The New York Botanical Garden covers about 250 acres in the Bronx, with themed gardens, a stretch of old-growth forest and the glittering Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, a Victorian-style glasshouse that is one of the city's great buildings. Founded in 1891, the New York Botanical Garden is both a research institution and one of the best days out in the city, especially in spring when the cherries, azaleas and lilacs bloom, and in winter during the Holiday Train Show.
Why visit the New York Botanical Garden
The scale surprises first-time visitors. This is not a small city garden but a landscape of lawns, woodland, river gorge and collections that takes a full day to explore. A tram service loops the grounds, so you can ride between areas and walk the parts that interest you most.
The garden also hosts large seasonal exhibitions, most famously the Orchid Show in late winter and spring and the Holiday Train Show, where model trains run through a miniature New York made of bark, leaves and other natural materials.
Getting to the New York Botanical Garden
The quickest public transport route is the Metro-North Harlem Line from Grand Central Terminal to Botanical Garden station, which is right across the road from one of the garden's gates. The ride takes around 20 minutes; it needs a Metro-North ticket rather than a subway fare.
By subway, the usual approach is the B or D train to Bedford Park Blvd, or the 4 to Bedford Park Blvd-Lehman College. From either, you can walk east along Bedford Park Boulevard to the garden's gates in roughly 15 to 25 minutes, or take a local bus. Check the official website for the current recommended route and entrances before you go, as gate openings can vary.
New York Botanical Garden tickets
There are different ticket types. A grounds-only ticket lets you walk the outdoor gardens and collections, while an all-garden ticket adds the Conservatory, seasonal exhibitions and other ticketed areas. Prices vary by season and by exhibition, with special pricing during the big shows. New York City residents have had access to free grounds admission at certain times. Buy on the official website, nybg.org, which also lists current hours and any timed-entry requirements for popular exhibitions. The garden is closed on some days of the week.
Highlights
Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
The great glasshouse, opened in 1902, holds galleries of rainforest, desert and seasonal plants under its domed central Palm Dome. It is the setting for the Orchid Show and the Holiday Train Show.
Thain Family Forest
About 50 acres of old-growth forest, never cut down, run through the middle of the garden along the Bronx River. Walking trails lead through tall oaks, beeches and tulip trees, and it is easy to forget you are in the city.
Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden
Hundreds of varieties of roses bloom in late spring and early summer, with a second show in early autumn.
Everett Children's Adventure Garden
A hands-on garden for children, with mazes, plant discovery activities and indoor lab space.
Spring blossoms
Cherry trees, magnolias, azaleas, daffodils and lilacs make April and May the garden's showiest months.
Best time to visit the New York Botanical Garden
Spring is the favourite season, from the first daffodils to the lilacs and roses, and autumn colour in the forest is a close second. Winter visits centre on the Holiday Train Show, which is very popular, so book timed tickets early and pick a weekday if you can. Summer brings lush planting but heat, so arrive early.
Give the garden at least three to four hours, and a full day if you want to see the Conservatory, the forest and a seasonal show.
Practical tips
- Wear comfortable shoes; distances inside the garden are long.
- There are cafés on site, and picnicking is allowed in designated areas.
- Check bloom reports on the official website before a spring visit.
Nearby
- Bronx Zoo: just south across Fordham Road, easy to combine on a long day.
- Arthur Avenue: the Bronx's Little Italy, with bakeries, delis and restaurants, a short bus ride or walk away.
- Fordham University: its Gothic Revival campus borders the garden.
For more on this part of the Bronx, see the New York Botanical Garden on Around the Metro, or browse every station on the New York subway map.