In June of last year for my birthday, I was eager to get out of the city and experience some nature. I began researching great hiking trails nearby, but on a whim opted instead to go to the New York Botanical Gardens (NYBG) in the Bronx, which I hadn't been to in years. The NYBG is nearly five times larger than its Brooklyn counterpart, featuring 50 breathtaking gardens, indoor rain forests and deserts, 50 acres of native forest, a river, waterfalls, and rolling green hills across 250-acres. Best yet—it's just a short jaunt from the city!

After visiting NYBG, I decided to get a membership because I knew I'd take several more trips over the course of the year. It really is worth the cost because an individual adult ticket is $20 on the weekdays and $25 on weekends—and the workers there are more than happy to apply the money you spent on a ticket towards a membership. Additionally, certain garden centers, like my local plant store, Chelsea Garden Center, will honor a discount if you flash your membership card; and sometimes your membership to your local Botanical Garden is transferable to other Botanical Gardens across the U.S.—a helpful tip I picked up from a fellow member whilst standing in line to see the blooming corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum). Most of all, you'll be supporting a beautiful respite and botanical wonder out of the city center. 🌿

You're greeted with purple pom pom flowers (Alliums sp.) walking up to the Botanic Gardens in the summer. — You're greeted with purple pom pom flowers (*Alliums* sp.) walking up to the Botanic Gardens in the summer.

Flowering dogwoods (Cornus florida) mimic snow in the trees in the summer months. — Flowering dogwoods (*Cornus florida*) mimic snow in the trees in the summer months.

My barefoot friend takes to the trails. Highly recommend going barefoot throughout some of the trails. Note: Don't get a pedicure before! It'll make your feet too sensitive. :)