What a gem. $5 admission to a place that is relaxing and beautiful with the bamboo, ponds, rivers,…read moretemple, and more. It's nice to just take it all in. It could use a little freshening up, but highly recommended!l for peacefulness.

The Chinese Scholar's Garden is as picturesque as it is serene. The architectural forms and beauty…read moreof the garden are a work of art. Definitely worth taking a trip to Staten Island! I particularly like how the wandering paths lead me back to the towering bamboo which is the entry point to the garden. The natural elements and the architecture built in the garden is a peaceful place fit for the scholar's meditation and study. There is a circular portal that leads to a courtyard with rocks that form a geometric pattern on the ground, guiding the eye to the organic shapes of the plants and trees. One element guides the eye to another element through contrast and even through repetition of shapes as can be seen in how there is a scallop edged wall behind this courtyard with the circular doorway. The circle motif is echoed in the design of the scallop edged wall beyond which flows another pond and yet more plants of different sizes. The landscape design also includes the waterfalls, pavilions and a rock-carved walkway with steps on it as well as a walkway that is zig-zagged! A great backdrop for picture taking with interesting rock formations along the pond in the courtyards. Also, when you pass by the koi fish pond, you could hear the splashing sounds they make as they swim around in the water. It brings an inner calm, tranquility and peacefulness to the viewers when they see the koi fish swim in the still water. I highly recommend a visit to the Chinese Scholar's Garden!

OK, if you do the research on the LES/ East Village Community Gardens, you can't help but be…read moretouched. This one, in particular, was started by an apparent Superwoman named Francoise Cachalin, who defended this Safe-Haven from Ye Ole gentrification and didn't live to see the fruits of her labor. I'm so glad she fought for it. *Especially* during COVID/ post-lockdown era, I and other New Yorkers I've observed have come to appreciate the sacred outdoors. In the NE, we don't have good weather often, so Summer is the *best* time to take advantage of the lil free NYC perks like these. Anyway: I stumbled upon this place during my recent exploratory strolls through the East Village. What a cute gem. Ample seating for such a small space, mild greenery (we're not talking a jungle and that's OK). Some lil trinkets and garden art throughout. Totally serene, I don't see any justification for negative reviews. IF I lived down here I would *definitely* be in a place like this every. single. morning. PS: They have great deals for membership if you have a green-thumb and want to literally cultivate this atmosphere. Also, you can have group gatherings here for a *very* reasonable price, which I think is a great resource during these dark days of anti-socialization.

I wish I had one of these little gardens nearby right now because today has been one big bucket of…read morestress. But if you *do* live (or travel) near Creative Little Garden, you're in for a treat. This place is adorable and oh-so tranquil in the middle of a concrete heaven. I'm not sure who maintains this sweet little place, but it's charming, well-groomed, and the perfect spot to hide out in for an hour or two and shed all your worries. Check it out! I'm sure the set-up is ever-evolving.

6 BC Botanical Garden 624 E. 6th. St…read more New York, NY 10009 There is a tranquil garden nestled away in the Lower East Side. This hidden oasis has multiple seating areas where you can admire the sights of a rock garden, koi pond with a mini waterfall, and a tree house. It is the perfect place to eat your breakfast, lunch, or snack. It is also a nice area to socialize among your peers. Be sure to add this to your bucket list because it is a relaxing destination for all ages! #6bcbotanicalgarden #plantlife #treehouse #rockgarden #koipond #pond #lowereastsidenyc #alphabetcity #lowereastside

My family and our friends came to the 6BC Botanical Gardens to see the Nightmare Before Christmas…read morelight show. This was an incredibly exciting experience. I went with a couple of friends of mine and we all had a lot of fun. The music was really great and the lights took you through the movie from beginning to end. The sculptures were also really cool and I was so happy to see my favorite characters. They incorporated the main movie characters including Jack, Sally, and my personal favorite Zero. They also had Oogie Boogie, and they also had Lock Shock and Barrel. But they also had many of the secondary characters including the clown with the tearaway face, and a few of the witches. It was as if I was walking through the movie and seeing some of the scenes in real-time. The best words that I could use to describe the experience are magical and immersive. I'm glad that I went and I know that we all had a great time.

Sometimes the best museum visits are the ones you don't plan--and that was exactly the case with…read morethe Gilder Center, a hidden gem we stumbled upon late one afternoon. We arrived at 4:00 PM, thinking we'd squeeze in a quick walkthrough before closing at 5:30, only to discover the most beautiful surprise: free admission after 4. An unexpected win that made the visit feel even sweeter. With only an hour and change, we braced ourselves for a rushed experience, but the space unfolded into something bigger and more immersive than anticipated. From the dinosaur fossils to the vivid animal exhibits, every room had something that stopped us in our tracks. This wasn't just kid stuff either--our group of adults had an absolute blast. The real scene-stealer? The architecture. The building feels part cave, part spaceship--organic curves meet sharp, modern design, like nature and the future co-authored a museum. It's visually stunning, both inside and out. A happy accident turned into a highlight of the day. If you find yourself nearby in the late afternoon, it's absolutely worth a visit--free or not.

