Contact Us
What Can We Help you With?
Visiting: What to See, When to Come, How Long to Stay
How long does a visit take?
Seeing the entire Garden would take a full day. However, we ask that you limit your stay to 3 hours to allow others to enjoy the Garden. There are suggested itineraries for shorter visits.
What is in bloom right now? When are the cherry trees in bloom?
The Plants in Bloom page will tell you!
The cherry trees typically bloom throughout April and early May. CherryWatch provides frequent updates in the spring.
Are you ever open in the evening?
Yes, the Garden is open until sunset most evenings in peak seasons. For details, see our Hours & Admission page.
Also, if you are a member, you can attend Members’ Summer Evenings on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. until sunset, June to September.
Rules
What rules must all visitors follow?
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a museum of living plants. The following policies were designed to protect the plant collection and enhance the experience of all visitors.
- Do not pick flowers, touch foliage, walk in planted beds, or climb trees.
- Children under 14 must be supervised by an adult.
- No food or beverages except bottled water and baby bottles.
- No smoking.
- No blankets or folding chairs.
- Sitting on the lawn is only permitted on Cherry Esplanade.
- No recreational equipment or athletic activity (scooters, balls, etc.).
- No pets.
- Tripods and easels are not permitted in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, the Conservatory, in flower beds, or blocking paths.
- Commercial and wedding photography is only permitted by prior arrangement.
- Earphones must be used for all electronic audio devices.
- Shirt and shoes are required.
- See additional rules and guidelines in effect to support community health and safety.
Please read through the rest of these FAQ and other areas of the website for more detailed information on specific rules and policy.
Garden Etiquette: Picnics, Strollers, Bikes, Pets, Tree Climbing, Smoking
Can we bring a picnic? May we sit on the lawn?
Picnicking is not allowed at BBG. You may sit on the lawn of Cherry Esplanade only.
Are strollers allowed?
Strollers are allowed on the grounds and in the Visitor Center, but not in the Steinhardt Conservatory Gallery or Garden Shop.
Are scooters, bikes, roller skates, or skateboards allowed?
No. There is no checkroom available and skates, skateboards, and scooters are not permitted. Bike racks are located near all entrances.
Are pets allowed in the Garden? What about service animals?
Pets are not allowed, but service animals are. Our accessibility guidelines provide more details.
May we climb the trees? May we pick flowers and vegetables?
Tree climbing is not allowed in order to keep both the trees and visitors safe. Please don't pick flowers or vegetables. Edible food from our Herb Garden and display gardens is donated to local charities.
Is smoking allowed?
No, smoking is prohibited throughout the Garden.
Disability Access
Is the entire Garden accessible to people with disabilities?
All of our entrances and most of our pathways are accessible to people in wheelchairs and those with other disabilities. Certain paths may be uneven or steep. Please see our accessibility guidelines for more information.
Amenities: Bathrooms, Food, Lockers, Plants and Merchandise for Sale
Where can I buy food?
Visitors to the Garden can purchase casual entrées, snacks, and drinks at the Yellow Magnolia Canteen near Lily Pool Terrace and the Coffee Bar at the Visitor Center, with socially distanced outdoor seating for either option. Yellow Magnolia Café is temporarily closed. Pocket snacks are permitted for individuals with dietary needs.
Where are the bathrooms?
There are bathrooms in the Visitor Center, at the Flatbush Avenue entrance, and on Lily Pool Terrace.
Do you sell plants?
Yes, the Garden Shop has a selection of plants for sale.
Do you have daily lockers or a coat check?
No.
Photography
Can I take photographs? Can a professional photographer shoot my portrait?
In general, visitors may take nonprofessional photos for personal use. Professional photographers must adhere to our photography policy.
Can BBG be used for a commercial photo or film shoot?
Yes, but you must receive prior approval. Please see our commercial and editorial photography guidelines for details.
Weddings, Private Events, and Space Rental
Can we get married at the Garden? Can I rent space for other events?
Private rentals are currently suspended. You can submit an inquiry on the Weddings and Celebrations or Private and Corporate Events pages for future updates.
Field Trips: Schools and Camps
I’m a teacher/camp counselor. Can I bring my students on a self-guided field trip?
A limited number of registration slots are now available for groups of up to 10 students with their teachers. Children’s groups from pre-K through high school are admitted for free as space allows.
Teachers must reserve tickets in advance for these self-directed visits, and special safety protocols are currently in place. Teachers may request information to learn more.
General Inquiries
Hotline
Contact
- Composting Project
bbg.org/composting - compost@bbg.org
718-623-7290 - Continuing Education Information
bbg.org/catalog -
continuinged@bbg.org
718-623-7357 - Development
bbg.org/support - development@bbg.org
718-623-7356 - Garden Shop
shop.bbg.org - shop@bbg.org
718-622-0963 - Library
bbg.org/library - library@bbg.org
718-623-7270 - Lost and Found
- security@bbg.org
718-623-7277 - Membership
bbg.org/membership - membership@bbg.org
718-623-7210 - Neighborhood Greening
bbg.org/community - community@bbg.org
718-623-7250 - School Groups
bbg.org/childrensgroups - registration@bbg.org
718-623-7220 - Visitor Services
bbg.org/visit - visitorservices@bbg.org
718-623-7260 - Wedding and Event Catering
bbg.org/weddings - events@bbg.org
718‑307‑7133 - Yellow Magnolia Café
bbg.org/yellowmagnolia - 718‑307‑7136
Mailing Address
This is not a public entrance.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
1000 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225
718-623-7200
Department
Contact
- Children's Education Information
- childrenseducation@bbg.org
718-623-7353 - Children's Education Registration
- registration@bbg.org
718-623-7220 - Commercial Photography
- communications@bbg.org
718-623-7241 - Communications
- communications@bbg.org
718-623-7241 - Community Greening
- community@bbg.org
718-623-7250 - Continuing Education Information
- continuinged@bbg.org
718-623-7357 - Continuing Education Registration
- registration@bbg.org
718-623-7220 - Development
- development@bbg.org
718-623-7356 - Event Catering
- events@bbg.org
718‑307‑7133 - Horticulture
- horticulture@bbg.org
- Human Resources
- hr@bbg.org
- Internships
- horticulture@bbg.org
- Library Services
- library@bbg.org
- Marketing/Advertising
- marketing@bbg.org
- Membership
- membership@bbg.org
718-623-7210 - Patina Events at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- events@bbg.org
718‑307‑7133 - President's Office
- presidentsoffice@bbg.org
- Public Programs
- publicprograms@bbg.org
718-623-7333 - Publications
- publications@bbg.org
- Registration Office
- registration@bbg.org
718-623-7220 - Scientific Research
- science@bbg.org
- Security
- security@bbg.org
718-623-7200 - Conservatory Gallery
- steinhardt@bbg.org
- Visitor Services
- visitorservices@bbg.org
718-623-7260 - Volunteer
- volunteer@bbg.org
718-623-7260 - Website
- webmaster@bbg.org
- Wedding Catering
- weddings@bbg.org
718‑307‑7133