House and Garden Tours, From Brooklyn to Seattle Spring, when nature puts itself on open display, is also the season for peeking into private havens. Scores of house and garden tours are being organized, from Brooklyn to San Francisco, and will continue through the fine months. Here's your chance to see hidden gardens in Boston or midcentury modern houses in Philadelphia. Or you can take in kitchen-focused residences in Larchmont, N.Y. (with tastings from local chefs). Many of the events are fund-raisers, so while you're contemplating a reflecting pool or admiring a connoisseur's art collection, your entry fees will be at work. Unless otherwise noted, all tours are self-guided. New York City GREENWICH VILLAGE, MAY 5 An 1853 home with an exquisite central staircase and an Italianate house with its original moldings and floors are among the six homes open from 1 to 5:30 p.m. on the 15th annual tour to benefit the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation. Tickets are $200, or $175 each and $300 for two in advance. Information: (212) 475-9585, ext. 32, or gvshp.org/benefit. MANHATTAN, MAY 11 A former carriage house in Greenwich Village and a Flatiron district loft are part of a tour to benefit the Junior League of the City of New York. Tickets, which include a lunch and cocktail reception, are $125, or $100 in advance. Information: (212) 288-6220 or nyjl.org. BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, MAY 11 An 1840 house with Arts and Crafts furnishings and an 1845 Greek Revival house are among the homes on the Brooklyn Heights Association tour. Tickets are $40; no children under 13, except infants in front packs. Information: (718) 858-9193 or thebha.org. PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN, MAY 19 A 1903 Flemish Renaissance Revival house with mahogany columns and an ornate plaster ceiling is among the homes on the tour. Tickets are $25, or $20 in advance; no backpacks and no children under 10, except infants in front packs. Information: (718) 832-8227 or parkslopeciviccouncil.org. PROSPECT LEFFERTS GARDENS, BROOKLYN, JUNE 2 An 1898 Romanesque Revival house with eight fireplaces and a 1910 town house with its original Arts and Crafts details are among the homes on the tour. Tickets are $25, or $20 in advance; no children under 12 except infants in front packs. Information: (718) 284-6210 or leffertsmanor.org. JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS, JUNE 8 AND 9 Fourteen private gardens will be open on June 8 from noon to 4 p.m.; on June 9 starting at noon, guided walking tours will be offered. Tickets are $10 for one day and $15 for both (and must be purchased in advance for walking tours). Information: (718) 565-5344 or jhbg.org. FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN, JUNE 9 Six to eight houses in styles ranging from colonial and Greek Revival to Tudor will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $25, or $20 in advance. Information: (718) 859-3800 or fdconline.org. MOUNT MORRIS PARK, HARLEM, JUNE 9 About a dozen homes with architectural details like stained-glass windows and elaborately carved staircases will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $35, or $25 in advance. Information: (212) 369-4241 or mmpcia.org. 5 Tickets are $25, or $20 in advance. Details will be offered closer to the tour at crownheightsnorth.org. 6 Ten Victorians in the historic district will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Information: brooklynhousetours.org. 19 The 35th annual house tour, which includes an arts fair and discounts at neighborhood restaurants, benefits scholarships for college-bound students from the Boys and Girls High School and Brooklyn Academy. Information will be provided closer to the event at brownstonersofbedstuy.org. North of New York City SCARSDALE, MAY 2 THROUGH JUNE 9 The show house will benefit Cerebral Palsy of Westchester. Admission is $30; no children under 6. Information: (914) 937-3800, ext. 209, or cpwestchester.org/designerevent.htm. ESOPUS, JUNE 1 Seven houses will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit land preservation efforts of the Wallkill Valley Land Trust. Tickets are $30, or $25 in advance. Information: (845) 255-2761 or wallkillvalleylt.org. LARCHMONT, JUNE 2 A kitchen-centered tour of about 10 houses called "What's Cooking in Larchmont" will offer tastings