Warner Castle and the Sunken Garden are located on the corner of Mt. Hope Ave. and Reservoir Ave. and are part of Highland Park.
If you are starting near Lamberton Conservatory, head down Reservoir Ave., crossing South Ave. toward Mt. Hope Ave. Stroll around to the back of the castle and down the lawn, and there you will find the garden. It is the perfect escape from the crowds at the Lilac Festival!
A popular place
for solitude
Often, there are photographers taking wedding and family photos, like anywhere in Highland Park. If you can get there when no one else is about, it’s a peaceful retreat, beautiful anytime of the year.
Warner Castle
The ability to step inside the castle is uncertain at the moment. Until late 2017, the castle was home to the Rochester Civic Garden Center, and was open for self-guided tours. The Landmark Society will be making the castle its new home in 2019.
More information about the Warner Castle Sunken Garden
- Cost: Free
- Located in the City of Rochester (get directions)
Beyond the Sunken Garden
Highland Bowl
Behind the garden, you’ll find Highland Park Bowl–an outdoor amphitheater used for summertime concerts, Shakespeare in the Park, and Movies in the Park. You can see the Highland Bowl stage in the photograph below through the trees behind the garden.
While the Ellwanger Estate is private, the garden is maintained by the Landmark Society and is periodically open to the public for special events.
It may seem odd to think of a cemetery as a family-friendly destination, but Mount Hope Cemetery is as much park-like as it nearby neighbor Highland Park.
Highland Park was designed to be enjoyed year-round. Every pathway, every tree, every vista & every relationship between the land & water is intentional.
Tropical plants need tropical temperatures, so visiting Lamberton Conservatory in winter is a welcome escape from the cold!
Rochester, NY Lilac Festival 2019
Highland Park draws crowds numbering in the thousands during Rochester’s week-long Lilac Festival in May, though the lilacs are not the only sights to see!
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Monroe County parks are free, so take advantage of 12,000 acres of natural, zoological, horticultural, historical and geological experiences!
When is your favorite time to visit the Sunken Garden?
Share with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!