I don't think there is anything to dislike about this place. It can be tricky to find, but once you do, just slow down, relax and enjoy nature.
Its like "The Secret Garden" but real. I've been coming here since 1997, and it's beautiful in all types of weather and seasons. You can really get away from the big city here.
Loved the greenhouses as much as the gardens. Walking the paths in the woods was so peaceful. The house was also worth seeing. Just as terrific as westbury gardens. One of the last of its kind on long island. Another don't miss
We used to go here quite often, but it can get noisy when a lot of people are there and kids are allowed to run around and make noise (which they shouldn't). You often see people having wedding photos taken there, which is fine until they get in the way. There are plenty or facilities and the restrooms are spotless. It's quite a large area, so give yourselves plenty of time to walk around. Brilliant in summer and fall, but a bit bare in winter. I just wish that people would make less noise and respect the fact that it's an arboretum and should be a peaceful place to walk around. Why do uncouth people have to spoil everything with unruly behavior? Entrance is free on Sundays.
We loved the house from the outside (it's closed in Winter), and the Italianate garden. The real attraction though is the two large conservatories with splendid flowers, a feast of Camelias in the small one (requires at least 15 minutes) and a tropical paradise the second one, including a cocoa plant, lemon tree, and many splendid others.
NY and especially Long Island were experiencing frigid conditions this weekend but my friend and I spent the day sketching indoors in the main greenhouse at the Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay. We were able to forget about the snow and cold temperatures in that wonderful, tropical oasis. There were gorgeous flowering plants, palm trees reaching to the top of the greenhouse, and an incredible peaceful feel to the day. This was the perfect spot to spend a cold day and in the winter there is no admission charge. The Planting Fields Arboretum is perfect any time of the year.
The Gold Coast era ended a long time ago, but this Gold Coast estate is now a lovely state park, open to everyone to enjoy. Stroll the grounds, smell the flowers, hike in the woods, picnic on the grass. There is so much to see and do, winter, spring, summer and fall. I started coming here more than 30 years ago, and it's still my favorite place to relax and enjoy.
This place is like a timeless beauty, it's exactly the same as it was way back when, sorry I don't want to date myself here! But the grounds are kept up very well with archival photos in the building with the vending machines. I love the rose garden, it's a great place to escape.
This is a beautiful place to spend the day, or many. There is so much to see and learn.Stunning during every season.
Before landscaping my year, visited Planting Fields to look at my different options. Went late in an afternoon and there were many wedding parties there. Despite this, it was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.