New York Botanical Garden in Bronx, NY

2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx, NY 10458
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Overview

Step inside one of New York’s greatest living treasures: the New York Botanical Garden. This National Historic Landmark is the largest city gardens in the entire United States and is distinguished as one of the best in the world. As you wind your way through the colorful gardens, you’ll feel swept away to new worlds thanks to each garden’s diverse landscape, extensive collections, and sheer natural beauty.

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Good To Know

  • Founded in 1891 and is now a National Historic Landmark.
  • Parking is available for an additional fee.
  • Outdoor photography is allowed. Indoor photography is restricted to hand-held cameras only.
  • The Garden’s 250 acres are open in all weather conditions.
  • Prepare to walk for the entire duration of your visit. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

Description

The New York Botanical Garden is an iconic living museum, a major educational institution, and a renowned plant research and conservation organization. Founded in 1891 and now a National Historic Landmark, it is one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world and the largest in any city in the United States, distinguished by the beauty of its diverse landscape and extensive collections and gardens, as well as by the scope and excellence of its programs.

Connecting Gardening to the Arts & Humanities:
The Garden’s multidisciplinary exhibitions and educational programs reveal the deep connections between plants and people, nature, and culture. These initiatives illuminate the importance of gardens to human health and to the lives and work of influential artists and thinkers while also advancing scholarship in the sciences, arts, and humanities.

Saving the Plants of the World:
NYBG pursues science-based plant conservation, providing fundamental research to support policy decisions made by governments on local, national, and international scales. Its efforts have helped to protect some of the most threatened floras in the world, from Brazil to Myanmar, and have advanced forest management practices and capacity building in countries with the most biologically diverse and endangered habitats. NYBG’s scientists are currently engaged in 250 international collaborations with 168 institutions in 49 countries. This vast work is supported by the William and Lynda Steere Herbarium, C.V. Starr Virtual Herbarium, LuEsther T. Mertz Library, Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Program for Molecular Systematics, and Commodore Matthew Perry Graduate Studies Program.

Teaching Science to Kids:
The New York Botanical Garden is a leader and national model for plant-based education, committed to developing innovative programs and unique learning facilities designed to improve scientific literacy among schoolchildren, teachers, and families. Key components of the curricula introduce plant biology and ecology, conservation, and organic gardening to increase their awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the natural world. Hands-on, inquiry-based programs, which serve more than 300,000 people annually, utilize the Garden’s grounds as living classrooms, encouraging engagement in protecting the environment as well as the excitement of scientific thinking and investigation.

New York Botanical Garden Reviews

TripAdvisor user image
AndrewBeach
West Haven, Connecticut
"Must See Halloween in the Garden!"
TripAdvisor user rating 5 out of 5
Reviewed October 25, 2024 NEW
Our first visit here was a fantastic walk-through halloween experience themed to Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. We arrived early and parking was a breeze (but it's a small lot, please note). The experience was detailed with spectacular lighting and sound effects, projections, figures of all the movie characters and even a concession area selling both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages and snacks. While the website says it is a 45 minute walk, it's maybe 30 minutes. The staff was friendly and we look forward to going back for other events in future
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Frequently Asked Questions about New York Botanical Garden

What are the hours of operation?
The New York Botanical Garden is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and is closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Where is the New York Botanical Garden located?
The Garden is located at Bronx River Parkway and Fordham Road in the Bronx and is easy to reach by car, subway, bus, and Metro-North.

Are gardens indoors or outdoors?
Both! Most of the Garden’s 250 acres are outdoors, so please plan your outfit and visit accordingly.

Can I bring large bags and/or luggage?
No. The Garden does not have coat-check facilities and certain items are prohibited in various indoor spaces.

Are strollers permitted?
Yes. Strollers are allowed throughout the Garden grounds with the exception of the Conservatory, Discovery Center, Ross Hall, and Art Gallery. Stroller parking is available at these locations. Garden trams can accommodate strollers, but only if they are fully collapsed and fit in designated storage spaces. Large backpacks and bags are not allowed in the Art Gallery. The Garden reserves the right to inspect all bags.

Can I bring an easel, tripod, monopod, drone, and/or selfie stick to the Garden?
No. These items are strictly prohibited.

Are the gardens accessible?
The Garden, its buildings, and its tour vehicles are accessible to people with disabilities, with the exception of a few areas where the terrain is naturally uneven. Wheelchairs are available free of charge at all entry points, on a first-come, first-served basis (reservations are not accepted). An ID must be left with Visitor Services.

What else do I need to know about visiting?
It is recommended that guests do:

  • Stay on paths.
  • Deposit trash, recyclables, and compost in designated receptacles.
  • Picnic in the designated picnic area—Clay Family Picnic Pavilion.
  • Wear shirts and shoes at all times.
  • Arrive with an adult if under 16.

Guests are not allowed to:

  • Walk on the grass.
  • Pick flowers.
  • Touch plants, trees, art installations or any special exhibition pieces.
  • Carve your name, initials, date, etc. into any NYBG property.
  • Climb trees or rocks.
  • Feed or approach animals or birds.
  • Bring pets or animals.
  • Smoke; e-cigarettes included.
  • Bring outside alcohol.
  • Eat outside food in designated dining facilities. Outside food is only allowed at the Clay Family Picnic Pavilions.
  • Build fires.
  • Use portable radios or sound reproductive devices.
  • Engage in recreational sports or bring sporting equipment, including scooters for recreation.
  • Play, sunbathe, or bring blankets onto the Garden’s lawns.
  • Throw rice, confetti, birdseed, flowers or bring balloons.
  • Host events at the Garden without written approval.
  • Restrict foot traffic by blocking off walking paths, or directing traffic within the Garden.
  • Bring multiple changes of clothes for personal photo/film shoots.

Is parking available?
Yes. Parking is available for an additional fee:
  • Tuesday – Friday: $17 per vehicle
  • Saturday, Sunday, Monday openings, and holiday weeks: $20 per vehicle

Are food and beverages available for purchase?
Yes, the New York Botanical Garden has several options for dining on-site as well as food trucks for select dates and events.