Here Are The 11 Most Beautiful Gardens You'll Ever See In New York
By Lea Monroe|Updated on March 15, 2024(Originally published March 06, 2016)
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Lea Monroe
Author
Writer for Only In Your State. Scribbling about all things New York and Buffalo related while also keeping you updated on the latest travel news! Inquiries: Lmonroe@onlyinyourstate.com
Beautiful gardens emanate positivity and loveliness — things we tend to soak in to offset the daily grind. There’s nothing more relaxing than enjoying a day where you’re completely surrounded by tranquil, lush greenery and magnificent floral structures. All across our state, endless amounts of pretty flowers bloom as gorgeous greenery grows. To get us in the Spring spirit, we’ve put together a list of the 11 most stunning gardens in New York you’ll ever see. Let’s take a look at some of the charming gardens near me!
1. E.M. Mills Rose Garden: Syracuse
E.M. Mills Rose Garden, Thornden Park Dr, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
Not too far from Syracuse University's campus, you can find this enchanting gem inside New York's Thornden Park! With a vast variety of roses and floral archways that you'll wish you could walk underneath forever, you'll surely never want to leave this place. Discover more on the E.M. Mills Rose Garden web page.
2. Innisfree Garden: Millbrook
Innisfree Garden, 362 Tyrrel Rd, Millbrook, NY 12545, USA
In the late 1920s, a couple living at the then-residence began constructing a charming garden. After becoming completely captivated by Asian art, the husband working on Innisfree Garden found his destined muse. With Japanese touches all over this space, you can take a mesmerizing tour that generally lasts 90 minutes. You've got to check it out from late April through mid-November.
One of New York's more historical gardens, the gorgeous brick wall and pathways pictured above were designed all the way back in 1912! During the late 1990s, the garden was restored to match its original layout from the early 1900s, designed by one of America's first practicing female landscape architects. Incredible! Another wild fact? This garden wasn't open to the public until 1967 and it wasn't until 2001 that the garden was opened daily to everyone.
Founded in 1888, one of the most extraordinary gardens in New York held its first-ever Lilac Festival all the way back in 1898. To this day the Lilac Festival of Highland Park is still held annually, showcasing the botanical garden's true beauty.
5. George Eastman House: Rochester
George Eastman Museum, 900 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, USA
Once the home to the father of roll film, this estate has been turned into a National Historic Landmark and a museum! During the time innovator George Eastman spent here, the home functioned as a working farm that had charming floral touches. After restorations took place in the early 1990s, this home was made welcome to visitors annually during the thriving months of May until September.
This New York National Historic Landmark offers its visitors a 250-acre site, full of incredible plants, flowers, and wildlife. Founded in 1891, these gardens in New York are particularly special due to the staff's strong advocacy for plant education.
This garden may be minuscule compared to some of the others on our list, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in unique beauty. Spanning across just over ten acres of land, Stonecrop features breathtaking plants, rock gardens, water gardens, stone beds, and more.
Hiding among rural New York in the Genesee Valley, you can find this captivating garden that was designed in the early 1900s. A favored spot for summer weddings, this garden also holds an annual Tree Peony Festival of Flowers in the spring. Find the details on the Linwood Gardens website.
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9. Yaddo Garden: Saratoga Springs
Yaddo Gardens, 36CV+4P, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
Created by a man named Spencer Trask as a gift to his wife, this garden was built on the foundation of a romantic love story. The couple sought out to have a balanced mix of man-made art and natural beauty featured throughout the garden. Restored in the early 1990s, Yaddo features gorgeous fountains, streams, luscious trees, and a wide variety of roses. This place is truly an Upstate gem!
10. Sonnenberg Garden: Canandaigua
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park, 250 Gibson St, Canandaigua, NY 14424, USA
The former home of a New York City banker married to the daughter of a New York state Governor during the 1800s, this estate was eventually passed down and sold to the state in 2006. Maintained by wonderful volunteers, the gardens are open from May through October.
11. Maplewood Rose Garden: Rochester
Maplewood Rose Garden, 250 Maplewood Ave, Rochester, NY 14613, USA
A New York-favored spot for warm-weather weddings, this garden showcases thousands of rose bushes, with touches of delightful flowers like peonies. With the amount of flowers you'll find here at Maplewood it should come as no surprise that you're guaranteed to enjoy an overwhelming burst of floral fumes.
Impressive gardens are coming up just in time for spring. Have you ever enjoyed a peaceful day at one of these enchanting New York gardens? Please tell us about your experience in the comments below. For more exploring of the great outdoors, consider this Ultimate Weekend Itinerary. And consult our Road Trip Packing List for some travel tips.
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More to Explore
Beautiful Gardens In New York
Carolyn Harmon|March 15, 2024
What are some more of the most beautiful gardens in New York?
Play with the swans at Prospect Park, then explore the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (Brooklyn): Prospect Park offers observation of wildlife habitats, birdwatching, skating, special events, and nature programs. Brooklyn Botanic Garden has more than 15 gardens, eight conservatories, and seven special collections.
Sycamore Hill Gardens (Marcellus): Did you know that you have to book an online tour to visit this lovely space? Special events take place all year round.
Cornell Botanic Gardens (Ithaca) These enchanted gardens are available in multiple ways, including tours of the woodland pathways and plant habitats of the Mundy Wildflower Garden in the spring.
The Battery Labyrinth (NYC): The Battery Labyrinth was created to commemorate the first anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and those who perished. Running 358 feet to the center core and then 358 out again to the entrance, the interesting route is outlined with 1,148 Belgian blocks that create seven circular rings. And the lovely gardens grow around the labyrinth bringing beauty to those who visit.
The Strong Museum (Rochester): Did you know this is one of the largest museums in the country? It houses nearly 150,000 square feet of interactive exhibit space.
Where are some of the prettiest indoor gardens in New York?