Everett Garden Gate, NYBG

The Everett Garden Gate is a notable entrance to the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), a truly expansive and internationally renowned scenic spot located in the Bronx, New York. Situated at Bronx Park Rd, Bronx, NY 10458, USA, with phone contact at (718) 817-8140 or mobile +1 718-817-8140, the NYBG offers a remarkable escape into nature, right within the bustling city. It's a vast 250-acre National Historic Landmark, home to over one million plants and a stunning array of curated gardens, making it a premier destination for both local residents and visitors seeking tranquility, beauty, and educational experiences.

The New York Botanical Garden is a sprawling natural oasis that skillfully blends cultivated beauty with preserved natural landscapes. The overall environment is designed to provide a sense of immersion in nature, offering diverse habitats and themed collections. Visitors can wander through 50 acres of old-growth forest, explore lush gardens, and marvel at ornate greenhouses. The Garden's design was inspired by the grand public gardens of England, France, and Italy, reflecting a commitment to both aesthetic appeal and botanical diversity. Pathways wind through various sections, allowing for leisurely strolls and providing ample space for social distancing, as noted by a satisfied visitor who enjoyed the "big enough space to practice social distancing."

One of the most significant and recently renovated areas accessible via the Everett Garden Gate is the Everett Children's Adventure Garden (ECAG). This 12-acre landscape is specifically designed for families, offering a safe and fun environment for children to investigate nature. It features immersive outdoor environments like a pond, woodland, meadow, and rock outcrops. Recent renovations, completed as of May 3, 2025, have enhanced the outdoor landscape and indoor facilities to align with current science education pedagogy, particularly focusing on STEM and environmental education. The redevelopment ensures the Children's Garden continues to provide a welcoming and engaging learning environment, with new nature exploration opportunities and authentic science learning experiences. Enhancements include improved access to the Wetland Walk via a boardwalk and viewing platforms, a dedicated nature space for toddlers, and an ADA-accessible Tree Top Walk that allows children of all abilities to explore the pine tree tops.

Beyond the Children's Adventure Garden, the NYBG boasts over 50 unique gardens and plant collections. These include the iconic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, a magnificent Victorian-era glasshouse brimming with exotic flora from around the world. Other notable features include the serene Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden with over 670 varieties of roses, and the Pfizer Medicinal Plant Garden. Seasonal changes bring new spectacles, from vibrant spring blooms to the fiery foliage of autumn, and the beloved Holiday Train Show in winter.

As a leading Scenic Spot, the New York Botanical Garden provides a comprehensive range of services and amenities to enhance the visitor experience. Customer reviews highlight the positive aspects, with one user praising the "clean bathroom" and "friendly staff."

For ticketing and entry, visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance, with options for mobile or printed tickets. The Garden offers various admission tiers, including general admission and a Grounds Access Pass, which provides access to outdoor gardens and collections, including the Everett Children's Adventure Garden. New York City residents receive special rates, with free Grounds Admission on Wednesdays for all NYC residents and between 10 and 11 a.m. for all other visitors. This makes it an accessible and affordable option for local users.

Dining options are available, including the Pine Tree Café for grab-and-go food with indoor and outdoor seating, and the Hudson Garden Grill, a farm-to-table restaurant offering New American cuisine. Picnic tables are available in various areas, accommodating visitors who wish to bring their own food, as mentioned by a happy customer. However, outside alcohol is prohibited, and picnicking is only allowed in designated areas like the Clay Family Picnic Pavilions.

The Garden prioritizes accessibility, with most key areas being wheelchair accessible. Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis at various entry points, including the Visitor Center and Mosholu Entrance. An ID must be left with Visitor Services. The Garden also offers complimentary admission to Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) accompanying guests with disabilities. An Accessibility Guide is available on-site or for download, aiding in planning a visit for all abilities.

Educational programming is a core service, with opportunities for children and adults. The Everett Children's Adventure Garden hosts seasonal activities, hands-on programs like crafts and potting plant seedlings, and family-friendly events. The Garden also offers camps focused on vegetable gardening and scientific discovery, as well as a High School Explainer Program. For adults, there are classes in gardening, art, design, and environmental topics, along with expert lectures and symposia. Audio guides and the Bloomberg Connects App are available to enhance the visitor's understanding of the collections and exhibitions.

The Everett Garden Gate specifically serves as a key entry point, particularly for school groups and those participating in Children's Education programs, operating Tuesday through Friday during specific hours. While it functions as an entry point, the true features and highlights lie within the expansive New York Botanical Garden itself. As one visitor articulated, it's "one of the best place to connect myself with nature."

Beyond the already mentioned Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and the revamped Everett Children's Adventure Garden, the Garden boasts an impressive 40-acre Thain Family Forest, a pristine woodland offering a glimpse into what the region looked like before European settlement. Other specialized collections include a rock garden, a garden of native plants, and special collections of conifers, lilacs, and magnolias.

The NYBG is also a leading center for botanical research, housing one of the country's largest botanical libraries, the LuEsther T. Mertz Library, and an herbarium with millions of dried reference specimens. This commitment to plant science underpins the educational programs and contributes to the Garden's mission of plant conservation.

The New York Botanical Garden frequently offers promotions and special events to encourage visitation. As one reviewer mentioned, taking "advantage of the resident special (free)" highlights the benefit of being a local. NYC residents can indeed enjoy free Grounds Admission on Wednesdays, and discounted Grounds Access Passes on other days (Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday) with proof of residency. These offers make the vast outdoor collections more accessible.

Membership is also strongly promoted, offering significant benefits such as free admission every day, half-price parking, and exclusive programming and access throughout exhibitions. Special exhibitions, such as "Van Gogh's Flowers" and "Starry Nights," are regularly featured, often requiring an All-Garden Pass for access to the Conservatory and other indoor exhibits, but sometimes included with general admission or membership. The Garden's calendar of events is consistently updated with tours, lectures, and family-friendly activities, ensuring there's always something new to experience, from bird tours and forest bathing to seasonal bloom highlights.

The NYBG Shop, located in the Leon Levy Visitor Center, offers a wide selection of live plants, gardening tools, home decor, and over 400 seed varieties. Purchases directly support the Garden's ongoing efforts in horticulture, plant research, conservation, and education, making it a great way for visitors to take a piece of the Garden home and contribute to its mission.

In summary, the Everett Garden Gate serves as an entryway to the extraordinary New York Botanical Garden, a vital scenic spot for local users seeking a deep connection with nature, education, and relaxation. With its diverse environments, array of services, captivating features, and appealing promotional offers, the NYBG stands as a testament to botanical beauty and scientific dedication within the heart of the Bronx.

Everett Garden Gate, NYBG

Bronx Park Rd, Bronx, NY 10458, USA