-Photo Credit: Old Westbury Gardens

There is no shortage of natural beauty on Long Island.

With tons of state and county parks, beaches, and trails to pick from, choosing a location for your outdoor adventure can be daunting. For a unique experience filled with both beauty and history, consider visiting one of the gardens and arboretums listed below.

1.Old Westbury Gardens: Old Westbury Gardens is the former home of John S. Phipps, his wife Margarita Grace Phipps and their four children. Completed in 1906 and opened to the public in 1959, the estate is nestled within 216 acres of gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. It earned historic preservation status on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

Visitors to the property can experience the grounds and gardens as they were in the Phipps era, remaining largely untouched from its original design-- with a few modifications over the years from trusted landscape architect Barbara Capen. Rare plant species the gardens host, which are rarely found in public gardens, include foxgloves, delphiniums, and more. It also offers features such as the Lilac Walk and Rose Garden.

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes visitors to tour the Westbury House and formal gardens, and hosts a plethora of events and programs such as school visits, family programs, museum exhibitions, concerts, horticultural demonstrations and workshops, botanical arts and gardening classes, and much more.

The garden’s on-site cafe, Cafe in the Woods, offers sandwiches, salads, and beverages to keep you refreshed during your visit. It is typically open whenever the gardens are, but may close due to inclement weather. 

All tickets to Old Westbury Gardens must be purchased in advance here. For hours, ticket rates, membership and garden policies, visit their website.

2. Bayard Cutting Arboretum: With 691 acres situated on the Connetquot River, Bayard Cutting Arboretum creates an oasis-like beauty out of a generous donation from Mrs. William Bayard Cutting and her daughter, Olivia James.

Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the natural beauty of the property while walking among the extensive plantings of trees and plants such as dwarf evergreens, rhododendron, azaleas, hollies, oaks, wildflowers and daffodils. The site’s ponds and streamlets provide opportunities to observe a broad range of land and aquatic birds and occasional glimpses of foxes, raccoons and other small wildlife.

No pets are allowed and recreational activities such as bathing, picnicking, sports, games, and bicycle riding are not permitted on the grounds. However, conveniently next door is Heckscher State Park, which provides accommodations for recreational activities. 

The arboretum’s hours of operation vary depending on the time of the year, so check its website for updated information. There is an $8 vehicle fee from April to November.

3. Planting Fields Arboretum: The Planting Fields Arboretum is the 409-acre former estate of William Robertson Coe and Mai Rogers Coe. Its inception dates back to the 1920s. As one of the few remaining Gold Coast estates on Long Island, it has been transformed into a setting for art, architecture, and landscape, earning itself historic preservation status on the National Register of Historic Places.

Located at 1395 Planting Fields Road in Oyster Bay, the arboretum’s 409 acres feature greenhouses, rolling lawns, formal gardens, woodland paths and a variety of plantlife. 

Its array of gardens include its Italian Garden, Cloister Garden and Circular Pool, Children’s Play House, Rose Garden and Perennial Garden, Synoptic Garden, Sensory Garden, Heather Garden, Dwarf Conifer Garden, Hydrangea Collection, Day Lily Garden and Dahlia Garden. Additionally, the property is home to two greenhouses, the Main Greenhouse and the Camellia Greenhouse. 

The park is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for December 25, when it is closed. Non-service animal pets are not allowed at Planting Fields.Guided estate tours are offered Wednesday through Sunday for up to 10 people at a time. To view tour descriptions and rates, as well as general ticket rates and more, visit the Planting Fields Arboretum website here.

4. Clark Botanic Gardens: Recently featured on AAA’s Best Botanic Gardens in the Northeast list, Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson is a must-visit hidden gem of Long Island.

Founded over 50 years ago in 1969, Clark Botanic Garden is a 12-acre garden and educational facility. The property, located at 193 I.U. Willets Rd. in Albertson, was bequeathed by Grenville Clark in memory of his wife Fanny to remain a sanctuary for birds, plants and visitors.

The facility boasts a variety of flora, including but not limited to native spring wildflowers, conifers, roses, perennials, daylilies, wetland plants, rock garden plants, herbs, butterfly plants and medicinal plants. Visitors can observe and learn about plant life through horticulture, education and research all while enjoying a serene experience and admiring its natural beauty.

Admission to the Clark Botanic Garden is a voluntary donation; all funds raised and donated to the foundation are used for the betterment of the garden. 
Visitors can enjoy the scenic paths while wearing face masks and follow social distancing rules. Groups and gatherings are prohibited for the time being. The garden is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with restrooms open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), and its gift shop is open weekends from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Currently, the Clark House remains closed. For more information, visit the garden’s website.

5. Bailey Arboretum: Bailey Arboretum sits on the former estate of Frank and Marie Louise Bailey at 194 Bayville Road in Lattingtown. The property was donated to Nassau County in 1968 following the passing of Marie Louise Bailey, and has been cared for by Friends of Bailey Arboretum since 2006. As the son of an amateur botanist and a self-taught horticulturalist himself, Frank Bailey worked tirelessly to make the Bailey Arboretum what it is today.

The arboretum hosts an approximate 40 acres worth of scenery, including woodland paths, ponds, landscaped gardens and the Bailey House. Visitors are encouraged to make the most of their trip with self-led and guided activities alike. Garden goers can choose to participate in educational seminars, attend a Friends of Bailey Arboretum-run event, take photos or paint "en plein air," have a picnic, join a guided nature walk, simply stroll the grounds, and much more. 

Furry friends are welcome at the arboretum. At this time, all buildings including restrooms remain closed. For hours, ticket rates, events, memberships and more, visit the Bailey Arboretum website.

Comment your favorites below! Did we miss any? Let us know!