The year was 2023, and the week was spring break. My friends and I decided to make our way to Penn Station, where we took a train to the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG). The sky was cloudy, and the temperature was cold, but when we stepped into the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, we were enveloped in the warmth of a regulated rainforest environment, carefully manufactured to house an orchid show. 

This year, the NYBG has put on another orchid show, except this time, they added fashion. The NYBG is hosting The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion from February 17 to April 21. This show is a collaboration between designers Hillary Taymour, Olivia Cheng, and Kristen Alpaugh, whose work is on display among the orchids in the Haupt Conservatory. 

As we enter spring, and The Orchid Show is nearing its close, there is no better time than the present to travel up to the Bronx to the NYBG to see some orchids. However, as a student myself, I am aware that cost is a deterrent for many college students who can’t swing NYBG’s yearly membership or their ticket fees. Luckily, there are alternatives. While the NYBG does not offer student discounts, there is a pass that any cardholder for the Brooklyn Public Library, the New York Public Library, or the Queens Library, has access to. This pass is called the Culture Pass, and it can be redeemed online and presented at the NYBG admissions booth to gain free entrance for up to two individuals. 

In addition to this, a complimentary Grounds Access Pass is provided for Bronx residents as a part of NYBG’s Community Access Program. This pass allows year-round free access for Bronx residents to the majority of the park, excluding special shows and the Haupt Conservatory. With over 250 acres of forest and trails, there is much to explore outside of the conservatory. 

But the NYBG is not the only garden in NYC. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) is in bloom and open, with over 52 acres to roam. Moreover, the BBG has a student deal. With an eligible ID students are able to enter the park for $16, a $4 discount on the regular adult fee. 

Right now, the cherry blossoms at the BBG are blooming and their cherrywatch map shows you where to find the trees in peak bloom. Another notable upcoming event at the BBG is their April 8, Solar Eclipse Community Event. The event will last from 1 to 5 pm in order to catch the eclipse at its peak time and to observe its effects on the garden. All tickets to this event are free.