NYNew York Botanical Garden
Bronx, NY
One of the world's premier botanical institutions, spanning 250 acres with a Victorian glasshouse, 50-acre old-growth forest, and a spectacular rose garden that peaks in June.
Visit WebsiteGarden Guide
Gardens of New York, New Jersey & Pennsylvania
Seventy-five of our favorite green escapes — from grand botanical institutions to hidden neighborhood gems. Every one worth the trip.
Showing 75 gardens
NY
NYBrooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn, NY
A beloved 52-acre urban oasis famous for its Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden and the Cherry Esplanade — one of the best cherry blossom displays on the East Coast each spring.
Visit Website
NYUntermyer Park & Gardens
Yonkers, NY
A breathtaking Indo-Persian walled garden perched above the Hudson River. Dramatic stone terraces, reflecting pools, and sweeping river views make this a truly hidden gem.
Visit Website
NYWave Hill
Bronx, NY
A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades. Intimate garden rooms, wildflower meadows, and stunning seasonal plantings throughout the year.
Visit Website
NYSnug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
Staten Island, NY
A sprawling 83-acre park featuring a Chinese Scholar's Garden among Greek Revival buildings, with serene ponds and beautifully curated botanical collections.
Visit Website
NYQueens Botanical Garden
Flushing, Queens, NY
A 39-acre sustainable garden in the heart of Queens featuring fragrant rose and herb gardens, a wedding garden, and eco-friendly green infrastructure throughout.
Visit Website
NYCentral Park Conservatory Garden
Manhattan, NY
The only formal garden in Central Park — six acres of manicured beauty divided into French, Italian, and English styles. The wisteria pergola in spring is unforgettable.
Visit Website
NYPlanting Fields Arboretum
Oyster Bay, NY
A 409-acre Gold Coast estate with magnificent camellia and rhododendron collections, sweeping lawns, and a historic Tudor Revival mansion. Peak bloom in April and May.
Visit Website
NYOld Westbury Gardens
Old Westbury, NY
A stunning Charles II-style mansion surrounded by 200 acres of formal English gardens, walled gardens, ponds, and allées of beech trees. A true Long Island treasure.
Visit Website
NYBayard Cutting Arboretum
Great River, NY
A peaceful 690-acre estate along the Connetquot River with magnificent specimen trees, rhododendron walks, and wildflower meadows. Serene and uncrowded year-round.
Visit Website
NYClark Botanic Garden
Albertson, NY
A charming 12-acre garden on Long Island featuring a fragrant rose garden, rock garden, herb garden, and a lovely pond — perfect for a quiet afternoon stroll.
Visit Website
NYStonecrop Gardens
Cold Spring, NY
A private garden open to the public in the Hudson Valley, featuring a cliff rock garden, enclosed flower garden, and a woodland garden that feels like stepping into a fairy tale.
Visit Website
NYInnisfree Garden
Millbrook, NY
Inspired by Chinese cup gardens, this 185-acre landscape surrounds a glacial lake with sculpted landforms, waterfalls, and carefully framed views. Meditative and magical.
Visit Website
NYBoscobel House & Gardens
Garrison, NY
A Federal-style mansion with formal gardens overlooking the Hudson River and West Point. The rose garden and river views together make this one of the most romantic spots in the Hudson Valley.
Visit Website
NYMontgomery Place
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
A historic Hudson Valley estate with romantic landscape gardens, orchards, and woodland trails along the Hudson River. The walled kitchen garden is especially lovely in summer.
Visit Website
NYVanderbilt Mansion Gardens
Hyde Park, NY
Formal Italian gardens restored to their Gilded Age splendor on the grounds of the Vanderbilt National Historic Site, with sweeping Hudson River views from the terraced lawns.
Visit Website
NYLocust Grove Estate
Poughkeepsie, NY
A 150-acre Hudson Valley estate with Victorian pleasure grounds, wildflower meadows, and woodland trails. The carriage roads make for a beautiful walk in any season.
Visit Website
NYClermont State Historic Site
Germantown, NY
A Georgian mansion with restored formal gardens and sweeping views of the Catskill Mountains across the Hudson. The lilac collection in May is spectacular.
Visit Website
NYOlana State Historic Site
Hudson, NY
Frederic Church's Persian-inspired mansion sits within a 250-acre landscape he designed himself. The views of the Hudson River and Catskills from the grounds are among the finest in the state.
