The 10 Best Gardens in New York, United States

Located in beautiful East Hampton, New York, LongHouse Reserve is a sixteen acre garden with established lawns, ornamental borders, plant collections and outdoor sculpture, planned by the internationally recognized textile designer, Jack Lenor Larsen. Mr. Larsen, along with the recommendations of the LHR Art Committee, has assembled a collection of over 70 sculptures for the gardens. LongHouse Reserve was established in 1991 and reflects founder Jack Lenor Larsen's desire to encourage creativity in gardening and in collecting and everyday living with art.

Madoo is an ever-changing, horticulturally diverse public garden with historic structures established in 1967 by artist, gardener, and writer Robert Dash in the village of Sagaponack, New York. At Madoo, a unique living tribute to the artistic imagination of its founder, we seek to continually engage, educate, and inspire our visitors. We are open Mid-May to Columbus Day weekend. Please email info@madoo for appointments at other times.

The New York Chinese Scholar's Garden is truly unique attraction that adds new dimension to our understanding of life in ancient China and serves as the perfect setting for a host of multi-cultural events. It features magnificent rockery that resemble mountains that inspired the poetry and paintings of Confucian, Buddhist and Taoist monks and other scholars. Visitors can explore eight pavilions, a bamboo forest path, waterfalls, a Koi-filled pond, Chinese calligraphy, and a variety of Ghongshi scholar's rocks including a 15-foot formation that towers over the central courtyard. The Garden is a compilation of different gardens in China. It is based on Ming Dynasty Gardens (1368-1644). The New York Scholar's garden is the one of two authentic scholar's gardens in the United States. A team of 40 Chinese artists and craftsmen spent a year in China creating the Garden's components and another six months in Staten Island as craftsmen-in-residence at Snug Harbor to complete the construction. The Chinese Scholar's Garden at Snug Harbor is one of only two authentic scholar's gardens in the United States.

Located in the Bronx, just 20 minutes from Midtown Manhattan via Metro North Railroad, the 250-acre New York Botanical Garden is a showplace of nature in every season of the year and a must-see destination for NYC visitors. Discover 50 breathtaking gardens, indoor rain forests and deserts, 50 acres of native forest, a river, waterfalls, and rolling green hills. Major seasonal exhibitions and events complement the existing beauty of the permanent gardens, and highlights include the Holiday Train Show (November - January) and The Orchid Show (March - April). NYBG is the perfect excursion for visitors looking to experience the natural beauty of New York City.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an urban botanic garden situated on 52 acres in the heart of Brooklyn, fostering delight and curiosity in the world of plants while inspiring an appreciation and sense of stewardship of the environment. The Garden also offers weddings and private event catering at the Palm House and Atrium, in a beautiful outdoor setting. Please note, Brooklyn Botanic Garden is open year-round, but hours vary seasonally. Be sure to visit bbg.org/visit before plan your visit.

Located in Oyster Bay, New York and originally landscaped by the Olmsted Brothers, the grounds feature 409 acres of greenhouses, rolling lawns, formal gardens, woodland paths and outstanding plant collections. The original historic estate buildings remain intact including Coe Hall, a 65-room Tudor Revival mansion designed by Walker and Gillette. The interior of the house is a showcase of artistry and craftsmanship and features a distinctly American aesthetic through original ironwork commissions by Samuel Yellin and murals painted by artists Robert Winthrop Chanler and Everett Shinn. Planting Fields is included in the National Register of Historic Places.

Old Westbury Gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the former country estate of John S. Phipps and his wife Margarita Grace Phipps. Opened to the public in 1959 with the mission of preserving a part of Long Island’s heritage, Old Westbury Gardens is an extraordinary example of a gracious era. Built in 1906 by the English designer George A. Crawley, Westbury House is a magnificent country house reflecting English architecture of the late 1600s and early 1700s The house is furnished with fine English antiques and decorative arts and remains virtually intact from the more than 50 years of the family’s residence. The estate includes over 70 acres of landscaped formal and informal gardens. An additional 160 acres of fields and woodlands surround the estate.