If you find yourself dreaming of lush, green landscapes where you can enjoy some serenity and breathe in fresh air, some of the best botanical gardens in New York can be found in the city or very close by. Here are the 12 Best Botanical Gardens in New York, in no particular order:
Botanical Gardens in the Bronx
1. New York Botanical Garden
| Location: | Bedford Park, Bronx NY |
|---|---|
| Acreage: | 250 Acres |
Mission Statement
“The New York Botanical Garden is an advocate for the plant world. The Garden pursues its mission through its role as a museum of living plant collections arranged in gardens and landscapes across its National Historic Landmark site; through its comprehensive education programs in horticulture and plant science; and through the wide-ranging research programs of the International Plant Science Center.”
Unique Features
- More than a million plants
- More than fifty specialty gardens
- Largest botanical garden in any city in the US
2. Wave Hill
| Location: | Riverdale, Bronx NY |
|---|---|
| Acreage: | 28 Acres |
Mission Statement
“Since its founding as a public garden in 1965, Wave Hill has evolved as a unique urban oasis, world-class garden and vital resource. Its mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscapes, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.”
Unique Features
- Gardens are situated on a ridge high above the Hudson River with breathtaking views of the Palisades
- Over one dozen specialty gardens
Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn
3. Brooklyn Botanic Garden
| Location: | Mount Prospect Park, Brooklyn NY |
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| Acreage: | 52 Acres |
Mission Statement
“Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an urban botanic garden that connects people to the world of plants, fostering delight and curiosity while inspiring an appreciation and sense of stewardship of the environment. In the Garden, in its community, and well beyond, BBG inspires people of all ages through the conservation, display, and enjoyment of plants; with educational programs that emphasize learning by doing; and with research focused on understanding and conserving regional plants and plant communities.”
Unique Features
- Nearly two dozen gardens, collections, conservatories, and features
- Renowned events such as Sakura Matsuri, the cherry blossom festival, The Chile Pepper Festival, and Ghouls and Gourds
- Maintain a searchable database of all records of plants within the gardens
4. Narrows Botanical Garden
| Location: | Bay Ridge, Brooklyn NY |
|---|---|
| Acreage: | 4.5 Acres |
Mission Statement
“The Mission of The Narrows Botanical Gardens is to create a place of rest and relaxation for the entire community by:
- Displaying gardens that will delight the public both visually and sensuously.
- Educating the public on horticulture and garden architecture.
- Teaching respect and preservation of our native flora and fauna to children and adults.
- Promoting the arts with free cultural events.”
Unique Features
- Non-Profit run entirely by volunteers
- Over 15 different gardens, sections, and features
- Featured in Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 10 Outstanding Urban Gardens
Botanical Gardens in Queens
5. Queens Botanical Garden
| Location: | Flushing, Queens NY |
|---|---|
| Acreage: | 39 Acres |
Mission Statement
“Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) is an urban oasis where people, plants, and cultures are celebrated through inspiring gardens, innovative educational programs, and real-world applications of environmental stewardship.”
Unique Features
Botanical Gardens in Staten Island
6. Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
| Location: | Randall Manor, Staten Island NY |
|---|---|
| Acreage: | 83 Acres |
Mission Statement
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden‘s mission is “to provide a vibrant, regional cultural destination that offers dynamic programming in arts, education, horticulture, agriculture, and recreation for diverse cultures and all ages while ensuring a well-managed campus for all residents of Staten Island and surrounding communities.”
Unique Features
- Fourteen unique gardens such as the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden
- Six of Snug Harbor’s original structures are historically preserved landmarks
Best Botanical Gardens in Long Island New York
7. Clark Botanic Gardens
| Location: | Albertson, Long Island NY |
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| Acreage: | 12 Acres |
Mission Statement
“Fanny Dwight Clark Memorial Garden, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded to support, enhance and preserve Clark Botanic Garden as a serene, tranquil oasis for all to enjoy. We develop and present educational programs for both adults and children, to better appreciate the natural world. All funds raised and donated to the Foundation are used for these purposes. These 12 acres were bequeathed by Grenville Clark in memory of his wife Fanny to remain a sanctuary for birds, plants and visitors. Louisa Clark Spencer, daughter of Grenville and Fanny, was an active member of the Board.”
Unique Features
8. Planting Fields Arboretum
| Location: | Oyster Bay, Long Island NY |
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| Acreage: | 409 Acres |
Mission Statement
“Planting Fields Foundation strives to preserve and make relevant to all audiences the heritage of Planting Fields, an early 20th century 409-acre estate, designed as an integrated composition of the built and natural world.”
Unique Features
9. Bayard Cutting Arboretum
| Location: | Great River, Long Island NY |
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| Acreage: | 691 Acres |
Mission Statement
“Bayard Cutting Arboretum was donated to the Long Island State Park Region by Mrs. William Bayard Cutting and her daughter, Mrs. Olivia James, in memory of William Bayard Cutting, “to provide an oasis of beauty and quiet for the pleasure, rest and refreshment of those who delight in outdoor beauty; and to bring about a greater appreciation and understanding of the value and importance of informal planting.””
Unique Features
10. Bailey Arboretum
| Location: | Lattingtown, Long Island NY |
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| Acreage: | 42 Acres |
Mission Statement
“Bailey Arboretum is a living museum fostering connections between people and the natural world. On the former estate of horticultural enthusiast Frank Bailey, we enhance and preserve our curated living collections, provide interactive educational programs and engage the community through public and private events.”
Unique Features
- Home to the World’s largest Dawn Redwood
- Seven acres of landscaped gardens
- Woodland hiking paths
11. LongHouse Reserve
| Location: | Northwest Harbor, Long Island NY |
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| Acreage: | 16 Acres |
Mission Statement
“LongHouse Reserve exemplifies living with art in all forms. Founded by Jack Lenor Larsen, its collections, gardens, sculpture and programs reflect world culture and teach the fostering of a creative life.”
Unique Features
- The gardens have over sixty contemporary sculptures installed throughout the garden’s sixteen acres
12. Old Westbury Gardens
| Location: | Old Westbury, Long Island NY |
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| Acreage: | 100 Acres |
Mission Statement
“Old Westbury Gardens seeks to inspire appreciation of the early 20th century American country estate through faithful preservation and interpretation of its landscape, gardens, architecture, and collections.”
Unique Features
- Westbury House featuring an impressive collection of art and antiques
- The grounds contain over ten different, distinct sections including gardens, a cottage, terraces, ponds, and a reflecting pool
Best Brooklyn Movers
There’s no doubt that New York City and the surrounding areas have some of the nicest botanical gardens in the country, and possibly the world. If you find yourself wanting to move here, or move closer to some of the best green spaces in New York, let Metropolis Moving help you get there.
Metropolis Moving has gained the reputation of being one of New York City’s most courteous, careful, and friendly professional moving services. Get a quote today and you’ll be on your way to living the life you envision for yourself: enjoying the abundant green spaces this beautiful city has to offer.