Visit Website
NYOpus 40
Saugerties, NY
A monumental bluestone sculpture environment built over 37 years in a former quarry. Terraced ramps, pools, and a towering monolith surrounded by the Catskill Mountains.
Visit Website
NYMohonk Mountain House Gardens
New Paltz, NY
A Victorian-era garden perched above a glacial lake in the Shawangunk Mountains. The formal garden, greenhouse, and labyrinth are highlights of this legendary resort property.
Visit Website
NYLasdon Park & Arboretum
Somers, NY
A 234-acre Westchester County park with a Chinese garden, Veterans Memorial, and collections of lilacs, crab apples, and magnolias. Lovely and uncrowded in spring.
Visit Website
NYMuscoot Farm
Somers, NY
A working historic farm in Westchester with heritage gardens, wildflower fields, and farm animals. The herb and vegetable gardens are beautifully maintained throughout summer.
Visit Website
NYGreenburgh Nature Center
Scarsdale, NY
A 33-acre nature preserve with a native plant garden, butterfly garden, and woodland trails. A peaceful escape just minutes from the city.
Visit Website
NYTeatown Lake Reservation
Ossining, NY
A 1,000-acre nature preserve with wildflower island, native plant garden, and miles of trails around a pristine lake. Wildflower season in spring is breathtaking.
Visit Website
NJPresby Memorial Iris Gardens
Upper Montclair, NJ
The largest iris garden in the United States, with over 10,000 plants representing 4,000 varieties. Free to visit, and absolutely dazzling during peak bloom in mid-May.
Visit Website
NJRutgers Gardens
New Brunswick, NJ
A 180-acre garden on the Rutgers University campus featuring the largest display of American hollies in the country, plus annual gardens, a bamboo forest, and woodland trails.
Visit Website
NJReeves-Reed Arboretum
Summit, NJ
A charming 12.5-acre arboretum in a residential neighborhood with a daffodil bowl, rose garden, and azalea garden. The spring bloom sequence here is exceptional.
Visit Website
NJLeonard J. Buck Garden
Far Hills, NJ
A stunning 33-acre rock garden set within a wooded stream valley. Naturalistic plantings of alpine and woodland plants cascade over dramatic rock outcroppings — unlike anything else in the region.
Visit Website
NJFrelinghuysen Arboretum
Morristown, NJ
A 127-acre Morris County arboretum with a Colonial Revival mansion, formal rose garden, and extensive collections of crab apples, magnolias, and flowering cherries.
Visit Website
NJWillowwood Arboretum
Chester Township, NJ
A romantic 130-acre arboretum in the rolling hills of Morris County, featuring one of the finest collections of lilacs and cherries in the Northeast. Peaceful and rarely crowded.
Visit Website
NJBamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center
Chester Township, NJ
A 100-acre estate with formal gardens designed by Martha Brookes Hutcheson, one of America's first female landscape architects. The terraced gardens and meadows are beautifully preserved.
Visit Website
NJSkylands Manor & NJ Botanical Garden
Ringwood, NJ
New Jersey's official botanical garden, set within Ringwood State Park. A Tudor Revival manor surrounded by 96 acres of formal and naturalistic gardens, including a stunning annual garden and lilac collection.
Visit Website
NJCora Hartshorn Arboretum
Short Hills, NJ
A 16.5-acre woodland sanctuary with native wildflower trails and a stone house nature center. A quiet gem for spring ephemerals like trillium and Virginia bluebells.
Visit Website
NJDeep Cut Gardens
Middletown, NJ
A 54-acre Monmouth County park with a Victorian-style greenhouse, rock garden, rose garden, and herb garden. The dahlia collection in late summer is particularly impressive.
Visit Website
NJColonial Park Rose Garden
Franklin Township, NJ
Home to one of New Jersey's finest rose gardens with over 3,000 plants and 275 varieties, plus a fragrance and sensory garden and a perennial garden. Peak bloom in June.
Visit Website
NJLeaming's Run Gardens
Cape May Court House, NJ
The largest annual garden in the United States, with 30 themed garden rooms connected by woodland paths. The hummingbird garden draws thousands of ruby-throated hummingbirds each fall.
Visit Website
NJGrounds For Sculpture
Hamilton, NJ
A 42-acre sculpture park and arboretum where over 270 works of art are set among beautifully landscaped gardens. The combination of art and horticulture makes every visit unique.
