Visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York: How to Get There, Prices, and Tips

Vanessa Korovina

Updated: 13 August 2025 ·
Navigation:

Visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York: How to Get There, Prices, and Tips

New York is certainly known for its skyscrapers, cosmopolitan atmosphere, and its unmistakable skyline. But despite the traffic, the people rushing to work, and tourists everywhere, it is possible to visit and immerse yourself in actual green areas. If Central Park is the green heart of Manhattan, then the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, along with Prospect Park, is the green lung of Brooklyn. With 21 acres and over 10,000 species of plants, you can spend a morning in complete relaxation, strolling along the paths and admiring the beautiful blooming plants.

Here's everything you need to know to better organize a visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York: how to get there, prices, and tips!
See also: What to See in New York

How to Get There

  • By Foot 990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn; easily reachable on foot if you are in the area and nearby neighborhoods, like Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, or Park Slope. From Times Square, Manhattan, 11.2 km - Directions
  • By Bus various options based on the starting point, one-way ticket $6.50. Nearby stops: Ocean Avenue (bus B16), Empire Boulevard (bus B41), Washington Avenue (bus B43 and B45), and Eastern Parkway (bus B48)
  • By Subway from Manhattan take line 2 or 3 to Eastern Parkway - Brooklyn Museum Station; line B, Q or S to Prospect Park station; line 4 or 5 to Franklin Avenue station. Average travel time 40 min, one-way ticket $2.75.

Hours and Prices

The park is open year-round, with hours that vary by season. From March to October, it is open until 6:00 PM, while in November, it closes at 4:30 PM. From December to February, it operates on further reduced hours, from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It is generally closed on Mondays, except during national holidays when it remains open with seasonal hours.

A detailed discussion on the entrance fee: there is a single fee of $18.00, while kids under 12 enter for free. This fee may vary based on events, festivals, and activities taking place within the garden. Additionally, entrance is free for everyone on Friday mornings from March to November and during the Winter Weekends from Thursday to Sunday from December to February.

For your visiting day, you can check the exact hours and entrance costs, which may vary due to possible events, festivals, or holidays, on the official website.

Tours, Guided Visits, and Online Tickets

What to See and How to Visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden spans 21 acres and is considered the most important natural attraction in New York. Located in the Brooklyn district, about 11 km from Times Square, it is a bit out of the way for those who have only a few days to dedicate entirely to Manhattan, but it is absolutely worth a visit!

With three different entrances, it features various thematic areas, where you can admire over 10,000 plant varieties. During the beautiful season, numerous events and festivals are organized. One of the most important is the Cherry Blossom Season, which is when the cherry trees bloom, creating a beautiful spectacle! You can discover all the organized events directly on the official website.

Here are the most loved areas of the garden:

Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden

This is the Japanese Garden, which is definitely the crown jewel of the entire botanical garden! Here, the true Japanese style is recreated, and you can also admire a pond with a reconstructed Shinto shrine. This is, of course, also the place where the Cherry Blossom Season occurs, as the cherry trees bloom from late March, creating a stunning display!

Lily Pool Terrace

Located near the Steinhardt Conservatory, it consists of two aquatic gardens where you can find 100 species of water lilies. A true spectacle for the eyes, these flowers come in various sizes and colors. The best time to admire them is from July to September.

Magnolia Plaza

Located in the heart of the botanical garden, here you can admire 17 different species of magnolias. The best time to see them? Definitely in spring, when the flowers bloom, and you will find yourself surrounded by a burst of white and pink petals.

Cranford Rose Garden

Situated behind the Brooklyn Museum, it features a wonderful collection of roses! With over 1,000 species, the best time to visit this section is definitely June, when they reach their peak bloom and beauty.

Useful Tips for Visiting the Attraction

  • Wake up early ideally, aim to reach the entrance by 10:00 AM;
  • Buy the city card entry to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is included with the The New York Pass, a city card of varying duration (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days) that allows free access to over 100 attractions (from €120.00 for one day) - buy online
  • Priority ticket there is no priority ticket available for purchase online, but by using the entrance included with the The New York Pass you can save a lot of time
  • Be aware of restrictions absolutely forbidden to collect and pick flowers, leaves, and any other plants present; children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult; smoking is prohibited; no drinks and food allowed, except for water bottles and essentials for small children; animals are not allowed
  • Minimum time consider at least an hour and a half for the visit. Ideally, you should dedicate an entire morning
  • Discover the plants it hosts over 10,000 plant varieties. The official website has a page where you can discover which flowers are blooming at any given time, allowing you to find out what you will see during your visit.

Historical Notes, Curiosities, and Practical Info: What You Should Know Briefly

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden was founded back in 1910 by the University of Brooklyn, specifically by the Department of Arts and Sciences. Today it is half public and half private, with different activities and the entire garden financed partly by the city of New York and partly by donations from individuals and associations.

The garden is truly vast, covering 21 acres and has three different entrances: 50 Eastern Parkway on the north side, 455 Flatbush Avenue on the south side of the garden, and 990 Washington Avenue, the main entrance on the west side. Right near the Botanic Gardens is the Brooklyn Museum, one of the most important museums in the entire United States.

Haven't booked your flight and hotel yet? Check out our offers!