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Who should visit a public garden.

You should! Public gardens are for everyone. They are great places to learn, play, spend some quiet and reflective time, exercise and explore with friends and family.

Many public gardens participate in the Museums for All program which enables, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) to gain free or reduced admission. Visit the Museum for All website to find a participating garden near you!

What Public Gardens are Near Me?

Visit the Public Gardens Map on the American Public Gardens Association website to find public gardens near you!

Tips for Having a Great Public Garden Adventure

Head to your local public gardens for a great outdoor adventure. Take our printable journals to guide your adventures.  Public gardens are open during all the seasons — make sure you wear the right clothes, like rain boots in the spring or a warm coat in the winter. You can even take a snack, but make sure you throw away your garbage!

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Top 20 public and botanical gardens in the united states.

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Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, with friends or alone, set some time aside to visit a public garden. There’s nothing quite like strolling through a warm conservatory filled with exotic plants on a grey winter’s day, enjoying the fragrance of thousands of rose blooms in summer, or gleaning ideas for your home landscape from artistically designed borders.

By visiting these gardens, you are also often helping to support important conservation work and horticultural research, all while being inspired and learning about different plants and gardening techniques.

Here are our recommendations for some of the very best gardens to visit across the country.

On this page: West Coast Gardens | Midwest Gardens | Southwest Gardens | Rocky Mountain Gardens | Northeast Gardens | Southeast Gardens

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WEST COAST GARDENS

• MIDWEST GARDENS

SOUTHWEST GARDENS

Rocky mountain gardens, northeast gardens, southeast gardens.

Photo by Karen Chapman.

BELLEVUE BOTANICAL GARDEN Bellevue, WA

A true urban jewel, there is something here for everyone—and in every season. Children of all ages will love the 150-foot-long suspension bridge over a deep ravine, as well as the naturalistic Urban Meadow, while keen gardeners and photographers will want to explore the highly acclaimed perennial border with its innovative combinations.

While you're in the area, check out these other gardens in our self-guided day trip to Seattle .

Photo by Janet Loughrey

PORTLAND JAPANESE GARDEN Portland, OR

A tranquil oasis for all who enter the traditional gates, this 12-acre garden includes eight separate garden styles, meandering streams, peaceful pathways, an authentic Japanese Tea House, and a spectacular view of Mt. Hood.

To complete your tour, visit the Cultural Village designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in traditional Japanese arts through seasonal activities, performances, and demonstrations.

Discover other local gardens in our self-guided day trip to Portland .

Photo by Karen Chapman

FILOLI Woodside, CA

There is so much to see and absorb at Filoli. This is a visit to savor.

Reminiscent of a grand English estate, you are sure to be enchanted by the traditional terraces, manicured lawns, and stone balustrades, with breathtaking distant views to the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Charming brick garden structures can be found throughout the grounds, a perfect setting for the clusters of weathered terracotta pots filled with seasonal bulbs and flowers. Yet there is so much more: geometric beds filled with color corralled by clipped hedges, long vistas that lure you through the garden spaces, serene water features, and formal allées.

In springtime, the orchard is truly delightful as thousands of naturalized daffodils bloom beneath the gnarled fruit trees.

Photo by Kelly Kilpatrick

SAN FRANCISCO BOTANICAL GARDENS San Francisco, CA

Travel the world in 55 acres as you explore landscaped gardens and open spaces. If you happen to be here during the months of January or February, be sure to visit the spectacular display of over 200 magnolias in bloom—many of them rare varieties. The Succulent Garden and New Zealand exhibits are also always popular.

While you’re here, check out these other nearby gardens as recommended in our self-guided day trip to San Francisco .

THE HUNTINGTON BOTANICAL GARDENS San Marino, CA

If you are seeking inspiration on a grand scale, this elegant 207-acre estate came highly recommended by our local garden expert in our self-guided day trip to Los Angeles .

While you could easily spend an entire day here, the Desert Garden is a “must see", especially with the late afternoon sun backlighting the cactus collection. The California Garden adjacent to the restaurant is a remarkable demonstration of how beautiful native and dry-climate plants can be.

Photo by Kit Leong / Shutterstock

DESCANSO GARDENS Flintridge, CA

From the forest of heritage coast live oaks ( Quercus agrifolia ) to a themed Rose Garden with companion plantings, and a Camelia Collection to California Natives, this remarkable retreat offers year-round natural beauty as well as botanical collections and seasonal displays.

Check out their Bloom Calendar to discover highlights you won’t want to miss during your visit.

MID-WEST GARDENS

Photo courtesy Chicago Botanic Garden

CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN Glencoe, IL

Gather ideas for your home landscape, explore the multi-sensory Enabling Garden, and review the top performers in the trial gardens. Our local garden expert recommended this garden as being somewhere that one could learn something new every day.

Check out the full details, together with ideas to make this a full day of garden-hopping in our self-guided tour of gardens in Chicago .

See their website to check the concert and events schedule too.

