A Guide to the Top 8 Botanical Gardens in New York
Visiting botanical gardens in New York is a simple and fun way for families to enjoy fresh air, and places like the New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and Wave Hill make it really easy to explore nature. At the New York Botanical Garden, you can walk through big green spaces, see bright flowers, and enjoy fun shows. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Queens Botanical Garden have pretty plants, easy walkways, and special activities for kids. You can also visit Snug Harbor and Clark Botanic Garden for quiet paths and cute little gardens.
When you think of New York City, green spaces might not immediately come to mind—but the five boroughs and Long Island are home to a variety of beautiful botanical gardens that offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle.
These gardens not only provide a refreshing spot for you and your kids to enjoy some fresh air, but many also offer extensive family programs, giving you fun new ways to connect with nature.
Here are some of the top botanical gardens in New York City and Long Island to explore!
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Too Long, Didn’t Read:
- Top gardens to visit: New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Wave Hill.
- Great for learning and fun: New York Botanical Garden’s big shows, art events, and hands-on family activities.
- Best for year-round flowers: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Queens Botanical Garden.
- Quiet and calm spots: Snug Harbor Botanical Garden in Staten Island, Clark Botanic Garden on Long Island.
- Great for exploring history: Planting Fields Arboretum, Old Westbury Gardens.
- Best for different seasons: Spring blooms, bright fall leaves, and peaceful winter paths in every garden.
Now that you know how many wonderful gardens are waiting for you, it’s time to see which ones you might want to visit first. Each place has something special to enjoy, and every garden feels a little different, so kids and families can find the one that feels just right. Below, you’ll find a simple list that shows what makes each garden fun, easy to explore, and perfect for a day outside.
Top Botanical Gardens in the Bronx
New York Botanical Garden: Botanical Garden Featuring Exceptional Exhibitions
Did you know that the Bronx is the greenest borough in New York City? This is primarily because it’s home to the New York Botanical Garden, a sprawling 250-acre sanctuary that has been an integral part of the city’s heritage since 1891.
The garden is famous for its exceptional exhibitions, botanical displays, art, music, and spectacular events.
Whether you’re visiting for the iconic Holiday Train Show or Orchid Show, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat in nature any time of year, the New York Botanical Garden is the ideal destination for a great day out.
Website: www.nybg.org
Address: 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY
Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center: Botanical Garden in New York with Serene Spots
Discover the beauty of Wave Hill’s 28 acres of both indoor and outdoor gardens. Wave Hill describes itself as a museum without walls, showcasing a living collection of over 4,000 trees, shrubs, vines, and plants.
If you’re seeking a peaceful escape, there’s no shortage of serene spots to explore. Not sure where to begin? Visit Wave Hill on a Sunday afternoon and join the weekly Garden and Conservatory Highlights Walk for a guided experience of the garden’s best features.
Website: www.wavehill.org
Address: 4900 Independence Ave, Bronx, N
Top Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn
Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Botanical Garden in New York with A Seasonal Highlight Tour
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a 52-acre urban sanctuary nestled in the heart of Brooklyn. With plants in bloom year-round and a variety of events for kids and families, there’s always something to find and enjoy. One of the highlights is the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, a breathtaking celebration of spring.
Join a seasonal highlights tour led by a knowledgeable Garden Guide, or explore the garden at your own pace. Be sure to check for special events and exhibitions happening throughout the year.
Website: www.bbg.org
Address: 990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Top Botanical Gardens in Queens
Queens Botanical Garden: Botanical Garden Offering Fun Educational Programs
Explore plants and cultures at the Queens Botanical Garden, a peaceful escape with beautiful gardens and fun educational programs for kids and families. Check out art workshops, bird walks, events, and more!
In 2020, the garden updated its master plan to highlight the connections between water, culture, and the environment. The new plan keeps this vision while adding more garden types, like Exhibition Gardens, Meadow and Wetland, and Education Gardens. This approach celebrates the garden’s unique landscape and its role as a place where people, plants, and cultures come together.
Website: www.queensbotanical.org
Address: 43-50 Main Street, Flushing, NY
Top Botanical Gardens in Staten Island
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden: Garden in New York with Diverse Themed Gardens
There’s truly no place on Staten Island quite like Snug Harbor. Beyond its rich collection of museums, galleries, and historic buildings, Snug Harbor also boasts over 15 beautiful gardens, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers to explore and unwind.
Each garden offers something unique, with a diverse range of plants that will captivate visitors. Wander through the Rose Garden, home to over 100 varieties of roses, or take in the calming atmosphere of the Healing Garden, filled with lush trees and soothing greenery. Don’t miss the stunning cherry blossoms in the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden, a serene spot that blends natural beauty with cultural significance. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, Snug Harbor’s gardens provide the perfect escape into nature.
Website: www.snug-harbor.org
Address: 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY
Top Botanical Gardens on Long Island
Clark Botanic Garden: Charming Botanic Garden with Fun Programs for Kids
Clark Botanic Garden is a 12-acre living museum and educational space where you can explore a wide variety of plants, from native spring wildflowers and roses to perennials, rock garden plants, and butterfly-friendly species. It’s a beautiful place to wander, and there’s always something new to discover as the seasons change. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast or just looking for a peaceful spot to relax, this garden has plenty to offer kids and adults.
