Brooklyn Botanic Garden Gave Me My Country Fix
Written: Jun 16 '07 (Updated Sep 26 '07)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Beautiful, well-kept grounds and plants
Cons: No signs pointing towards the BBG when leaving the subway
The Bottom Line: Two pictures can be seen at http://epi-cmaw63.pbwiki.com/Travel. Email for more pictures/information.
|
|
|
| cmaw63's Full Review: Brooklyn Botanic Garden |
The sights and sounds of New York City can overwhelm a country gal such as myself. While I was enjoying The Big Apple, I missed the green of grass, the soft color of flowers, and small wildlife. Having already been to the Bronx to visit the zoo, instead of returning to the New York Botanical Garden there, I chose to explore another part of New York City by going to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Getting There
The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is located at 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. For me to get there from Manhattan I had to hop on the N train, transfer to the Q (where I ran into 3 hostile women), and finally take the S train to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden stop. Upon reaching street level I expected to see, if not the Garden itself, at least signs pointing me in the right direction. I saw nothing that indicated the Botanic Garden was anywhere near except the name of the subway station.
Turning right towards shops I could see 2 blocks away, I had a nervous walk through many people that appeared either amused or shocked that a lone white female was walking among them. After reaching a mom and pop type drug store, I was informed that the Brooklyn Botanic Garden was the other way. Of course it was.
So, when exiting the subway, turn left and walk 4 blocks to get there. Better yet, I suggest splurging for a taxi.
Visitor Info
Mid-March–October
Tuesday–Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Weekends and holidays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed Monday (open holiday Mondays, except Labor Day)
November–Mid-March
Tuesday–Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Weekends and holidays: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day (open holiday Mondays)
Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for seniors. Children under 12 are free. There are many times when the admission is free for everyone. Visit http://www.bbg.org for more information. My entry admission was included on The New York Pass I had purchased at VISITicket.com.
Finally, I'm There
Entering the gardens I knew immediately it was worth the trouble I had getting there. Before me lay a long stretch of grass with beautiful bushes and trees along each side. At the end was a gorgeous fountain and steps. The sounds of sirens and horns honking faded away.
As an avid rose person, my first mission was to find the Cranford Rose Garden. With over 5000 bushes of 1200 varieties in the rose garden I needed to see it. Winding my way along the paths I knew I was close, before I could see it, when their aroma reached me. Upon entering the Cranford Garden I was in heaven. Rose bush after rose bush lined stepping stone and grass paths. It was beautifully kept. I, finally, got to see what a weed free rose garden looked like. It, also, gave me some ideas for my yard. After more than an hour there, I tore myself away to visit the rest of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Streams, small bridges, and wonderfully kept grounds enthralled me for another 2 hours. Everything is labeled for easy identification, which was helpful for my notes on what I want to add to my yard. Benches are available throughout the gardens to sit and enjoy the sights and smells...or to rest weary feet.
I found the Lily Pool Terrace. Beyond beautiful flowers in two large rectangle pools had me snapping a lot of pictures. There are over 100 varieties of hardy & tropical water-lilies and sacred lotus to be found here. Again, I took notes as my mom has a pond and needed some ideas for hardy water-lilies.
There are many garden areas to visit, each one as beautiful as the next and just as well-kept. There were groundskeepers throughout working diligently at their tasks. If my sister hadn't given me a time she expected me back at the hotel before she started worrying, I would have stayed for hours more.
I did visit the gift shop and the garden gift shop. Each had a wonderful selection of items that ranged in price from the very affordable to the very expensive. The garden gift shop also offered plants for sale.
Worth the Trouble?
Definitely! I was able to "get out of the city" for a few hours and enjoy peaceful, gorgeous surroundings. I saw turtles and rabbits to get my small wildlife fix. Yes, I know rabbits aren't good for gardens...but, they were so cute. The gardens and pathways kept my eyes and nose filled with the sights and scents of well tended plant after plant. The notes I took will be helpful in getting my yard shaped into a mini-version of my personal Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
For those that are in New York City and love gardening, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an oasis of beauty that should be visited. I will recommend that you don't go alone and leave the area before dark, though.
Where To Stay
Radio City Suites/Apartments
Experience NYC
St. Paul's Chapel
The Beast Speed Boat
Times Square
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
cmaw63
|
 in Pets, Home and Garden, Books |
|
Member: Julie
Location: Illinois, USA
Reviews written: 307
Trusted by: 71 members
About Me:
Looking forward to my first grandbaby. She's due November 24!
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.