Clark Botanic Garden

Albertson, NY

Free admission and parking lot

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

www.clarkbotanic.org

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This is a small and quaint garden in Nassau County that is great for going on a date and sitting on a bench looking at the creek and pond.  There is nothing too over-the-top here to see (except the front entrance is misleadingly very exotic and beautiful).  The rest of the garden is just a peaceful place to relax with a loved one.  I went here mid September and there were still beautiful flowers in bloom.  Tip:  Go here during the Halloween Spooky Walk with your children.  It should be loads of fun!  Or during the annual Kidstock Festival in September.  

Kill a few birds with one stone:  Visit neighboring Old Westbury Gardens and then head over to Old Country Road for some shopping.  

For a list of other gardens, click here.

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Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, NY

street parking and parking lot ($40 for oversized vehicles...gets full by early afternoon on a nice Sunday...street parking will take at least 20 minutes to find unless you're lucky)

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

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I had been to Pier 6 in the summer of 2011.  I had gone with my then first born toddler, my husband, and my Williamsburg-residing sister who gave us a tour of the area. I don't recall Brooklyn Bridge Park at this pier having playgrounds and activities, but I wasn't really there for long and I was just too focused on the view to notice anything else.  We just drove by the downtown Manhattan skyline, double parked the car, got a shot with my son in his overalls, and that was that.  

Fast-forward to summer of 2017, I decided to go to Pier 6 once again to catch the ferry going to Governor's Island.  It was here that I noticed all the playgrounds arranged like a maze intertwined with trees.  Not only is this a great park for families with children, it is a great place to date.  There are all these hidden paths leading to new playgrounds.  The videos and pictures should describe what I can't in words.  It's just something to see with your eyes in your lifetime (even the footage doesn't do enough justice).  There are sprinklers here, so on a 78 degree plus and sunny day, be sure to bring bathing suits and towels for your children so they can have some fun!  

There was also beach volleyball overlooking the skyline.  And Fornino restaurant (which has brick oven pizza but I didn't really check the menu to see what else they offered) with a rooftop that offers views of the skyline as well.  So if you just want to go Pier 6, there is enough to do for several hours. And I'd suggest catching the sunset on the roof of the restaurant and seeing the skyline at night!  It's truly magical!

Of course, when I went in 2017, I decided to give the extended family a tour of both Governor's Island (my first time), Carroll Gardens and Brooklyn Heights. Talk about killing several birds with one stone.  But you can totally squeeze these all in one day...with or without the kids!

Or, you could skip all the above and just do what www.mommypoppins.com sites as the 30 best things to do in Brooklyn Bridge Park (none that I knew existed before I went there.  Missed opportunity.  Must go back!)  There are many other piers, roller skating, a pop up pool, free kayaking and so much more!  The whole park is a mile stretch from one side to the other.  Just spend an entire day here!

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Nearby:

DUMBO

Park Slope

Governor's Island

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Carroll Gardens

Oheka Castle

Woodbury, NY

Mansion Tour Fee

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

www.oheka.com

This is the only time in my life I wished I was a billionaire.  Talk about a house of your dreams! Enough said! Check the video below and stay tuned for the gallery!  And follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my next adventure!

Sands Point Preserve

Sands Point, NY

Parking Lot Fee, Admission Fee for Inside Mansion (some libraries offer free passes)

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

www.sandspointpreserveconservancy.org

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I have been here two times. And depending on the week and the weather, had two very different experiences. The first time, I wasn't entirely impressed by the grounds and garden (because it was a cloudy and chilly day in April and the rose garden had no blossoms). I went mid week with my friends and was unable to explore the insides of Castle Gould and Hempstead House. Castle Gould is like nothing I've ever seen (from the outside).   It brings you back to medieval times!  The second time I went was with my children and husband the first week of June and the garden was in full bloom and absolutely exquisite. It was also warm enough to walk down to the beach and enjoy the sand and water which is perfect on a hot day. I did not get to hike with my children but I did enjoy the one mile trail with my friends (there is so much to see here and I have only explored one half of the preserve).

