Explore The Timeless Gem On Long Island, Old Westbury Gardens

Are you looking for a peaceful escape? Then mark Old Westbury Gardens as your next travel destination. This beautiful 200-acre estate on Long Island is located just 30 miles from Manhattan. Here you can explore a grand Charles II-style mansion, beautiful formal gardens, peaceful woodlands, and quiet ponds. With towering trees and colorful flower beds, you will feel like you have stepped back into the Gilded Age. Whether you are taking photos of the famous landscapes or discovering its pop culture connections (like Gossip Girl and The Great Gatsby), everyone gets something at this nonprofit treasure.

The rich history of Old Westbury Gardens

Old Westbury Gardens history is as interesting as its grounds. It began in 1903 when steel heir John Shaffer Phipps promised his fiancée, Margarita Grace, a home reminiscent of her family’s British estate at Battle Abbey. By 1906, English designer George A. Crawley, along with American architect Grosvenor Atterbury, helped finish the Carolean Revival mansion, Westbury House, decorated with fine antiques and decorative arts.

The Phipps family lived there for over 50 years, enjoying the estate’s rolling fields and gardens. After John and Margarita passed, their daughter Peggie opened the estate to the public in 1959 as a nonprofit. She did it to honor her mother’s memory. In 1976, the estate gained national recognition for its historic value, with its designation expanded in 2011. Today, it remains a beautifully preserved jewel of the Gilded Age. In 2011, a $20,000 Preserve New York grant awarded a conditions survey of the South Terrace, ensuring its structural integrity for future generations.

Wonderland of gardens and attractions

Old Westbury Gardens spreads across 200 acres. Seventy acres of this huge garden are dedicated to landscaped formal and informal gardens that evolve with the seasons. In fall 2025, visitors can witness foliage leaves framing the Walled Garden and the Rose Garden’s late blooms. The gardens maintain diverse plants in on-site greenhouses. If you are looking for spots for quiet thinking or birdwatching, wooded paths are perfect for you.

Inside Westbury House, there are 23 rooms filled with English antiques and decorative arts. You can explore them and wonder about the Phipps family’s Gilded Age lifestyle. Visitors can take guided tours like the “Secrets of the Service Wing Tour” and uncover hidden gems, like the estate’s service areas. What about getting around? You can get an Old Westbury Gardens map online and explore the trails, gardens, and facilities like restrooms and the Café in the Woods. Do not forget to take some amazing Instagram-worthy shots at the estate’s picture-perfect spots like the mansion’s grand staircase or the gazebo overlooking the pond. Did you know that Old Westbury Gardens Long Island, also has connections to pop culture? Especially Old Westbury Gardens Gossip Girl fans. Fans recognize it as the Vanderbilt family compound in Gossip Girl (Season 2, Episode 19).

Old Westbury Gardens events

Old Westbury Gardens events combine history, culture, and fun throughout the year.

• Midsummer Nights (June 19–22) – Celebrates the solstice with live jazz, lantern-lit gardens, and picnics. You can get started at $22, and members get discounts.
• Storybook Strolls – Family-friendly events with stories and crafts in the gardens.
• Yoga/Tai Chi – Weekly sessions ($28 per session) for relaxation surrounded by nature.
• Mary S. Phipps Luncheon (October 7) – Supports education programs with guest speakers like Noorain Khan (National President, Girl Scouts).

Planning your visit to Old Westbury Gardens Old Westbury NY

How to get to Old Westbury Gardens by public transport? Getting to Old Westbury Gardens Old Westbury NY, is pretty easy. From NYC, take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Port Jefferson Branch from Penn Station to Westbury Station. It will take about 44 minutes (the shortest duration) and cost $55–130, depending on peak or off-peak times. Then take a taxi or Uber for the remaining 2.5 miles to 71 Old Westbury Road. Are you driving? Then take the Long Island Expressway (LIE, I-495) to Exit 39 (Glen Cove Road). Follow the service road east for about 1.1 miles, turn right onto Old Westbury Road, and the Gardens’ gate will be on your left; there is free parking on-site.

You must buy Old Westbury Gardens tickets online in advance if you are a non-member. Members do not need a reservation. Ticket prices are,

• $18 – adults,
• $15 – seniors and students,
• $8 – ages 7–17,
• and free for children six and under

Tickets are non-refundable, but you can use them for another general admission date if you do not scan them. The gardens open daily 10:00 AM–6:00 PM (closed Tuesdays). The final entry time for non-members is 4:00 PM, and for members it is 5:00 PM. The Gardens property closes at 6:00 PM. Members get free admission and discounts on events.

FAQ Section

What movies were filmed at Old Westbury Gardens?

The estate has appeared in over 25 films, including North by Northwest (1959), Love Story (1970), The Age of Innocence (1993), Cruel Intentions (1999), and Gossip Girl (TV series).

Can you get married at Old Westbury Gardens?

Yes, you can have your wedding at Old Westbury Gardens, but they have specific options depending on the size and type of event. The Gardens can host both small ceremonies and larger, exclusive tented celebrations. Here are the options for weddings and private events.

Large-scale tented celebrations

For large events like weddings, Old Westbury Gardens works with an exclusive event partner, “In Any Event.” You should contact them to plan and coordinate these celebrations.

Micro ceremonies and small events

For smaller gatherings (50 or fewer guests, including micro ceremonies or bridal showers), you can contact Old Westbury Gardens directly. Send your emails to weddings@oldwestburygardens.org.

Who lived at Old Westbury Gardens?

John Shaffer Phipps (steel heir) and his wife, Margarita Celia Grace Phipps, built and lived there from 1906 with their four children. Their daughter, Margaret Peggie Phipps Boegner, founded the nonprofit organization that opened the estate to the public in 1959.

Conclusion

Old Westbury Gardens is a living reminder of the Gilded Age on Long Island. It started out as the Phipps family estate and has even been featured in movies and shows like Gossip Girl. With events like Midsummer Nights, it is an easy escape from NYC. Just make sure you get your tickets ahead of time. Whether you are just strolling through the manicured gardens or learning about the garden’s history, it will surely be a timeless treasure.