New York Botanical Garden Tickets, Prices, Discounts, What to Expect and More

The New York Botanical Garden is a 250-acre oasis located in the Bronx, New York.

Founded in 1891, it is one of the premier botanical gardens in the United States and a National Historic Landmark. 

The Garden’s diverse landscape includes 50 gardens and plant collections, a 50-acre tract of original forest, and a Victorian-style glasshouse containing a lush rainforest.

The New York Botanical Garden has curated an astounding variety of plants, from orchids to roses. 

Its living collections include over one million plants sourced from around the world. 

In addition to conservation and research initiatives, the Garden offers a number of public programs and courses for visitors of all ages. 

You can either come to wander the grounds, attend an event, or simply find a moment of peace amid nature at the New York Botanical Garden.

This article will provide all the details about New York Botanical Garden tickets, what to expect and more.

Snapshot

What to expect at New York Botanical Garden

Once inside, you can expect to witness a variety of plant collections and landscapes that showcase the beauty of nature. 

The collections are divided into five sections – herbaceous plants, perennial plants, woody plants, aquatic plants, and rock garden plants. 

Take your time to wander around, and don’t forget to take some photos. 

Each season brings out the best in the gardens, so take a look at:

• The blooming flowers in spring
• The lush greens in summer
• The changing foliage in autumn
• The snow-covered gardens in winter

Suppose you are looking for a bit of cultural enrichment. 

In that case, you can also enjoy the gallery exhibitions, outdoor concerts, and theater performances held at the gardens throughout the year.

Special activities include scavenger hunts, gardening workshops, and puppet shows for children.

Where to buy New York Botanical Garden tickets?

You can buy the New York Botanical Garden tickets online or from the ticket counter. 

You should get your tickets online. They are much cheaper than the tickets available at the ticket counter. 

In addition to that, when you buy your tickets online, you avoid the hassle of standing in long ticketing queues that can take up to hours during peak season. 

The ticket office only has limited tickets available, which sell quickly. 

So, there’s a high chance that you might not get your tickets even after standing in the queues for a while. 

Purchasing New York Botanical Garden tickets online is the smartest option to avoid such last-minute disappointments. 

New York Botanical Garden ticket prices

A simple entry ticket to the New York Botanical Garden costs $35 per person. 

It allows access to the park’s outdoor collection, trails, and the Rock and Native Plant garden. 

New York Botanical Garden often has special exhibitions; you must purchase a separate ticket to access these. 

The New York Botanical Garden special exhibition entry ticket costs $31 per person.

You can also visit the New York Botanical Garden using city passes, which offer discounts on entry to attractions. 

The Go City Explorer Pass starts at $74 per person and the New York City Pass costs $129 per adult!

New York Botanical Garden tickets

The New York Botanical Garden offers various ticket options to enjoy a day of exploration and discovery at the Garden. 

Below is the list of ticket options to choose from: 

New York Botanical Garden entry ticket

Explore over 250 acres of botanical diversity with a general admission ticket to the renowned New York Botanical Garden. 

You can access the Garden’s impressive outdoor collections and winding trails, showcasing plants from delicate wildflowers to towering trees. 

Visit the tranquility of the Native Plant Garden and wander along rock outcroppings in the Rock Garden (seasonal). 

Little ones will love the hands-on discoveries waiting in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. 

Take a ride on the NYBG tram tour for an informative overview covering everything under the Garden’s green canopy. 

From orchids and cacti to an old-growth forest, a Garden ticket grants you access to natural beauty alongside decades of cultivation. 

Discover this living museum’s 50 gardens and plant collections at your own pace with general admission.

Ticket includes:

• Access to the outdoor collections and trails
• Access to Rock Garden (seasonal) and Native Plant Garden
• Access to Everett Children’s Adventure Garden
• NYBG Tram Tour 

Ticket Prices:

Age	Ticket price
Adult ticket (13 to 64 years)	$35
Child ticket (2 to 12 years)	$15
Senior Citizen ticket (65+ years)	$31
Student ticket	$31
Infant ticket (3 years and younger)	Free entry

New York Botanical Garden: special exhibition entry ticket

For those looking for an unforgettable evening experience, the New York Botanical Garden is the perfect destination. 

Here, guests can wander through a green oasis of solar-powered relaxation, admiring the beautiful botanic gardens while attending a special after-hours exhibition. 

Each exhibition celebrates pioneering artists and botanists and reflects the changing seasons. 

Take advantage of this unique opportunity; grab your tickets for the New York Botanical Garden Special Exhibitions today!

Ticket includes:

• Admission to New York Botanical Gardens Holiday Train Show
• Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
• 2-hour long access

Ticket Prices:

Age	Ticket price
Adult ticket (13+ years)	$32
Child ticket (2 to 12 years)	$18

City Passes to visit the New York Botanical Garden

You can also visit the New York Botanical Garden using a City Pass. A city pass is best for those looking to tour multiple attractions within NYC. 

These passes are valid for longer durations, which means you can plan out visits to attractions accordingly.