For acquiring free passes, contact your local library.  For Great Neck residents, click here www.greatnecklibrary.org.

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Long Island Sound Beach

Hiking Trail Pond

Rose Garden

Untermyer Park and Gardens

Yonkers, NY

Admission Fee, free parking lot

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

www.untermyergardens.com

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These gardens were once called "America's Most Spectacular Garden".  Based on the Garden of Eden as described in the Book of Genesis, the Walled Garden is the finest Persian garden in the Western Hemisphere.  To the west, a large Grecian temple stands atop a swiming pool and lower terrace.  Mosaic work is showcased throughout the Walled Garden.  Samuel Untermyer, a prominent Jew and Zionist, acquired the property in 1899 and sough to build "the finest garden in the world" on its steep slopes.  It was his intention for the gardens to become a state park after his death, to be maintained and preserved for the enjoyment of the public.  Unfortunately, the gardens were too expensive to maintain and only a portion was given to the City of Yonkers in 1946 as a city park.  

The gardens today contain about 43 acres.  I went here mid April during Spring Break with the children.  But I highly recommend waiting it out until May and the Summer months when the magnificent flowers are on display in the Walled Gardens.  Or the Fall during foliage for breathtaking views of the Palisades.  

Kill two birds with one stone:  Visit Wave Hill which is a twenty minute local drive from here

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Hello, World!

Queens Botanical Garden

Flushing, NY

Admission Fee, $6 parking, parking on street

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer

Free from November through March on Tuesdays through Sundays

Free on Wednesdays from April through October from 3 to 6pm (double check before you go)

Free on Sundays from April through October from 4 to 6pm (double check before you go)

www.queensbotanicalgarden.org

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If you live close by and have never seen a tree before, yeah sure, this is a decent enough garden.   But considering there are so many parks you can go to in New York for free that are ten times more beautiful, this is a complete waste of time.  Maybe it had something to do with me visiting a little too early (mid April) when enough flowers and trees hadn't bloomed. Regardless of which, it took less than an hour to navigate the entire garden and the programs offered for children were basically arts and crafts projects you can do at home with your kids.  If you are short on time and have to visit one botanical garden in all of New York, then Brooklyn Botanical Garden is the one worth your time and money!  Skip this!

Kill a few birds with one stone:  You can make a day trip with your kids during Spring break and take them to nearby Chuck E' Cheese right after.  If you are kosher, you can grab lunch from any restaurant on Main Street (south of the LIE) and go to this garden for a picnic.  

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Vanderbilt Estate Long Island

Centerport, NY

Admission Fee (some libraries offer free passes), free parking lot

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

www.vanderbiltmuseum.org/mansion

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I had been here once on a field trip in elementary school.  I decided to revisit nearly 25 years later with my child, mom, sister and aunt so I can have a better sense of what teachers were trying to make us appreciate. As an adult, you appreciate the architecture behind this Spanish-style mansion more than you could as a young child.  And you are much more interested in the stories that comes with the different rooms in the mansion!  Every inch and detail is fascinating!

For acquiring free passes, contact your local library.  For Great Neck residents, click here www.greatnecklibrary.org.

Kill a few birds with one stone:  If you are here during the summer, you can visit Asharoken Beach and the town of Northport afterwards (just a ten minute drive away).  

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The Cloisters

New York, NY

Admission Fee, free parking lot

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/met-cloisters

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I came here with friends in the fall during a school day when we were free of our children.  Admission here is not required as it is a museum, so you can give the suggested amount, or nothing at all.  But it's worth the charge.  This is a branch of the Met "dedicated to art, architecture, and gardens of medieval Europe."  Their website included more information on how and when they built this fortress on the Hudson River.  It is truly fascinating to read about and to witness.  And I suggest going the second week of November to get the magnificent views of the Palisades across the Hudson, and the foliage reflecting off the river.  