Photo by aceshot1 / Shutterstock

MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN St. Louis, MO

Not your average botanical garden, this is now registered as a National Historic Landmark and has been open to the public since 1859. Looking for notable plant collections? Check. Demonstration gardens? There are 23 to collect ideas from. Conservatories? There are three: a futuristic geodesic dome structure covers over a half-acre, a delightful brick conservatory that dates back to 1882, and a more recent temperate house that features several themed displays.

In short, this is a true destination and one that deserves your support.

Photo by Pat Dooley / Shutterstock

CLEVELAND BOTANICAL GARDEN Cleveland, OH

What this garden lacks in acreage it makes up for in abundance and innovation. From the lush Gateway Garden to the aptly named Inspiration Gardens, you will be amazed by the ideas that you can incorporate into your own garden.

When you’re ready to step into the glasshouse, you can visit both the Dr. Seuss-like landscape and exotic animals of Madagascar, as well as the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica complete with butterflies and gently cooing ground doves.

Photo courtesy San Antonio Botanical Garden

SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN San Antonio, TX

The best public gardens offer inspiration, education, and innovation—and this botanical garden delivers. Visitors will appreciate not only the water-wise ideas found along the Texas Native Trail, but also the opportunity to view the local and migrating birds from within the Bird Watch structure. This thoughtful design affords unobtrusive bird watching, so be sure to pack your binoculars.

The garden also includes a number of architecturally significant structures including a futuristic glass conservatory and several buildings dating back to the 1800s.

It’s only a 1-hour drive from here to Austin, so be sure to check out our self-guided day trip to outstanding gardens in Austin while you’re in the area.

Photo by RK2 Photography / Shutterstock

FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN Fort Worth, TX

Review what’s happening each season and you’ll quickly realize there is no bad time to visit. Whether your interest lies in vegetable gardening, perennials, water conservation, or specialist collections, this botanic garden won’t disappoint.

Should you visit in spring, be sure to visit the butterfly exhibit , the largest exhibit of live, exotic butterflies in north central Texas.

Photo courtesy of Desert Botanical Garden

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN Phoenix, AZ

Our local garden expert recommended this 55-acre garden if you are in the Phoenix area, especially highlighting the Desert Discovery Loop Trail in the heart of the garden with its otherworldly example of cacti and succulents. There are several other trails to explore as well as rotating art exhibits and the award-winning restaurant which is a “must".

See this and 2 other local Phoenix gardens in our self-guided day trip in Phoenix, Arizona .

Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin, Denver Botanic Garden

DENVER BOTANIC GARDEN Denver, CO

With indoor seasonal displays and innovative gardens that showcase native and adapted plants that thrive in the Colorado regions, as well as internationally inspired and ornamental gardens, this is a botanic garden that you will want to return to again and again.

Whether you seek ideas for sun or shade, dry gardens or water gardens, there are plenty here.

See more about the Denver Botanic Garden and 2 other area gardens in our self-guided day trip to Denver, Colorado .

Photo courtesy DC Gardens

UNITED STATES BOTANIC GARDEN Washington, DC

A diverse range of garden experiences awaits visitors here. The historic conservatory houses courtyard gardens, themed garden rooms, and special exhibits. Just outside the National Garden, there are plantings that represent different environments from around the United States.

Across the road from the conservatory, Bartholdi Park is a showcase for exciting plant combinations centered around a stunning fountain.

Read what our local garden expert had to say and discover other nearby gardens to visit in our self-guided day trip to Washington DC .

Photo by Antonio Rosario

BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN Brooklyn, NY

Now over a century old, but considered to represent the very best in urban gardening and horticultural display, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a 52-acre oasis tucked within a major metropolis.

Be sure to visit the Water Garden, where a meandering stream flows into a pond that also serves to capture excess rainwater. Summer highlights here include riparian plants, such as summer-blooming hibiscus and sedges that have adapted to live near the water’s edge. This is also a wonderful place to look for dragonflies, frogs, and ducks—a welcome respite from city life.

Check out our self-guided day trip to New York City for more ideas.

Photo courtesy New York Botanical Garden

NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN Bronx, NY

Our local garden expert highlighted this world-famous garden in our self-guided day trip to New York City , commenting that this 250-acre garden has “an embarrassment of riches."

With 50 specialty gardens and collections, even with the benefit of the garden trolley service, it may not be possible to see everything in a single visit.

LONGWOOD GARDENS Kennett Square, PA

If you’re visiting Philadelphia, Longwood should be your primary garden destination. Appreciated as much for its outstanding conservatory displays as the illuminated Fountain Festivals, this world-class garden never disappoints.

Take time to stroll through the 86-acre meadow to experience the best practices in ecological garden design. Marvel at the tapestry of naturalistic plantings, enjoy the butterflies and birds. Listen to the wind rattling seed heads in fall and the cries of hawks wheeling overhead. This is a place that will touch your heart.

While you’re in the area, be sure to visit Chanticleer and the other outstanding gardens highlighted in our self-guided day trip to Philadelphia .

ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDENS Atlanta, GA

Renowned plant collections, beautiful displays, and spectacular exhibitions combine to create an exciting urban oasis in the heart of Midtown. The garden includes 30 acres of outdoor gardens, an award-winning Children’s Garden, the serene Storza Woods highlighted by a unique Canopy Walk, and the picturesque Skyline Garden.

See our self-guided day to trip to other local gardens in Atlanta, Georgia .

Photo by Timur Laykov / Shutterstock

NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDENS Naples, FL

Explore the exciting themed gardens that represent the culture and flora of the tropics, from Bali to Brazil and the Caribbean Islands. Enjoy the delightful Children’s Garden where kids of all ages will delight in the water fountains, butterflies, and a treehouse as they learn about the unique Floridian habitats.

Visitors also have the wonderful opportunity to visit the 90-acre nature sanctuary where mangrove swamps provide habitat for wildlife including eagles, otters, tree frogs, and gopher tortoises.

FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDENS Coral Gables, FL

Begin your visit with a free tram tour around the Garden to learn more about the history, mission, and plant collections—it’s a great way to get an overview before venturing out on your own.

Indulge your senses by walking beneath the exotic Vine Pergola adorned with dozens of colorful flowering vines. Then, visit the Tropical Flowering Tree Arboretum and seek out the allspice tree to appreciate the sweet, yet spicy, fragrance of the foliage. Special exhibits, conservatories, and the aromatic Tropical Fruit Pavilion all combine to give visitors a true taste of the tropics.

See all of the Garden Design Self-Guided Day Trips

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• Sidebar , Things to Do

Updated March ’24 :Botanical Gardens in Miami and SoFla

• September 25, 2023

Karen Escalera

By Yours Truly and Jan Engoren

Botanical Gardens in Miami, the seven best,  and other top ones in South Florida, time to check them out along with their exciting programming for all ages for fall 2023. Below, find some of the best natural areas in the tri-county area for your enjoyment and health. To really appreciate your visit, check out each website; many venues have changing art and sculpture exhibits, and provide video tours with history and highlights. Plus, many offer exciting events and classes, ranging from farmers markets, entertainment and arts/crafts classes to cooking and yoga, family days, and also host weddings.  Special programming, too, for these botanical gardens in Miami and South Florida!

One of the most famous botanical gardens in Miami,  the 83 acre Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens   has numerous distinctions. See rare palms, cycads, orchids, and bromeliads, different varieties of ginger, and the largest collection of tropical bamboo in the world, with 125 species of bamboo. Love fruit trees? Find  some of the world’s most exotic tropical fruits from the Amazon, Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The Tropical Flowering Trees collection displays over 740 species of flowering trees from all over the world.There’s also a tropical plant conservatory and rare plant house plus a delightful butterfly garden.

EXCITING SPECIAL OFFERING, APRIL 13 TO SEPTEMBER 2 (special ticket required)

Step into a world frozen in time, where the echoes of the past resonate with the present, as we invite you to embark on an extraordinary journey through the enchanting realm of Jurassic Garden. Despite the span of 65 million years separating us from the age of dinosaurs, the fascination with these magnificent creatures persists, captivating the imaginations of generations both young and old.

• Immerse yourself in the prehistoric world as you walk among life-sized dinosaur replicas, igniting your imagination and curiosity about these magnificent creatures.
• Experience the thrill of uncovering ancient artifacts and fossils as you join our team at the Dig It Out! excavation site.
• Take part in an exciting excavation journey and unearth dinosaur-themed treasures that you can take home as souvenirs of your adventure.
• Search for six hidden dinosaur eggs near their parent dinosaurs, assisting in their hatching by splashing them with a water blaster!
• Experience the fun of watering plants herbivorous dinosaurs eat while learning about their diets and getting up close and personal with these gentle giants.
• Join us for an evening of adventure and discovery under the stars at Dino’s After Dark! Explore the excavation site by moonlight and uncover the mysteries of the past in a unique nighttime experience.

Fairchild Gardens is home to the only rainforest in the continental United States.  The two-acre rainforest features waterfalls and cascades throughout. There’s also a cafe and check for special events including evening walks, entertainment, cooking and craft classes, yoga and more.

There are also plant sales and  a lot of themed monthly events, just check the calendar for exact dates:

Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with special times for seniors and the vulnerable. Tickets must be purchased online. For nonmembers admission is $25.00 for adults, $18.00 for seniors; $16.00 for students and $12.00 for children (6-7) .  Children 5 and under are free.  It’s free for members.  Fairchild Gardens, 10901 Old Cutler Road.  

Vizcaya’s 10 acre European-inspired gardens are among the most elaborate in the United States. Reminiscent of gardens created in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Italy and France, the overall landscape design is conceived as a series of rooms.The central space is dominated by low hedges in a geometric arrangement. Beyond that are the evocative Secret Garden, the intimate Theater Garden, the playful Maze Garden and the once-watery domain of the Fountain Garden. On either side of this designed landscape, James Deering preserved the native forest. Also find the orchidarium. The first floor of the Main House is open to visitors.