You can choose between the Go City Explorer Pass and the New York City Pass. 

Go City Explorer Pass NYC provides access to over 95+ iconic attractions, including the New York Botanical Garden. 

This pass is valid for 60 days. And you can combine 1tenattractions around the city!

You can save up to 40% off the cost of admission for multiple attractions with the Go City Explorer Pass.

The New York Pass allows you to access over 100 attractions and tours, including the New York Botanical Garden. 

The pass is valid for up to 9 days and includes skip-the-line access at many attractions. 

This is a great way to get a feel for the city and see all New York offers.

New York Botanical Garden Opening Hours

From Tuesday to Sunday, the New York Botanical Garden is open from 10 am to 6 pm.

The garden is closed on Mondays and open on federal holidays. 

During the summer months of July and August, the Garden is open until 9 pm on Thursdays. 

Visitors can explore the grounds and greenhouses and participate in educational programs.  

However, due to the extended hours, certain attractions are unavailable. 

These include the Tram Tour, Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, and some outdoor gardens and collections. 

The timings for special exhibitions vary and we suggest you check them on the day of your visit. 

Best Time to Visit the New York Botanical Garden

Mornings are ideal for a peaceful experience when the garden opens at 10 AM. If you prefer fewer people, aim for late afternoon, as many visitors leave by then. 

Avoid holidays and special events for a quieter visit. Remember that the garden is closed on Mondays.

Weekdays, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays, are less crowded than weekends. 

The best time to visit the New York Botanical Garden is during the spring or early fall. 

These seasons offer pleasant weather and vibrant blooms. 

 To see the annual Orchid Show, plan a visit during late winter. 

So, for a tranquil experience, choose a weekday morning during the spring or early fall to explore the beauty of the New York Botanical Garden.

How long does it take at the New York Botanical Garden?

The time it takes to explore the New York Botanical Garden depends on your interests and the season. 

On average, visitors spend about two to three hours there. 

If you’re passionate about plants and enjoy a stroll, you might want to spend more time. 

During spring, the blooming season, you should dedicate extra time to admire the beautiful flowers. 

The Garden covers 250 acres, with various themed gardens, exhibitions, and collections to explore. 

You can check the garden’s website for current attractions and events to make the most of your visit. 

Remember, wear comfortable shoes and bring water, especially in the warmer months. 

If you plan to participate in guided tours or workshops, add extra time for those experiences. 

How to Reach the New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden is a living museum of plants in the Bronx! You can use public transportation, a taxi or drive to the location! 

Address: 2900 Southern Blvd, The Bronx, NY 10458, United States. Get Directions.

Here are the best and easiest ways of reaching the New York Botanical Garden:

By Metro

Take the Metro-North Harlem local line to the New York Botanical Garden station.

The station is located on the Garden’s Mosholu Entrance

By Subway

Bedford Park Blvd Station and Allerton Avenue Station are the closest subway station to the park. 

You can take B, D or train 4 to reach Bedford Park Blvd Station.

Catch the Bx26 Bus to the Garden’s Mosholu Entrance from the station exit. 

If you prefer to walk to the park, it is eight blocks down the hill and takes 20 minutes to cover. 

To reach the Allerton Avenue Station, take train 2. 

From the Station exit, walk three blocks west on Allerton Avenue, turn left on Bronz Park East and Walk two blocks to Waring Avenue. 

This will lead you to the Garden’s East Gate. 

By Taxi or Car

You can take a taxi or drive to the New York Botanical Garden. 

You can hail a cab or book a ride using Uber!

If you choose to drive to the New York Botanical Garden, you can park onsite at the provided space. It will cost you $22.

Additional parking is also available at NYBG Parking Garage. 

New York Botanical Garden Entrances

The New York Botanical Garden has five entrances, four of which are functional now. 

Here is a brief on the four New York Botanical Garden entrances. 

Main Entrance

At the forefront stands the Main Entrance, a bustling hub located at 2900 Southern Boulevard. 

It serves as the primary gateway for most visitors and remains open daily, following the Garden’s operational hours.

You can reach this entrance by personal vehicles or using select MTA bus lines like Bx19, Bx12, Bx22, Bx9, and Bx17. 

Additionally, it’s the designated drop-off and pick-up zone for taxis, car services, and rideshares, ensuring convenient access for visitors and staff.

For those requiring specialized services like paratransit access or disability permits, the Main Entrance accommodates interior drop-offs and pick-ups.

Moshouly Entrance

Mosholu Entrance lies at 2950 Southern Boulevard between Mosholu Parkway and Bedford Park Boulevard. 

This entrance operates daily during Garden hours.

You can reach this entrance by taking the Metro-North Railroad,  subway lines B, D, and 4, and buses like Bx26, Bx41, and Bx34 lines.

Access via personal vehicles is restricted and reserved for staff, private event attendees, conference participants, education students, and pre-approved service vehicles. 

Security coordination is pivotal for events or special access needs, ensuring seamless entry for authorized vehicles.

