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Reserve tickets in advance to speed admission. At the entrance, look for the Have a Ticket line reserved for ticketholders. Please have your ticket out with barcode ready to scan. Members and affiliates should present program ID along with their ticket barcode on entry.

If you do not have an advance ticket, you’ll need to purchase tickets or request free member or affiliate tickets at the box office. Look for the Need a Ticket line.

Take advantage of extended hours during bloom season. Through May 14, we are usually open Tuesday–Thursday 8 a.m.–8:30 p.m. and Friday–Sunday 8 a.m.–6 p.m. To avoid crowds, visit Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday or before 10 a.m. on weekends.

Take public transportation, walk, or bike to the Garden. On peak weekends especially, the parking lot fills up and street traffic is heavy.

Please help care for our collections. Do not touch plants or shake tree branches. Deposit trash in an appropriate receptacle. Outside food and beverages are not permitted.

An interactive map of the Garden is available at bbg.org/map.

How long does a visit take?

Seeing the entire Garden would take a full day. 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 on select days in peak season. For details, see our Hours & Admission page.

Also, if you are a member, you can attend Members’ Summer Evenings on Wednesdays, 6–8:30 p.m.

What is Lightscape?

Lightscape is a delightful seasonal program presented in partnership with Sony Music and Culture Creative. Visitors to Lightscape make their way along a winding trail through BBG’s landscape, awash in artistic lighting design. Along the way, they’ll encounter monumental lighted sculptures, colorful effects on BBG’s trees, architecture, and water features, and site-specific music and sound.

Tickets and detailed information can be found at bbg.org/lightscape.

Do I need a ticket?

All visitors, including children and members, need a ticket to enter. Garden members and members of affiliated organizations will show their program ID with their free ticket on entry. Tickets may be purchased at each entrance or online at bbg.org/tickets. Online tickets are available 30 days in advance.

If you are feeling unwell, please postpone your visit. Use the “cancel my tickets” link on your confirmation or contact Showclix at 866-220-4001 to reschedule your visit. Unused tickets cannot be exchanged after the visit date. There are no refunds.

Where is the entrance?

Public entrances are located at:

• 150 Eastern Parkway (click for map)
• 455 Flatbush Avenue (click for map)
• 990 Washington Avenue (click for map)

Purchase tickets at the admission booth or have your tickets ready for scanning. Please review visitor guidelines; there is not a checkroom for items that are not allowed on the grounds.

See Hours & Admission for seasonal hours. Last entry is 30 minutes before the Garden closes. Specialty gardens begin to close at this time.

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.

• Please don’t touch plants, climb trees, pick flowers or other plant parts, or walk in plant beds.
• Do not feed wildlife or release animals in the Garden.
• Do not smoke or vape in the Garden.
• Service animals are permitted in the Garden; pets and emotional comfort animals are not.
• Leave recreational equipment (scooters, balls, bikes, etc.) at home—they are not allowed in the Garden.
• Children under 14 must be supervised by an adult.
• Only food purchased in the Garden may be consumed on-site in designated areas. (Bottled water, baby bottles, and pocket snacks for individuals with dietary restrictions are allowed.)
• Sitting on the grass is permitted on Cherry Esplanade and in the Discovery Garden, Osborne Garden, Plant Family Collection, and Water Garden. Please see map for details.
• No blankets or folding chairs please.
• Tripods and easels are not permitted in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, the Conservatory, or flower beds. Please do not block paths. Drones are not permitted.
• Professional and wedding photography is only permitted by prior arrangement. Visit bbg.org/photography to request a permit.
• Use earphones for all electronic audio devices.
• Shirt and shoes are required.
• Do not share commercial marketing or leaflets of any kind in the Garden.

Please read through the rest of these FAQ and other areas of the website for more detailed information on specific rules and policy. For everyone’s safety, the Garden reserves the right to deny or revoke the admission of any visitor who refuses to comply with these guidelines. Thank you for being considerate of others.

Can we bring a picnic? May we sit on the lawn?

Picnicking is not allowed at BBG. Sitting on the lawn is permitted on Cherry Esplanade and in the Discovery Garden, Osborne Garden, and Plant Family Collection.

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.

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.

Where can I buy food?

Visitors to the Garden can enjoy modern, vegetable-focused cuisine in a full-service setting at Yellow Magnolia Café, casual entrées at the seasonal outdoor eatery Yellow Magnolia Canteen, or sandwiches, snacks, and drinks at the Coffee Bar at the Visitor Center.

Where are the bathrooms?

There are bathrooms in the Visitor Center, at the Flatbush Avenue entrance, on Magnolia Plaza, in the Conservatory, outside Yellow Magnolia Café, and on Lily Pool Terrace.

Do you sell plants?

Yes, the Garden Shop has a small selection of plants for sale.

Do you have daily lockers or a coat check?

No.

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.

Can we get married at the Garden? Can I rent space for other events?

Yes. Please see our Weddings and Celebrations and Private and Corporate Events pages for details.

I’m a teacher/camp counselor. Can I bring my students on a self-guided field trip?

School and camp group visits are available free of charge by advance registration only. Learn more.