So you’re traveling for business and you've got two hours or one afternoon to spend in New York City. One of our best suggestions for how to spend an afternoon in New York City is to spend it at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
For Travelers Who Like: Nature, Gardening, Japanese-inspired gardens
Where to go: the Brooklyn Botanic Garden which is located near the Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope known for its beautiful brownstone homes.
You can take a taxi or Uber or the #2 or #3 subway train (#4 or #5 on the weekends) to the Eastern Parkway-Brooklyn Museum stop.
What Makes It Special: The 39 acre garden, which opened in 1911, was designed as to be an oasis in the middle of a busy city.
The Botanic Garden features a Rose, a Lilac, a Fragrance, and an Herb Garden. Lovers of Japanese-inspired gardens will appreciate the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, the Lily Pool Terrace, and the Bonsai Collection.
Must See: My personal favorites are the Magnolia Plaza, the cherry blossoms that line a peaceful walking promenade, and the tulips that seem to come in every conceivable color.
Of course, the best time to visit is March, April, and May when the cherry blossoms and the tulips are blooming. However the fall foliage is pretty special as well.
The Botanic Garden website has a "Plants in Bloom" feature which tells you what's blooming right now and a searchable database that enables you to locate specific plants on the grounds.
If you're in London on business and happen to find yourself with a spare afternoon, we recommend taking a stroll through Notting Hill. If you love beautiful architecture and Instagram-worthy moments, you'll enjoy the famous colorful doors and seeing the site of the romantic film that bears the same name.
