New York Botantical Garden: Raves & Reviews

Jewlery designer Mish Tworkowski on the New York Botanical Garden.

By Mish Tworkowski

We all savor our memories of holidays filled with hedonistic spa appointments and gourmet meals in exotic locations. We can't wait until we return to share the knowledge of these unknown treasures with friends who next year will make the fifteen-hour trek necessary to relive the same experience. But sometimes we forget that there are soul-rejuvenating places in our own backyards. To me the NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN (718-817-8700; nybg.org) is just such a spot. A walk through Lynden Miller's beautifully designed perennial garden is a little trip to heaven, a hike through the largest remnant of original forest in New York City is a quick stop in the wilderness, and a visit to the garden's glass house from late February through March to see the amazing orchid show is as good to me as a jaunt to the hot Caribbean. It's nice to know that when I need a minivacation, I can be refreshed a short drive from home.