . We went on mid of April to enjoy the colours of cherry blossom . To find parking is some what difficult but managed to park the vehicle . No good options for food ,Better to have a packed food & enjoy it in the lawn . Pet friendly place . Good option for a day trip . Washrooms available

Maithili Shetty 2024 Apr 12

Don’t miss the cherry blossom festival that happens in April.
The park is very huge. Make sure you reach the part where its more greener.. i am not sure how to explain it. But we found many different huge trees. Parking was difficult because of an ongoing marathon. Otherwise you should find parking inside the park. It is a beautiful park for photos. Try to time your visit to avoid crowds.

Neha Vl 2024 Apr 07

We visited the Branch Brook park for the cherry blossoms and walked from one end of the park to the other end in about 3 hours. What a gorgeous park!!
Cherry blossoms: If your main focus is the cherry blossom trees, the best areas to visit are around the cherry blossom welcome center and the south loop around the large lake. There are so many types of cherry blossoms - different colors, a variety of sizes and plenty of photography options. We visited on a weekend and even though the park was crowded, we had several opportunities to find quiet places and enjoy the blossoms. Do visit the welcome center for some history on the cherry blossom trees.
The rest of the park is equally beautiful with lush green fields, large lakes and playing areas. We found a pretty river near the welcome center as well. There are food trucks selling hot dogs and ice creams around the park.
Parking seemed to be available at many different points but was pretty full owing to the weekend crowd. We took the light rail that had several stops along the park and offered some really great views along the way. Happy spring time!

Ariana Brice 2024 Apr 06

We went for the cherry blossoms and it was incredible. There were so many different kinds (the most beautiful were the weeping ones) and so many of the trees. This park was huge with many photo opportunities, it was sweet seeing wedding parties and prom photos! It was a bit windy and cold so if you go be sure to bundle up. There were a couple places that were super busy with tons of people but if you drive through the park for a couple minutes there are plenty of secluded peaceful areas.

K Shah 2024 Apr 06

Park was filled with cherry blossoms pink and white! It was a spectacular view! Had an awesome outing with family! It wasn’t very crowded, we were lucky to get street parking.

Prabha Shankar 2024 Apr 05

One of the best park around the area, especially for cherry blossom for locals. This park has featured multiple play area, easily accessible, trails around the park, small water body along the park. Only issue i could see is the parking. We went to this park on last week of march 2024, that was little bit early, but i can sense the beauty of this park at full bloom. Don't miss this when you are near this park during the season.

AJINKYA PATIL 2024 Apr 03

Park, a breathtaking oasis, proved to be an enchanting paradise during my visit on April 1st to witness the cherry blossom spectacle. Surprisingly uncrowded, it offered an unparalleled view of the blossoms nearing full bloom, adorning numerous trees with a vibrant array of colors. Amidst serene walkways, playgrounds, and soothing fountains, the park emerged as a haven of nature—a sanctuary for the soul. With impeccably clean restrooms enhancing the experience, the only slight challenge was parking, which varied depending on the park's entry point but remained manageable. Overall, Park encapsulates the essence of natural beauty and tranquility, making it a true haven for the local community.

Ann L 2024 Apr 02

Went to see the cherry tree blossoms today, 4/1/24, and with the drizzle, the park was so lush looking. I got there around 10 am, and the park was pretty much empty so there were plenty of parking spaces. The blossoms have not reached peak bloom so there is still time to view if you catch my review in time.

Krzysztof 2023 Oct 19

Great place to unwind in the middle of a concrete jungle. It's so big you can find nice quiet spot or just walk and explore. Lots of fishing spots also.

Edily Garcia 2023 Oct 19

I went to make a video, and I loved the outcome of it. This park is very clean and neat. I love all about it. If you are thinking about going there, don't think it twice. I recommend 👌

Lindsey Malko 2023 Jun 21

Perfect place to go see the cherry blossoms in the Spring. It is quite large so you can get many different pictures and different views. Definitely spend a day walking around the park!

DF MIX 2023 Jun 07

The most beautiful park in the world. During cherry blossom season (Late March until April 15) expect the most beautiful scenery.. best spots are around Mill Street near the creek, directly in front of Clara Maass hospital and the Starbucks and the area near the Newark Sacred Heart basilica for some really good pictures.

Cecilia Chung 2023 May 10

Photos are from mid April. Beautiful and extensive park, most famous for its cherry blossoms (late March - mid April). There are lakes, shaded areas, open plains, and events. There's even an ice rink in the park.

Katie Stammer 2023 Apr 12

Absolutely stunning when in bloom. Even though it was busy, parking was easy (so long as you can parallel park). There were so many scenic spots for pictures. There are food trucks available nearby as well as restrooms. Overall, this was a very nice park to visit.

Grace Y 2023 Apr 09

It is a beautiful day on Easter Sunday. The park is packed with visitors. It is cherry blossom time. Traffic is crazy and finding parking is tough. We arrived in early afternoon. When we leave in early evening, there are still people arriving. There are food vendors with hot dogs and ice cream. Hot food truck ran out of food much sooner than ice cream trucks. Many nice areas to see the cherry blossom. Endless picture opportunities. The park is very big, need to take time to walk around. Very nice lake views. We also stopped by Sacred Heart Church, a landmark in the area.