Botanical gardens aren’t what they used to be. Many have expanded their focus from flower gardening to appeal to a variety of interests including environmentalism, nature, sustainability as well as local foods, health and the arts. These days botanical gardens often feature edible gardens, cooking classes, social and musical events and a myriad of activities for kids and adults of all ages. With spring just around the corner, now is the time to see what botanical gardens have to offer — come explore some of our nation’s very best!
If you’re looking to experience a bit of the tropics without the effort of making an international trek, head to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida – just south of Miami. The South Florida climate is ideal for growing magnificent varieties of flora all year long. The spectacular 83-acre garden features a number of rare and exotic fruit species, such as vanilla orchids and mangosteens. Step into the Wings of The Tropics Butterfly Conservatory to watch butterflies hatch, be released and join thousands of their exotic friends. Children will especially get a kick when one of the beautiful creatures perches on their arm, creating a picture-perfect moment.
Next enter the 2-acre Richard H. Simons Rainforest , which mimics the environment of those found much closer to the equator. Many tourists miss out on the chance to wander the winding paths lined with beautiful plants, gentle streams and cascading waterfalls, but this fascinating area showcases a globally imperiled habitat that is believed to house at least half of all species on earth! This is an excellent teachable opportunity to underscore the importance of limiting our impact in order to protect the environment. One and a half acres of rain forest are destroyed every second, which means that with the some of the most amazing plants and animals living in our rainforests may be lost before they are even discovered.
Another one of our nation’s majestic offerings is the Atlanta Botanical Garden. This wonderfully lush 30-acre garden is adjacent to Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta. Home to the largest collection of orchids under glass in the U.S., it includes exotic specimens from around the world. A 600-foot-long canopy walk brings visitors through awe-inspiring oaks, hickories and poplars, showcasing brilliant flowers like hydrangeas, native azaleas and camellias.
If you have little ones in tow, or even if you don’t, the Children’s Garden is a must. It features fountains and fun exhibits like the bullfrog pond with fish and frogs. The Beehive Meadow includes a real beehive, where you’ll also have fun learning the “bee waggle” dance. Adults will appreciate special events like Cocktails in the Garden, held weekly from May through September, which includes refreshing drinks, music and even a tantalizing chef demo in the Edible Garden.
A trek to the Northeast brings the opportunity to visit the New York Botanical Garden in the heart of the Big Apple. This 250-acre urban oasis and National Historic Landmark features a Victorian-style glasshouse that takes visitors on a world tour of 11 distinct plant habitats, including desert and tropical rainforest environments. This is also the home of the award-winning Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, bursting with color and fragrance from May through October. It displays over 4,000 rose plants and more than 600 varieties.
A Children’s Adventure Garden beckons young explorers with its wonderful world of mazes, larger-than-life flowers and lots of hands-on activities. Don’t miss the 50 acres of old-growth forests, the largest remnant of the original forest that covered the entire city before European settlers arrived in the early part of the 17th century. If you want to know more about specific plants, birds and the garden’s history, join one of the expert-led tours and walks that are available that are included with the purchase of an All Garden Pass.
Further west, the Chicago Botanic Garden includes 26 gardens and four natural areas where plants and flowers can grow wild, across 400 acres as one of the largest botanical gardens in the U.S. The gardens are connected by the central lake through scenic pathways and picturesque bridges. This world-renowned garden has been in existence for more than a century and has become a world leader in scientific research.
You won’t want to miss what’s considered to be one of the most renowned public exhibits of bonsai in the world. The incredible collection of nearly 200 bonsai was unveiled in 2000 and includes works by bonsai master, Susumu Nakamura. The garden also hosts numerous activities and classes for kids as well as adults, such as the chance to make ice cream from vanilla orchid seeds or to create your own tropical terrarium.
Finally, the Rocky Mountain State is home to the Denver Botanic Gardens and the largest collection of plants from the cold temperate climates of the planet. It’s a premier example of rock gardens, important to this very dry and sunny climate. The succulent collection in the Dryland Mesa includes species of cacti, yucca and other xeric plants. Fascinatingly, it doesn’t receive any supplemental watering except during times of severe drought.
While peak flowering time here is from May through October, you’ll find something of interest all year round. The Children’s Garden is a delight for all ages with an ever-changing natural environment that includes the chance to learn about the unique characteristics of plants living on a rooftop alpine garden, to hunt for bugs, observe aquatic life or even to race pinecones down a spring-melted stream. One of the latest additions to the fun and educational activities here includes the chance for families to learn about healthy eating and where food comes from.
No matter where in our great country you are traveling to or hail from, botanical gardens offer so much more than a pretty vista, they offer a chance to have a greater appreciation for the diversity of our environment and the beauty and serenity it provides.
Travelocity Editors
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