Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The Complete Guide (2024)

United States

New York

By

Heather Cross

Heather Cross is a longtime New York resident who has written about the city since 2002. She is also a travel agent and NYC & Company-certified New York City specialist.

TripSavvy'seditorial guidelines

Updated on 03/22/20

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The Complete Guide (1)

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Address

Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA

Phone+1 718-623-7200

4.7

Founded in 1910, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a 52-acre urban wonderland housing more than 14,000 taxa of plants. The expansive estate comprises over 15 gardens and a conservatory, altogether being able to support a vast range of plant environments, from desert shrubs to cherry blossoms. The property is so big you might even want to plot out your must-see exhibits in advance. Otherwise, you can see the Brooklyn Botanic Garden while attending one of its annual events.

Permanent Exhibits

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is open year-round and each season has its very own star exhibits. Spring beckons a stroll through the historic Cherry Esplanade, where more than 200 cherry blossoms from more than 40 Asian species bloom in April. This is one of the most impressive displays of cherry blossoms outside of Japan. The peaceful, 100-year-old Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden—one of the first of its kind in the United States—is a popular area of the park this time of year, too. Its shrines, stone lanterns, wooden bridges, and koi fish pond make for a zen experience.

During the summer—usually in June—tens of thousands of flowers bloom at once. This is peak visitation time for Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The Cranford Rose Garden, which was introduced in 1928, is a local favorite. Even in the winter, you'll find plenty of life in the SteinhardtConservatoryGallery, where the Desert Pavilionevokes memories of warmer times.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The Complete Guide (2)

Annual Events

In case you needed a reason to visit this botanical oasis, its annual events are the perfect excuse. In April, people flock from all boroughs and beyond to see the cherry blossoms during a month-long festival called Hanami. It kicks off with a weekend of celebration, Sakura Matsuri, which pays tribute to Japanese culture with traditional dance performances and other events.

In late September, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden hosts its annual Chile Pepper Festival, a one-day event that celebrates the almighty chili pepper with music, food, and festivities. This is followed by a fall festival, Harvest Homecoming, when the garden turns its spotlight toward autumnal foliage and seasonal treats (apple cider, namely). Kids are encouraged to come (in costume) for carnival games.

During any given week throughout the year, though, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden hosts regular gatherings such as yoga, lectures, gardening classes, and more. Check the calendar for a complete rundown.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden With Kids

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden can be fun for little ones, too. In fact, some exhibits cater specifically to youths. The Children's Garden, for instance, acts as a community garden where kids can learn about the process and grow their own flowers and vegetables within the garden's 1-acre plot (the Brooklyn Botanic Garden divvies this up between hundreds of kids every year). There's also an active compost here.

In the Discovery Garden, kids can interact with the natural world through hands-on activities and educational exhibits. This one is geared toward very young children. Check the schedule for classes (pre-registration required) anddrop-inevents for children and families. Strollers are permitted on the grounds and in the Visitor Center, but not in the Steinhardt Conservatory Gallery or Garden Shop.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The Complete Guide (3)

How to Visit

The garden is open year-round with summer and cherry blossom season being the busiest times. Brooklyn Botanic Garden is closed on Mondays and major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day), but is open Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission costs $18 for adults. Members and children under 12 get in free. There are also special free admission days, such as any weekday from December through February and Fridays before noon March through November.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden has three entrances—at 150 Eastern Parkway, 455 Flatbush Avenue, and 990 Washington Avenue—all highly accessible via subway. Take the 2/3 Eastern Parkway—Brooklyn Museum, the B/Q to Prospect Park, or the 4/5 to Franklin Avenue. The Metro-North Railroad also stops right outside the entrance. If you prefer to drive yourself, parking is available starting at $7 for the first hour ($32 for the day) at 900 Washington Avenue.

Keep in mind that no outside food is permitted into the gardens. Visitors may pick up a sandwich or salad at the casual coffee bar or for a more formal meal, head to Yellow Magnolia Cafe. Picnicking and barbecuing are forbidden—in fact, the Cherry Esplanade is the only place where visitors are allowed to sit on the lawn.

After enjoying a morning at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, you can head next door to the Brooklyn Museum, relax on the lawn at nearby Prospect Park, shop and dine in the hip neighborhood of Prospect Heights, or peruse the Saturday farmer's market at Grand Army Plaza.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden: The Complete Guide (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to walk through the Brooklyn Botanical Garden? ›

How long does a visit take? Seeing the entire Garden would take a full day. There are suggested itineraries for shorter visits.

