Explore gardens across the globe with Bloomberg Connects

August 22, 2024

There are dozens of institution types you can discover with Bloomberg Connects, from museums, to gardens, to festivals. Here, we’ve curated a list of gardens across the globe for you to explore, either in person or on the app. Not every garden grows the same way – you can explore glorious flowers and plants in botanical gardens, Japanese gardens, or beautiful museum grounds.

This content was created in collaboration with Open House New York, and first featured in the OHNY newsletter as part of our themed world tour series recommending cultural places in New York and beyond.

Note that app links work best on your smartphone with the Bloomberg Connects app downloaded.

New York Botanical Garden

The Bronx is the greenest borough of New York City and the New York Botanical Garden definitely plays its part in this – the 250-acre botanical garden is a delight to visit whatever the season. All year round you can learn about the “Arts and Architecture of NYBG” using the self-guided tour, and hear about the gardens with the Bloomberg Connects audio guides hosted by a range of horticultural experts.

Aerial shot of the NYBG Conservatory in summer — *The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in summer, courtesy of New York Botanical Garden*

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Brooklyn Botanic Garden was founded in 1910 at a time when New York was going through huge industrial growth. This public garden was created to ensure green space endured. It’s now a living museum with over 12,000 plants and continues to inspire people of all ages. Learn how plants thrive in different climates with “Conservatories” or calm your mind with “Meander” – a site-specific meditative sound walk around the grounds.

Color photo of Brooklyn Botanical Garden — *Courtesy of Brooklyn Botanic Garden*

Ganna Walska Lotusland

On a hillside in California, you’ll find a garden that’s been named one of the 10 best in the world. It’s easy to see why Madame Ganna Walska’s Lotusland is a 37-acre botanical paradise of spectacular design. Ganna Walska purchased the estate in 1941 and devoted her life to creating these gardens, including auctioning her jewelry collection in the seventies to invest into it. She was “head gardener” until the last few years of her life. Learn about her vision, the history of the gardens, and how Lotusland is “Pioneering Sustainable Horticulture” today.

Color photo of Ganna Walska in the Water Garden at Lotusland. — *Ganna Walska in the Water Garden at Lotusland. Photo by J.R. Eyerman, 1957. Courtesy Lotusland Archives*

Portland Japanese Garden

If you’re in Oregon, you can take in the beauty of the Portland Japanese Garden in Washington Park in person. It was designed in 1963 with the mission of inspiring harmony and peace, and is a true expression of Japanese culture, tradition, and aesthetics in the US. Seeking inspiration, serenity, and tranquility? Go for the authentic Japanese Tea House experience and stay for the awe-inspiring view of Mount Hood. We recommend that you spend “A Day in the Garden” curated for you in their guide.

*The Entry Garden pathway leading to the Cultural Village. Photo credit: James Florio*

Horniman Museum & Gardens

The family-friendly Horniman Museum in London first opened in 1890 and is famous for its huge collections of objects, taxidermy, and musical instruments. Frederick Horniman said he built his museum to bring the world to Forest Hill, South London. The museum’s gardens didn’t officially open to the public until June 1, 1895. They’ve grown and adapted over the years, including the beautiful addition of a “Butterfly House”. What better day to visit than a Sunday for the weekly Horniman Market.

Color photo of the exterior of the Horniman Museum – a yellowstone building with mosaic and clock tower — *Courtesy of the Horniman Museum & Gardens*

VanDusen Botanical Garden

VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre oasis in the heart of Vancouver with plants from around the world. They are dedicated to increasing appreciation for plants and encouraging future generations to protect the natural world. Get lost in the Elizabethan Maze, admire the stone sculptures, and enjoy a full calendar of events.

Don’t forget to download Bloomberg Connects to access all the guides above, and find even more botanic gardens to explore.

The Livingstone Lake at VanDusen Botanic Garden — *The Livingstone Lake, courtesy of VanDusen Botanical Garden*