Kill a few birds with one stone:  Visit the neighboring Fort Tryon Park and it's famed Heather Garden, overlooking the Hudson River and George Washington Bridge.  If you have more energy left, Riverside Park is a ten minutes drive down the West Side Highway.  

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Stepping Stone Park

Kings Point Park, NY

Member Card required, no admission fee, free parking lot

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

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Great Neck's masterpiece!  Situated on the Long Island Sound with out-of-this-world landscaping and English gardens, this park has it all, and for all ages.  And there is no price to enter!  I have seen many gardens in my day, and nothing comes close to the display of flowers and plants here!  Paired with their sunsets, views of Manhattan's skyline and the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridge, the serenity of the Long Island Sound, the rocky shore line, the dock, the playground and sprinklers for the children, their summer festivals, this is just one of my favorite places to be as soon as winter is over! It is worth moving to Great Neck and getting a park card!  Otherwise, just thank me for the pictures!  Tip:  if you love the Beatles, and kind of feel like you owe something to your parents and in laws for bringing you into this world, take a few beach chairs and go here once a year on a Saturday night in the summer and watch a Beatles cover band play all their hits! There is nothing like exposing your children to the music your parents exposed you to when you were a kid, and watching a live concert together during a beautiful sunset!

For a list of other mansions and gardens, click here.

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Planting Fields Arboretum

Old Westbury, NY

Admission Fee, Parking Lot

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

www.plantingfields.org

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I forced my husband to come here on a football Sunday at the end of October with a six month old.  It was one of my first of many trips to mansions on the Gold Coast of Long Island.  I may have come a week too early for foliage at its peak, but nevertheless, this is my favorite of all mansions.  The landscaping is exquisite and every corner inside and outside of the mansion are what dreams are made of!  The little playhouse and the dahlia garden were among my favorites here.  

Kill a few birds with one stone:  Visit Wheatley Plaza or the Americana Manhasset for some high end shopping!  

For a list of other mansions and gardens, click here.

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Old Westbury Gardens

Old Westbury, NY

Admission Fee (some libraries offer free passes), Parking Lot

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

www.oldwestburygardens.org

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"The magnificent Charles II-style mansion is nestled amid 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes."  I went here with family during the spring, and was floored by the grandeur of this property.  If I win the lotto one day, I am bringing my builder and landscape architect to this property.  It felt as though someone dropped me in the middle of 19th century aristocratic Europe.  Lots of films have been shot at this property as well.  For more information, visit their website.  I loved the lily pond, the driveway entrance into the property with the canopy affect of the trees, the garden, and the outside of the mansion.  I understand that Halloween is another great time to visit Old Westbury Gardens when they hold their annual "Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns", which features the work of dozens of local artists and sculptors in a unique walk-through experience that's suitable for visitors of all ages."

For acquiring free passes, contact your local library.  For Great Neck residents, click here www.greatnecklibrary.org.

You can also check www.groupon.com for deals before you go.  

Kill a few birds with one stone:  Drive over to Old Country Road and get some shopping done! Also, newly renovated Roosevelt Field Mall is nearby!

For a list of other mansions and gardens, click here.

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Central Park

Midtown, NY

No admission fee, free parking on street

Optimum Seasons:  Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

www.centralparknyc.org

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There are not enough days in one's life to visit every corner of this oasis located smack in the middle of the concrete jungle.  I myself with and without the children, have visited the Shakespeare Garden, the Central Park Zoo, the Carousel, the Mall, the Reservoir, the Great Lawn, Loebs Boathouse, Strawberry Fields, Conservatory Water, and my very favorite (with an album all of its own)....The Central Park Conservatory.  Of all the famed gardens in NYC and its outer boroughs, THIS IS THE ONE TO SEE!  It is completely free, and walking the grounds you can't help but feel like royalty.  It is no where as big as NY Botanical Garden or Brooklyn Botanical Garden, but it is far more exquisite. I went here on Mother's Day with the entire family and we enjoyed every minute.  Tip:  Go the week Magnolia or Crabapple trees are in blossom.  Pay attention to those specific trees in your neighborhood so you have an idea of their bloom period before you go.  Also, there is a Maoz felafel stand right outside the garden in actual Central Park, perfect to feast on during a picnic!  And go to the park early (before 11am) if you are driving in or if you want to avoid long lines to rent a row boat by Loeb's Boathouse.  It costs $15 per hour and $5 per each additional hour per boat (not per person). Make sure you know how to row before you go!  