There’s a farmer’s market and often times booths from local artisans on sunday at the vizcaya village across the street from the botanical garden at the site of the former farmer’s village. there’s also a guided tour of vizcaya village offered and family craft programs and sunday morning wellness classes..

Newest addition to their  ongoing art program— Now on is an animation-based installation  – Vizcaya’s Kitchen and The Clafoutis Sonata; now to April 29, 2024.

This  multimedia installation, brought to life by the visionary talents of Karla Caprali and Sophia Cabral (Caprali and Cinza Lua Studios), reimagines this Gilded Age kitchen through playful animations that interweave with Vizcaya’s rich past. This immersive experience transports visitors into the heart of Vizcaya’s historic kitchen, a space once teeming with life during the winter seasons when James Deering, the estate’s patron, was in residence.

Details on Vizcaya: Besides the 10 acres of formal gardens,  the first floor of the Main House with its collections dating from the early 20th century back to Pompeii is open to visitors. Open Wednesday to Monday, beginning at 9:30 a.m.  and last admission is at 4:30 p.m The Main House is open until 5 p.m. and the gardens until 5:30 p.m. Admission of $25 for adults; $10 for children (6-12) and younger, free; visitors with a disability protected under the ADA and one accompanying caregiver, US military veterans and active duty personnel,  free.  Member tickets are free. Tickets must be bought online. Vizcaya Gardens, 3251 South Miami Avenue.

More Botanical Gardens in Miami

Montgomery Botanical Center

The unexpected Montgomery Botanical Center, founded by Robert and Nell Montgomery,  the founders of Fairchild Tropical Garden, is housed on their 120-acre Coral Gables estate . It includes the largest  private collections of palms and cycads in the world and features over 14,000 plants in the ground and over 10,000 plants in the nursery. As a living tribute to her late husband, in 1959 Nell created The Montgomery Foundation, Inc.—later renamed the Montgomery Botanical Center—as an independent, nonprofit institution devoted to advancing the science of tropical botany.

Email [email protected] to schedule your visit to this botanical garden in Miami. Montgomery Botanical Center, 11901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables 33156.

Pinecrest Gardens

This season, visitors can anticipate a mix of unique experiences and treasured traditions amid an enchanting backdrop including the inaugural Avian Oasis by Myth Makers and the return of Nights of Lights Festival .

Season Highlights:

• Avian Oasis by Myth Makers (Nov. 18 – May 23) –Pinecrest Gardens will present six magnificent bamboo-crafted bird sculptures, each standing up to a staggering 30 feet tall. This first-time outdoor art exhibit is designed to invoke the memories of Franz Scherr’s Parrot Jungle and promises to be a captivating experience for all ages.

Ongoing Events:

Botanical Garden Tours (First Saturday of every month, 10-11:30 a.m.) – Starting this season, visitors can join guided tours of the gardens, led by Pinecrest’s expert horticulture and education teams. These tours are perfect for those looking to explore and learn about the garden’s vibrant ecosystems.

Curious Gardener (Third Thursday of every month, 6:30 – 9 p.m.) – Unearth the secrets of gardening with this hands-on workshop for adults 21+. Each workshop is themed and includes a complimentary beverage.

Plus, there’s the weekly Farmer’s Market and the monthly Herpreneurinitiative celebrating women entrepreneurs. A new perk, Parents Night Out, allows parents to enjoy an evening off while kids partake in garden adventures.

That’s not all! To review the full season lineup and for ticket information, visit www.pinecrestgardens.org .

Deering Estate

In South Miami, Deering Estate, preserves the 1920s era Miami estate of Charles Deering, Chicago industrialist, early preservationist, environmentalist, art collector, philanthropist and first chairman of the International Harvester Company. Nestled along the coast in South Dade, the Deering Estate is a cultural asset and historic site listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has much more than you can imagine such as a night hike & camp fire, and themed cruises Plus concerts, events, workshops.

Upcoming events at this, one of the leading botanical gardens in Miami, include:

Plein Air painting with artist in residence Andres Cabrera Garcia, weekly meeting to paint en plein air on Tuesdays.

Ongoing find other exciting activities by land and sea ranging from bird walks and sunrise photography to moonlight kayak, lighthouses of Biscayne Bay cruise and learning activities for kids ranging from classes in wildlife conservation and marine conservation to field trips.

There are many areas for walking , including  Deering Point, People’s Dock, North Addition Environmentally Endangered Lands, and the Main Estate Grounds. Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM  everyday except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Adults: $15; Youth (ages 4-14): $7; Military & senior discounts  . Deering Estate Foundation Members: Free. Admission can be purchased in advance or at the gate. You can view videos here . Deering Estate, 16701 SW 72nd Avenue.

