Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
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Since its opening in 1911, nearly a million people a year visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. This attraction in Brooklyn, NY houses more than 20,000 species of plants within its 52 acres. These species include everything from bonsai trees to rare orchids. There are 15 separate gardens to explore, including a rock garden, an Asian garden, and a garden devoted to local flora. There is also a garden just for children.
Every year since 1982, a Japanese Sakura Matsuri (street festival) takes place in the garden dedicated to cherry blossoms. Throughout the years, the original site has undergone many renovations and expansions. The three present gates received makeovers in the 21st century. Built in 2012, the Diane H. and Joseph S. Steinberg Visitor Center has a living roof with many species of grass and flowers growing on it.
How to Get There
The closest airport is LaGuardia Airport. John F. Kennedy International Airport is also nearby. Newark International Airport and Stewart International Airport are further away but still a relatively short drive.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
Visit Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
The closest parking lot is at 900 Washington Ave. Although the lot accommodates school buses, you're not allowed to park your RV there. So, leave the RV where you're staying, and take public transportation to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. As with any botanical garden, the best time to visit is in the spring or early summer when the flowers are in full bloom. Of course, some of the plants at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden bloom in the fall, so if those interest you, then fall is the best time to visit.
The botanic garden provides seminars and other classes on gardening, so you can enhance your green thumb while visiting. There are classes on everything from cultivating birdseed to building a "lasagna garden." It's also interesting to visit the herbarium, which contains thousands of species that might no longer exist in the wild. One of these is a species of grass that originated in the 1830s. Another set of species comes from the Galapagos Islands and was collected in 1930. There are even mosses from Canada that are descended from those collected on an expedition in 1892.
Ticket Information
As of August 31, 2023, adult tickets cost $18. Admission for students and seniors costs $12 with applicable identification. Children under 12 are admitted free, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The parking rates for the lot at 900 Washington Ave. are $10 for the first hour and $2 for each additional hour up to $18 for five hours. After five hours, it's $24 for the day until the lot closes. If you miss the closing time, then it's a total of $35 for the 24-hour period. People with lost tickets must also pay $35. Remember, the lot does not accommodate RVs.
Family-Friendly Options
You and your family can go on a guided hour-long nature walk through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. If you want to grab a trowel and a pair of gloves, then you can join in the family gardening. You have to preregister for this activity, so check the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's website for the applicable information. Everyone should buy tickets online before arriving, but this applies especially to large groups. Other family-friendly activities, such as Fall Family Story Time, Family Discovery Weekends, and First Discoveries, require preregistration. Always arrive early with a large group because it's easier to plan the logistics when you don't have to rush.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
As with most places in New York City, public transportation is the best way to get anywhere. Taxis and ride-shares are good, too. Begin planning your trip a few weeks in advance, and buy the tickets for a specific time and date then. Find a good place to leave your RV, such as the one RV campground in the city, or a pay lot somewhere in or out of the city. Study all the public transportation schedules beforehand, too.
If you decide to stay outside NYC and take the train in — either the Metro North Commuter Railroad to Grand Central Terminal or the New Haven Railroad — then plan your train's arrival time to coincide with your bus or subway. Even if you don't have a large group, it's always a good idea to be at least 15 minutes early. Enjoy your time in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. When you're done, be sure to go to Grimaldi's Pizza, which is about 3 miles from the attraction. Along with Lombardi's in the SoHo neighborhood in Manhattan, it's one of only two pizzerias in the Five Boroughs that's allowed to use a coal-fired oven. The pizza is world-famous, and you're sure to enjoy it!
Brooklyn Botanical Gardens Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
Beaver Pond Campground at Harriman State Park is just a 45-minute drive from Yonkers. This campground offers spacious sites that can comfortably accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. At different points throughout the park, you can experience the tural beauty provided by the Lower Hudson Valley.
Sun Air Lakeside Campground is a Jersey City, New Jersey campground that offers relief from the busy city life. Situated beside Dogwood Pond in Oak Ridge, New Jersey, this park allows extended stays in a peaceful environment. The local town of Oak Ridge provides many of the amenities absent in the park itself, including restaurants, theaters, laundromats, and stores.
There is one Jersey City, New Jersey campground within the confines of the city. Liberty Harbor Marina & RV Park is a must-visit location for anyone interested in U.S. history. From this RV park, you can see the New York skyline, including the Statue of Liberty.
Activities Near Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
Things to Do
Coney Island
You can swim at Coney Island beaches from May through September. While there, you can get world-famous Coney dogs, ride the Cyclone, and stroll leisurely on the boardwalk.
Prospect Park Zoo
To see wildlife, you can visit the Prospect Park Zoo, which has 170 or so species in it as of Sept. 1, 2023. The zoo covers 12 acres.
Fishing
If you'd like to fish, then you can take one of several fishing charters that take you out into Jamaica Bay. Whatta Catch and Goin' Fishin' Charters are two notable examples.
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
The weather in Brooklyn is usually what's expected for the season when you visit. You will only seldom experience out-of-the-ordinary temperatures at any one time, but it pays to be prepared. For example, bring sunscreen, a big hat, and sunglasses to visit during the summer. In the spring, you might need a windbreaker. In all cases, be prepared for rain, too, so you don't get unexpectedly soaked. Comfortable shoes are a must because taking public transportation means a lot of walking from station to station and then from the station to your destination.
Safety & Accessibility
Wheelchairs are available for people who need them. All of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is accessible, and caregivers and attendants get in for free. Service and guide animals are welcome. All the paths in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden are accessible, but some of them are steep and/or rugged in keeping with the historic nature of the garden.
Conclusion
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an educational place for the whole family. Enjoy exploring it and learning about all the plants that have a home there. New York City is the gateway to the rest of the country, so feel free to continue exploring the United States after seeing and experiencing the garden.
FAQ
The Skyline RV Camp is the only RV-friendly camping option nearby. It's located at 1 Oak St., Brooklyn, NY 11222.
No, it's not RV-friendly. As with most places in the Five Boroughs, there's no place to park your RV, which is why it's best to leave it somewhere else and take public transportation.
If you're disabled and you need a wheelchair, and you exit the garden near closing time, then the best way to do that is through the administration building. You'll come out at 1000 Washington Ave., which is right near the parking lot.
Yes, decidedly so. There are programs for both children and adults throughout most of the year.
For pets other than service or guide animals, no, it's not pet-friendly.