Between the views of the NYC skyline and the quiet corners of our own campus, we know Hoboken is beautiful. But as for green space, this spring, there are plenty of options within the surrounding area.
Below is our guide to three nearby gardens to explore this season, all of which have their own highlights.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Location: 165 Hobart Ave., Summit, NJ
This 13-acre historic estate is a treat tucked away in the suburbs. The Arboretum hosts a Daffodil Day Festival yearly, where the “Daffodil Bowl” showcases the various golden hues of over 50,000 blooming daffodils, a key highlight of the estate. Additional events occurring throughout the summer, such as Art in the Garden, are listed and updated in their Annual Events page.
Beyond the sea of yellow, the property features a diverse mix of landscapes, as detailed in their guide. The grounds contain both formal gardens and close to a mile of woodland trails open to exploration.
Exploring these grounds is free for the majority of the year, with a suggested donation of $10. A fee is only required during the festival, priced at $15 for the main event on April 12 and $10 for the surrounding days of April 1-15. Additional donations are appreciated and help fund the addition of more daffodils.
The Arboretum hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the exception of the Daffodil Days event. During the festival itself, the garden is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the main festival day has shortened hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Van Vleck House & Gardens
Location: 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair, NJ
Formerly a private estate, the grounds offer a peaceful atmosphere whose liveliness blooms with the spring flowers, which are tracked through weekly photographs. While the historic house isn’t open for public tours, the gardens themselves are. Offering everything from wisteria to woodlands to butterfly gardens, the picturesque setting has something for everyone, all of which is documented on their map.
Open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year, at no cost, with visitors welcome to come and go as long as they follow the listed rules. The garden’s year-round accessibility is its hallmark.
New York Botanical Garden
Location: 29000 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY
This garden encompasses 250 acres and features plants from around the world, which are documented and tracked on its Plant Tracker. Of the plants spread throughout the grounds, 543 are varieties of cherries, and 200 are concentrated in the Cherry Valley, which offers plenty of opportunities to watch the blooms as they occur throughout the year.
A key highlight of the garden is the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, where tropical, aquatic, and desert plants can all be viewed.
Tickets are required to enter the gardens, the prices of which vary by day. Weekdays are $31 for students and $35 for adults. Meanwhile, weekends are $35 for students and $39 for adults. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, and some select Monday holidays, as detailed in their What’s On monthly calendar.
These three gardens offer a variety of options, ranging from free public grounds to more extensive collections. With different landscapes and price points available, there is a destination for everyone looking to make the most of spring.