Visited this new addition to the natural history museum last year. My friend and I really enjoyed…read morethe immersive experience! Highly recommended!

Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary is a serene community oasis. Me as a visitor praise the…read moretranquil atmosphere, dedicated volunteer maintenance, diverse birdwatching, and community-driven events like the Fairy Forest Festival. The garden features themed areas including butterfly gardens, a Japanese garden, a rose garden, and raised vegetable beds. This is a local haven for birders, featuring birdhouses, a large pond, ducks, herons, and turtles. It. Includes a children's garden, winding paths, gazebos, murals, and a "Fountain of Remembrance". Maintained by volunteers and the Floral Park Conservation Society. Produce from the productive garden is regularly donated to those in need.

I've lived on this island for 35 years, and didn't know about this park until today. Aside from the…read morefact that the park doesn't open until noon, this was a perfect visit. I've been to bird sanctuaries and went away without seeing a bird, but not here. The park is on two levels, and they have spent years adding magical little features here and there. We were particularly impressed with the vegetable garden for donations to charity and what is literally a "Flower Bed." It's only 20 minutes from our house, so hopefully we will be repeat visitors.

The Liz Christy Garden never seems to be open. And the very grumpy older woman inside could not…read morehave been less welcoming.

We'd passed by this garden countless times on the bus, and yesterday we finally had time to visit…read moreit when getting off the bus right by there.  Although it's unsurprisingly not very large, it's lovely - and the fact that it's in such a heavily-trafficked area is rather remarkable.  The garden has very narrow pathways, but meanwhile a welcome aspect is that it has some benches.  There are rock gardens & a koi pond, and everything is very well-maintained (it's staffed by volunteers and it's the oldest community garden in NYC).  It's a lovely place for (somewhat) quiet reflection. Note that the garden is only open on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays & Thursdays - and the hours are also very restricted.

Tucked into the southwest corner of Essex County's South Mountain Reservation, this historic…read more28-acre public garden -- with its carefully curated and terraced gardens, fountains, and winding paths -- feels like a trip to another time and place. After spotting a social media post about the garden's Cascade fountain reopening after a 16-month restoration, my walking companion and I decided to check out this hidden gem. Greenwood Gardens was a private family estate until 2003, when it opened to the public under the auspices of a non-profit organization, and you can really feel that rich tapestry of the families' history as you wander through the grounds. The highlight of our visit was the Cascade fountain, which now features water flowing through it for the first time since the early 20th century! If you're looking for a peaceful, historic, and beautiful place to stroll, Greenwood Gardens is absolutely worth the visit. We'll definitely be back! Pro Tip #1: Plan on about 75-90 minutes for a self-guided walking tour, buy tickets online in advance ($15 for adults aged 14 to 64; $10 for Seniors aged 65+; $5 for children aged 5 to 13), and wear weather-appropriate attire/walking shoes. Pro Tip #2: Leave your tripod at home. Casual photos on your phone are welcome, but portrait or staged photography (for events, engagements, graduations, etc.) requires prior permission and special facility booking.

A dreamy, charming little escape with tons of greenery, statues, structures, and fountains. Even on…read morea weekend it wasn't crowded, so my fam could take pictures without cropping out strangers. Really friendly staff gave the kids a scavenger hunt page that turned our visit into part garden tour, part treasure hunt. Between the terraces, tile work, grottoes, and gardens, the whole place blends European formality with a whimsical, art nouveau vibe. Plenty of benches invite you to sit and talk, while fenced-in chickens, geese, and beehives bring the grounds to life. The gardens feel peaceful, playful, and magical all at once. The beauty here is truly un-beleaf-able! NOTES/TIPS: **Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors/students, and $5 for kids, with free parking close by. **Very limited wheelchair-accessibility: okay for the Main Terrace and some flat areas, but most paths are sloped or uneven, so access is limited. **Restrooms near the entrance.

Coming to Mountsier Garden, again, was a pleasure. I'll always appreciate the owners opening up…read moretheir property, so many can experience the beauty, elegance, charm, and peacefulness of their creation. During this visit, we were able to enjoy the foliage of early Spring, combined with the many statues, tasteful decorations, lavish landscapes, and mesmerizing water features. I will, most definitely, return for a few of the other three days that the garden will be open and hope that everyone will make time for the wonders of Mountsier Garden.