New York Botanical Garden: Visitor Guide with Tickets, Hours, and Tips (2026)

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) in the Bronx is one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world — 250 acres of curated landscapes, 50 gardens and plant collections, the National Historic Landmark Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and the 50-acre Thain Family Forest (the largest remaining old-growth forest in New York City). Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm; closed Mondays (except federal holidays). Adult tickets from US$35; children (3–12) US$15. Best visited in spring for cherry blossoms.

In a city of extraordinary attractions, the New York Botanical Garden occupies a category of its own — a 250-acre sanctuary of living plants, wild forest, sculpted gardens, and architectural splendour in the heart of the Bronx. Founded in 1891 and designated a National Historic Landmark, NYBG is home to over one million living plants across 50 gardens and collections, a world-renowned research institution, and one of the finest glasshouses ever built.

For visitors wanting to escape Manhattan’s intensity without leaving New York City, the Botanical Garden offers something genuinely extraordinary: 50 acres of never-logged old-growth forest, Japanese gardens, rose gardens, a children’s adventure garden, a Victorian-era glass conservatory, and seasonal events — from the cherry blossom season in spring to the beloved Holiday Train Show in winter. This 2026 guide covers everything you need to plan a perfect visit.

Top Tickets

# New York Botanical Garden – Garden Pass
# Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights + New York Botanical Garden Combo (20% off)

What to Expect at the New York Botanical Garden

NYBG covers 250 acres with 50 gardens and collections including the Thain Family Forest (50 acres of old-growth forest), Japanese and Chinese scholar’s gardens, the Rock Garden, Native Plant Garden, Rose Garden, Perennial Garden, and the seasonal Cherry Collection (200+ trees blooming March–May). The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory houses tropical rainforests, desert habitats, and a palm dome. The Tram Tour, Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, and NYBG audio guide are all included with the Garden Pass.

• 250 acres of cultivated landscapes, wild forest, rolling hills, water bodies, and seasonal gardens
• 50 gardens and plant collections representing ecosystems from around the world
• The Thain Family Forest — 50 acres of old-growth forest, the largest remaining in New York City, dating to the colonial era
• The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory — one of America’s greatest Victorian glasshouses (separate conservatory access included with Garden Pass + Conservatory ticket)
• Everett Children’s Adventure Garden — 12 acres of outdoor discovery for families with young children
• NYBG Tram Tour — a narrated circuit of the garden’s highlights, ideal for first-time visitors or those with limited mobility
• Seasonal highlights: cherry blossoms (March–May), rose garden peak (June), autumn foliage (October), Holiday Train Show (November–January)
• Rotating special exhibitions throughout the year on botanical and artistic themes

New York Botanical Garden Tickets 2026

NYBG Garden Pass tickets cost US$35 for adults (13–64), US$31 for seniors and students, and US$15 for children (3–12). Infants under 3 are free. The Garden Pass includes outdoor collections, the Tram Tour, the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, and daytime Haupt Conservatory access. Special exhibitions and some seasonal events require a separate additional ticket. Book online for best prices and to avoid queues.

Ticket Type	Price (2026)
Adult (13–64 years)	US$35
Senior (65+ years)	US$31
Student (with valid ID)	US$31
Child (3–12 years)	US$15
Infant (under 3 years)	Free

Your Garden Pass includes: all outdoor collections and trails, the seasonal Rock Garden and Native Plant Garden, the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, the NYBG Tram Tour, daytime access to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and access to the mobile audio tour app (download instructions provided at the visitor centre).

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Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights + New York Botanical Garden – US$62 (20% off)

Pair an evening visit to NYBG’s winter special exhibitions with the Bronx Zoo’s spectacular Holiday Lights — a beloved annual tradition featuring custom-designed animal lanterns, animated light shows, ice-carving, festive food, and holiday music. Both attractions are just 1.1 miles (1.8 km) apart in the Bronx, making this a natural evening combination in November and December.

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Seasonal Highlights at the New York Botanical Garden

The best time to visit NYBG depends on what you want to see: spring (March–May) for 200+ cherry trees and seasonal blooms; June for the peak Rose Garden; October for spectacular autumn foliage in the Thain Family Forest; and November–January for the beloved Holiday Train Show in the Haupt Conservatory — the garden’s most attended annual event, featuring model trains running through miniature New York City landmarks made from natural materials.

