People always say New York is a concrete jungle, but they should really emphasize the jungle part of that statement! After years of dreaming of it, I finally traveled to New York City. I’m not even exaggerating when I tell you that our itinerary consisted of 90% parks. I saw more nature in that city than on a normal Tuesday in Denton. For a city with a reputation of being absent of outdoor space, we spent a lot of time with nature! The good news about having a schedule that is comprised mainly of visiting parks is that it’s inexpensive! If you want to save money and see some botanical beauty in New York, you’ve come to the right blog! After all, what type of botanical blogger would I be if I didn’t share my list of what to do in New York City with a botanical twist!
Central Park
No “What to do in New York City” post would be complete without a suggestion to visit Central Park! Central Park may be New York City’s most famous attraction, apart from the Empire State Building of course. I feel like I could write a whole post alone on everything this 843 acre park has to offer (and I will if you want to learn more), but for now, I’ll just provide the highlight reel!
As the first landscaped public park in the United States, Central Park is a peaceful refuge from city life. Originally opened in 1859, this park is the brainchild of the one and only father of landscape architecture, Fredrick Law Olmsted! (and Calvert Vaux…). Designed to mimic the pastoral landscapes of England, the park is an amalgamation of open, rolling meadows, meandering streams, whimsical woodlands, and a patchwork of over 985 miles of paths interwoven together. Spanning from 59th St. to 110th St., it would be impossible to see all the park in one day, unless you happen to be Barry Allen. Having said that, I wanted to share some of my favorite spots in Central Park:
Central Park Zoo
Run by the Wildlife Conservation Society, this zoo is the first public zoo in New York. The zoo exhibits are divided into three main zones: the tropics, temperate, and polar zone. This zoo is a botanical beauty in itself. I was enamored by this zoo as someone who wants to get into the zoo design industry. The zoo is located at East 64th St. and 5th Ave. and open from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
Shakespeare’s Garden
Shakespeare’s Garden is a kaleidoscope of colorful flowers! Fellas, take note of this romantic menagerie of plants, it feels like it could be a beautiful place to propose (or maybe a cursed place to propose, after all Shakespeare is known for his tragedies). Hundreds of plants named in Shakespeare’s plays are showcased in this four acre garden. Located just a short walk from the Belvedere Castle and Senecca Village landscape, you can find this beautiful garden tucked away between 79th St. and 80th St. near the Swedish Cottage.
Belevedere Castle
Possibly one of the most iconic views in Central Park, this tiny castle is an original design feature of the park and acts as the visitor center today. From the top of Belvedere Castle, you have a beautiful view of Turtle Pond and the Great Lawn. I recommend visiting early in the morning, as the sun is rising for the most enchanting view of the city! Bonus points if you eat a bagel while there!
Other places worth checking out while at Central Park, include:
- Bethesda Fountain and Terrace
- Cleopatra’s Needle
- Model Boat Pond (Conservatory Water)
- The Mall & Literary Walk
I would also recommend planning a tour with this tour company! Although we did not take the tour for Central Park, we took one for the Art Deco Architecture of Midtown, and our fabulous tour guide told us that he also led the tour for Central Park! I can imagine his tour of this oasis is equally amazing!
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
Continuing with the theme of going to destinations where you forget you’re even in one of the largest cities in America, I present you the Brooklyn Botanical Garden! To quote my travel companion while we were in the 52 acres paradise, “I forgot I was even in a city”. Don’t worry, New York was quick to remind them that they were still in the city that never sleeps when a car laid on the horn after they said that. The Brooklyn Botanical Garden is essentially a collection of gardens inside a garden. In addition to these 31 themed gardens, there are 3 climate controlled plant pavilions that represent different eco regions, and an incredible bonsai museum! My top three gardens I enjoyed exploring were the Overlook, the Discovery Garden, and the Water Garden.
In addtion, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden offers various guided tours. Hours for the garden depend on the season. Summer hours are from 8am to 6pm, and winter hours are reduced to 10am to 3:30pm. It cost $18 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. This is a destination I would recommend dedicating some time to explore! At minimum, 2.5 hours would allow you to stroll a good portion of the site.
Industry city
No need to refill that metro card, because we will stay in Brooklyn for the next stop on our New York City itinerary! The name of this spot likely has you wondering why it’s on this botanically infused list. Well, Industry City is such a cool example of a post-industrial reimagining of a defunct factory complex. With over 600 businesses, Industry City is now a vibrant creative hub along the waterfront of Sunset Park.
What makes this place special, and what lands it on this list, are the 3 courtyards between the buildings. These courtyards bring new social and ecological life to the historic shipping yard with their lush greenery and the feeling of walking in an open air art gallery. These courtyards draw visitors into industry city by reflecting the colorful world of creativity that resides in the buildings. After reading about the design of these pocket park courtyards, what was evident is that the landscape architects were careful to provide generous programming and flexibility to the spaces despite their limited room. The juxtaposition of the swaths of beautiful greens with the industrial exterior of the buildings gives the space a softness and welcoming nature.
High line
Keeping with the theme of post-industrial landscape architecture, I invite you to walk the High Line! I would venture to say the High Line is the most famous linear park in the world. Designed by James Corner Field Operations (yep, the same firm that designed West End Square), this garden in the sky encourages people to take a serene journey through the city along a 1.5 mile immersive walk. To provide a brief history of the park, the High Line was once an elevated rail line. As train use diminished in favor of freight trucks, the High Line became obsolete and was scheduled for demolition. Eventually, nature reclaimed the structure, and the rail line turned into the park it is today.