Much More Than You Can Imagine: Deering Estate

The Kampong 

L ocated on Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove, The Kampong , among Botanical Gardens in Miami,  is known for its tropical fruit cultivars and flowering trees. It’s the former estate of Dr. David Fairchild, the famed botanical explorer who traveled throughout Southeast Asia and other tropical regions collecting exotic plants he introduced to the US. The Kampong Planting Heritage collections from Southeast Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean include exotic fruit and over 50 varieties of mango. Scientists from all over the world come to study their species of palms, cycads and flowering trees. Two hour guided tours with the docent are offered at 10 a.m. Check website for days offered.  Self guided tours are available Tuesday through Friday from 9 am, to 5 pm. Reservations are strongly recommended due to limited parking in the garden.

Price for guided tours, adults $27; seniors $22; children 6-17 $12. Price for self guided tours: Adults, $17; seniors or students, with school ID $12; children $7 (6-17).  There is also a series of monthly lectures on climate and the environment.  Check the website for ticket prices for the guided tour and for discounts for certain categories. Water bottle filling stations are available. 4013 Douglas Rd, Miami

More Botanical Gardens in Miami and Nearby

Miami Beach Botanical Garden

In the category of botanical gardens in Miami,  Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a sustainable urban oasis in the middle of the glitz and neon of South Beach. This lovely garden in Miami with flowering trees, orchids, philodendrons, and more than 100 palm species accent the 3-acre Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Special features include the koi pond, fountains, Japanese Garden, Native Garden and Edible Garden and the Collins Canal Promenade.

It is also a regular stop for migratory birds such as warblers, American redstarts and finches.  Look closely and you will find an array of cardinals, herons, hawks and egrets who their home in the gardens, as well as the many varieties of butterflies and moths who feed off the native host nectar plants.

The central Great Lawn provides plenty of open space to relax and play. Shop the wonderful Botanical Boutique for gifts not only for garden lovers and The Garden Center for plants, seeds, compost soil made in house! Events include Sunday yoga, weekly tai chi and Garden After Dark with concerts, ballet and other happenings! Sign up for their newsletter to find out all about their events.

It’s open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  General admission is free. 2000 Convention Center Dr, Miami Beach, Florida 33139.  Tel:  (305) 673-7256.

Important note: New Parking option – –

10 parking spots are now available on the rooftop (4th floor) of the Convention Center garage with signage indicating that these spots are for Garden visitors only. To access the rooftop spaces, enter the garage from the north end of Convention Center Drive, close to Dade Avenue. After you’ve parked just take the elevator to the first floor and follow the signage to get to the Garden.

The cost for these spaces is $2 per hour (rather than the usual $20 flat fee). To receive the discount, Garden visitors should take their ticket to the Garden’s Botanical Boutique where it will be validated.

Butterfly World

Not just for tourists, Butterfly world is a natural spot in the middle of Coconut Creek.  With botanical gardens, waterfalls, passion vines, and roses  plus six free flight aviaries and even a bug zoo, it is worth spending an afternoon.  See the Florida state butterfly – Zebra longwings, flame vine butterflies and blue morphos, indigenous to tropical forests of Latin America, Mexico and Colombia.  They encourage everyone to start their own butterfly garden as a way to reverse the trend of butterfly habitats threatened by development, climate changes and urbanization.

Open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All tickets must be purchased at the door.  Adults $32.50 plus tax, children $22.50 plus tax.  There is also a cafe that serves lunch, snacks, beverages and dessert. 3600 West Sample Road, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073.  Tel:  ( 954) 977-4434 .

 Botanical Gardens in Palm Beach County

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

In Delray Beach, the 16 acres that surround Morikami’s two museum buildings include expansive Japanese gardens with strolling paths, resting areas,  world-class bonsai collection and lakes teeming with koi and other wildlife. The wider 200-acre park features nature trails, pine forests and picnic areas.

In 2001, Morikami completed a major garden expansion and renovation. The new gardens reflect major periods of Japanese garden design, from the eighth to the 20th century, and serve as an outdoor extension of the museum. According to the garden designer, Hoichi Kurisu , each garden is intended to express the character and ideas of a unique counterpart in Japan without attempting to duplicate those gardens, and seamlessly flow together as one garden.

The museum offers a permanent exhibit chronicling the history of the Yamato Colony, a Japanese farming community in South Florida 100 years ago. The Morikami Collections house more than 7,000 Japanese art objects and artifacts, including a 500-piece collection of tea ceremony items, more than 200 textile pieces and fine art acquisitions.

Special Upcoming Exhibit, April 27- October 6, 2024:

The Morikami Museum celebrates the wisdom and strength of all children in an extraordinary display of traditional dolls ( ningyō ) depicting Japan’s rich samurai culture, inspired by Kodomo no Hi, or Children’s Day. This popular festival was originally known as, Tango no Sekku (First Day of the Horse), and held on the 5 th  day of the 5 th  month.  Noted for the elaborate display of dolls depicting renowned warriors drawn from Japan’s martial past, in 1948 the Japanese government rededicated the May holiday to all children – boys and girls – as Kodomo no Hi.

