There’s no shortage of ways to spend your time in New York City, but when most people think of things to do, they default to the many attractions, restaurants, concerts, and sporting events. For some, this can be stressful. But there’s an entirely separate world to explore—one that doesn’t involve much concrete. I’m talking about gardens. So, if you’re like me and want to carve out some time for a more serene setting, here’s a list of the best gardens in NYC.
The Best Gardens in NYC
Despite being named the “concrete jungle,” NYC is home to a lot of green space. Some are famous—like Central Park—while others prefer to maintain their “hidden gem” status. Still, there’s a lot to see, so start exploring. Here’s where I would start.
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s founding came at an inflection point for New York City as it transitioned to an urban oasis. Today, Brooklyn Botanic Garden “connects people to the world of plants, fostering delight and curiosity while inspiring an appreciation and sense of stewardship of the environment.” Today, you can see everything from Bird of Paradise, Chinese Juniper, Red Maple Bonsais, and a ton more. It’s a spectaular place.
See what’s in bloom each month at The Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Fun Fact: The Children’s Garden Program started in 1918. This one-acre vegetable garden, which offered a place for children can grow their own food plants, was the first of its kind.
Conservatory Garden
Central Park
The Conservatory Garden is the famed Central Park’s formal garden. Built in the footprint of a pre-twentieth-century conservatory, the park’s only formal garden is now home to an array of tulips, lilacs, crabapple trees, summer perennials, and chrysanthemums.
The Conservatory Garden is separated into three areas: The French-style North Garden, the Italianate Center Garden, and the English-style South Garden, which each offer a stunningly unique experience. PS. Don’t miss Shakespeare Garden, which I love given its proximity to Swedish Cottage.
Fun Fact: The entry gate was a gift from Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and once adorned the mansion of Cornelius Vanderbilt II.
The Ramble
Central Park
Looking for more green space in Central Park? Go check out The Ramble. This 36-acre woodland experience is magical. It officially opened in 1859, aiming to bring the forests of upstate New York to the hustle and bustle of New York City. It still does that decades later.
Whether you’re there for birdwatching, mindless wandering, a hike, or just some relaxation, The Ramble will not disappoint. Oh, and while you’re there, don’t forget to take a few pictures of The Lake, Bethesda Terrace, and Belvedere Castle. You’ll thank me later.
Fun Fact: Central Park was the first landscaped public park in the United States.
Battery Park
Manhattan
Looking for a garden with an interesting past? If so, add Battery Park to your list. While you’re taking in the beautiful gardens, you’ll also get the chance to see Castle Garden, which served as America’s first immigrant depot—even before Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. If you ask me, Battery Park is the perfect mix of nature and history.
Fun Fact: In addition to being an immigration depot, the structure has also served as a fort, theater, opera house, and aquarium throughout its long history.
West Side Community Garden
Manhattan
West Side Community Garden has an interesting past as well. In fact, the garden rests on a once trash-ridden vacant lot. Before that, the present state of the garden served as George Washington’s HQ. Today, the West Side Community Garden, the only privately owned example of its kind in the city, offers a pleasant respite from the mayhem of Manhattan.
Fun Fact: It was the scene of the Orange Riot of 1878, which saw Catholic Irish clash with Protestant Irish in celebrating the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.
Heather Garden
Manhattan
Heather Garden, located in Fort Tryon Park, brings 3 acres of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals of all colors, textures, and interests to the heart of Manhattan. Opened in 1935 under the tutelage of the Olmsted Brothers architectural firm, a renovation cost the garden much of its beauty, but a facelift in the 1980s brought it back to its original form.
Fun Fact: The Olmsted Brothers inherited the country’s first landscape architecture business from their father.
Creative Little Garden
Manhattan
For what it lacks in size, The Creative Little Garden makes up for in ambiance. Located in Manhattan’s East Village, the garden is maintained by volunteers with members working together to keep the garden in tip-top shape. Not a member? No problem. The garden is open to anyone looking to relax.
Fun Fact: The garden was renovated by GrowNYC in 2004 with funding from the Greenacre Foundation.
New York Botanical Garden
The Bronx
The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is located on a 250-acre site that contains a landscape with over one million living plants (1 MILLION!). You’ll also find the LuEsther T. Mertz Library and one of the world’s largest collections of botany-related texts. If this is getting you excited, you’re not alone—over a million people visit the NYBG every year. That’s a plant for every visitor.
Snug Harbor Botanical Gardens
Staten Island
Snug Harbor has been around the block; it was built in the 1800s as a home for retired sailors. (See below.) Today, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is home to nearly two dozen historical buildings, nine botanical gardens, and 10 acres of wetlands. You’ll also find the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, the Noble Maritime Collection, Staten Island Children’s Museum, the arts school Art Lab and the Staten Island Museum.
Fun Fact: The Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens is an affiliate of The Smithsonian Institution.
The New York Chinese Scholar Garden
The New York Chinese Scholar Garden (NYCSG) brings the gardens of China to Staten Island. (Note: The NYCSG is one of the gardens inside the walls of Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.) Most of what you’ll see at the NYCSG was fabricated in China, including the roof tiles, bridges, and doors. During your time in the garden, you’ll come across pavilions, a bamboo forest path, waterfalls, a Koi pond, and a whole lot more.
Gardens in NYC: More Greenspace Than You Think
Sure, NYC is known for its attractions, restaurants, and Broadway shows, and those are all fantastic. But for those who need a respite from the craziness, there are options, including a ton of gardens. So don’t be confused by NYC’s nickname—there’s a whole lot more than concrete.
