Brooklyn Botanic Garden | 900 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn | 718.623.7200 | BBG Plant Sale
This time of year, one of the best places to stroll is through the 99-year-old Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Take a leisurely walk through 52 acres with over 10,000 plant species. If you get tempted to pick a flower for a vase at home, head over to the Cherry Esplanade on May 4th and 5th when BBG will hold its annual plant sale. The majority of the plants are grown especially for the BBG by selected local growers. Additionally, there will be lectures and demonstrations for gardeners of all ages. Bring your kids for the $1 plant sale that’s just for them next to the Children’s Garden. Whether you’re looking for herbs and vegetables to grow or eventually cook, this is a great opportunity to bond with what’s in bloom.
How to get there: Take the 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Franklin Ave.
GRDN | 103 Hoyt Street, Boerum Hill | 718.797.3628 | grdnbklyn.com
If you’re looking to spruce your fire escape with a potted plant, sow perennial seeds in your garden or pick up the week’s choice of annuals, this boutique garden-and-things shop will inspire you to go green one way or another. Situated on a side street in Boerum Hill, its hanging sign and outdoor wheelbarrow suggests that its visitors come to do as the store suggests: garden. Inside you’ll find everything from handmade pottery from a local father-and-son team to the changing selection of fresh-cut flowers and house plants, and stacks of French hand soaps that’ll soothe a gardener’s hands.
If you’re a beginner to the world of green thumbing, not to worry. Suzanne, the shop’s owner, along with her staff are on hand to answer questions and make suggestions. Everything is strategically placed so it’s easy to mull over options. Make sure to browse the nursery out back; it’s small but it has an intimate vibe that’s prone to make you linger. “People often just come here to hang out,” said Suzanne. Whether you’re here to escape a city full of pavement or you’re shopping for something for your urban spot, GRDN definitely has the ‘greens’ for you.”
How to get there: Take the A, C, or G to Hoyt St. Schermerhorn St.
Editor’s Note: Forest Natural is now closed.
Forest Natural | 120 Norman Avenue, Greenpoint | 718.383.7417 | forestnatural.com
This corner juice and sandwich bar is the lean and green answer to energizing eats. Owner Tommy Chabrwoski initially wanted a coffee shop but later realized, “Greenpoint needed a healthy place in its neighborhood too.” He focused on creating a menu inspired by forest trees. The 15 sandwiches on the menu are all named after trees Tommy himself likes such as the Elk, Elm, and Yellowwood. Maple is the most popular, but the Cyprus (apples, sprouts, avocado) is equally good and often underestimated. If you want something cool and light, try one of the fresh squeezed juices or smoothies like The Simple Life (carrot, apple, ginger) or the Rabbit’s First Love (Carrot Pineapple and Grapefruit). Be sure to grab one of the little homemade cupcakes from StickGirl Treats when you order. They’re baked fresh daily and sell out fast.
How to get there: Take the G train to Nassau
Photo: Courtesy of oquendo
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram