New York Botanical Garden Promo Codes & Coupons May 2026
Best Deal
15 hours ago
19 Uses
25% off
25% off weekday All-Garden Pass tickets
20 hours ago
15 Uses
20% off
20% off tickets to seasonal Orchid Nights
20 hours ago
18 Uses
20% off
20% off standard All-Garden Pass tickets
20 hours ago
24 Uses
20% off
20% off All-Garden Pass tickets (limit of 6 tickets, valid online only)
12 hours ago
44 Uses
20% off
20% off tickets to the annual Orchid Show
Smart ways to dodge extra costs on your day at NYBG
Driving into the Bronx sounds easy until you face the parking lot. Standard parking at the garden main entrance costs a steep $22. If you want to bypass that fee and the city traffic, take the Metro-North Harlem local line from Grand Central. It is a quick 20-minute ride right to the Botanical Garden Station, which sits directly across from the Mosholu Entrance. Even better, you can grab an MTA City Ticket for just $5.25 off-peak or $7.25 during peak hours, saving you a chunk of cash before you even walk through the gates.
Once you are inside, food costs can sneak up on you. While neighboring spots like the Brooklyn Botanic Garden ban outside meals, this garden is much more welcoming. You can pack a cooler with sandwiches, fruit, and water, and head over to the Clay Family Picnic Pavilions near Daffodil Hill. Skipping the on-site cafes easily saves a family of 4 around $50.
A few quick logistics to keep in mind for a smooth day:
- Bring your own stroller. Unlike the neighboring Bronx Zoo, which rents singles for $14.70 and doubles for $20.25, the botanical garden does not offer stroller rentals at all. You can wheel them along the outdoor paths, but you will have to park them outside when you go into the glasshouses or art galleries.
- If you need mobility assistance, the garden lends out manual wheelchairs for free at the Leon Levy Visitor Center and Mosholu Entrance. They are first-come, first-served, so just bring a valid ID to leave as collateral.
- To avoid the worst crowds, show up right at 10:00 AM on a weekday. If you are a local, Wednesdays are free all day for New York City residents. If you are visiting from out of state, you can still get in for free on Wednesdays, but only if you pass through the gates between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM.
Discounts, promo codes, and getting the best price at checkout
Buying tickets for the family can feel daunting, especially on weekends when standard All-Garden Pass prices hit $39 for adults and $17 for kids ages 2 to 12. Weekdays are slightly softer at $35 for adults and $15 for kids, while toddlers under 2 are always free. Before you pay full price, check if you qualify for any of their built-in community access or military programs.
Several groups can get in without spending a dime:
- Active-duty military members and up to 5 family members get free All-Garden Pass admission from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day. Handily, dependents can use this even if the active service member is not present, as long as they bring a DD Form 1173 or 1173-1.
- If your kids go to an NYC school participating in the Urban Advantage program, make sure to bring their Student + 3 voucher to any ticket window for free entry for 4 people.
- Students and staff at Fordham University can claim a free grounds pass on-site just by showing a school ID card.
For everyone else, never buy a ticket online without testing a promo code first. Entering AAA20 during your online checkout gets you an easy 20% off up to 6 daytime All-Garden Passes. If you are planning a trip for specific seasonal events, try code EARL for 15% off the Holiday Train Show, or use ORCH to save 20% on the spring Orchid Show. Buying a gift from the online shop? Use CHE to take 20% off your purchase. If you think you will visit more than twice, look into the $160 annual Family Membership. It covers 2 adults and 5 kids, and you can knock $10 off the cost by using the code SUMM or NATU at checkout.
10% Off
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Kids Free
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
40% Off
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
50% Off
Riverbanks Zoo
30% Off
San Antonio Zoo
Help center
FAQ about discounts
Straight answers — so you can grab the deal and go.
-
Is there a free admission day at the garden?
Yes, grounds-only admission is free to everyone on Wednesdays, but there is a catch depending on where you live. New York City residents get free grounds access all day on Wednesdays with proof of residency. If you are visiting from out of state, the free window is strictly limited to the morning hours between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Keep in mind that this grounds-only pass does not get you into the Haupt Conservatory or the tram.
-
Does the garden rent out strollers for families?
No, the garden does not offer stroller rentals on the property. You will need to bring your own wheels from home if you have toddlers. While strollers are great on the outdoor paths, you cannot take them inside the conservatories or galleries, so expect to park them in the designated stroller areas. If you are comparing this to the Bronx Zoo next door, they do rent singles for $14.70 and doubles for $20.25, but the botanical garden is strictly bring-your-own.
-
Are we allowed to bring our own lunch and snacks?
Yes, you can bring outside food and drinks into the garden, which is a great way to protect your budget. The only catch is that you cannot just eat anywhere on the lawns or in the glasshouses. You must take your food to the Clay Family Picnic Pavilions near Daffodil Hill. Packing your own sandwiches can easily save you $40 or $50 on museum-priced cafe food.
-
What is the cheapest way to handle parking at the garden?
The cheapest way to handle parking is to avoid driving and take the Metro-North train instead. The Harlem local line from Grand Central Terminal drops you off right across the street from the Mosholu Entrance in 20 minutes. If you use the MTA City Ticket program, it only costs $5.25 for a one-way off-peak ticket, bypassing the garden's hefty $22 parking fee. If you must drive, members park for $11, and those with Supporting memberships or higher get to park for free.
-
Is there an active-duty military discount available?
Yes, active-duty military members and up to 5 family members get free All-Garden Pass tickets from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day. This is part of the Blue Star Museums program, and it covers Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserve members. Handily, the active service member does not even need to be with you. Eligible dependents can just show their DD Form 1173 or 1173-1 ID card at the gate to get the discount.
-
Do students and seniors get a cheaper ticket rate?
Yes, students with valid ID and seniors aged 65 or older save $4 on standard All-Garden Pass tickets. This brings the weekday price down to $31 and the weekend price to $35. If you are a New York City resident looking for the basic grounds pass, the student and senior rate is only $7 compared to the $15 adult price. Just remember to show your school ID or proof of age at the ticket window to get the lower rate.
-
Can I get a discount if I bring a large group of friends or family?
Yes, you can get discounted admission if you purchase 15 or more tickets in advance. You will need to coordinate with their Group Visits department ahead of time to secure the lower rates. They offer both self-guided options and guided tours led by an expert, which is great if you are planning a family reunion or school trip. Just make sure to submit your request at least 3 weeks before you plan to visit.
-
Does the basic entry ticket include the Garden Tram?
No, the tram is only included with the All-Garden Pass or a membership, not the basic Grounds Access Pass. If you buy the NYC Resident Grounds Access Pass on-site for $15, you will have to walk the 250-acre property on foot. If you have mobility concerns, however, manual wheelchairs are available to borrow for free on a first-come, first-served basis at the main gates. All ticketing booths and trams are also equipped with T-coil hearing loops.