Botanical Gardens in New York

There are several botanical gardens in New York, of which the New York Botanical Garden in The Bronx and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden are the two largest. I definitely recommend visiting these botanical gardens to any New York visitor with a green thumb, but they’re also an oasis of calm within the busy city for anyone else. In addition to these two large gardens, there are also several surprising smaller botanical gardens in NYC, which allow you to enjoy the beauty of nature in every New York borough.

1. Eric's Index

   • 1 New York Botanical Garden in The Bronx
   • 2 Brooklyn Botanic Garden
   • 3 Queens Botanical Garden
   • 4 Snug Harbor Botanical Garden on Staten Island
   • 5 6BC Botanical Garden
   • 6 FAQ
     • 6.1 Where in New York can you watch the cherry blossoms?
     • 6.2 Which botanical garden is the biggest in NYC?
     • 6.3 Are the botanical gardens accessible?
     • 6.4 Which is better, Brooklyn Botanical Garden or New York Botanical Garden?

   New York Botanical Garden in The Bronx

   The New York Botanical Garden is New York’s largest botanical garden. In fact, it is one of the largest in the United States. The New York Botanical Garden covers 1 km² and consists of no less than 50 separate gardens, each with its own theme and plants. This varies from a waterfall and forest area to an “Adventure Garden” for children. Altogether, there are around one million plant species here.

   If you want a change from the skyscrapers and marvel at everything that nature has to offer, this is the place to be! An orchid show is also organised annually between late February and early April, showcasing an impressive collection of these beautiful flowers.

   Plan to spend at least two to four hours exploring this botanical garden if you want to enjoy a decent part of it. On my most recent visit, I spent around two hours and only managed to see about half of it.

   📍 Location: 2900 Southern Boulevard, The Bronx

   How to get to the New York Botanical Garden

   You can reach the New York Botanical Garden by taking metro BD4 to Bedford Park Blvd. Station. From here you can walk downhill to the park in about fifteen minutes. Admission is included in most New York discount passes.

   Buy your New York Botanical Garden tickets here

    

2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden

   The second-largest botanical garden in New York is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Located next to Prospect Park in Brooklyn, this garden is known for its colourful blooming cherry blossoms. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden comprises twelve distinct gardens, each featuring numerous special features.

   Are you there in the spring? Then be sure to visit the Robert W. Wilson Overlook. Here you have a nice view of the pink cherry blossoms. If you’re visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Garden with kids, don’t skip the Discovery Garden.

   Allow one to two hours to get a good impression of the gardens. Admission to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is included with the Go New York Explorer Pass or the All-Inclusive Pass, for example.

   📍 Location: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has several entrances:

   • 150 Eastern Parkway
   • 455 Flatbush Avenue
   • 990 Washington Avenue
   How to get to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

   Many metro lines stop near the garden. You can take the red lines 23 to Eastern Parkway – Brooklyn Museum station, BQS to Prospect Park station or the green 45 to Franklin Avenue station.

   

3. Queens Botanical Garden

   In Queens, near the Citi Field Stadium and behind the park where the large metal globe, the Unisphere, stands, is Queens Botanical Garden. This botanical garden is a lot smaller than the two above, so it’s not an attraction in itself. However, it’s nice to quickly visit if you happen to be in the area, especially in the spring and summer.

   I recommend that you walk the “Fragrance Walk”, where you’ll be surrounded by fragrant flowers and plants. Entry to the Queens Botanical Garden is free between November and March; for the rest of the year, it’s only a few dollars. It takes about an hour to see the entire garden.

   📍 Location:  43-50 Main Street, Flushing

   Buy your Queens Botanical Garden tickets here

4. Snug Harbor Botanical Garden on Staten Island

   Staten Island also has its own botanical garden: the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. Here you can explore eight different gardens, which you can all see in about an hour.

   The highlight of this botanical garden is the Allée, a tunnel of branches that provides the perfect backdrop for a selfie. Holders of the New York Pass or Explorer Pass can visit the Snug Harbor Botanical Garden at no extra charge.

   📍 Location: 1000 Richmond Ter, Staten Island

5. 6BC Botanical Garden

   A botanical garden is also tucked away in the middle of Lower Manhattan, on East 6th Street between Avenues B and C. It could also be called a “little garden” because this piece of nature in Manhattan is about the size of a large house. Therefore half an hour should be enough to take it all in.

   6BC Botanical Garden is dedicated to enhancing biodiversity, providing education about plants and trees, enhancing the neighbourhood’s beauty, and delivering programs to the community. This garden is open from April to October and admission is free.

   📍 Location: 630 East 6th Street, East Village