Directions to the Garden

200th St. & Southern Boulevard
Bronx, NY 10458-5126

The New York Botanical Garden is in the Bronx, one of the five boroughs of New York City. Many New Yorkers know the Garden not as "The New York Botanical Garden" but as the "Bronx Botanical Garden," and sometimes even confuse it with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Therefore, if you ask for directions or tell a taxi driver where you want to go, tell them "The Botanical Garden in the Bronx next to the Zoo and Fordham University." If you will be using a taxi, you may have to provide directions, so you should have these instructions handy. When you arrive at the Garden, ask The New York Botanical Garden security guard to direct you to the Watson Building.

LaGuardia Airport is located on Long Island in Queens (another borough of New York City) about 8 airmiles south of the Garden. Kennedy Airport (JFK) is also located in Queens, about 15 airmiles southeast of the Garden. Newark Airport is located near Newark, New Jersey, about 23 airmiles southwest of the Garden. There are several ways to reach the Garden from the airports (see 1A-1F below).

The taxi ride from LaGuardia to the Garden will take about 30 minutes (longer in rush hour). Metered taxis are readily available at the airports. Take a metered taxi from the taxi stand outside the terminal. Do not accept a ride from the "gypsy" cab drivers who solicit fares inside the terminal. There is no charge for luggage that can be carried by one person. One fare pays for all passengers. If you encounter any problems, note the Vehicle Identification Number, located on the roof of the cab between the "on and off" duty sign, and report the incident to the Commission (212/302-8294); for taxi lost/found call 212/302-8294. Newark Airport, the farthest from the Garden, is in another state and the metered taxi fare is doubled! If you arrive at Newark, unless you have money to burn, take an airport bus from Newark Airport to Manhattan (see 1E, F).

FROM KENNEDY AIRPORT (JFK) TO THE GARDEN (VIA THE WHITESTONE BRIDGE). Tell the taxi driver to go to the Van Wyck Expressway (I-678) NORTH to the Bronx Whitestone Bridge. Take the Hutchinson River Parkway NORTH. Exit from the Parkway at the Pelham Parkway WEST exit (EXIT 3) and continue on the Parkway for about 2-3 miles and then bear right onto Southern Boulevard (do not go to the underpass, continue bearing right). At this point the Garden will be on your right and the Zoo on the far left. At the traffic light, make a RIGHT turn onto Southern Boulevard (Fordham University will be on your left and the Garden on your right). Follow Southern Boulevard to the Garden's entrance (at 3rd traffic light).

FROM LA GUARDIA AIRPORT (LGA) TO THE GARDEN. Take the Grand Central Parkway EAST and follow signs to the Whitestone Bridge and proceed from the Bridge as described in the previous paragraph.

ALTERNATE ROUTE FROM THE WHITESTONE BRIDGE: From the Bridge exit at the Cross Bronx Expressway (I-95) WEST. Proceed on the Expressway and exit at the Bronx River Parkway NORTH (EXIT 4b). Continue going NORTH on the Parkway and exit at the Botanical Garden exit (EXIT 8). This exit is shortly after the Bronx Zoo exit. You will now be on Kazimiroff Boulevard, circling the north end of the Garden grounds, and can enter at the Garden's entrance (at 2nd traffic light, follow the signs).

ALTERNATE ROUTE VIA THE TRIBORO BRIDGE: Many cabdrivers insist on a route to the Bronx over the Triborough Bridge instead of the Whitestone. If you get one of these, the route is: Triborough Bridge to the Bruckner Expressway (I-278) to the Bronx River Parkway, NORTH on the Parkway to the Botanical Garden exit (EXIT 8), which is shortly after the Bronx Zoo exit. You will now be on Kazimiroff Boulevard, circling the north end of the Garden grounds, and can enter at the Garden's entrance (at 2nd traffic light, follow the signs).

Take Carey Airport Express (airport bus) (718/632-0500) from stops in front of the terminals at either airport to Grand Central Station (125 Park Avenue, near Grand Central Station, between 41st and 42nd streets). The bus leaves Kennedy every 30 minutes and every 20-30 minutes from LaGuardia (6:45 am to midnight). From Grand Central Station you can take the Metro-North train (see 2B) or the subway (see 2C).

1C. FROM KENNEDY AIRPORT BY SHUTTLE BUS AND SUBWAY (operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), 718/858-7272).

At Kennedy there is a free shuttle bus to the Howard Beach subway station. From Howard Beach take the "A" Train marked "Far Rockaway" to 42nd Street and 8th Avenue (Port Authority Bus Terminal) in Manhattan.

If you are continuing to the Garden via subway or train, follow instructions in 2F.

