| There isn't a finer spot in New York City to spend a | | | | York City before European colonization. This section |
| relaxing day then among the fragrant flowers of the | | | | utilizes the natural topography of the site to incorporate |
| New York Botanical Garden. Housing one of the most | | | | the Bronx River along with various ridges and hills. |
| extensive collections in the world, this gem also | | | | Throughout the year, the Gardens are home to |
| contains some of the world's leading plant laboratories. | | | | various festivals and shows, with subjects as varied |
| Combined with a trip to the nearby Bronx Zoo, the | | | | as antique train exhibitions to the plants of Africa. The |
| New York Botanical Gardens are a great day trip off | | | | Gardens also often host art shows. Viewing art in |
| the island of Manhattan. The Gardens also represent | | | | these unique setting is an experience not to be missed. |
| an economical alternative to some of the pricier tourist | | | | For younger children, the Everett Children's Adventure |
| sites in New York, with an admission fee of only six | | | | Garden is a place to frolic and play among mazes and |
| dollars. Public transportation is easy, as both | | | | larger-than life flowers. For kids aged 2 to 12, this great |
| MetroNorth and the New York City subway system | | | | section of the Gardens is an educational way to enjoy |
| service the Gardens. | | | | the grounds while parents take in the other exhibits. |
| Founded in 1891 with money generated in a campaign | | | | It's not widely known that the Gardens serve a dual |
| by Columbia University Botanist Nathaniel Lloyd Britton, | | | | purpose. While providing an urban forest oasis to |
| the Botanical Gardens are located on the grounds of | | | | residents and tourists, the Gardens are also the home |
| the former Belmont Estate, once owned by a tobacco | | | | to several research institutions. They house a |
| magnate. The Gardens were declared a National | | | | 50,000-volume library of books on botany, one of the |
| Historic Monument in 1967. | | | | world's largest collections. The newest of these |
| A visitor could spend weeks ambling through the | | | | institutions is the Pfizer Plant Research Laboratory, built |
| collection of the Botanical Gardens. Highlights include a | | | | with funding from a variety of sponsors, including the |
| full Japanese rock garden, a perfect place to relax | | | | pharmaceutical company from which it takes its name. |
| with a book. The trees contained in this part of the | | | | Its primary focus is on genetic research. |
| Gardens include exquisite examples of the Japanese | | | | Make a trip to the Botanical Gardens part of your stay |
| art of bonsai cultivation. Perhaps the most important | | | | in New York City. It's one of the best ways to learn |
| part of the Gardens, at least from a historical | | | | something while at the same time having a fun |
| standpoint, is the fifty-acre section of woodlands | | | | experience. After all, there's something to be said for |
| located in the center. These trees are the last | | | | enjoying your own little slice of nature right in the |
| remnants of the original woodlands that covered New | | | | middle of one of the largest metropolises on the planet. |