The Morikami is thrilled to present this rare gathering – curated by Alan Pate – of more than 50 meticulously outfitted musha-ningyō created by leading doll artists of the 19 th  and 20 th centuries on-loan from private collections.M usha-ningyō , or warrior dolls, represent a range of legendary and historic figures. The ascendency of the samurai warrior class in the 11 th  century profoundly shaped the philosophical, political, and visual culture of Japan for the next seven centuries. Samurai-based values and attitudes emphasized martial prowess and strength. The development of the Boy’s Day Ceremony, with its dramatic display of exquisitely dressed  ningyō , not only reflects the proud family lineages and exploits, but the ritual also imbued the figures with a special symbolism that enabled participants to renew their connection with the spirit of the samurai.

Meet the movers and shakers of Japanese lore and legend, including elegant Empress Jingū, shaman and interpreter of dreams; Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Japan’s Great Unifier; Kato Kiyomasa, “The Devil General;” archer Minamoto Yorimasu, the monster-slayer; and Kintarō and Momotarō, beloved boy heroes of superhuman strength. Set against a backdrop of boldly decorated Boy’s Day banners and crested battlefield curtains, you can explore the world of these diminutive icons of nobility and trace their influence on contemporary avatars of the samurai spirit.

The Morikami is thrilled to present this rare gathering – curated by Alan Pate – of more than 50 meticulously outfitted  musha-ningyō  created by leading doll artists of the 19 th  and 20 th  centuries on-loan from private collections.

Throughout the year they offer an incredible schedule of classes and workshops in everything from bonsai and different kinds of ikebana to Japanese ink painting, tea ceremony rituals,  Koto traditional music and more. Click here.

The Cornell  cafe offers sushi and other lunch items and is open Tuesday through Sunday  11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don’t miss their treasure trove of a shop with items from all over Asia.

It’s open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Closed Monday and major holidays. Admission prices: Adults (ages 18+): $16; Seniors (65+) $14; Military (with ID): $14; College Students (with ID): $12; Children (ages 6-17): $10. 4000 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach

Wakodahatchee Wetlands

Constructed on 50 acres of previous wastewater utility property, Wakodahatchee Wetlands are free and open to the public and have become one of the most popular bird watching and photography spots in Palm Beach County.  The park features a three-quarter mile boardwalk that crosses between open water pond areas and islands with shrubs and snags to foster nesting and roosting. The boardwalk has interpretive signage as well as gazebos with benches along the way. This site is part of the South section of the Great Florida Birding Trail and offers many opportunities to observe birds in their natural habitats. Over 178 bird species have been identified there, along with turtles, alligators, rabbits, fish, frogs and raccoons.

Down the street is neighboring Green Cay Nature Center overlooking 100 acres of constructed wetland with 1.5 miles of elevated boardwalk. Stroll the boardwalk and look for shorebirds, hummingbirds, wading birds and owls (and more).  If you get lucky you will see an alligator (or two!)

The Nature Center includes a lecture hall, gift shop, and live animals in an extensive exhibit room that highlights wetland habitats.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands is located at 13026 Jog Rd, Delray Beach, Florida 33446 .  Tel:  (561) 493-6000. Green Cay Nature Center is located at 12800 Hagen Ranch Road, Boynton Beach, Florida 33437. Tel:  561-966-7000 . Please visit https://discover.pbcgov.org .

Mounts Botanical Gardens

This hidden gem is an oasis in the middle of the city.  With a mission to “inspire and educate through nature” and a history spanning more than 40 years, Mounts Botanical is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Visitors to this 16-acre tropical oasis will see an acclaimed collection of 25 display gardens containing more than 6,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including Florida native plants, exotic and tropical fruit trees, ornamentals, herbs, palms, roses, cactus, succulents, bromeliads and much more.

Not to be missed is their latest permanent exhibition, Moai At Mounts Botanical Garden, bringing the awe and wonder of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) to Mount’s tropical forest garden.

The three, large-scale statues designed by artist Dennis MacDonald are replicas f the iconic monolithic, human figures located on Easter Island.

The garden is open November-May: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (last entry at 3:00 p.m.) June – October: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (last entry at 2:00 p.m.) Closed on Mondays and all Palm Beach County holidays.  Admission:  $20 adults; $18 seniors, college students and military with ID; $13 for ages 6 to 17.  Free for children under 6. Mounts Botanical Garden is located at 531 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Florida 33415.  Tel: (561) 233-1757.  Visit www.mounts.org.

Besides botanical gardens in Miami, for a guide to all parks in Miami-Dade County and information on everything from eco adventures, water access, botanical gardens in Miami and marinas to golf, beaches and more , click here.

Looking for more scenic walks in Miami? Check out this post on best hiking, walking and biking trails. 

Best Hiking, Biking and Walking Trails

15 Responses

Please don’t forget Miami Beach’s Botanical Garden near Lincoln Road

Actually I mentioned it at the end. It’s reopening mid June. It’s a great place and the shop is a favorite.

Love the walks in the garden. Thanks for letting us know they are open again Karen!

