4. The Gardens of St. Luke in the Fields in the West Village

The Gardens of St. Luke in the Fields in the West Village

Located between Hudson and Christopher Street in the West Village is a historic and picturesque church garden. With winding pathways filled with lavender, roses, tulips, and more, it is the ideal oasis in which to spend an afternoon.

The very first seed was planted in the garden in 1842 from an English Glastonbury Thorn, and survived until struck down by a windstorm in 1990. The garden’s plants have continued to flourish since its construction; a visit to the gardens will reveal a dazzling array of multi-colored flowers, and wildlife lovers will be able to spot birds and butterflies amongst the shrubbery.

Owned and maintained by the Church of St. Luke in the Fields, the garden consists of more than two-thirds of an acre of land containing a colorful variety of flora, trees, and shrubbery. It is open and free to the public from 10AM until dusk every day except Sunday, when it closes at 6:30PM.