Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Brooklyn, NY

The first thing that becomes apparent is the sheer size: 52 acres showcasing hundreds of plant species from countless biomes. While Central Park often dominates conversations about New York green spaces, missing this would be a mistake.

Located within Prospect Park—think Golden Gate Park—it’s easy to spend an entire day here. The botanical gardens are the highlight. Grab pastries or sandwiches from Radio Bakery right outside before heading in.

Best Bite: Getting lost among the trees in the middle of a city.