Kill a few birds with one stone:  Or kill a billion birds with one stone.  There is prime real estate all over Central Park.  There is no going wrong with dining, shopping, or just walking around every block and enjoying the architecture! 5th Avenue, Madison Avenue and Park Avenue run parallel along the East Side and Columbus and Amsterdam run parallel along the West Side and showcase some of the most expensive residential building in the world as long as high end shopping.  Also, museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and the Jewish Museum line up the Museum Mile on 5th Avenue.  Central Park South has hotels such as The Plaza and Ritz Carlton.  The West Side has the Museum of Natural History, Time Warner Building, Columbus Circle, The Dakota Building, Lincoln Center a block over.  The North has Harlem and Columbia's campus.  There's no losing anywhere you turn!

For a list of other parks and gardens, click here.

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Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Prospect Park

Brooklyn, NY

Admission fee (some libraries offer free passes), parking lot fee, free parking on street

Free from November though February on weekdays

Free on Tuesdays (double check before you go)

Free on Saturdays from 10am to noon (double check before you go)

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

www.prospectpark.org

www.bbg.org

Cherry Blossom Festival!  This is the time to visit this gem of a garden in Brooklyn's Prospect Park!  It took us nearly one hour to find parking, but once we did, it was all worth it.  Get a map and make sure to take in as much as you can!  Every inch is a work of art! The gallery speaks for itself!  

If you have extra time, venture out and expore all of Prospect Park (designed by the same architectural team of Manhattan’s Central Park) which should take about two hours to walk the perimeter trails. You will find lakes, ponds, a carousel, an ice skating rink, a roller skating rink, open fields, playgrounds and even waterfalls in this magical place in the middle of Brooklyn. You may even be able to spot an animal (we saw a peacock!) through a fence that connects to the Prospect Park Zoo!

For acquiring free passes, contact your local library.  For Great Neck residents, click here www.greatnecklibrary.org.

Kill a few birds with one stone:  Visit the Brooklyn Museum when you are here!  You may as well!  We visited with a baby and a toddler strapped in a double stroller, and walked into the museum for free one hour before it closed for the day.  There was a special exhibit that month of structures made out of soda cans as you can see in the photos. You can also dine in Park Slope a couple blocks West of the Botanical Gardens. This is a truly magical part of Brooklyn and a very upscale and wealthy neighborhood.  The townhouses are gorgeous!   There are other beautiful affluent neighborhoods to the South and West, and lots of celebrities live around here.  But Park Slope should be the hippest.  I would love to go back once a year!

For a list of other parks and gardens, click here.

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The Boathouse

Grand Army Plaza

NY Botanical Garden

Bronx, NY

Admission fee, parking lot fee

Free grounds access on Wednesdays; does not include entry to the Enid A Haupt Conservatory, special exhibitions like the Orchid Show and Holiday Train Show, Everett Children's Adventure Garden, Rock and Native Plant Gardens or Tram Tour (visit neighboring Bronx Zoo which is also free on Wednesdays)

Free on Saturdays b/w 9am and 10am (double check before you go)

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

www.nybg.org

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I went here in the very beginning of spring, when only a few trees were in bloom.  But the Orchid Show only goes on for so long, and that was the main draw the month I went.  Admission costs more than it otherwise would have because of this spectacular display in the greenhouse!  I wish I had gone at night to see the flowers illuminated during Orchid Nights!  It is the perfect spot for a romantic date or a proposal! The outer grounds were also beautiful but unfortunately, there was not enough to see just yet.  Had I gone early May, the garden would have been at its peak!

There are activities here throughout the cold season as well!  From December 31-January 22, there is an "All Aboard with Thomas & Friends" show as well as the "Holiday Train Show" that are great activities with the children.  More information is included on their website.  