Everett Garden Entrance

The Everett Garden Gate, on Southern Boulevard near East Fordham Road, is tailored for school groups participating in Children’s Education programs or events. 

Open Tuesday through Friday, it caters exclusively to registered educational organizations, providing a designated stop for school buses and groups arriving on foot.

East Gate

The East Gate, positioned at the junction of Waring Avenue and Bronx Park East, grants access during regular daytime hours. 

It’s a pedestrian-only gateway catering to visitors and staff commuting via the MTA subway line 2 to Allerton Avenue station.

However, visitors are redirected to the Main or Mosholu Entrances for early morning or evening events.

For those arriving outside the East Gate’s operational hours, an alternative route guides them via the Bx26 bus from Allerton Ave to the Mosholu Entrance, ensuring access despite the gate closure.

What to See at the New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden is a world-class destination for art and botany enthusiasts. 

It is an ideal spot for a family outing with many exhibits, activities, and trails.

Exhibits

As one of the preeminent botanical gardens in the world, the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx offers far more than beautiful blossoms. 

The 250-acre site is a “living museum” with educational and captivating exhibits to match its expansive collections. 

From rotating art exhibitions featuring celebrated artists like Yayoi Kusama and Claude Monet to the annual Orchid Show, the Garden offers a variety of botany exhibitions. 

When planning your visit, don’t miss these highlights:

The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

This imposing Victorian-style greenhouse provides a glimpse into diverse plant ecosystems from around the world. 

Step into a towering palm forest, traverse the arid African desert and stand speechless before cascading waterfalls in the mist-filled rainforest zone. 

Orchids, cacti, and other rare species thrive in separate galleries for a fully immersive botanical experience.

Native Plant Garden

Designed to showcase over 500 species of plants native to the northeastern U.S., this exhibit authentically recreates zones from woodlands to wetlands. 

Meandering paths past wildflowers and glacier-formed rock outcroppings convey the beauty of untouched nature. Interpretive labels detail indigenous uses of plants for food and medicine.

Everett Children’s Adventure Garden

Kids roam freely in this exhibit, which caters specifically to children and families. 

Budding botanists can dig in the soil, gather eggs from the chicken coop, or explore pine cone patterns. 

Whimsical structures like a giant bird’s nest and a pumpkin house prompt the imagination and meaningful nature play.

Special Exhibitions

In addition to its core exhibits, the Garden hosts temporary displays ranging from lichen ecology to plants’ influence on art. 

Combining art and science, these rotating exhibitions utilize rare books, artifacts, and artworks borrowed from top museums and collectors.

With 50 intricate gardens and diverse displays scattered across its vibrant landscape, every twist of the trail promises something new to discover. 

Give yourself ample time to uncover the living museum within the New York Botanical Garden.

Family-Friendly Activities

From the children’s gardening program to the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden – which offers arts-and-crafts workshops and bilingual singalongs year-round.

The Garden provides plenty of activities for kids and teens of all ages. 

The Edible Academy, managed partly by Annie Novak from Eagle Street Rooftop Farm in Brooklyn, offers hands-on gardening activities and cooking demonstrations every.

• Wednesday
• Saturday
• Sunday

Guided Tours 

The Garden provides wheelchair-accessible tram tours and a variety of guided excursions led by guides that focus on specific sections of the Gardens. 

Private tram tours are also available for groups. 

There are also mobile guides that visitors can use to get an aerial view of the Garden, as well as historical images and curator commentary.

Trails and Gardens

Enjoy a walk through the Thain Family Forest or the Wetland Trail, which is especially beautiful when bright purple ironweed flowers bloom in the summer. 

Take advantage of the Azalea Garden, which is particularly stunning around Mother’s Day.

You can also explore the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, which peaks from May to October.

The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show 

From late February to mid-April, the Garden displays a thematically curated orchid exhibition, with related New York Botanical garden events like

• Evening cocktail parties
• Hands-on orchid-care demonstrations

New York Botanical Garden Train Show

Spectacle at New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show—a beloved seasonal tradition—has created cherished memories for over three decades. 

See model trains race across a charming display of more than 190 iconic New York attraction replicas, each crafted with natural materials such as 

• Birch bark
• Lotus pods
• Cinnamon sticks 

In addition, take in the city’s biggest outdoor holiday light event at NYBG GLOW, back for its third year with even more illuminated displays. 

Thousands of vivid, energy-efficient lights and beautiful, picture-perfect displays mirror the nearby gardens and collections, creating a show that should not be missed. 

Spend a special night out this season with music, activities, food, and more at these special evenings.

Dining Options

The Garden has two excellent restaurants – the Pine Tree Café and Hudson Garden Grill – and food trucks offering dishes inspired by the Garden’s current art exhibition. 

Visitors can also bring food and enjoy it in the Picnic Pavilion behind the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden.

Whether looking for a relaxing day in nature or a hands-on educational experience, the New York Botanical Garden has something for everyone.

New York Botanical Garden FAQs

Featured Image : Laura Michalski on Unsplash