This past weekend, I had the chance to visit the Brooklyn Botanical Garden—and wow, what a lovely way to spend a warm spring day! Thanks to my friend who gets free tickets through work (score!), I got in without paying, though general admission usually costs $25 for adults (including the service fee), $18 for students with valid IDs, and seniors over 65, and it’s free for children under 12. Just a heads-up: only service animals are allowed.
By mid-April, the garden was already coming to life. While the famous cherry blossoms and roses still needed a bit more time, most of the other flowers were blooming beautifully. It was so peaceful just strolling through the grounds and taking in all the colors.
My favorite part? Hands down, the Conservatory. The tropical, desert, aquatic, and bonsai rooms were all stunning, but the carnivorous plant stole (Trumpet pitcher aka Sarracenia) the show for me—absolutely fascinating (and just a little creepy in the best way).
The pond and the water-cleaning systems around the garden were also fascinating to see. It’s a thoughtful reminder of how ecosystems function, even in curated spaces like this one.
The Shakespeare Garden and Fragrance Garden were also in full bloom and really fun to walk through—super vibrant and immersive.
If I had to point out a con, it’s that because the garden features so many types of plants, there’s never really a time when everything is blooming, so no “perfect” visit window. Still, that makes every visit unique in its own way.
There are food spots and water fountains scattered around the garden, but be warned: weekend lines for food were long. I didn’t eat inside, but if you go, I’d recommend a weekday visit for a more relaxed experience.
Overall, it was a super peaceful, plant-filled day—I just wish there were a few more animals to keep me company—but hey, it is a botanical garden after all! All in all, a gorgeous spring outing.
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