from local chefs and a wine and cheese reception, with proceeds to benefit the Larchmont Historical Society. Tickets are $50, or $45 for members; no children under 12. Information: (914) 381-2239 or larchmonthistory.org. GARRISON, COLD SPRING AND VICINITY, JUNE 8 Ten private gardens will be open to the public, along with the grounds at Boscobel House and Gardens and Stonecrop Gardens. Tickets are $40, or $30 in advance. Information: (845) 278-7272, ext. 2287, or putnamsecretgardentour.com.GOSHEN, JUNE 15 A formal garden with fountain surrounded by boxwood and roses is one of five sites open to the public. Tickets are $45, or $40 in advance. Information: (845) 294-6225 or stjamesgoshen.org HUDSON, SPENCERTOWN AND VICINITY, JUNE 22 A 70-acre French-style garden and a Japanese garden are among the private grounds open to the public. Tickets are $30. Information: (518) 392-3692 or spencertownacademy.org. WARWICK, N.Y., AND WANTAGE, N.J., JUNE 29 Seven sites include a garden made from recycled stones and architectural salvage, a butterfly garden, and a shade garden with a koi pond and bamboo walkway. Tickets are $15. Information: (845) 987-8508 or warwickvalleygardeners.com. BUFFALO, JULY 27 AND 28 Garden Walk Buffalo bills itself as the largest garden tour in the United States, and with 380 sites in several neighborhoods, that may be right. Visitors can expect to see various kinds of private gardens, including flower, vegetable, water, container and rock, as well as community gardens and houses dating to the Civil War. Admission is free, and no tickets are required. Information: (716) 879-0123 or gardenwalkbuffalo.com. Long Island SOUTHAMPTON, MAY 11 The fourth annual tour to benefit the Southampton Historical Museum will include a 19th-century farmhouse and a house built around 1900 with a turreted tower and widow's walk. Tickets are $90, or $75 in advance; no children under 12. Information: (631) 283-2494 or southamptonhistoricalmuseum.org. SEA CLIFF, MAY 19 An 1890 Queen Anne house overlooking Hempstead Harbor is one of 10 homes on the tour. Tickets are $35; no children under 12, except infants in front packs. Information: seacliffhousetour.ticketleap.com/2013. HUNTINGTON, LLOYD HARBOR AND HUNTINGTON BAY, MAY 22 A Tudor-style house with a guest cottage is one of five homes on the 62nd annual Sammis Family House Tour, to benefit the Family Service League of Long Island. Tickets are $60, or $55 in advance; no children under 12. Information: (631) 427-3700, ext. 255, or fsl-li.org. WATER MILL, JUNE 8 AND 9 This year's event to benefit the Parrish Art Museum includes a landscape architecture symposium on June 8 and a tour of homes in Sagaponack and North Haven the following day, including a 20-acre oceanfront property. Tickets are $225, or $175 for members. Information: (631) 283-2118 or parrishart.org. 2 The annual Hampton Designer Showhouse benefits Southampton Hospital. Admission is $35; no children under 6. Information: (631) 745-0004 or hamptondesignershowhouse.com. New Jersey LITTLE SILVER, THROUGH JUNE 9 An English Tudor-style home on the Shrewsbury River will be the site of the Designer Showhouse of New Jersey, to benefit the Visiting Nurse Association Health Group. Tickets are $35; no children under 12. Information: (732) 224-6780 or statelyhomesbythesea.com. SUMMIT, MAY 2 The Calvary House Tour will benefit several local charities. Tickets are $40, or $35 in advance; no children under 15. Information: (908) 277-1814 or calvary-summit.org. WESTFIELD AND PLAINFIELD, MAY 11 A seven-bedroom house with a separate kitchen in the master suite and a microbrewery, hair salon and game room in the basement, and an 1893 Queen Anne house with marble mosaic fireplaces are among the five homes on a tour to benefit the Westfield Symphony Orchestra (musical interludes will be provided at each site). Tickets are $35, or $30 in advance; no children under 12. Information: (908) 232-9400 or westfieldsymphony.org. SOUTH ORANGE, MAY 18 The South Orange Historical and Preservation Society will offer a tour of seven homes, including a Colonial-style house on a 530-foot ridge with views of the New York skyline and the Jersey Shore. Information: (973) 763-2310 or sohps.org. MONTCLAIR, MAY 19 An 1885 Colonial Revival house with a grand staircase, 50-foot-long porch and English garden is one of five homes open to the public to benefit