There is nothing quite like spending a Sunday afternoon strolling through a lush botanical garden. Along with the opportunity to view rare plant species, gardens can enhance well-being. Immersion in nature has many cognitive benefits and can improve mood and mental health. All the more reason to check out these picks of the most remarkable botanical gardens in the U.S. Learn about their locations, attractions, pricing, and the best time to visit.
What Are Botanical Gardens?
Botanical gardens offer displays of many plant species for the enjoyment of the public. But they also have other purposes, such as education, scientific study, and conservation. These public establishments can be free or paid. They feature proper labeling, monitoring, and documentation of all plants. Many people enjoy leisurely strolling through botanical gardens, sightseeing, and taking pictures. However, botanical gardens also offer restaurants, classes, concerts, and other seasonal activities. Without further ado, let’s check out the best botanical gardens in the U.S.
1. Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Atlanta Botanical Garden features dazzling displays and shady woodlands.
©PKQ/Shutterstock.com
Location: Located in Atlanta, these botanical gardens feature 30 acres adjacent to Piedmont Park in Midtown. Magical and serene, the Atlanta Botanical Garden features dazzling displays, canopies, and shady woodlands.
Main Attractions: Children’s Garden, Storza Woods, Skyline Garden, Earth Goddess, Orchid Center, Alice’s Wonderland
Price: Adult – $26.95 (weekday), child – $23.95, three and under – free
Best Time to Visit: Spring weekdays
2. Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
The Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens are one of the most remarkable botanical gardens in the U.S.
©Shane Myers Photography/Shutterstock.com
Location: These botanical gardens are south of the Ko’olau Mountains in Oahu, Hawaii. Regarded as one of the best gardens in the world, the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens display 400 acres of lush tropical plants from around the world.
Main Attractions: Southeast Asia and Polynesia gardens, nature trails, birding, and fishing
Price: Free
Best Time to Visit: April and May weekdays
3. Washington Park Arboretum
The Japanese Garden is the highlight of this Washington Park botanical garden.
©Roman Khomlyak/Shutterstock.com
Location: Washington Park is a public park, but most of it is dedicated to the arboretum. Located in Seattle, this botanical garden features plants from all over the world and paved walkways winding through colorful and dense vegetation. It’s 230 acres and lies on the shores of Lake Washington.
Main Attractions: Japanese Garden, Washington Park Playfield, Broadmoor Golf Club, Pacific Connections Gardens, and Rhododendron Glen
Price: Free for the arboretum, $8 per adult for the Japanese Gardens ($4 for youth)
Best Time to Visit: Fall and spring
4. New York Botanical Garden
The New York Botanical Garden spans 250 acres of the Bronx.
©Thomas Barrat/Shutterstock.com
Location: Located in the Bronx, the New York Botanical Garden is 250 acres of plant displays in the middle of a bustling city. It is a living museum and research and educational institution in one of the greatest cities on Earth. You can walk through everything from old-growth forests to native plant gardens, rock gardens, and herbaceous peonies.
Main Attractions: Bronx River Forest, Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, Thain Family Forest, Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden
Price: Adults – $35, Children – $15, two and under – free
Best Time to Visit: April, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom
5. United States Botanic Garden
The United States Botanic Garden has a long history.
©iStock.com/dkfielding
Location: This botanical garden sits on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Established by Congress in 1820, the United States Botanic Garden is one of the oldest on the continent. This vibrant garden is an excellent place for history buffs and nature lovers alike. The grounds feature exotic and rare plants and a butterfly garden.
Main Attractions: Tropical Room, Mediterranean Room, monument replicas, carnivorous plants
Price: Free
Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer early weekday mornings, Winter also offers some great displays
6. Florida Botanical Gardens
The Florida Botanical Gardens is a tropical oasis.
©Aaron Alvarez/Shutterstock.com
Location: Spanning 182 acres in Largo, Florida, the Florida Botanical Gardens is a tropical oasis, featuring native plants, desert landscapes, fruit gardens, palm tree gardens, and butterfly gardens.
Main Attractions: Palm Garden, Tropical Fruit Garden, Butterfly Garden, Herbs Garden, Wildlife Lookout, Children’s Garden (coming soon)
Price: Free
Best Time to Visit: Spring through summer early in the morning before the heat sets in
7. Descanso Gardens
Descanso Gardens has nine different garden displays.
©iStock.com/Wolterk
Location: This Southern California spot is one of the best botanical gardens in the U.S. Descanso Gardens covers 150 acres in La Canada Flintridge, California, near Los Angeles. There are a total of nine different gardens, a mini railroad, a museum, an art gallery, a gift shop, and a cafe.
Main Attractions: Japanese Garden, California Garden, Lakeside Lookout, Cherry Canyon Trail, Ancient Forest
Price: Adults – $15, children – $5, four years and under – free
Best Time to Visit: Late winter through summer
8. Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden displays flowers like the
Echinocereus coccineus, scarlet
hedgehog
cactus.
©iStock.com/jherse16
Location: Looking for something a little different? Check out the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. It’s 140 acres in Papago Park among the red rocks of the Papago Buttes. These gardens offer a unique experience, featuring many types of cacti and other desert plants. Plus, stop by during the holidays when the plants are dressed up in Christmas lights.
Main Attractions: Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower, Center for Desert Living Trail, Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert, Gertrude’s Restaurant
Price: $16.95, children two and under – free
Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer evenings, early spring days
9. Missouri Botanical Garden
The Garden is home to a range of cherry blossom species, from Higan to Kwanzan.
©Zach Coburn/Shutterstock.com
Location: This historic garden was founded in 1859 and features 79 scenic acres in St. Louis, Missouri. There are many things to see and experience at the Missouri Botanical Garden, including a greenhouse dome, Victorian homes, a butterfly house, and much more.
Main Attractions: Climatron, Japanese Garden, Tower Grove house, Steven and Peter Sachs Museum, Whitaker Festival, Linnean House
Price: General admission – $14, St. Louis residents – $6
Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer evenings, anytime in March and April
10. Chicago Botanic Garden
Located in Glencoe, this Japanese Garden is picturesque and full of over 150 cherry blossom trees.
©elesi/Shutterstock.com
Location: Located in the Cook County Forest Preserves, the Chicago Botanic Garden is 385 acres in Glencoe, Illinois. There are 27 gardens in several habitats, such as prairies, woods, river corridors, lakes, and shores.
Main Attractions: Waterfall Garden, Japanese Garden, Model Railroad Garden, Aquatic Garden
Price: Varies by day from free to $19.95
Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer
A Summary of the U.S. Top 10 Remarkable Botanical Gardens:
| Rank | Botanical Garden | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta Botanical Garden | Atlanta, Georgia |
| 2 | Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden | Oahu, Hawaii |
| 3 | Washington Park Arboretum | Seattle, Washington |
| 4 | New York Botanical Garden | Bronx, New York City |
| 5 | United States Botanic Garden | Washington, D.C. |
| 6 | Florida Botanical Gardens | Largo, Florida |
| 7 | Descanso Gardens | La Canada Flintridge, California |
| 8 | Desert Botanical Garden | Phoenix, Arizona |
| 9 | Missouri Botanical Garden | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 10 | Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe, Illinois |
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