Patch of Heaven Sanctuary needs to be on this list. As their name suggests, it’s exactly that. A 22 acre heritage haven with Asian relics and lush foliage at every turn. I’ve been lucky to have my cooking classes hosted there with a tour after. Always appreciated.

Impressive, have to check it out!

What a wonderful idea for an outing thank you Karen

The information here is wonderful. It makes me want to just walk out the door with sunscreen in hand and not come back for days. Thank you for all of your good research and have a wonderful day the next time you enjoy your time in any one of these places.

It really is amazing that there are so many botanical gardens in the tri county area. I have a lot more to go to!

This article is a keeper! Inspires me to get out and about.

Happy to hear it!

Great information! I’ve lived in Miami for 20+ years and there are places here I did not know existed. I’ve started planning discovery adventures. Thanks for sharing.

The jazz series concert in the Miami Beach Botanical garden is amazing I have gone to two already and French Horns is playing on Friday May 27. Not to be missed!

I thought I knew about tropical gardens in Miami, but you wowed me with all the ones we haven’t explored! Thank you again for the great work you do.

Please visit Patch of Heaven Sanctuary which is a 20 acre historic property in the Redland area near Monkey Jungle. Major garden areas, Koi pond, forest, butterfly house, Mindful garden and historic bldgs all combine to provide a special experience. I would be happy to show you about and you can sample what is here on our Insta @patchofheavensanctuary

Good addition, thank you.

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8 Must-See Public Gardens to Visit in Philadelphia

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By Melissa O'Brien

Spring has sprung and eight spectacular gardens managed by PHS's Public Gardens and Landscapes are blooming across Philadelphia – including 70,000 rainbow-colored bulbs in Philadelphia’s Logan Square alone!  

“PHS maintains a wide range of public gardens and landscapes that contribute to the rich cultural fabric of the City of Philadelphia. They serve to not only beautify, but also educate and inspire visitors through discovering first-hand the positive impact that urban public greenspaces have on a community,” says PHS Director of Public Gardens and Landscapes, Tom Morris. 

Visit these eight must-see public gardens and landscapes in Philadelphia for an exciting and inspiring respite from winter with multi-colored plantings and new designs and renovations. 

1. Logan Square - Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Experience a rainbow-colored assortment of 70,000 bulbs at Logan Square this spring! In partnership with Jack de Vrooman, a famed flower bulb and perennial plant expert from the Netherlands, PHS installed elaborately designed mixes of bulbs throughout the Logan Square garden spaces to showcase flowers reminiscent of those found in the celebrated Keukenhof Garden in Lisse, Netherlands. This garden, famous for its vast expanse of vibrantly colored tulips, will be brought to life here in Philadelphia. A picturesque spot to celebrate the arrival of Spring, you do not want to miss this breathtaking garden! 

2. The Gateway Garden at Drexel – University City

Now entering its second year, the Gateway Garden at Drexel will be adding 1,000 square feet of space to offer guests more seating and lounge options. Open to everyone including the Drexel University community, garden guests can also anticipate the addition of several new planters, and a vibrant new palette of spring plantings to refresh and inspire visitors to celebrate the outdoors. 

The Gateway Garden’s weekly “Meet the Brewers” beer garden events will be expanding this season due to popular demand. Running on Wednesdays from April - August, the roster of brewers and cider makers that plan to visit include Triple Bottom Brewing, Urban Village Brewing, Dressler Estate, Hale and True Cideries, and many more. On Thursdays, guests can enjoy outdoor vendor markets featuring local artists and producers. You won’t want to miss this buzzing hotspot! 

3. PHS Pop Up Gardens – South Street and Manayunk

Whether you’re seeking a relaxing midday escape somewhere green, a hot spot for urban nightlife and delicious botanical cocktails, or a place to enjoy the best of Philly foodie culture, either the PHS South Street and Manayunk Pop Up Gardens will be a great choice to ring in springtime! 

The Pop Up Garden in Manayunk features an array of cool season annuals and bulbs, as well as North American native plants and flowers which will mimic the feel of an urban forest. Additionally, Manayunk will plant several new street trees this year, as well as incorporate 2022 PHS Gold Medal Plant winner, Acer freemanii, ‘Autumn Blaze’ to the garden’s plant and floral design palette. 

At the South Street Pop Up Garden , guests will be greeted with a mix of annuals and bulbs, layered with existing selections of diverse perennials and herbs. Come the summer months, dramatic, large-scale tropicals with long-lasting colorful annuals will be rotated into the garden space, delivering beauty and vibrancy well into the Fall. 

In addition, Manayunk and South Street Pop Up Gardens also have a full roster of events and programming beginning in April – including plant swaps, giveaways, and hands-on crafting events -- most free, and always fun! 

4. Delaware River Waterfront – Old City

This spring, the Delaware River Waterfront and its medians will feature stunning plants that offer unique spring interest, such as blooming cherry trees, early Spring perennials such as Hellebore, Euphorbia, Salvia, Nassella, and many others to excite and inspire visitors. 

