NYC's Indoor Gardens: Get an Early Dose of Spring at These Hot Spots
Although the weather has felt spring-like for the past couple of weeks, it's going to be a few months before the flowers actually start blooming. If your family needs a fix of fabulous flora right now, you're in luck. There are lots of indoor gardens in New York City where you can find thriving flowers, plants and green trees, even in the dead of winter.
From tropical spots at the botanical gardens to no-cost public atriums to hidden gems like the free Glass Gardens, here are 17 indoor havens where you can pretend spring has already arrived.
The Conservatory at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Crown Heights
900 Washington Avenue at Crown Street
FREE Tuesday-Friday 8am-4:30pm and Saturday 10am-noon; $10 for adults, $5 for students, free for children under age 12 Saturday noon-4:30pm and Sunday 10am-4:30pm.
The BBG's Conservatory boasts five separate and distinct indoor areas, each reflecting a different climate. In the steamy Aquatic House, you'll find waterfalls and green foliage cascading from ceiling to pond. Delicate and colorful orchids are safely ensconced behind glass. The dry Desert Pavilion is filled with spiky cacti and hearty wildflowers, largely from South America and the African continent. The Tropical Pavilion features lush plants and trees, and has a 65-foot ceiling to accommodate the tallest arbors. The Warm Temperate Pavilion is the place to visit in February and March, as many of the vibrant African plants will be in bloom. The winding path leads to a restful viewing point, making this pavilion a personal favorite of mine. The Bonsai Museum is home to 350 miniature trees, one of the largest collections outside of Japan. Children will be fascinated by these tiny woody plants, which look as if they sprung magically out of a storybook. The BBG's free winter weekday admission is an added incentive to visit now.
Caribbean Garden at the New York Botanical Garden – the Bronx
2900 Southern Boulevard
Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm
All-garden pass: $20 for adults, $8 for children ages 2-12, kids under 2 free.
You'll feel like you're on vacation when you step into the NYBG's Caribbean Garden exhibit, which is on view in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory through Sunday, February 26. The Victorian-style glass building provides a hot haven for citrus-colored crotons, crimson-hued hibiscus and other colorful flowers. Keep exploring and you'll also find palm trees, orchids, Venus Flytraps, cacti and an elevated walk by the top of the rainforest canopy. In conjunction with the display, the NYBG is offering free salsa lessons on Saturdays at 2pm and flower photography lessons on Sundays from 1 to 3pm. There's also a self-guided Adventures in Adaptations scavenger hunt for families, where you retrace the steps of a make-believe plant scientist with the help of a field notebook and text messages sent to your phone. The "treasure" at the end is a plant you pot yourself to take home.
The Conservatory at Wave Hill – the Bronx
West 249th Street and Independence Avenue
Tuesday-Sunday 9am-4:30pm
$8 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-12, free for kids under 6. Free to all on Tuesday and Saturday 9am-noon.
This beautiful 28-acre garden and cultural center is a glorious destination in warmer months, but in winter you can marvel at its Conservatory, a trio of glass houses that contain delicate flora. There's the Palm House, which is home to vibrant South African bulbs; the Cacti and Succulent House featuring plants from dry climates and the Tropical House has a variety of plants from humid regions. Creative Family Art Projects on the weekends are always inspired by nature.
Tropic Zone: The Rainforest at the Central Park Zoo – Upper East Side
Fifth Avenue at 64th Street
Open daily 10am-4pm
$12 for adults, $7 for children ages 3-12, free for kids under 3.
This two-tiered, indoor jungle is a literal hotbed of animal activity. You feel like you need to duck to avoid low-flying exotic birds (or their poop—watch out for it!). You'll also spy sapphire-colored poisonous frogs, lemurs and golden lion tamarins through the lush-green foliage. Don't worry: They're all safely behind glass but the continuum of trees and greenery gives the impression that you're in the wild.
The Butterfly Conservatory at the American Museum of Natural History – Upper West Side
Central Park West at 79th Street
Timed entrance is available every fifteen minutes from 10:15am-5pm daily
$25 for adults, $14.50 for children ages 2-12, free for kids under 2
No glass here! The museum's live butterfly exhibit allows you to be in the same room as these delicate insects, whose spots and colors rival a peacock's. Kids are encouraged to look at live specimens through magnifying glasses and if you're lucky (and wearing bright clothing), one might even come to perch on you. In addition to the gorgeous butterflies, you're surrounded by stunning tropical flowers. Good luck getting your kids out of this room!
Enid A. Haupt Glass Gardens at the Rusk Institute – Murray Hill
400 East 34th Street between First Avenue and the FDR
Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday noon-6pm
We wrote about this "secret" garden years ago. This lovely 1,700-square-foot conservatory has a koi pond, tropical birds and other exotic attractions, but if you want to see it go soon: The Gardens and the Rusk Institute are scheduled to be demolished in March 2013!
Japan Society – Midtown East
333 East 47th Street between First and Second Avenues
Tuesday-Thursday 11am-6pm, Friday 11am-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 11am-5pm
Admission varies depending on event
This Japanese cultural center features multiple indoor gardens, a reflecting pool and a waterfall. The spot frequently hosts family programming, which is a perfect time to visit. Its popular annual Doll Festival (Girls’ Day): Hinamatsuri, coming up on Saturday, March 4, sells out weeks in advance.
Park Here Mommy Mornings – Nolita
201 Mulberry Street between Kenmare and Spring Streets
Daily 9am-noon through February 15
$25
We admit we're cheating a bit here, since the foliage at Openhouse Gallery's Park Here installation is all synthetic. But this indoor pop-up oasis still gives you a breath of spring. The spot hosts special Mommy Mornings from 9am-noon, when families get exclusive access to the space and enjoy activities like yoga with Yogi Beans, arts and crafts with House of Jem, and rock bands, plus organic coffee for adults. You can visit Park Here for free after noon, but it's often packed and not very kid-friendly.
Public Atriums
There are also lots of public atriums in New York City that contain plants and flowers. These free indoor spots are great places to read, snack or just relax. Some of our favorites include:
Ford Foundation Building – Midtown East
320 East 43rd Street between First and Second Avenues, with entrances on 42nd and 43rd Streets.
This public space feels like a rainforest and features foliage and a wishing well, but no seating. Everyone sits on the ledges and stairs. See our full review.
The Winter Garden at the World Financial Center – Battery Park City
220 Vesey Street at West Street
This awesome glass atrium on the Hudson River is home to enormous palm trees, in addition to shops and restaurants. It also frequently hosts free entertainment, art exhibits and activities.
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center – Upper West Side
Broadway at 62nd Street
The gigantic live plant walls are just one of the attractions here. Visitors can also catch free performances every Thursday at 8pm, and the first Saturday of every month at 11am.
Restaurants with Indoor Gardens
Lots of NYC eateries spruce up their atmosphere with plants and flowers. But we know of two with veritable indoor gardens.
Le Petit Cafe – Carroll Gardens
502 Court Street between Luquer and Nelson Streets
This adorable French restaurant is totally kid-friendly and has a garden in its backroom. Last time we ate here, plants were literally brushing our backs!
Pane e Vino – Cobble Hill
174 Smith Street at Warren Street
Probably better for a date night than a family meal, this Italian restaurant has a gorgeous enclosed garden. Just one look at the online photo gallery and you'll want to make reservations for your next date night.
Find other warm indoor spots in NYC in our Inside Activity Guide.
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