Beyond the gardens, Clark Botanic Garden also has tons of fun programs for kids and families. These hands-on activities help children connect with nature in an exciting and educational way, making it a great spot for a family outing or an outdoor adventure with your little ones.
If you’ve ever thought about trying gardening yourself, Clark Botanic Garden is a great place to dive in. It’s a wonderful spot to relax, learn, and have fun with your family.
Website: www.clarkbotanic.org/about-us
Address: 193 I U Willets Rd, Albertson, NY
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park: Botanical Garden with a Guided Tour of Coe Hall
This National Register property covers over 400 acres of beautiful lawns, gardens, woodlands, and nature walks, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers. The greenhouses on-site are packed with amazing collections of hibiscuses, orchids, and succulents, and the Camellia Greenhouse is home to the largest collection of camellias in the Northeast, making it a must-see for flower enthusiasts.
From April to September, you can also take a guided tour of Coe Hall, the charming Tudor Revival home of the Coe family. It’s a fascinating look into the past, with its stunning architecture and rich history.
Website: www.parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/plantingfields/details.aspx
Address: 1395 Planting Fields Rd, Oyster Bay, NY
Old Westbury Gardens: Historic Botanical Garden in NY with Rare Plant Collections
Many of the grounds and gardens at Old Westbury Gardens have been carefully preserved, keeping the same beauty and layout they had when the garden was first created over a century ago. Walking through the gardens feels like stepping back in time, with stunning landscapes that have stayed true to their original charm.
For plant lovers, Old Westbury Gardens is a real treat. You’ll find a variety of rare plants, like foxgloves and delphiniums, that aren’t commonly seen in most public gardens. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast or just enjoy being surrounded by beautiful plants, this garden offers a great chance to see unique species up close.
Website: www.oldwestburygardens.org/gardens
Address: 71 Old Westbury Rd, Old Westbury, NY
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Which Activities Make Gardens Exciting for Kids?
Gardens are super fun places for kids because there are so many things to see, touch, and explore. Walking around the flowers, trees, and paths can feel like a little adventure where you notice colors, shapes, and tiny surprises everywhere.
These activities are easy to do and make visiting the garden exciting for kids and calm for families. Here are some of the best ways to have fun together while enjoying nature.
- Explore with a Nature Scavenger Hunt: Kids can look for bright red flowers, smooth rocks, fluttering butterflies, or giant leaves. Every time you find one, it feels like a small treasure, and it makes walking through the garden more like a fun game.
- Discover with Smell and Touch Moments: Children can gently touch soft leaves, smell sweet flowers, and listen for birds or buzzing bees. Feeling and smelling different plants helps kids notice more about nature while having a magical adventure.
- Play Mini Garden Challenges: Families can count how many ponds they see, find a bridge, spot the tallest tree, or name all the colors around them. These little games make walking through the garden exciting and keep kids moving and curious.
- Relax with a Picnic or Snack Break: Some gardens have soft grassy areas where kids can sit, eat snacks, or even draw flowers they like. Taking a small break gives children a chance to rest, enjoy the fresh air, and get ready for more exploring.
- Imagine with Story Walks and Short Trails: Kids can pretend to be tiny explorers, make up silly stories about the plants, or find shapes in leaves and branches. These short walks turn the garden into a storybook where imagination makes every step fun.
Wrapping Up
Visiting New York City and Long Island’s botanical gardens is a simple and fun way for families to enjoy nature together. Each garden offers something special, from colorful flowers and shady paths to peaceful spots and fun programs for kids. No matter the season, you can always find a quiet place to relax, watch the plants grow, and enjoy time with your family. Take your time exploring, notice the small details, and remember that every visit brings discoveries. These gardens are perfect for making gentle memories, learning about nature, and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors year-round.
FAQs
Is the NY Botanical Garden worth visiting?
Yes! The New York Botanical Garden is a huge and beautiful botanical garden in New York where kids and families can walk among colorful flowers, see tall trees, and enjoy fun shows all year round. There are special events like the Holiday Train Show and the Orchid Show, making every visit exciting and different.
What can kids do at a botanical garden in New York?
Kids can explore nature in fun ways like going on a scavenger hunt, smelling flowers, touching soft leaves, counting ponds, or pretending to be little explorers. Many botanical gardens in New York also have short trails, picnic spots, and hands-on programs that make every visit playful and memorable.
Which botanical gardens in NY are best for a calm day outdoors?
If you want quiet spots to relax, botanical gardens in NY like Wave Hill, Snug Harbor, and Clark Botanic Garden, are perfect. They have peaceful paths, small ponds, and beautiful themed gardens where families can walk slowly, sit on the grass, and enjoy the fresh air.
When is the best time to visit a botanical garden in New York?
Every season has something special! Spring brings bright flowers, summer has long sunny days, fall shows colorful leaves, and winter is peaceful with evergreen trees. Families can pick any time of year to visit a botanical garden in New York because each trip will feel new and fun.
