Know Before You Go
At Queens Botanical Garden, we strive to provide a place of peace, beauty, and safety for the enjoyment of our visitors. To ensure comfort, health, and safety for all, below are guidelines and things to keep in mind as your plan your visit.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Garden. Enjoy your visit!
For hours and admission, CLICK HERE.
For directions, parking, and accessibility, CLICK HERE.
To learn more about the QBG Store, CLICK HERE.
Health & Safety
OUTDOORS
Masks
Visitors and staff are not required to wear masks outdoors. Individuals may choose to still wear masks.
Social Distancing
Observe social distancing whenever possible.
INDOORS*
Masks
Indoors, masks must be worn in shared spaces such as Gift Store, classrooms, restrooms, etc, unless eating in designated areas.
Social Distancing
Observe social distancing whenever possible.
Get tested, NYC!
The Garden is partnering with NYC Test & Trace Corps to distribute FREE at-home COVID-19 tests! Distribution takes place Tuesdays through Fridays, 12 to 4pm. First-come, first-served and while supplies last. Click here for more information about the city-wide distribution and other participating locations.
Self-Health Assessment
Individuals planning to enter our buildings for a prolonged stay (more than 15 minutes), should do a self-assessment before arrival. If any of the answers to the question below is “yes,” the visitor should stay home:
Have I experienced in the last 48 hours, any new or worsening COVID-19 symptoms?
If unvaccinated, have I had close contact (being within six feet for at least 10 minutes over a 24-hour period) or proximate contact (as determined by health authorities) in the past 10 days with any person confirmed by diagnostic test, or suspected based on symptoms, to have COVID-19?
Have I tested positive through a diagnostic test for COVID-19 in the past 10 days?
Hand Sanitizing & Surfaces
Hand sanitizer dispensers are available at multiple stations throughout the Garden. Feel free to inquire with Staff to help locate the nearest dispenser. Please note: Hand sanitizing does not replace hand washing. CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water whenever possible as it reduces all types of germs and chemicals on hands.
High-touch surfaces are disinfected throughout the day.
Restrooms
Restrooms are accessible by the ramp next to the Visitor & Administration Building. Restrooms inside the V&A Building are also available when the building is open.
Reducing Paper Materials
CLICK HERE for our full calendar of events and a digital map of the Garden!
Food & Drink
We have a selection of light, grab-and-go meals–sandwiches, salads, and wraps–as well as snacks and beverages, available at the QBG Store located at the Visitor & Administration Building (#16 on Visitor Map). You are also welcome to bring your takeout to the Garden to enjoy. Check out some local eateries and explore the diverse culinary offerings just steps away from the Garden. While there is no designated space indoors to eat and drink, you are welcome to enjoy these items outdoors on our covered Terrace, located right outside the QBG Store, on a bench throughout the grounds, or in our Arboretum (#23 on Visitor Map). Just remember to discard all refuse in a trash or recycling receptacle and remember to take your belongings! If you plan to leave and return to the Garden on the same day, please keep your admissions receipt handy.
Please see below for more guidelines.
Light Exercise
Light Exercise such as Tai Chi is allowed from 8 to 10am in assigned locations. Groups of three (3) or more must register with the Visitor Services Department.
Sports and active recreation are prohibited. Please use adjacent Kissena Park or Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, or the other great parks of the City and State, for other physical recreation.
Activities Not Permitted
The following activities are NOT permitted:
– Ball playing, sledding, kite flying, etc.
– Sunbathing. Shirts are required at all times
– Picking flowers or plants, climbing or damaging trees
– Hanging clothing or other items on trees and shrubs
– Stepping, walking, or playing in garden beds and water features
– Picnicking in the formal gardens. Picnicking is allowed in the Arboretum area but not coolers, barbecues or open fires, etc.
– Feeding wildlife
– Soliciting or passing out information
– Smoking. Under New York City law, effective May 23, 2011, smoking is prohibited anywhere on Queens Botanical Garden grounds
Also, NO:
– Bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters or other such devices
– Pets, except service animals on a leash
– Commercial photography, unless pre-arranged with staff
– Loud music or activities
– Littering
– Professional photography and videography for commercial use (e.g., advertisement, resale of images) and personal use (e.g., wedding and engagement portraits, headshots), unless a photo permit or appointment has been pre-arranged with staff. Please note: Staff reserves the right to restrict professional camera equipment on the premises, including digital SLR cameras and tripods, unless a photo permit is obtained or an appointment has been pre-arranged with staff. CLICK HERE to learn more about photo and video permitting and procedures.
Accessibility
Queens Botanical Garden is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, marital status, and political affiliation, as well as gender expression, mental illness, socioeconomic status or background, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, predisposing genetic characteristic or immigration status.
The majority of pathways at the Garden are paved and the Garden’s flat topography make it an excellent destination for visitors with ambulatory disabilities. There are a few periphery pathways that are not paved. We would recommend that each guest use their discretion and caution when deciding if any unpaved trails are suitable for them. Those areas are:
Woodland Trail
Fragrance Walk
Herb Garden Bridge
Please note that our Parking Garden has accessible parking spaces in Bay 1.
Wheelchairs
QBG provides wheelchairs as a courtesy to visitors. They are provided on a first-come, first-served basis at the Main Street Entrance, Parking Garden Entrance and Visitor & Administration Building. A valid driver’s license or government-issued picture identification card (ID) is needed in order to loan you a wheelchair. ID will be held during your visit and returned upon return of the wheelchair.
Braille Signage
Braille signage is in use throughout the Visitor & Administration Building.
Service Animals
QBG does not allow pets on the grounds. Service animals are permitted in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Education Programming QBG provides learning opportunities for students of all abilities. All classroom spaces are accessible. When scheduling a visit, please notify our group bookings department of any learning or physical needs of the students. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Help keep us clean and green.
Place trash in receptacles and deposit bottles, cans, and newspapers in recycling containers.