Everything you need to know about visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225).
Those searching for a little peace and quiet would do well to spend a few hours at this verdant oasis. The garden—which abuts two other neighborhood gems: the Brooklyn Museum and Prospect Park—was founded in 1910 and features thousands of types of flora, laid out over 52 acres.
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What are the most popular things to see here?
Each spring, crowds descend on the space for the Sakura Matsuri Festival, during which more than 70 trees bloom along the Cherry Esplanade. But equally impressive are serene spots like the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, the first Japanese-inspired garden built in the U.S., and the Shakespeare Garden, brimming with plants (such as primrose and crocuses) mentioned in the Bard’s works. Start your journey at the Visitor’s Center, an eco-friendly portal (it has a green roof filled with 45,000 plants) that opened in May 2012.
What else should I do?
Eat at the recently opened, veggie-focused Yellow Magnolia Café (or the more casual canteen). Shop for trees, shrubs, flowers and more at the Garden Shop next to the visitors center, and ask for help with your green thumb. There's also daily guided tours of seasonal flora, and the garden is a perfect place for families (but no picnics allowed, sadly).
What to do nearby:
You can walk to all of these spots in thirty minutes or less!
-Stroll through nearby Prospect Park (all 526 acres of it) over to the Prospect Park Zoo.
-Go roller skating (or ice skating) at Lakeside at Prospect Park.
-Visit the sprawling cultural and arts center at the Brooklyn Museum.
-Peep the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch at Grand Army Memorial Plaza.
Our editorial team is constantly updating and reviewing the best attractions, activities and venues in New York, so that you're always in the know, with the best of NY at your fingertips. This page was most recently updated on June 30, 2017.