New York Botanical Gardens: Important Things To Know

Now, if there is one advocate that celebrates the plant world with some unique attractions for visitors to see, it is the New York Botanical Garden. Here you can find living plant collections on the garden grounds, live music, and a National Historic Landmark site.

The garden is there for all New Yorkers and visitors to explore from spring to winter. The park also looks spectacular in full bloom, and even Yankee Stadium is nearby. The NYBG was established in 1891.

New York Botanical Gardens Location and Contact Details

You will find this natural beauty in the concrete jungle at 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY, 10458-5126. Or contact the following number 718.817.8700.

Highlights

If you want to understand plants, visit this picturesque terrain with the freshwater Bronx River flowing through it. There is a rock-cut gorge with old-growth forests that comprises more than one million plants.

The garden nestled in the heart of the city is a breathtaking oasis of nature. One of its crown jewels, the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, captivates visitors with its vibrant blooms from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The garden is a testament to the city’s commitment to preserving and celebrating the beauty of nature.

Beyond the rose garden, the gardens offer a diverse range of experiences, from the enchanting Orchid Show to the tranquil rock garden. Easily accessible via Metro-North Railroad from Grand Central Terminal, it’s a place where city-dwellers and children of all ages can escape into a lush forest of wonder.

If you’re in New York Botanical Garden and want to consider visiting other gardens, you may also check our Buffalo Botanical Gardens: Everything You Need To Know guide.

Before visiting the New York Botanical Garden, it helps to plan your visit. We have gathered all the important information you need right here.

Hours and Days of Operation and Admission Fees

This Botanic Gardens in New York opens at 10 a.m. on Mondays to Sundays and closes at 6 p.m. You may find that special exhibitions to events like the NYBG Glow or Members Only Previews can result in garden areas closing.

All visitors to the New York Botanical Garden need tickets to enter. You will need a separate ticket for the Holiday Train Show and the NYBG Glow. Still, there are special tickets available providing you an all-garden pass to the Holiday Train Show or one adding the NYBG Glow as follows while all patrons/members get access free:

• Adult$35

• Senior (65+)$31

• Student (with valid ID)$31

• Child (2-12)$20

• Children under 2 Free

New Yorkers can also get a city resident ground access pass available onsite. It includes access to the outdoor gardens, including the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Ground admission is free for everyone, regardless if you live in the city or not, on a Wednesday from 10 am to 11 am.

On Wednesdays, the garden is free all day for NYC residents. The pass does not include admission to special exhibitions, the tram tour, or the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

• Adults: $15

• Students (with valid ID)/Seniors (65+): $7

• Children (2-12 years): $4

• Children under 2: No need to pay

• Members: No need to pay

Parking and Accessibility

Parking is available on site, but it is first come, first serve. But there are other visitors parking lots nearby the NYBG. The onsite parking costs $22 per vehicle. You can enter it via the main entrance found on 2900 Southern Boulevard.

At the botanical gardens, you can borrow free manual wheelchairs, and three to four-wheeled scooters are permitted. You can use two-wheeled to self-balancing e-vehicles on outdoor pathways.

Service Animals/Pets

Only service animals are permitted as defined by the ADA, and pets are not allowed.

Dining at This Royal Botanic Gardens

There are a few places to enjoy a meal, from the Pine Tree Café and Hudson Garden Grill, which also hosts events. The Pine Tree Cafe is great for enjoying breakfast and brunch with refreshing beverages.

Accessibility

At the botanical gardens, you can borrow free manual wheelchairs, and three to four-wheeled scooters are permitted. You can use two-wheeled to self-balancing e-vehicles on outdoor pathways.

Smoking And Picnicking

No smoking is allowed in any form, but you can picnic at the Clay Family Picnic Pavilions, but outside, alcohol is not allowed.

Things To See Inside New York Botanical Garden

New York is known for its lively art gallery, nightlife, and nearby attractions, but nothing is more breathtaking than the gardens at the NYBG.

A Must Visit The Maple Collection

The Judy and Michael Steinhardt collection of maples is something spectacular to see. You will love the colors displayed in this grounds section, whether summer, fall, winter, or spring.

Children’s Adventure Garden

Take the kids to the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden on a Sunday to get their hands dirty. No matter the weather, there is always something to do. It is a playful space in NY for young and old.

There are boulders to climb or dash through Beth’s Maze, then head to Plant Part Paradise. Here you can see a display of cattails to lily pads and join in on science activities to exciting experiments.

Here children can explore every nook of the space to learn to take care of outdoor plants.

Conifer Arboretum

At the Arthur and Janet Ross Hall, you can learn a piece of living history as the trees planted here date back to the 1900s. You find the conifers planted between the Library building and the Conservatory. Here you find spruce, firs, alpine, pine, to boreal forests.

Ornamental Conifers

The Benson Ornamental Confiers are unusual and worthy to be admired. There are long, curving paths to walk, with colors brightening your way. Here you can take a seat at the cedar and stone pavilion to take in the view.

Thain Family Forest

This is one part of old growth that is ever-changing as you see marks from glaciers left from years gone by. Some of the flora dates back to the American Revolution and is the largest uncut space in NY.

Herb Garden

Here you find flavoring, fragrance, to medicinal herbs, and the space was first designed in 1948. Today it is known as the Nancy Bryan Luce Herb Garden.

Native Plant Garden

This part of the NYBG was designed by Sheila Brady, celebrating native species found in northeastern North America. Another notable thing is that this section receives recycled stormwater purified with aquatic plants.

Ladie’s Border

The garden has beautiful collections of tender indoor plants from Japan to South Africa. It is a sheltered south-facing site allowing the vegetation to thrive.

Perennial Garden

Here you see a color palette with textures of foliage and flowers that is a living work of art. There are themed rooms with paths leading all the way. Throughout the year, you can enjoy the ever-changing color display.

Season Walking

Enjoy the seasonal walk designed by Piet Oudolf, where you can see trees, grass, orchids, roses, and more.