Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Clocking in at 52 acres, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden doesn’t have the size of its sister in the Bronx (which measure some 250 acres), but this gem of a green spot in Prospect Heights is well-worth a visit, even if you’re staying in Manhattan. There are festivals throughout the year, particularly around the time the stunning cherry blossoms are in bloom, but the Botanic Garden is a glorious oasis throughout the year. Don’t miss the Japanese pond and garden, the Shakespeare Garden and the impressive vegetable and herb garden. The Botanic Garden can easily be combined with the nearby Brooklyn Museum.