National Mountain Line ("Riverdale Jitney") provides convenient and affordable service between the Bronx and LaGuardia or Kennedy. They offer door-to-door service to or from LaGuardia and Kennedy. Jitney hours are 6 am-6 pm Monday-Friday, 6 am-5 pm on week-ends. Reservations for departing flights may be made one or two days in advance during daytime hours by calling 718/884-9400. You may call the same number when you arrive at the airport if you want the Jitney to drive you to the Bronx. The wait for this trip is between 5 and 60 minutes.

Take the New Jersey Transit airport bus (201/762-5100 or from New Jersey 1-800/772-2222) to the Port Authority Bus Terminal (42nd Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan). Buses leave the airport every 20 minutes. From the Port Authority Bus Terminal you can take the subway directly to the Garden or you can get to Grand Central Station where you can take the above-ground Metro-North train (see 2F).

Olympia Trails Express Bus (airport bus) to Grand Central Terminal (42nd Street and Park Avenue). Buses leave the terminal about every 20 minutes, travel time 30-60 minutes. From Grand Central Terminal you can get to the Garden by the Metro-North train or by subway (see 2B and 2C).

You can take a taxi to the Garden directly from Manhattan. Tell the driver to take the Triborough Bridge (to the Bronx) and take the Bruckner Expressway (I-278) to the Bronx River Parkway NORTH. Have him take the Botanical Garden exit (EXIT 8), shortly after the Bronx Zoo exit. You will now be on Kazimiroff Boulevard, circling the north end of the Garden, and can enter at the Garden's entrance, about 1/2 mile after exiting the Parkway. Follow signs.

Metro-North trains from upstate New York and Connecticut, plus several subway lines and airport buses arrive at Grand Central Station at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in midtown Manhattan.

At Grand Central Station, take the Metro-North Harlem Local Line to the Botanical Garden Station. If tickets are purchased before boarding outbound trains. The ride takes 22 minutes and trains leave Grand Central Station about every 20 minutes during rush hours and hourly during non-rush hours. Schedules are different on weekends and holidays and can be obtained at the Grand Central Station Information Booth. Fares and times are subject to change. The Botanical Garden Station is across a parking lot and road from the Garden's entrance.

At Grand Central Station, ask Information to direct you to the subway or follow the signs. Take the IRT #4 subway UPTOWN to Bedford Park Boulevard (same as 200th Street) and Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. You will be about one mile from the Garden when you exit the subway. Cross Jerome Avenue and walk SOUTHEAST on Bedford Park Boulevard, which ends at the Garden, turn left and proceed to the Garden's entrance (next to the bus stop). Depending on connections, the ride will take 30-45 minutes from Grand Central Station. The walk from the subway to the Garden takes about 20-25 minutes. Or, you can take the "BX-26" bus from the corner of Jerome Avenue and Bedford Park Boulevard, which stops at the Garden (bus fare is exact change in coins or subway token).

Get yourself a subway map at any token booth. Take the "D" or "4" train to Bedford Park Boulevard in the Bronx. The "D" stops about 8 blocks and the "4" about 10 blocks from the Garden. Walk SOUTHEAST on Bedford Park Boulevard to the Garden, turn left onto Kazimiroff Boulevard, and proceed to the entrance (next to the bus stop). The walk takes about 20 minutes. Or catch the "BX-26" bus (exact change in coins or subway token needed) from stops along Bedford Park Boulevard to the Botanical Garden stop.

Amtrack, LIRR (Long Island Railroad), and some New Jersey PATH trains terminate at or near Penn (Pennsylvania) Station at 34th Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan.

To catch a Metro-North train to the Garden, you must get to Grand Central Station (42nd Street and Park Avenue). You can 1) take a taxi or 2) take the subway. To do the latter, follow signs to take the UPTOWN "1," "2," or "3" subway trains to 42nd Street (Times Square) and there transfer to the 42nd Street Shuttle or "S" train to Grand Central Station. Once there, follow directions in 2B.

To take the subway to the Garden directly from Penn Station, follow the signs to take the UPTOWN "K", "C", or "A" subway train to 59th Street (Columbus Circle). Transfer to the UPTOWN "D" train to Bedford Park Boulevard (same as 200th Street). You will be about 8 blocks from the Garden. Follow Bedford Park Boulevard SOUTHEAST to the Garden, turn left and proceed to the Garden's entrance (next to the bus stop). Depending on connections, the ride will take 45-60 minutes from Penn Station. The walk from the subway to the Garden takes about 15-20 minutes. Or catch a "BX-26" bus from stops along Bedford Park Boulevard to the Botanical Garden stop (exact change in coins or subway token needed).

Most of the out-of-city bus lines and airport buses terminate at the Port Authority at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan.

