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Botanical Gardens in New York

20 botanical gardens in New York with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Nassau County has the most (3). The darkest skies are at Nannen Arboretum (Bortle 3).

Top botanical gardens

New York Botanical GardenBotanical Garden
New York Botanical GardenBronx County
Brooklyn Botanic GardenBotanical Garden
Brooklyn Botanic GardenKings County
Queens Botanical GardenBotanical Garden
Queens Botanical GardenQueens County
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic ParkBotanical Garden
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic ParkNassau County
Elgin Botanic GardenBotanical Garden
Elgin Botanic GardenNew York County
Bailey ArboretumBotanical Garden
Bailey ArboretumNassau County
Wave HillBotanical Garden
Wave HillBronx County
Staten Island Botanical GardenBotanical Garden
Staten Island Botanical GardenRichmond County
Sailors' Snug HarborBotanical Garden
Sailors' Snug HarborRichmond County
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical GardensBotanical Garden
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical GardensErie County
Cornell Botanic GardensBotanical Garden
Cornell Botanic GardensTompkins County
Untermyer ParkBotanical Garden
Untermyer ParkWestchester County

Botanical Gardens by county

All botanical gardens (20)

NameCountyElevationNearest townSky
New York Botanical GardenBronx County38 mFordham9
Brooklyn Botanic GardenGovernors IslandKings County40 mFlatbush9
Queens Botanical GardenQueens County6 mKew Gardens Hills9
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic ParkNassau County64 mOyster Bay8
Elgin Botanic GardenStonewallNew York County20 mTimes Square9
Bailey ArboretumNassau County23 mLocust Valley8
Wave HillBronx County—Riverdale9
Staten Island Botanical GardenStatue Of LibertyRichmond County4 mNew Brighton9
Sailors' Snug HarborStatue Of LibertyRichmond County—New Brighton9
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical GardensErie County—Lackawanna7
Cornell Botanic GardensTompkins County—Cayuga Heights7
Untermyer ParkWestchester County—Hastings-on-Hudson9
Cutler Botanic GardenBroome County—Binghamton7
Innisfree GardenDutchess County—Millbrook5
Nannen ArboretumCattaraugus County—Little Valley3
Highland ParkMonroe County—Rochester7
Sonnenberg GardensOntario County—Canandaigua5
The New York Chinese Scholar's GardenStatue Of LibertyRichmond County—New Brighton9
Clark Botanic GardenNassau County—Albertson9
Ellwanger GardenMonroe County—Rochester7

Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).

Map

How to photograph botanical gardens

Gardens are best on bright overcast days or early mornings when dew is fresh and the wind is calm.

  • A macro lens or close-up filter opens a world of detail — try a shallow aperture against a soft background.
  • Many gardens restrict tripods or charge for photography; check the rules before you go.
  • Backlit petals glow; position yourself so the sun is behind the flower.
  • Seasonal exhibits (orchids, tulips, cherry blossoms) draw crowds — arrive at opening.
  • Kaleidoscopic and abstract images are great for flower close-ups — try the online kaleidoscope tool.

Season: Spring bulbs and blossoms, summer perennials and autumn color; glasshouses offer winter subjects.