Ready to ditch the chaos of NYC and escape to tranquility? Then the Untermyer Park and Gardens in Yonkers is a hidden gem waiting for you!
Think: vibrant gardens and beautiful vista of the Hudson River!
One day I asked my mom and grandparents: do you want to take a day trip with me to a BEAUTIFUL botanical garden near NYC? Of course they said yes. And that was how our day trip to the Yonkers started!
We had a fantastic time exploring Yonkers, and the botanical garden was undeniably the highlight!
Here’s my honest review of the Untermyer Park and Gardens so you can have an incredible visit too! It’s the best place to go if you need to recharge and surround yourself with nature.
Table of Contents
Reasons to Check Out Untermyer Gardens in Yonkers
1. It’s an easy day trip from NYC.
Driving: Depending on where you’re coming from, it’s roughly 1hr drive to the Untermyer Gardens from NYC. Don’t worry, there’s a parking lot.
Public transit: You can reach the park by taking a short train ride on the Metro-North Hudson Line to Greystone or riding the Bee Line bus in Westchester County.
2. It’s free admission.
That’s right! The Untermyer Gardens is absolutely free to visit! This makes it a super budget-friendly activity in New York.
If you want to support the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, there is a suggested donation of $14.
3. You need to escape the chaos.
Sometimes you just need to get away from it all. The peaceful atmosphere of the Untermyer Gardens is perfect for that!
There’s also trails for nature seekers. While not all the paths are accessible for everyone, I did manage to find one short trail that’s great for seniors. Strolling slowly with his cane, my grandparents love the nature walk.
4. It’s Instagram heaven.
Lots of Instagram-worthy spots. I’m not kidding. If you love taking photos, it’ll be hard for you to put your phone down. My phone battery drained so fast because I was constantly taking pictures and videos.
5. You love horticulture and landscape design
There are endless inspirations in this place. You’ll find a vast variety of plants and flowers. I definitely looked up most of the plants I came across to find out what it was and where it originated.
Plus, the architecture and landscape designs are a cool mash-up of different styles.
6. You’re looking for a wedding venue
Looking for the perfect wedding venue with a view? Or even for a private event? Then you definitely need to check this place out! There’s limited reservation spots per year, so act fast! The Yonkers Park Department handles all inquiries.
7. You want to celebrate the holidays: Grand Holiday Illumination
Come celebrate the holidays in Yonkers! Every winter since 2015, the Walled Gardens in Untermyer Park and Gardens gets filled with over 10,000 lights and holiday music.
Planning a Visit to Untermyer Park and Gardens
Have I convinced you enough on why you should definitely check out Untermyer Park and Gardens?
Yes? Then let’s move on to planning!
Hours and Admission
The Untermyer Gardens is open to the public every day at 9am. You’re allowed entry until 1/2 hr before closing time, which varies by the month. Check the official website for the most updated info!
| Months | Closing Hour |
| May 1 – September 15 | 7:00 PM |
| September 16 – November 4 | 6:00 PM |
| November 5 – March 9 | 4:30 PM |
| March 10 – April 30 | 6:00 PM |
Untermyer Park and Gardens Map
Address: 945 North Broadway, Yonkers, NY
Upon arriving at the public park, you can also grab paper copies of the map (especially helpful if you want to save your battery).
The map provides an overview and description of the various attractions, including the Walled Garden, Temple of Love, Rock and Stream Garden, and the Vista, ensuring that you won’t miss any of the highlights during your visit.
Parking at the Untermyer Garden
Yes, there is a parking lot! If you’re driving, you can easily park near the main entrance of the park. The parking lot has enough space for 75 cars. There’s also staff there to direct traffic and help you find a spot to park.
Best Times to Visit Untermyer Park and Gardens
The Untermyer Garden is open all year round. The best time to explore depends on your interest.
During spring and summer, the flowers are in full bloom and you’re surrounded by green lushes.
Stop by during fall, if you want to see fall foliages.
Winter is all about holiday lights during the Grand Holiday Illumination!
Tips for Visiting Botanical Garden in Yonkers
- Wear comfortable walking shoes. This is so important. The park is over 43 acres!