To catch a Metro-North train to the Garden, you must get to Grand Central Station (42nd Street and Park Avenue). You can 1) walk, 2) take Carey Transportation Bus every 30 minutes between Port Authority and Grand, 3) take the 42nd Street Shuttle "S" subway (follow signs), or 4) take a taxi. Once at Grand Central Station, follow directions as in 2B.

To take the subway to the Garden directly from Port Authority, follow the signs downstairs and take an UPTOWN "A" to 59th Street (Columbus Circle) and transfer (on the same platform) to the UPTOWN "D", to Bedford Park Boulevard (same as 200th Street). You will be about 8 blocks from the Garden. Follow Bedford Park Boulevard SOUTHEAST to the Garden, turn left and proceed to the Garden's entrance (next to the bus stop). Depending on connections, the ride will take 45-60 minutes. The walk from the subway to the Garden takes about 15-20 minutes.

2G. FROM MADISON AVENUE BY LIBERTY LINE BUS (Call 718/652-8400 for schedules).

From Manhattan, take Liberty Line Bus "BxM11" from Madison Avenue and 28th Street to Allerton Avenue stop; transfer to New York City bus "BX-26" (exact change in coins or subway token needed--bus stop is located diagonally across the street from the Liberty Line Allerton Avenue stop). Get off at the New York Botanical Garden stop. Cross the street and enter through the Garden's entrance.

Enter through the Kazimiroff/Southern Boulevard entrance opposite the Metro-North Station, one block south of Mosholu Parkway.

FROM NEW JERSEY. From the George Washington Bridge (a toll bridge; if you are on the upper level, get in the far right lane; on the lower level use the far left lane), take the Henry Hudson Parkway NORTH (about 6 miles; toll on the bridge) to Mosholu Parkway (EXIT 24), follow Mosholu Parkway (about 2 miles) to its terminus at the Garden, turn right on Kazimiroff Boulevard. At the first traffic light (about 1 block) make a left turn into the Garden.

FROM MANHATTAN (East side). Take the Triborough Bridge (toll) to the Bruckner Expressway (I-278), then NORTH onto the Bronx River Parkway (about 5 miles). Take the Botanical Garden exit (EXIT 8). On exiting you will be circling the north end of the Garden; follow the signs to the Garden's entrance (at 2nd traffic light).

FROM MANHATTAN (West side). Take the West Side Highway and the Henry Hudson Parkway (toll on the bridge) to the Mosholu Parkway (EXIT 24). Follow the Mosholu Parkway to its terminus at the Garden. Turn right on Southern (Kazimiroff) Boulevard. At the first traffic light (about 1 block) make a left turn into the Garden.

FROM UPSTATE NEW YORK. Take the New York State Thruway (I-87) to the Saw Mill River Parkway (EXIT 7A just south of I-287) to Mosholu Parkway (exit is on the left). Follow Mosholu Parkway (about 2 miles) to its terminus at the Garden, turn right on Kazimiroff Boulevard. At the first traffic light (about 1 block) make a left turn into the Garden.

FROM NEW ENGLAND. Take the New England Thruway (I-95) to Pelham Parkway WEST (EXIT 8). Follow Pelham Parkway (staying to your right) to Southern Boulevard (about 2-3 miles, the Garden will be on your right and the Zoo on your left), turn right on Southern Boulevard and follow the signs to the Garden (keeping the Garden on your right).

Or, take the New England Thruway (I-95) to the Cross Westchester Expressway (I-287) to the New York State Thruway (I-87) to the Saw Mill River Parkway (EXIT 7A just south of I-287) to Mosholu Parkway (exit is on the left). Follow Mosholu (about 2 miles) to its terminus at the Garden, turn right on Kazimiroff Boulevard. At the first traffic light (about 1 block) make a left turn into the Garden.

Or, take I-95 SOUTH to I-287 WEST to Hutchinson River Parkway SOUTH to Cross County Parkway (exit on left) to the Bronx River Parkway SOUTH to the Botanical Garden exit (EXIT 8). You will exit onto Kazimiroff Boulevard, circling the north end of the Garden (on your left). Follow the signs to the Garden's entrance (1 block south of Mosholu Parkway).

FROM LONG ISLAND. Take the Throgs Neck Bridge (I-295; toll) to the New England Thruway (I-95), exit at Pelham Parkway WEST (EXIT 8). Follow Pelham Parkway to Southern Boulevard (about 2-3 miles), turn right on Southern Boulevard, and follow the signs to the Garden. Or, take the Whitestone Bridge to the Hutchinson River Parkway (I-678) NORTH to Pelham Parkway WEST exit. Follow Pelham Parkway (about 2-3 miles) to Southern Boulevard, and follow the signs to the Garden.