A tropical rain forest, a cactus-filled desert and a breathtaking rose garden are only a train-ride away in New York.
The
New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is home to more than 50 diverse gardens and plant collections, including 3,000 trees, on its 250-acre landscape, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world.
It's open year-round, but with spring in full bloom, now is the time to go.
There's a
rose garden, in bloom May to October, featuring more than 3,500 rose plants in more than 600 varieties (and you thought there was only one). Another spring highlight are the
cherry blossoms, with their bright, beckoning pink petals.
On the other end of the spectrum, the
Haupt Conservatory features misty rain forests, dramatic deserts and tropical plants unlike anything you could ever expect to find here.
That's only a small sampling of what the garden holds. For an interactive look that will also help you plan out your visit, you can explore the garden through its
online map. You can also check out
what's currently in bloom, so you don't miss your favorite flower at its peak.
If you like to get your hands dirty, be sure to also reference the garden's
daily tours and programs, where you can learn about taking hands-on gardening classes, and do your own part to help the garden thrive.
