The New York Botanical Garden is an inspiring National Historic Landmark.

Admittedly it takes some effort, but the New York Botanical Garden, located at Bronx Park off Southern and Bedford Park Blvds in the Bronx, New York City, is well worth the effort of getting there because, no matter the season, it’s a feast for the senses. 

Built in 1891, rich with Victorian-era architecture, and covering 250 acres, the NYBG is one of the largest in the nation. With over one million living plants in its collection, the diversity of plant life and exhibitions make it easy to see why it's visited by over one million people annually. Paved walking paths wind through a variety of cultivated landscapes and gardens, with something new and beautiful to see throughout the year. There’s everything from taiko drummers to Mother’s Day picnics in the meadow and something beautiful around the next corner, no matter the season.

You can easily make a full day of it here; the Pine Tree Café sells inexpensive eats just next to the entrance, and the pricier Hudson Garden Grill is a good option if you want a sit-down meal. The paneling in the restaurant even comes from trees knocked down in the garden during Hurricane Sandy.

Check out the "What's On" calendar of listings before you go to see if there are any seasonal or temporary exhibitions to add to your visit.

The only drawback? The cost of the garden may at first seem prohibitive. A one-time visit will set you back $28 per adult and $12 per child on the weekends, before any tickets to special events.

Weekdays are a few dollars cheaper, and a discount is available for NYC residents. The NYBG is closed on Mondays.

For botany lovers, an annual family membership may be your best option; if you come as a family of four, the $135 yearly fee will quickly pay for itself in under two visits. Certainly, keep membership in mind if you’d like to attend any of the Garden’s special events.

It’s accessible from the B, D, 4, and 2 Subway trains, as well as the Metro-North train Botanical Garden Station. Be aware: If you drive and park, the lot is an extra $15 and fills up quickly on weekends and during major events.

Our best advice is to skip the crowds (like those at the popular, annual holiday train show), and head to the garden on a calmer day.

Also, located only about a 10-minute walk or a 3-minute bike ride from the famous Bronx Zoo. Doing both on the same day would be a challenge with a lot of walking with little ones, but they are very close to one another.