Queens Botanical Garden
43-50 Main St., 718-886-3800
Originally created as an exhibition for the 1939–1940 World's Fair, the Queens Botanical Garden's 39 acres of woodlands, wetlands, meadows and gardens are the perfect escape from the bustle of city life. In the spring, visitors from far and wide come to see the blossoming dogwood, magnolia and cherry trees. The Rose Garden (in bloom from late May until October), Fragrance Walk (featuring aromatic shrubs, perennials and bulbs) and Perennial Garden are also popular attractions, and birding tours are offered throughout the year (everything from red-tailed hawks to yellow-rumped warblers stop by). The visitors' center, opened in 2007, has a 3,000-square-foot green roof and a geothermal heating and cooling system, making it one of the City's most eco-friendly buildings.