New York Botanical Garden

The 250-acre botanical gardens near the D train in the Bronx are a full-on nature oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle. Even when it’s busy, you still feel like you’re Alice in Wonderland as you wander the 40-acre old-growth forest, flower gardens, and treescapes. You’ll find yourself dreaming about azaleas, magnolias, and herbs long after your visit. On a cold day, it’s lovely to warm up in a quiet corner of the Conservatory, a Victorian-style glasshouse filled with lush tropical plants.