Brooklyn Botanic Garden Tours and Activities

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a calming, 52-acre (21-hectare) oasis in the middle of a busy borough. Located adjacent to Prospect Park, the garden boasts an impressive selection of plants, flowers, and trees. The Children’s Garden addresses sustainability, while the Fragrance Garden encourages everyone to stop and smell the flowers.

Learn about New York’s native woodland species as well as tropical, desert, and aquatic plants while wandering the garden’s manicured grounds, established in 1901. Regional plants are plentiful in the Native Flora Garden, and you’ll find more unique offerings in the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum and the Aquatic House. 

To get the most out of your visit, book a tour. Self-paced tours typically include admission and may offer a meal at the garden’s restaurant. Neighborhood tours of Prospect Park are also ideal for getting to the area, learning about Brooklyn’s history, and then exploring the Botanic Garden.

Located adjacent to Prospect Park in Brooklyn, the garden is easily accessed by subway. Take the 2 or 3 train to the Eastern Parkway—Brooklyn Museum stop; the 4 or 5 train to Franklin Avenue; or the B, Q, or S to Prospect Park station. Note that weekend subway service in Brooklyn can be inconsistent on weekends. If driving, take the Eastern Parkway or Flatbush Avenue; the garden offers parking for a small fee.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is at its best in spring and summer, when the verdant space is in bloom. Beginning in late March, the Cherry Esplanade brims with pink blossoms, and the colorful Cranford Rose Garden—home to 5,000 varieties of the stunning flower—comes to life in summer. The garden is busiest on weekends (and closed on Mondays except some holidays), so visit Tuesday through Friday to beat the crowds; check the website for opening hours, which vary seasonally.

The Discovery Garden is the perfect place for budding scientists. Children enjoy a range of hands-on exhibits and activities designed just for them. The Hamm Children’s Learning Courtyard celebrates gardening, so kids learn about growing fruits and vegetables. Check the schedule when you arrive for free drop-in family activities.