Spring: Cherry Blossoms and Seasonal Bloom (March–May)

The New York Botanical Garden’s spring season is one of its most spectacular — when 200+ cherry trees burst into bloom across the grounds in March and April, joined by magnolias, azaleas, tulips, and the garden’s extraordinary crabapple collection. The Cherry Blossom Weekend events typically attract large crowds — book tickets well in advance for peak bloom weekends.

Summer: The Rose Garden and Living Collections (June–August)

The Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden peaks in June with over 650 varieties of roses in full bloom — one of the finest rose collections in the United States. Summer also sees the full expression of the Perennial Garden, the Native Plant Garden, and the aquatic collections, while the Thain Family Forest provides cool, shaded trails on the hottest days.

Autumn: Foliage and Harvest (September–October)

The Thain Family Forest — 50 acres of old-growth trees dating to before New York’s colonial settlement — transforms into a blaze of colour in October, with oaks, maples, and tulip trees providing some of the finest autumn foliage viewing in the entire metropolitan area. Far less crowded than Hudson Valley foliage destinations and accessible by train.

Winter: The Holiday Train Show (November–January)

The NYBG’s most famous and beloved annual event — the Holiday Train Show — runs from November through mid-January inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Model trains and trolleys wind through an elaborate landscape of miniature New York City landmarks — the Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center, the Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Terminal, and over 175 other structures — all built entirely from natural materials including bark, leaves, seed pods, and branches. A magical experience for children and adults alike. Tickets sell out weeks in advance.

The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is a National Historic Landmark built in 1902 — one of America’s greatest Victorian-era glasshouses. Its 11 interconnected galleries house tropical rainforest, desert, aquatic, and palm habitats in spectacular glass pavilions. The restored central Palm Dome displays palms from across the globe. Access is included with the Garden Pass + Conservatory ticket (can also be purchased on-site separately from standard Garden Pass).

The Haupt Conservatory is the architectural and botanical heart of NYBG. Built in 1902 and modelled on the great glasshouses of Victorian England, its distinctive glass dome and connected wings house 11 gallery spaces spanning radically different climates — all under one extraordinary roof:

• Tropical rainforests of Africa, Asia, and the Americas — with towering palms, orchids, and epiphytes
• Cactus-filled desert habitats from North and South America
• Aquatic plant galleries featuring water lilies and tropical aquatics
• The restored Palm Dome — housing palms from across the world’s tropical regions
• Seasonal display galleries changing throughout the year

Dining at the New York Botanical Garden

NYBG has two on-site dining options: Pine Tree Cafe (family-friendly; artisanal panini, Neapolitan pizza, salads, and sweet treats, nestled among rare pines) and Hudson Garden Grill (sit-down New American cuisine using locally sourced ingredients, open Tuesday–Sunday; book a table in advance). Visitors can bring picnic baskets to the Clay Family Picnic Pavilions. Outside alcohol is prohibited. No outside food in the Conservatory.

Pine Tree Cafe

A casual family-friendly café nestled among rare and unusual pines from Asia, Europe, and North America — some nearly 100 feet tall. The menu covers artisanal panini, Neapolitan-style pizza, fresh salads, and sweet treats. A lovely spot for a mid-garden break.

Hudson Garden Grill

A sit-down dining experience serving New American cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients. Open to both garden visitors and the general public — Tuesday to Friday 11:30 am to 3 pm, Saturday and Sunday until 6 pm. Advance reservations recommended.

New York Botanical Garden Opening Hours

NYBG is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. It is closed on Mondays, except on federal holidays. The garden also remains closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Most visitors spend 2–4 hours; dedicated plant enthusiasts or families with children can easily spend a full day.

• Tuesday to Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
• Monday: Closed (open on federal holidays)
• Also closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day
• Average visit: 2–4 hours; full-day visits entirely rewarding for enthusiasts

Getting to the New York Botanical Garden

Address: 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458

• Subway/Train: Metro-North Harlem Line to Botanical Garden station (directly outside the garden’s main entrance) — approximately 20 minutes from Grand Central Terminal
• Subway: B or D train to Bedford Park Boulevard station (short walk to the Mosholu gate)
• Bus: Alight at Southern Blvd / Botanical Gardens stop
• By car: On-site parking available at the Main Entrance (2900 Southern Blvd) and the NYBG Parking Garage
• Tip: The Metro-North train is the fastest and most straightforward option from Midtown Manhattan

Frequently Asked Questions

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