Central Park Conservatory Garden

The Conservatory Garden is a six-acre formal garden located in Central Park, the only formal area the massive park has to offer. Although Central Park is probably best known for its wide fields, wooded trails, and grand lakes, this enchanting jewel is not to be missed. With its natural splendor, international influences, and literary surprises, every visitor is bound to find something magical in the Conservatory Garden. NYC locals often treat it as a secret treasure!

The Conservatory Garden in Central Park is on Fifth Ave. between 104th and 105th streets, just inside the Vanderbilt Gate, which had a long journey before its installation at the park. The fantastic iron gate, created by Paris artisans in 1894, traveled across the Atlantic to frame the entry to the Vanderbilt mansion farther along Fifth Ave. before finding its place at Central Park.

The Central Park Conservatory Garden is divided into three sections, each featuring a different style: Italian, French, and English. The Conservatory Garden’s center Italianate area features a large lawn bordered by yew hedges and a pergola. The pergola shelters a walkway including 13 medallions, each bearing the name of one of the first 13 states of the United States of America. In the French garden to the north, tourists and residents can enjoy seasonal displays including a stunning array of tulips in the spring, an autumn showcase of Korean chrysanthemums, and perennial Japanese holly. The English garden sits to the south, and its mixed borders of shrubs, trees, and perennials corral five beds of seasonal attractions. These beds are best known for their spring blooms, but they offer seasonal blooms all year long.

Many visitors’ favorite attraction hides in the English garden: the Frances Hodgson Burnett Memorial Fountain. This artistic water feature was inspired by classic children’s tale The Secret Garden and its author. Unlike the large, splashing fountains elsewhere in the park, this garden fountain features two children, presumably Mary and her friend Dickon, who creep along one corner of a quiet lily pond. It is a charming little landmark ideally suited to the garden’s serene environment.

The Conservatory Garden in Central Park is so well-known for its seasonal blooms that there are actually official bloom calendars to tell visitors which flowers and plants blossom during which months. That way, tourists know what to expect when they arrive. Some even plan their visits to New York City based on which seasonal display they hope to see at the Central Park Conservatory Garden. Needless to say, this spot is a must for photographers looking to add some flora to their New York City album. Constantly changing and always perfectly cultivated, this lesser-known attraction sits within easy walking distance of our Uptown & Harlem double-decker bus route: Hop off at the Museum of the City of New York and you’ll be just steps away!

The NYC Conservatory Garden is a quiet zone, so park traffic does not disturb visitors inside the garden: You will have no bikes or joggers to dodge, and the garden itself promotes a peaceful, elegant atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to settle with a book or stroll with your loved one on a quiet date. The garden offers a break from NYC’s rapid pace without forcing you to lose out on precious sightseeing hours: Stop here for a rest, then hop back on our bus to dive back into your NYC adventure!