Visit Website
NJSayen House & Gardens
Hamilton, NJ
A free public garden with one of New Jersey's finest azalea and rhododendron collections — over 1,000 plants blazing with color each May. A local secret worth knowing.
Visit Website
NJCross Estate Gardens
Bernardsville, NJ
A restored Colonial Revival garden within the Jockey Hollow unit of Morristown National Historical Park. The wisteria-draped pergola and formal terraces are highlights.
Visit Website
NJGreenbrook Sanctuary
Alpine, NJ
A 165-acre nature sanctuary atop the Palisades with wildflower meadows, a waterfall, and dramatic views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline.
Visit Website
NJTourne County Park
Boonton Township, NJ
A Morris County park with native wildflower trails, a mountain summit with panoramic views, and peaceful woodland gardens. Spring ephemerals are a highlight.
Visit Website
NJAcorn Hall
Morristown, NJ
A Victorian Italianate mansion with a restored 19th-century garden featuring heirloom roses, period-appropriate plantings, and a charming kitchen garden.
Visit Website
NJMacculloch Hall Historical Museum Gardens
Morristown, NJ
A Federal-period mansion with beautifully restored gardens including a formal parterre, rose garden, and cutting garden. Intimate and historically rich.
Visit Website
NJHereford Inlet Lighthouse Gardens
North Wildwood, NJ
Victorian cottage gardens surrounding a charming lighthouse on the Jersey Shore. The informal plantings of old roses, herbs, and perennials are maintained entirely by volunteers.
Visit Website
NJTatum Park
Middletown, NJ
A 368-acre Monmouth County park with a historic apple orchard, wildflower meadows, and woodland trails. The orchard in bloom each May is a beautiful sight.
Visit Website
NJHolmdel Arboretum
Holmdel, NJ
A 34-acre Monmouth County arboretum with labeled specimen trees, a pond, and peaceful walking paths. A quiet spot for tree lovers and nature walkers alike.
Visit Website
NJPoricy Park Conservancy
Middletown, NJ
A 250-acre nature preserve with a colonial farm, wildflower meadows, and a fossil-rich stream. The native wildflower garden peaks beautifully in late spring.
Visit Website
NJFosterfields Living Historical Farm
Morristown, NJ
A working Victorian farm with heritage kitchen gardens, orchards, and flower gardens. A lovely step back in time with beautifully maintained period plantings.
Visit Website
NJWaterloo Village
Stanhope, NJ
A restored 19th-century canal village surrounded by natural gardens along the Musconetcong River. Wildflowers, heritage plantings, and a peaceful riverside setting make it a unique find.
Visit Website
PALongwood Gardens
Kennett Square, PA
One of the world's great horticultural showplaces — 1,100 acres of breathtaking gardens, meadows, and woodlands anchored by a stunning conservatory with year-round floral displays and spectacular fountain shows.
Visit Website
PAChanticleer Garden
Wayne, PA
A 35-acre pleasure garden that pushes the boundaries of horticulture. Bold plantings, inventive design, and a joyful spirit make this one of the most inspiring gardens in the country.
Visit Website
PAMorris Arboretum
Chestnut Hill, PA
Philadelphia's official arboretum, set on 92 acres of Victorian landscape with winding paths, a fernery, rose garden, and one of the finest collections of trees in the Northeast.
Visit Website
PAPhipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Pittsburgh, PA
A stunning Victorian glasshouse in Schenley Park featuring world-class seasonal flower shows, tropical rooms, and a commitment to sustainability that makes every visit feel both beautiful and meaningful.
Visit Website
PAHershey Gardens
Hershey, PA
A 23-acre garden paradise featuring over 5,000 roses, vibrant tulip displays, and themed garden rooms set against the rolling hills of central Pennsylvania — a sweet escape in every season.
Visit Website
PABowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
New Hope, PA
A 134-acre sanctuary dedicated to Pennsylvania's native plants. Winding trails lead through meadows, woodlands, and wetlands bursting with wildflowers — a quiet, restorative escape along the Delaware River.
Visit Website
PABartram's Garden
Philadelphia, PA
America's oldest surviving botanic garden, founded in 1728 by John Bartram. This National Historic Landmark sits along the Schuylkill River with a working farm, historic house, and meadow garden.