the Junior League of Montclair-Newark. Tickets are $45, or $40 in advance; no children under 10. Information: (973) 746-2499 or jlmnhousetour.com. SHORT HILLS, MAY 20 Greenwood Gardens, a 28-acre site with formal gardens, teahouses and reflecting pools, will be open to the public along with seven private gardens. Information: (973) 761-7263 or shorthillsgardentour.com. MONTCLAIR AND GLEN RIDGE, MAY 31 AND JUNE 1 Eight private gardens, including one modeled on the formal grounds at Sissinghurst Castle, will be open to the public. Information: (973) 744-4752 or vanvleck.org. HOBOKEN, JUNE 2 This year's Secret Garden Tour includes 8 to 10 private gardens; guided tours will leave the Hoboken Historical Museum every half-hour. Tickets are $25, or $20 in advance; children under 13 are admitted free. Information: (201) 656-2240 or hobokenmuseum.org. 31 A show house to benefit the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities will be open daily from 1 to 4 p.m.; guided tours will be offered Sunday to Friday at 7 p.m. (closed July 4). Admission is $15. Information: (609) 884-5404 or capemaymac.org. 27 Tickets for a tour of homes to benefit the Hoboken Historical Museum are $30, or $25 in advance; children under 13 are free. Information: (201) 656-2240 and hobokenmuseum.org. Pennsylvania DOYLESTOWN, APRIL 28 TO MAY 26 The Clement Doyle House, an 1811 stone manor, will be the site of the 38th edition of the Bucks County Designer House and Gardens. Tickets are $25, or $20 for seniors; no children under 10. Information: (215) 345-2191 or buckscountydesignerhouse.org. PHILADELPHIA, MAY 19 The 35th annual Society Hill Open House and Garden Tour will include homes dating to the Revolutionary War. Tickets are $35, or $30 in advance. Information: (215) 629-1288 or societyhillcivic.org. NEW HOPE, JUNE 1 A garden of mixed perennial and annual beds surrounding an 1845 stone barn is one of seven sites on the 20th anniversary New Hope Garden Tour. Information: (215) 862-5652 or newhopehs.org. PHILADELPHIA, JUNE 1 Five midcentury modern homes in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood will be open to the public. Tickets are $30, or $15 for members. And two rarely seen properties will be featured in a guided tour: Esherick House, by Louis Kahn, and the Vanna Venturi House, by Robert Venturi. Tickets are $100 and must be purchased in advance. No children under 12 on either tour. Information: (215) 247-0417 or chhist.org. 3 Tickets for the annual tour of cottages and houses in the onetime summer community are $25, or $20 in advance. Information: (717) 361-1508 or gretnamusic.org. Delaware CHADDS FORD, PA., TO WILMINGTON, DEL., MAY 4 Thirteen houses and gardens between Chadds Ford and downtown Wilmington will be open to the public. Information: wilmingtongardenday.org. Maryland and Washington Area QUEEN ANNE COUNTY, APRIL 27; GUILFORD SECTION OF BALTIMORE, APRIL 28; SOMERSET AND WORCESTER COUNTIES, MAY 4; CHARLES COUNTY, MAY 18 The series of daylong tours includes the Sherwood Gardens in Guilford, where an astonishing 80,000 tulips grow every spring, and the Samuel Gunn House in Worcester County, a rambling 18th-century home with ornate woodwork. Admission is $35 for each tour, or $30 in advance. Information: (410) 821-6933 or mhgp.org. TIMONIUM, MD., APRIL 28 TO MAY 19 A 1932 stucco home that once belonged to Johnny Unitas, the Baltimore quarterback, will be the site of a show house to benefit the education programs of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Admission is $30. Information: (410) 783-8000 or bsomusic.org. TAKOMA PARK, MD., MAY 5 Tickets for the 40th annual house and garden tour are $20, or $18 in advance. Information: (301) 270-2831 or historictakoma.org. WASHINGTON, MAY 11 Seven gardens will be open to the public as part of the 85th annual tour sponsored by the Georgetown Garden Club. Tickets are $35, or $30 in advance. georgetowngardentour.com. HYATTSVILLE, MD., MAY 19 Victorian, Colonial Revival, Cape Cod and Tudor Revival homes will be open to the public from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $12, or $10 in advance. Information: (301) 699-5440 or preservehyattsville.org. New England FAIRFIELD AND WESTPORT, CONN., MAY 3 A 19th-century farmhouse and a Queen Anne-style home decorated with the owner's collection of contemporary art will be open to the public to benefit