Brooklyn Botanic Gardens are a tranquil haven only 30mins by subway from the frenetic atmosphere of Manhattan.

Whatever time of year you visit there is always something to enjoy from the crocuses in February to the Cherry Blossom in April, the wonderful displays of summer flowers and then the autumn colours.

The gardens were founded in 1910 and cover 21 hectares. Within in the gardens there are various specialty gardens.

The gardens have a wonderful collection of 200 cherry trees, these line the pathways of the Cherry Walk and Esplanade. In Spring when the trees are in bloom , it is quite magical to walk through arches, pink with blossom.

The Japanese Hill and Pond were constructed in 1915. It was designed by a Takeo Shiota who had recently emigrated to the United States from Japan. The garden is a mix of classic Japanese design with water features and bridges and modern garden design with lots of paths leading to hidden features.

The Canford Rose Garden is formal in design and contains over 5,000 rose bushes. This garden is best enjoyed in June.

The Shakespeare Garden combines English Cottage Garden plants mentioned by Shakespeare in his plays with quotes from those plays.

The Alice Recknagel Ireys Fragrance Garden is for everyone to enjoy but has been designed with the visually impaired in mind. There is braille signage and visitors are encouraged to touch and smell all the plants.

Other areas include: the Plant Family Collection, The Discovery Garden the Steinhardt Conservatory and the Native Flora Garden.