Visit Website
PAJenkins Arboretum & Gardens
Devon, PA
A hidden gem in the Main Line — 46 acres of native woodland garden renowned for its spectacular azalea and rhododendron collection that erupts in color each spring.
Visit Website
PATyler Arboretum
Media, PA
One of the oldest and largest arboreta in the Northeast, with 650 acres of trails winding past ancient trees, fragrant gardens, and a beloved pink magnolia collection that blooms each April.
Visit Website
PAAwbury Arboretum
Philadelphia, PA
A pastoral 55-acre retreat in the heart of Germantown — rolling meadows, specimen trees, and a tranquil pond create a countryside feel within the city, beloved by locals for quiet walks.
Visit Website
PAHaverford College Arboretum
Haverford, PA
A living museum of trees spread across a beautiful college campus, with a Japanese-inspired duck pond, pinetum, and over 400 labeled tree species — free, peaceful, and endlessly photogenic.
Visit Website
PAAmbler Arboretum of Temple University
Ambler, PA
A 187-acre campus arboretum featuring formal rose and perennial gardens, a fragrance garden, and sweeping lawns — a lesser-known gem that rewards those who seek it out.
Visit Website
PASwiss Pines Japanese Garden
Malvern, PA
A serene 18-acre Japanese-inspired garden with stone lanterns, koi ponds, moss-covered paths, and a teahouse — one of the most peaceful and meditative garden experiences in the Philadelphia region.
Visit Website
PABrandywine Conservancy Wildflower & Native Plant Gardens
Chadds Ford, PA
Nestled beside the Brandywine River, these native plant gardens celebrate the wildflowers and landscapes that inspired Andrew Wyeth — a living painting of meadows, ferns, and seasonal blooms.
Visit Website
PAWissahickon Valley Park
Philadelphia, PA
A 1,800-acre gorge park within Philadelphia featuring miles of carriage roads and trails along a rushing creek, with wildflower banks, towering hemlocks, and a timeless natural beauty.
Visit Website
PARidley Creek State Park
Media, PA
A 2,600-acre park centered on a historic colonial plantation, with woodland trails, a meandering creek, and wildflower clearings that make it one of the most scenic parks in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Visit Website
PASchuylkill Center for Environmental Education
Philadelphia, PA
A 340-acre urban nature preserve with meadows, ponds, and woodland trails just minutes from Center City — a quiet sanctuary for wildflowers, birds, and anyone craving a breath of green.
Visit Website
PAPennsbury Manor
Morrisville, PA
The reconstructed country estate of William Penn, set along the Delaware River with a formal kitchen garden, orchard, and herb beds that bring 17th-century Pennsylvania horticulture back to life.
Visit Website
PAPerkiomen Valley Wildflower Sanctuary
Collegeville, PA
A peaceful valley sanctuary along Perkiomen Creek where native wildflowers carpet the banks each spring — trout lilies, trillium, and Virginia bluebells create a fleeting, magical display.
Visit Website
PANockamixon State Park
Quakertown, PA
A 5,000-acre park surrounding a beautiful lake, with wildflower meadows, woodland trails, and quiet coves that reward visitors who wander beyond the water's edge.
Visit Website
PADelaware Valley University Display Gardens
Doylestown, PA
A working horticultural campus with beautifully maintained display gardens showcasing ornamental grasses, perennials, and seasonal plantings — a hands-on inspiration for any garden lover.
Visit Website
PALaurel Hill Cemetery
Philadelphia, PA
A National Historic Landmark and one of America's great Victorian garden cemeteries — sweeping river views, monumental sculpture, and magnificent old trees make it a surprisingly beautiful place to wander.
Visit Website
PAPhilly Botanic Garden at Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, PA
Nestled within Fairmount Park, this intimate botanic garden features curated plant collections, a fragrance garden, and tranquil paths that offer a quiet counterpoint to the city's energy.
Visit Website
PAHighland Botanical Park
Rochester, PA
A hidden western Pennsylvania treasure — 120 acres of botanical gardens, greenhouse collections, and woodland trails that surprise visitors with their depth and beauty.
Visit Website
PAPenn's Purchase Farm & Garden
New Hope, PA
A heritage farm and garden along the Delaware River with heirloom plantings, perennial borders, and a romantic pastoral setting that feels like stepping into another century.
Visit Website