Near & Far Aid, which supports more than 100 charities in Fairfield County. Tickets are $75, or $60 in advance. Information: (203) 259-1710 or nearandfaraid.org. BOSTON, MAY 16 The Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill tour will include 12 private gardens and four ribbon gardens. Tickets are $40, or $35 in advance (tickets that include the luncheon are $75). Information: (617) 227-4392 or beaconhillgardenclub.org. SHARON AND FALLS VILLAGE, CONN., MAY 18 AND 19 The annual Trade Secrets antiques and plants sale will be held May 18 at Lion Rock Farm in Sharon; four sites, including Bunny Williams's formal gardens, will be open to the public the following day. Tickets for the sale are $35, or $100 for early-bird entry at 8 a.m.; tickets for the garden tour are $70, or $60 in advance. Information: (860) 364-1080 or tradesecretsct.com. NEWTON, MASS., MAY 19 An 1868 Gothic house on the Charles River, an 1857 Colonial-style farmhouse and a turn-of-the-century carriage house are among the homes on a tour to benefit Historic Newton. Tickets are $40 ($30 for members), or $35 in advance (and $25 for members). Information: (617) 796-1450 or historicnewton.org. GREENWICH, CONN., JUNE 6 Tickets for a tour of six gardens, sponsored by the Garden Education Center of Greenwich, are $95, or $75 in advance. Information: (203) 869-9242 or gecgreenwich.org. PROVIDENCE, R.I., JUNE 7 TO 9 Two days of tours include houses along Prospect Street on College Hill on Saturday and converted industrial properties like the 1866 Monohasset Mill on Sunday. Tickets are $45 for each day, or $40 in advance, and $75 for both; no children under 10. Tickets for either tour and the cocktail reception on Friday are $125. Information: (401) 831-7440 or ppsri.org. STAMFORD, CONN., JUNE 9 AND 10 The tour includes five hidden gardens and the Bartlett Arboretum, as well as a cocktail reception on June 6. Tickets are $55, or $45 for members; lunch at the garden boutique on June 10 is an additional $20. Information: (203) 322-6971 or bartlettarboretum.org. 6 TO 8 A dozen gardens will be open to the public as part of the Secret Gardens of Newport tours (different gardens will be shown at each event). Tickets (good for three days) are $25, or $20 in advance. Information: (401) 439-7253 or secretgardentours.org. LYME AND OLD LYME, CONN., JUNE 14 AND 15 An estate at Hamburg Cove, a working farm and a house overlooking the Connecticut River are among the sites on a tour to benefit the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut. Tickets are $25, or $20 in advance; box lunches are $15. Information: (860) 861-8500. or childandfamilyagency.org. BOSTON, JUNE 15 Thirty private and community gardens, including Montgomery Park, a gated space usually accessible only to residents, will be on this year's South End Garden Tour. Information: (617) 542-7696 or southendgardentour.org. WESTMINSTER, VT., JUNE 29 AND 30 Five gardens will be open to the public to benefit Westminster Cares. Tickets are $15 for one person or $25 for two. Information: (802) 722-3607 or westminstercares.org. WOLFEBORO, N.H., JULY 10 A house overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee furnished with French, English and American antiques and Russell Wright stoneware is one of four open to the public to benefit the Central New Hampshire V.N.A. and Hospice. Tickets are $40. Information: (603) 569-2729 or centralvna.org. LEE AND TYRINGHAM, MASS., JULY 13 A tour sponsored by the Lenox Garden Club includes a former inn built in 1791 that counted Grover Cleveland and Mark Twain among its guests and a 1,000-acre estate with elaborate garden rooms. Tickets are $40, or $35 in advance. Information: (413) 298-3089 or lenoxgardenclub.net. HOPE, MONTVILLE AND UNION, ME., JULY 14 Seven gardens open to the public include those of a working farm and a sunflower grower. Tickets are $28, or $25 in advance; children under 12 are admitted free. Information: (207) 594-5166 or georgesriver.org. CAMDEN AND ROCKPORT, ME., JULY 18 Tickets for the Camden Garden Club tour are $30, or $25 in advance. Information: (207) 596-7263 or camdengardenclub.com. The South ATLANTA, THROUGH MAY 12 An 18,000-square-foot French-style limestone house with a slate roof, leaded windows and parquet floors is the site of the 43rd annual Decorators" Show House and Gardens to benefit