Always check www.groupon.com for deals before you go.  

For a list of other gardens, click here.

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Riverside Park

Upper West Side, NY

No admission fee, free parking on street

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/riverside-park

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Stretching four miles from 72nd to 158th streets along the Hudson River, Riverside Park is one of Manhattan's most spectacular waterfront parks.  We decided to go on a Mother's Day with my own mother as well and started our journey south from the 91st Street Garden.  There is a playground at the very bottom of the hill here (from what I recall from my memory) and then you can begin walking down a pedestrian walkway along the Hudson River.  There are a lot of bikers here as well.  It was just such an extraordinary experience and it happened to be a beautiful 80 degree day!  

Kill a few birds with one stone:  Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue are just a few blocks over and full of boutique shops.  Just walking around the neighborhood is enough of an activity with your children.  Trust me, for those who say their children don't enjoy these activities, it's only because they haven't been exposed to them!  

For a list of other parks and gardens, click here.

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Caumsette State Historic Park Preserve

Huntington, NY

No admissions fee, free parking lot

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

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This is a scenic peninsula located on the Long Island Sound. It is a 1,750 acre preserve that includes multiple hiking paths, horse stables, gardens, and a sand beach.  The land is relatively flat so the hike is not so difficult.  It will take you about two hours to park in the lot and then walk around the property (at snail's pace mind you).  I did this in the second week of November when foliage was at its peak, on a beautiful sunny day with blue skies.  I'd say anything under a 50 degree day is too frigid, as you are surrounded by water.  The big perk to this hike is that when you get to the end of the trail, you find yourself on a sand beach!  It was a truly beautiful and exhilarating experience.  You can go with a friend, a loved one, old children, or young children.  Have a good jogging stroller if you are bringing a toddler or baby. Lots of photo ops at every turn!

Kill a few birds with one stone:  Huntington is among the most charming towns on the north shore of Long Island.  There are many towns along the drive on Northern Blvd.  Also, if you are in the mood for another hike involving an uphill climb, try Cold Spring Harbor park.  I have not checked this off my bucket list yet but I have been told once you get to the top of the short mountain, you enjoy breathtaking views of the Sound.  Let me know how it goes!

For a list of other gardens and local places to hike, click here.

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Wave Hill

Riverdale, Bronx

Admission fee, parking lot

Free on Tuesdays from 9am to noon (double check before you go)

Free on Saturdays from 9am to noon (double check before you go)

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer Fall

www.wavehill.org

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Located on the Hudson River, this is a beautiful 28-acre public garden that is perfect and scenic in any season.  I visited in the very beginning of Spring when some flowers were in bloom but no trees  yet.  I could have waited a couple of weeks to get to see some Magnolias or Cherry Blossoms, but I love tulips and the garden was full.  This is one of the most unique gardens I have visited in all of New York.  Once we parked in the parking lot, a shuttle drove us to the front entrance and once there, it was easy to navigate using a map.  We spent two hours at this magical place but could easily have stayed the entire day.  Make sure you check to see what time the mansion tours are open to as we missed the opportunity. But the house was exquisite and super charming!  The park is not open till late so you cannot catch the sunset.  I imagine the park being unbearably warm in the summer so I chose the Spring.  I would love to visit in the Fall and experience the foliage reflecting off the Hudson.  

Kill a few birds with one stone:  Take a 10 minute detour and explore the neighborhood around Wave Hill as well as the neighborhood of Fieldston, both in Riverdale.  It is one of NYC's wealthiest neighborhoods of the five boroughs, and truly unique.  Also, you can pick up lunch from the local Carlos and Gabbys and picnic away at the park.  Or drive down to the Upper West Side in Manhattan for dinner.

For a list of other gardens, click here.

Click on the gallery above (best viewed on a desktop for captions), the videos below to get a better sense of the area, and add your feedback by clicking on the comments section below!  Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my next adventure!  And share with your friends if you appreciate this page!