With over 1,500 species of plants, the High Line has breathed new ecology into New York City. The Bloomberg Connects app is great for exclusive content if you’re interested in learning more about the behind the scenes details of the gardens and conservation efforts! The park is open from 7am to 10 pm and has several elevators for mobility needs!
The best story from my trip to New York City is that I bumped into my supervisor from the Dallas Zoo while walking the High Line! We had no idea either of us were going to be there. What are the chances in a city of 1 billion people?! Cue “It’s a Small World”!
The Little Island
Just a short walk across the street from the High Line is an incredible botanically immersive maritime park! Designed to mimic a leaf floating along the Hudson, this park has over 35 tree species, 65 shrubs, and 290 varieties of grasses and perennials! With this treasure trove of ecological diversity, Little Island is a destination for pollinators and people alike! This park, part of the larger Hudson River Park, was formerly Pier 55 and opened in 2021. One of the most mesmerizing aspects of Little Island is the topographical variety the park offers. As you climb the meandering paths of the park, you are presented with these stunning views of the city skyline and Hudson River! Little Island also has various play elements. I loved the hypnotic wheels placed around the park! Little Island is open from 6am to 10pm!
Hudson River Park
While on the topic of the maritime parks, you definitely have to check out the Husdon River Park while visiting New York City! This recreational paradise rivals Central Park in size, with 550 acres and 4 miles of river front property that offers stunning sunset views and outdoor activities ranging from biking to kayaking! Each pier offers a unique experience of the Hudson, allowing visitors to enjoy the river in different ways.
The bountiful botanical diversity of the Hudson River Park provides a vast plant buffer for visitors from the hustle and bustle of the city. This creates a sense of connection with the Hudson and reimagines the relationship between the estuarine ecosystem and the city. The park’s website has a bloom guide that tells you what flowers will be blooming while you visit!
Washington Square Park
Next up on our list is the park featured in so many beloved shows! A park that has is a hub for culture! What park is this, you ask? Washington Square Park of course! Located in Greenwich Village, this 9.75 acre park was so full of life and excitement when I visited! While sitting on the bench watching, I observed a plethora of NYU students sketching away or playing music. There were additionally protests for women’s rights in Iran. This park truly felt like a hot spot for culture and social reform!
Washington Square Park’s main features are the dominating Washington Square Arch and fountain, but the park also offers several other amenities, including a chess plaza (iconic!), playgrounds, a stage, game tables, and dog parks.
Governor’s Island
Sadly, we are to our last park on my list. However, I saved the best for last! Governor’s Island was my favorite park in New York City, hands down! Visiting this National Monument was a last minute addition to the itinerary. Two days before leaving for New York City, I was looking up precedent imagery for a project at work (check out my post about landscape architecture here) and stumbled across Governor’s Island. I quickly texted my travel companion. I asked if there was any way we could fit a visit to Governor’s Island into our schedule. Needless to say, we made it!
Central Park may be the first public park in the United States, but Governor’s Island dates back long before our Founding Fathers! Originally called “Nut Island” by the Lenape, the island was used for seasonal harvesting since 1524. Only in 1699 did the name “Governor’s Island” become established when it became the home of the colonial governor of New York. The island was used in a military capacity until 2003, when the National Park Service began to manage the island, after that point. The island has evolved over the past twenty years, and is now a vibrant ecological park that demonstrates resilience and sustainable development!
To reach Governor’s Island, you will need to take an approximately 7 min ferry ride. This shortage voyage costs $4 and has spectacular views of Lower Manhattan!
Activities
Once on this 172 acre island, there is so much to do! A few highlights include:
- Outlook Hill | This hill sits 70 feet above the Hudson and offers an amazing view of the Statue of Liberty!
- Hammock Grove | Kick up those weary feet and relax in the iconic red hammocks of Govenor’s Island. Trust me when I say this is super relaxing!
- Picnic Point | Picnic Point is the perfect spot to sit, eat, and listen to the waves of the Hudson hit against the island.
- Slide Hill | What’s more fun then sliding down a 3 story tall slide?! Having a whole hill filled with tall slides!
- Nolan Park | For my history buffs, this part of the island will be your paradise. You can meander along the promenade of historic buildings dating back to the 1700s. It has a truly relaxing vibe!
- Taco Vista | Of course, from all this exploring, I’m sure your stomach is growling! Taco Vista, located at the ferry pier, has delicious food, and a tropical ambiance! You may just think you’re in the Cabo and not NYC!
While certainly not a comprehensive list, I hope this provides a little taste of what is in store from a trip to Governor’s Island. I would recommend scheduling plenty of time to explore the park. The island is open daily from 7am to 6pm.
Gallow Green
Well my friends, we have reached our final destination on this botanical itinerary. I’m sure you must be starving by now with all this exploring you’ve been doing in the Big Apple. You’re just in luck, because I will end this list with a delicious and cozy rooftop restaurant! Gallow Green is located at the McKittrick hotel. You will truly feel like you’re eating dinner in a forest that just so happens to have a view of the Manhattan skyline. The rooftop is full of lush greenery with a variety of seating options that include standing tables, traditional dining tables, and picnic tables. The food is French style, and honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. It is all tasty!
Gallow Green’s hours of operation are Sunday thru Thursday, 5pm to 12am, and Friday and Saturday, 5pm to 1pm. I highly recommend getting a reservation for this charming, romantic dinner spot! After dinner, you can always catch a viewing of Sleep No More, an immersive production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth through a film noir lens.
I hope this list of what to do in New York City, all with a botanical twist, inspires you to check out some of these amazing parks in the city. And in the words of Miss Taylor Allison Swift, “Welcome to New York!”