the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $25; no children under 8. Information: (404) 733-4935 or decoratorsshowhouse.org. ATLANTA, MAY 4 AND 5 The annual Georgia Perennial Plant Association garden tour will include a Southern cottage garden filled with boxwood topiary and antique and heirloom plants. Tickets are $20 (good for both days). Information: georgiaperennial.org. CHARLOTTE, N.C., MAY 11 A 1956 ranch house with glass walls and its original push-button lighting and a 1955 home with a fully operable NuTone In-Built mixer/blender set and a vintage Danish Bar wall set are among eight midcentury modern homes open to the public. Tickets are $25, or $20 in advance; no children under 12. Information: (704) 375-6145 or historiccharlotte.org. LOUISVILLE, KY., JUNE 8 AND 9 Eleven gardens in the Old Louisville Historic Preservation District will be open to the public, including the Woman's Club Memory Garden at Frazier House. Tickets are $15 (good for either day), or $12 in advance; children under 12 are free. Information: (502) 635-5244 or oldlouisvillegardentour.com. The Midwest KANSAS CITY, MO., APRIL 25 TO MAY 19 The Greek Revival Bent-Ward House, which incorporates part of an 1871 brick structure, will be the site of the 44th annual show house to benefit the Kansas City Symphony. Tickets are $18, or $15 in advance. Information: (816) 968-9711 or showhouse.org. INDIANAPOLIS, APRIL 27 TO MAY 12 The annual show house to benefit St. Margaret's Hospital will be held at the Schnull-Rauch House, which has a ballroom; a curved, columned porch; and a stone turret. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $20, or $18 for seniors and $5 for children 3 to 12. Information: (317) 203-3141 or showhouseindy.org. DOWNERS GROVE, ILL., JULY 13 Seven gardens will be part of a tour sponsored by the First United Methodist Church to benefit the Bridge Communities program for formerly homeless families. Information: dgfumc.org/gardenwalk. CHICAGO, JULY 20 AND 21 More than 80 neighborhood gardens will be part of the annual Sheffield Garden Walk, along with live music, food and activities for children. Admission is $7, or $10 after 3 p.m. Information: sheffieldgardenwalk.com. CHICAGO, JULY 21 Several of the 20 gardens on the Dearborn Garden Walk will feature vignettes inspired by the life of Ernest Hemingway, evoking Cuba, Paris, Spain and Oak Park; the event will also include guided architectural tours along Dearborn Parkway. Information: (312) 632-1241 or dearborngardenwalk.com. The West NAPA VALLEY, CALIF., APRIL 27 A house in a redwood grove with a cabernet vineyard, rose gardens, citrus plantings, a lap pool and New Orleans-inspired décor is one of five homes open to the public, with tastings offered by area chefs. Tickets are $70, or $65 in advance. Information: (707) 258-5559 or musicinthevineyards.org. SAN FRANCISCO, APRIL 27 TO MAY 27 Herbst Manor, an 1899 Georgian house, will be the site of a decorator show house to benefit the scholarship program of the San Francisco University High School. Tickets are $30, or $25 for seniors and students. Information: (415) 447-5830 or decoratorshowcase.org. LOS ANGELES, APRIL 28 AND MAY 19 The American Institute of Architects Los Angeles Chapter is offering two tours: the first features four homes designed by Steven Ehrlich; the second features four houses in Venice designed by different firms. Tickets are $85, or $75 in advance ($65 for members). Information: (213) 639-0777 or aialosangeles.org. 25 Historic Seattle's Open to View series includes two properties: a 1922 English Tudor-style house overlooking Puget Sound with extensive rhododendron plantings, open to the public on April 28, and a 1954 midcentury modern house by Lionel H. Pries, open on Aug. 25. Tickets are $45 in advance, or $35 for members and $15 for students. Information: (206) 622-6952 or historicseattle.org. SAN CLEMENTE AND SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIF., JUNE 1 Four private gardens and the grounds of the Ecology Center will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in an event sponsored by the San Clemente Garden Club. Information: (949) 498-3317 or sanclementegardenclub.com. DENVER, JUNE 8 The Gardens of Northwest Denver tour will feature 20 sites, including urban farms and sculpture gardens. Tickets are $15; children under 12 are free. Information: (303) 433-4983 or conflictcenter.org.