Get the lay of the land
Use this section to explore our cultivated collections around the Nevin Welcome Center and within the Newman Arboretum, as well as over 30 natural areas on the Cornell campus and throughout the county.
Nevin Welcome Center and Gardens
Start your visit here to learn what to see and do from our visitor services staff, check out our exhibits, shop our Garden Gift Shop, and step outside to explore specialty gardens.
F. R. Newamn Arboretum
Explore the #1 most beautiful college arboretum, a place of beauty and scientific study, featuring collections of trees, shrubs, and specialty gardens.
Featured Garden and Collections
This intimately-scaled, hemlock-shaded, streamside garden displays moisture-loving plants that cannot be grown well elsewhere at Cornell Botanic Gardens.
Explore a collection of flowering plants that hold symbolic meaning by cultures around the world.
Explore over 100 varieties of rhododendrons and a rich mix of shrubs, trees, and herbaceous perennials on this small hill.
On-Campus Natural Areas
Explore eleven natural areas on Cornell University’s campus including Beebe Lake, Cascadilla and Fall Creek Gorges, Mundy Wildflower Garden and more!
Featured On-Campus Natural Areas
Enjoy a walk along Cascadilla Creek and buffering woods via the East Hill Recreation Way.
More than 100 species of birds have been observed at this site.
Beebe Lake is a sanctuary of water, woods, and wetlands in the heart of the Cornell Campus.
Off-campus Natural Areas
We steward over 30 off-campus natural areas throughout Tompkins County, each offering a unique sense of place and opportunities to explore and study.
Featured Off-campus Natural Areas
Carter Creek cuts between two steep hillsides of old growth, second growth, and young forest.
Majestic, magical, inspirational, with trees over 150 feet tall, this site is a sanctuary in every sense of the word.
This aquatic system is relatively pristine and noted for the presence of rare species and high biodiversity.
On Display
We display plant-focused art and create seasonal exhibits in the Nevin Welcome Center lobby that explore plants indispensable to cultures around the world.
Explore us Your Way
There are many ways to explore Cornell Botanic Gardens!
Learn from our plant tags and other interpretive labels throughout the gardens.
Where we recommend visiting for gardening inspiration.
Visiting with family? Check out these spots to make your family visit extra fun!