Established over 100 years ago, and declared a New York City landmark in 2007, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an oasis within its urban neighborhood. The Garden boasts over 12,000 different plant species stretching across 52 acres of land, and is known for its special “gardens within the Garden” plant collections. Below are our suggestions for how to spend your time on your family visit here.
Gardens to See
Plants of seasonal interest throughout the Garden for the rest of the summer include native wildflowers, orchids, lotus, water-lilies, and South African bulbs.
That being said, while the Rose Garden peaked in early June, it is still a beautiful garden to visit, especially in the coming September. Also be sure to see the Aquatic House and Orchid Collection for ferns, mosses, orchids, water-lilies, and an abundance of other plants, as well as the Native Flora Garden for local plants as nature intended.
No visit to the Garden is complete without stopping by the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, even more so after its restoration in 2000. It is often regarded as creator Takeo Shiota’s masterpiece, which is evident in its 3 acres of artfully arranged paths, hills, waterfall, and bridges. Although the cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, children will still enjoy visiting in the summer to see the pond’s hundreds of koi fish.
Fans of the Bard should visit the Shakespeare Garden, which is an English cottage garden filled with over 80 plants mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays and poems. For an even more educational time, the Garden provides the plants’ Shakespearean names and relevant quotations! For a complete list of the different gardens, click here.
Exhibits
The two current exhibits are perfect for families with children. At the 100 Years and Growing exhibit which ends September 21, visitors can learn about the life and culture of the Children’s Garden through oral history, recipes, interactive displays, and more. The Tree House Installation Oak Circle is just as fun for all ages. Built by tree house architect Roderick Romero, this sculpture is at once a work of art as well as a part open-air classroom.
Children’s Garden
Opened in 1914, the Children’s Garden is the oldest continually operating children’s garden (within a botanic garden) in the world! You can register your children for various classes here where they can learn to plant and care for baby greens, herbs, strawberries, and more.
Little ones ages 2-3, with a caregiver, learn to sing songs, taste new foods, and craft in the Trees and Saplings class. Kids 4-6 work together in the Seeds class to care for their plots, cook, craft, and explore the outdoors. For students entering grades 4-5, the Summer Science Adventures program is just the thing for them, including hands-on investigations, scavenger hunts, and more. For a full list of available classes, click here.
Family Workshops & Walks
Parents can explore the Children’s Garden with their kids on the Children’s Garden Insider Tour which gives a behind-the-scenes look. At the Kids’ Discovery Stations in the Fragrance Garden, families can learn about plants, meet composting worms, and read garden stories. Kids ages 8-12 will enjoy the Midsummer Magic Plant Walks, where they learn about the real magic behind garden plants.
Meanwhile at the Dressing Up Your Plate Family Workshop, the whole family can enjoy newly harvested edible plants! All of these are free with Garden admission and require preregistration. For a complete list of family workshops and walks, click here. A downloadable Kids’ Discovery Guide to the Garden is also available online.
Café & Shop
Picnicking in the Garden is not allowed, but the family can have a healthy meal at The Terrace Café. Their produce is organic, meat and eggs hormone-free, and baked goods locally made. On the menu you will find food made fresh daily, sometimes using ingredients from their very own gardens like the Herb Garden.
Afterwards, head to the Garden Shop for a selection of gardening supplies, books, gifts, plants, jewelry, and much more! The kids won’t feel left out either, as in order to complement the Garden’s children’s activities, the shop offers a huge selection of toys, books, and crafts for children. There is also an online shop.
For more information, visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden website here.
