The Conservatory Garden Is Proof That New York Still Knows How to Be Quiet.

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I found Central Park’s dirty little secret.

There’s nothing, and I mean nothing, better than peace and quiet. For someone who lives in New York City, it can be a struggle to find peaceful pockets to relax in. That’s why the Conservatory Garden in Central Park is one of the best hidden NYC gems.

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, don’t walk—run to the Conservatory Garden. Tucked into the northeast corner of Central Park, you’ll find its only formal garden, with gorgeous European-style design, flowers to fill every rainbow, and Instagram-worthy photo ops. Not to mention a public bathroom and water fountains.

Where is the Conservatory Garden and how do you get there?

Enter through the grand Vanderbilt Gate on Fifth Avenue at 105th Street, and you’re immediately met with sweeping lawns, sculpted hedges, and floral displays so meticulously arranged they look like they’ve been painted into place. The Vanderbilt Gate you just walked through was donated to the park by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, the founder of the Whitney Museum of American Art in NYC.

It’s a little tricky to get there if you’re starting at Penn Station. You can take the 1 Train uptown to 103rd Street and walk east across Central Park, past the Pool and through the Ravine and Loch to Grandmother’s house, aka the Conservatory Garden. The Ravine and Loch is also an amazing place to visit, so check out more about that walk here.

Or, you can leave Penn Station and walk to Herald Square, and take the Q line uptown to 96th Street, which is the last stop on that trainline. You’ll have to walk to the Conservatory Garden from there, but it’s not too far. I would recommend this route.

*If you click on the links I’ve listed above, you’ll be able to see where everything is on Google Maps.

Why I keep coming back to the Conservatory Garden.

The Conservatory Garden goes against all laws of tourism and offers a tranquil ambiance, perfect for a peaceful stroll or a relaxing afternoon with a book. I often listen to music or podcasts on my walks, but sometimes, I get to the Conservatory Garden and I just have to remove all sound and soak in the quiet.

Another reason I visit the Conservatory Garden is that it’s one of the best spots to take pictures in NYC. It’s got colors to match every outfit and flower beds for perfect engagement photo backdrops. All of the photos I took when I was there were taken on a Canon EOS T5 (paid link), an easy-to-use camera that takes high quality pictures. If you’re looking for an introductory camera as a beginner photographer, or someone who wants to take clean, high-quality travel pictures, this is the perfect camera.

And of all the nice places to walk in NYC, the Conservatory Garden is undoubtedly the most well-groomed. The garden feels like it was frozen in 1937 when it first opened, with not a leaf out of place.

You’ll find many benches tucked into shady nooks, two sets of water fountains for a refreshing drink, a public bathroom, and winding paths between the hedges. And of course, you’ll see colorful flowers that you won’t find anywhere else in the park.

The Three Sections of the Conservatory Garden:

The Conservatory Garden is a well-thought out, intricately designed attraction, spawning from the mind of Central Park co-designer, Calvert Vaux. The garden is divided into three distinct sections: Italian, French, and English, each with its own character, from the symmetry and stonework of the Italian Garden to the wildflower drifts of the English.

The Italian Garden

Mamma Mia! Also known as the Center Garden, the Italian section is the first you’ll see as you enter through the gates. I always feel as if I’m trespassing onto the lawn of someone’s mansion, with perfectly groomed grass and a stunning one-jet fountain to greet visitors. Every spring, the crab apple trees blossom alongside the garden’s perimeter. You’ll also notice that this section is symmetrical, giving it that clean Italian feel.

The English Garden

In the South Garden, which showcases English-style design, you’ll see balloon-like flowers of every color. You’ll walk beside shining coneflowers and Joe-Pye weeds, while hydrangeas and roses bid you hello. In the center of the garden, you’ll meet the Burnett Fountain and her serene waterlily pool, where pink, blue, and green lotus-like petals float atop the water. The statue is a polite homage to the British-American author and playwright, Frances Hodgson Burnett.

This is my favorite section because I believe it’s the best for taking pictures.

The French Garden

The North Garden is home to French design. In spring, the tulips headline the show; in fall, the chrysanthemums take over. And in summer, you’ll see luscious displays of greens and reds. In the center of the garden sits the Three Dancing Maidens fountain, sculpted by Walter Schott, a German sculptor. 

When should you visit?

The best time to visit the Conservatory Garden is in the spring, summer, and fall. The flowers are different in every season, and I think the spring is probably my favorite. Everything feels the most fresh and colorful in the late spring, early summer.

Regardless of when you choose to stroll the grounds, you’ll want to have your camera ready. If you haven’t added this spot to your Central Park walking tour, you should move it to the top of your list immediately.