How much do you get paid at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens? ›

The average Brooklyn Botanic Garden salary ranges from approximately $41,557 per year (estimate) for a Mailroom Clerk to $157,771 per year (estimate) for a Director.

Which is bigger Bronx or Brooklyn Botanical Garden? ›

The Bronx greenhouse is 42,430 square feet and the garden is across the street from The Bronx Zoo. The Brooklyn Greenhouse is 32,600 square feet and the garden is across the street from the Brooklyn Museum.

Is Brooklyn Botanic Garden pay what you wish? ›

Admission is free:

Pay-What-You-Wish Winter Weekdays: Tuesday–Friday, December–February.

What is the best time to visit Brooklyn Botanical Garden? ›

The best times to visit are spring and fall. In late April and early May, the cherry blossoms are blooming. During early June the amazing rose garden is at its peak. In fall the colorful leaves make a wonderful scene.

Can you bring food into the Brooklyn Botanical Garden? ›

Please help protect and preserve Brooklyn Botanic Garden when you visit: No smoking, climbing trees, or picking flowers or vegetables. With the exception of Members' Picnic Nights, no outside food or beverages are permitted in the Garden.

Who owns Brooklyn Botanic Garden? ›

Brooklyn Botanic Garden, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, is located on property owned in part by the City of New York, and its operation is made possible in part by public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Can you take pictures at Brooklyn Botanical garden? ›

Visitors may take personal, nonprofessional photographs in all public areas as long as they abide by the Garden's general rules and photo policies. These policies apply to all individuals taking still or moving images on the grounds of Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

How many plants are in the Brooklyn Botanical garden? ›

Situated on 52 acres in the heart of Brooklyn, the Garden is home to over 12,000 kinds of plants. Most taxa currently grown at BBG can be found in this searchable database.

How much is it to rent the Brooklyn botanical garden? ›

Permit fee: $600 for up to 50 people (plus 4.5% booking fee). Up to 10 additional guests may be permitted at a cost of $22 per person (60 persons maximum).

Is Brooklyn Botanic Garden worth it? ›

It is a sprawling 52-acre garden filled with lush greenery and plants galore. The botanic garden is a must see for every New Yorker and a staple of Brooklyn culture.

What is special about the Brooklyn Botanic Garden? ›

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.

What's free in NYC on Wednesdays? ›

Wednesdays
  • Bronx Zoo all-day.
  • Brooklyn Botanic Garden Free Winter weekdays (December-February)
  • Cooper Hewitt Museum 5 pm - 6 pm.
  • New York Aquarium 3 pm to last entry.
  • New York Botanical Garden 10 am-11 am and all day for NYC residents.
  • Queens Botanical Gardens 3 pm-6 pm.
  • Staten Island Zoo 2 pm-4:45 pm.

What days are free at Botanical gardens, NYC? ›

On Wednesdays, Grounds Admission is free to NYC residents all day and to all other visitors between 10‒11 a.m. Grounds Access Pass includes access to outdoor gardens and collections, including seasonal children's pop-up programming.

What day is free at Brooklyn Museum? ›

Brooklyn Museum. For 25 years, we've hosted First Saturdays—monthly evenings of free programming welcoming visitors from central Brooklyn and beyond—at the Brooklyn Museum. Join us the first Saturday of February–June, August, and October, 5–11 pm.

How long does it take to walk through New York Botanical Garden? ›

It takes around three hours to explore the Botanical Gardens. This is the ideal time frame for a visit as it is extensive without being exhaustive. Of course, true aficionados will have no trouble spending entire days here without running out of plants to explore.

How long is botanic garden walk? ›

Singapore Botanic Gardens Walk
Distance:10 km
Ascent:150 m
Descent:130 m
High:55 m
Low:5 m
1 more row
Feb 4, 2022

How long does it take to go around the Botanical Gardens? ›

How long does it take to walk around? Although it's easy to fill a whole day and more exploring Kew Gardens' 132-hectare (326 acres) site, it's recommended to spend at least three to four hours to make the most of the gardens.

Is Brooklyn Botanic Garden worth visiting? ›

The Brooklyn Botanical Garden, located in Mount Prospect Park of Brooklyn, NY is a breathtaking and beautiful garden and one that boasts an incredible amount of gorgeous attractions.

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