- Bring a fully charged power bank so you can recharge your phone (guaranteed to be low battery). Mine was nearing 5% after taking loads of pictures and videos.
- Use the restroom at the entrance before heading out to explore. It’s the only restroom on the property.
- Bring lots of water! If you use a reusable water bottle, you can refill your water at the water fountain near the Walled Garden. Note: not available during winter.
- Bring food to eat at the picnic table area. You’ll get pretty hungry after all the walking.
- Wear sun protection – don’t forget to wear a hat and apply your sunscreen. Here’s my favorite oil-free sunscreen!
- Use insect repellent – you’re out in nature and so are the bugs.
- You’re only allowed to take pictures on your smartphone. If you want to use a camera, you’ll need to apply for a permit.
Must-Visit Spots in the Yonkers’ Free Botanical Garden
1. Walled Garden
This is the first area you’ll walk into after passing the gates, where you’ll soon notice the diverse and multicultural influences in the architectures. Let me explain.
The landscape of the Walled Garden is split into four sections by the canals, taking inspirations from ancient Indo-Persian gardens.
Almost every single plant here is new to me. There are two apps I used to search up the name: PictureThis and the Google app.
For Mycenaean influences, take a look at the entrance gate and the amphitheater floor.
The gate that welcomes you into the Walled Garden models after the Lion Gate of Mycenae. And the mosaic tile floor in the amphitheater is based on a fresco from the ancient city of Tiryns.
Make sure you check out the Temple of the Sky. It got an open roof and fancy Corinthian columns. And at the center of it all, you’ll find the mosaic head of Medusa.
2. The Vista
This spot draws me to visit Untermyer Park and Gardens in the first place!
It’s a long series of stairs that lead down toward the river. As you approach the Overlook, you’ll be greeted by the stunning views of the Hudson River and the Palisades.
The design of the Vista was inspired by the cascading stairs of the Villa D’Este overlooking Lake Como in Italy!
At the overlook, you’ll find two Roman marble columns.
3. The Ruin Garden
Now I’m looking at the map again, I don’t know how I miss this spot on my trip. Which is why I don’t have a picture, but it looks so interesting.
To get to the Ruin Garden, you’ll need to pass by the vegetable garden. Then walk down the Rhododendron Walk to the former gatehouse by the Old Croton Aqueduct entrance.
Here, you will find restored lion and unicorn sculptures, a grotto with a fountain, and a garden inside the gatehouse.
4. Temple of Love
Pretty sure, this is what distracted me from the Ruin Garden.
There are two perspectives of the Temple of Love: from below and from the inside. Each with a completely different view.
From below, you can see the beautiful views of the waterfalls and ponds created by the outcropping design. Looking from atop, you get another lovely view overlooking the Hudson River.
Brief History on Untermyer Park and Gardens
Here’s a little summary for those of you that loves to learn the history behind a place.
Samuel Untermyer’s passion for horticulture led him to create the Untermyer Gardens with the goal of making it the “finest garden in the world”.
He commissioned the architect and landscape designer, William Welles Bosworth, to build the garden on the grounds of his Greystone estate. Samuel Untermyer had purchased from Greystone from the estate of Samuel J Tilden, a former governor who also loved horticulture. Tilden had built 13 greenhouse!
After Samuel Untermyer’s death in 1940, the City of Yonkers acquired a portion of the property. Unfortunately, with the lack of maintenance because of financial constraints, the garden fell into disrepair.
In 1974, the Untermyer Gardens was recognized and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. To restore the garden to its former glory, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy was formed.
Believe it or not, while the Untermyer Garden is only currently 43 acres, it used to be over 150 acres and cared for by 60 gardeners! It even had 60 greenhouses!
Final Thoughts on Yonkers’ Botanical Garden
The Untermyer Park and Gardens is definitely a place I can find myself visiting again. The beauty of the gardens, the peaceful atmosphere, and the stunning views of the Hudson River all make it a truly special place to spend time. I can’t wait to return and explore more of this hidden gem.
If you’re interested in more day trips like this from NYC, check out my Cold Springs day trip!
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