NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

The Queens Botanical Garden, a living museum serving the most ethnically diverse county in the United States, is committed to presenting collections, education and research initiatives and programs that demonstrate environmental stewardship, promote sustainability and celebrate the rich cultural connections between people and plants. Green Trail markers highlight QBG’s sustainability practices and how visitors can “go green” at home.

QBG's 39 acres of gardens and sustainable landscape displays, such as the Cherry Circle, the Wedding Garden and the Oak Allée, are the reason many people visit.

Located at the northeast corner of Flushing Meadows Corona Park, this community cultural resource evolved from the five-acre Gardens on Parade exhibit showcased at the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair.

QBG has significantly renovated and updated many beloved features of the garden to ensure that this living museum continues to appeal to visitors for years to come.  The popular Herb Garden was expanded by nearly 50 percent and the Fragrance Walk now includes new examples of colorful, aromatic plant species.  A sustainably-managed Rose Garden was completed in 2009 along with new Annual Beds.  Current projects include a Floral Border, Ornamental Grass Garden and renovations to the Backyard Gardens.

The Parking Garden that opened in April 2010 is composed of a variety of paving materials to allow infiltration of water and parking bays interrupted by planted bioswales. This unique space manages stormwater on site and contributes to QBG's mission of environmental stewardship.

The 16,000 square-foot Visitor & Administration Building features three working roofs: one with photovoltaic panels to capture and use the sun's energy, another to capture rain for water uses and a green, planted roof accessible to the public. The building has achieved the highest (platinum) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED(r)) rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED(r) rating system is a nationally recognized standard for sustainability that guides every aspect of planning, design, construction and operations.

Programs for Seniors
Tours of the grounds are available for groups.
A quarter-acre garden provides seniors with individual areas to grow their own vegetables and flowers, April-October. Members take home all the produce they grow for their own consumption.

Foreign-language Programs
The garden has signage and Green Trail Guides in Chinese, Korean and Spanish. Programs can be arranged.

• Directions: Subway: 7 to Main Street-Flushing; Long Island Railroad to Flushing. Walk south on Main Street.

• ADA Compliant Restrooms
• Disability Access: Fully accessible. QBG provides classes for special-needs children, many of whom are in wheelchairs.
• Disability Assistance:
  Hearing: In cooperation with the Lexington School for the Deaf, the Garden has training and service opportunities for hearing-impaired students. For more information call (718) 886-3800.
  Vision: Graphical depictions
• Gift Shops
• On-Site Parking: $5 per vehicle.
• Public Phone
• Space Rental
• Special Education: Modified education programs for students with special needs provide opportunities for students with cognitive impairments to explore the garden relying on their olfactory and visual senses.
• Tours

Get involved with Queens Botanical Garden

• Donations through Queens Botanical Garden's Web site
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Memberships