6BC Botanical Garden, East Village
Seriously, who knew this whimsical wonderland could be found hidden amidst the apartment buildings and dive bars of the East Village? Talk about a concrete jungle! 6BC Botanical Garden, a community volunteer effort since the early '80s, boasts an impressive horticultural library and hundreds of plants, paired with rock sculptures and hidden nooks for some quiet time. While it's currently open only to members during this time due to COVID, it should definitely be on your NYC checklist once it opens back up to the public!
6BC Botanical Garden, 624 East 6th St.
[Photo via @galewis44]