If anyone goes in the spring there are two prime times: May and June. May the lavender is in flower and it's extraordinary because there's so much and the fragrance is amazing. Also they plant tulips in the most fabulous color swards and I loved seeing those.

I've not made it during June yet but the rose garden is in bloom and I am told it is something to see. I have a membership and they give you free admission tickets. I think of the Botanical Gardens as one of the city's best museums.

The new research greenhouses are also quite amazing, with something like seven different climate zones, ceilings that open to the sky during nice weather, huge evaporative coolers, and misters that look like jet engines.

The lilacs are great during April and May; they have many varieties, each with its own color and fragrance.

The Holiday Train Show in the Conservatory at Christmastime, with model trains and miniature New York landmarks made out of plants, is also fun.

On weekends Metro-North offers a special round-trip fare of about five dollars from Grand Central or Harlem/125 station.

nygardener mentioned lilacs. It is lilacs, not lavender -- I misspoke.