The New York Botanical Garden gave us a gorgeous fall morning with our toddler. Leaving was another story: the taxi line we read about was not there, and getting a ride home cost us an extra 30 minutes.
We did the New York Botanical Garden with a toddler on a Saturday in late October, with a 10 a.m. entry, the second day of our 3.5 days in New York City with a toddler. Johnny was 2.5. We took a cab up from Times Square, started in the Conservatory, spent time in the kids' garden, met up with friends, and rode the tram up to the rose garden.
Here is how the day went, what is worth your time, and what I would do differently when it is time to leave.
Is the New York Botanical Garden Good for Toddlers?
Yes. The Conservatory is a must-see; our 2.5-year-old really enjoyed the Everett Children's Adventure Garden, and the tram helps you cover a big garden.
Fall also turned out to be a beautiful time to go. The tree foliage was gorgeous, and we lucked out with the weather and the temperature.
Is the Conservatory Worth Seeing?
Yes. The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is absolutely a must-see, and it is where we started our day.
It is a huge glasshouse with a different habitat in each section, from tropical rainforest to desert. The centerpiece is the Palm Dome, which houses tall palms from around the world. The Conservatory dates to 1902 and is a New York City landmark.
What Is the Everett Children's Adventure Garden?
The Everett Children's Adventure Garden is the part of NYBG built for kids, with indoor and outdoor areas where they can explore plants and nature. There is a maze, boulders to climb, musical instruments, and hands-on plant activities.
When we went, the garden's new Día de los Muertos celebration was going on, and it was super cool. Johnny really enjoyed it. The giant monarch butterfly puppets were roaming the children's garden the day we were there, and they were pretty cool. Johnny enjoyed watching them. The celebration ran October 3 through November 2, 2026, centered in the children's garden, with a community ofrenda, papel picado and silk flower workshops, and giant puppets on select dates. It was included in the All-Garden Pass.
How Does the NYBG Tram Work?
The tram is a narrated loop around the garden that you can hop on and off. After we met up with friends and their kid, we took it up to the rose garden area.
The Tram Tour is included in the All-Garden Pass. It is a 20-minute narrated loop that starts across from the Reflecting Pool, and you can stay on for the whole tour or get off at any of the eight stops. We got off near the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, walked around, and then walked all the way back down.
If your toddler is done walking by then, plan to ride the tram back too.
Is There a Taxi Line at the New York Botanical Garden?
Not when we were there, and that made leaving a little bit hectic.
What we found online said there was a taxi line outside the main entrance. NYBG's own directions page lists taxi, car service, and rideshare pick-up as "just outside the entrance gates" at the Main Entrance. When we left, there was no taxi line.
We looked. We walked to the other entrances, thinking maybe we were at the wrong one. We came back to the main entrance, still could not find a taxi, and ended up calling an Uber with a car seat, which took an extra 30 minutes.
My advice is simple: do not count on a cab being there. Request your ride before you head for the exit, especially if you need a car seat, since those can take longer to show up.
How Much Are New York Botanical Garden Tickets?
The All-Garden Pass is the ticket you want with a toddler, because it includes the Conservatory, the Tram Tour, and the seasonal exhibitions. On weekdays, it is $35 for adults and $15 for kids. On weekends, it is $39 for adults and $17 for kids. Children under 2 are free.
The garden is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and on select Monday holidays. It is closed on other Mondays, so plan around that.
How Do You Get to the New York Botanical Garden?
We took a yellow cab from our hotel in Times Square straight to the garden, which was easy since a cab does not need a car seat. Getting home was the hard part, as you read above. The garden is in the Bronx, and if you would rather take the train, Metro-North runs from Grand Central to the Botanical Garden station in 20 minutes, and the Mosholu Entrance is the closest one to the train. If you are driving or taking a car, the Main Entrance is at 2900 Southern Boulevard, and that is also where taxi and rideshare drop-off and pick-up is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the New York Botanical Garden good for toddlers?
Yes. The Conservatory is a must-see, and our 2.5-year-old really enjoyed the Everett Children's Adventure Garden.
Is the Conservatory included in NYBG admission?
The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is included in the All-Garden Pass, along with the Tram Tour and seasonal exhibitions.
How much is the All-Garden Pass at NYBG?
The All-Garden Pass is $35 for adults and $15 for kids on weekdays, and $39 for adults and $17 for kids on weekends. Children under 2 are free.
Is there a taxi stand at the New York Botanical Garden?
NYBG lists taxi and rideshare pick-up just outside the entrance gates at the Main Entrance, but when we left on a Saturday, there was no taxi line, so plan to request a ride before you leave.
When is Día de los Muertos at the New York Botanical Garden?
NYBG's new Día de los Muertos celebration ran October 3 through November 2, 2026, centered in the Everett Children's Adventure Garden, and it was included in the All-Garden Pass.
Is the New York Botanical Garden open on Mondays?
No. NYBG is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and is closed on Mondays except select Monday holidays.
Final Thoughts
A great day out with a toddler usually comes down to a few good moments and one thing you wish you had planned better. For us, the good moments were the Conservatory, Johnny in the children's garden, and the gorgeous fall foliage. The thing to plan better was the ride home.