Come Summer, these gardens will be refreshed with ornate installations to prepare for the Summerfest Openings, including large annual and tropical container plantings at Spruce Street Harbor Park, Summerfest, and Cherry Street Pier. Pay a visit to this gorgeous waterfront and experience a refreshing getaway with all its floral delights! 

5. Love Park Garden – Center City

New this year, PHS will partner with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation to maintain the garden spaces and displays in Love Park! New plantings will adorn the park this year with a mix of color as well as bold plantings, including large tropical foliage, bright magenta annuals, and urban tolerant perennials that will span four large beds, approximately 6,500 square feet.  

This unique garden space will also include numerous shrubs as a backdrop for copper and burgundy-toned foliage, and colorful bulbs will fill large swaths of the garden emerging as the temperatures rise, welcoming in the season. Stop by, take a photo with the iconic LOVE statue, and soak in the beauty of vibrant flowers and greenery to brighten up your day. 

6. Eastern State Penitentiary Gardens – Fairmount Area  

Last Fall, many of the original plantings (Viburnum trilobum, Viburnum prunifolium, and Viburnum dentatum) onsite at the Eastern State Penitentiary gardens were cut back to ground level to rejuvenate and prune them for fresh and vigorous growth this season. This spring, the Eastern State Penitentiary gardens will continue renovations while visitors can experience a sequence of new bulbs, including daffodils and various species of eye-catching tulips. On the southern façade, 300 containers of warm season grasses will thrive in the full sun coverage and offer guests a beautiful splash of green at this historic city landmark. 

7. Philadelphia Navy Yard Gardens – South Philadelphia 

This upcoming season, visitors to the Philadelphia Navy Yard will be greeted with a wonderful display of Spring bulbs, including a variety of tulips, Camassia, and Alliums, as well as several new trees in the Navy Yard Arboretum. Along the waterfront, visitors will find beautiful perennial gardens, offering a picturesque vantage point to see passing ships and planes overhead, while soaking in the Springtime beauty of the gardens. For those looking to foster their green thumb, or anyone looking to expand their horticultural expertise, seasonal gardeners will be available across the 1,200-acre campus to give further insight and detail about the varied horticultural displays. Pay a visit to this South Philadelphia landmark and experience all the gorgeous views and lush garden spaces in store this season! 

8. Geary Park – South Philadelphia 

In collaboration with the Sports Complex Special Services District, PHS has completely renovated Geary Park in South Philadelphia, providing a brand-new space for the community based on feedback calling for more lighting, open space, and beautiful gardens for visitors to enjoy. 

The park now features an extensive lighting plan which will be programmable with colors for holidays and Philly sports gamedays! Geary Park’s garden renovations will be reminiscent of strolling gardens, with various brick walking paths, new site furnishings, a nature grove, and various colorful flowering plants and trees, creating a serene and relaxing experience for visitors. Pay a visit to Geary Park following its May 24th ribbon-cutting ceremony and experience everything this exciting, full renovation has in store! 

Promoting Health and Well-Being

PHS public gardens and landscapes are an integral part of the PHS mission of promoting health and well-being through horticulture. These areas create vital greenspace throughout the Philadelphia region, contribute to a much-needed tree canopy, and attract vital pollinators, all while benefiting both physical and mental health. Free to access for all, these spaces offer neighbors, suburbanites, and out-of-town visitors the opportunity to connect with the natural world, be inspired by plants and gardening, and foster social connections. 

Sign up for updates on PHS public gardens and local landscapes, including the Pop Up Gardens and Meadowbrook Farm.

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Best Southern California Botanical Gardens

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Southern California’s Botanical Gardens are a perfect choice if you’re looking for an affordable day trip. These stunning destinations offer free or low-cost admission, and most gardens include areas designed especially for kids . Spring is the most popular season to visit a SoCal Garden, but just about any time of the year is perfect for enjoying these beautiful outdoor places. Our list contains gardens from Santa Barbara to San Diego , so you can easily find one near your home.

Sherman Gardens Corona Del Mar

Sherman’s Gardens can be found on the Pacific Coast Highway in Corona Del Mar, California. Despite its small size, this garden boasts stunning displays of flowers and plants. The Herb Garden is more than just for show, as Café Jardin, the restaurant on site, incorporates fresh herbs into the chef’s “coastal garden” cuisine. 2647 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar , California.

Niguel Botanical Preserve

Like a hidden gem, a beautiful garden is behind a Laguna Niguel community park. Spread across 18 acres of hillside, just 4 miles away from the Pacific Ocean, this garden offers steep trails with plenty of rest stops. If you’re visiting with children, there’s a playground nearby. The Admission and parking are free, and the view from the park’s top is breathtaking.. 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, California.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

Long Beach State has a charming garden where some famished Koi Fish reside. The park spans just over one acre, yet every nook and cranny is brimming with trees, plants, and flowers. This garden is unavailable to the general public on Saturdays due to the hosting of weddings and other events. Admission to Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is free. 1250 Bellflower Blvd., California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, California.

Huntington Library & Gardens

Huntington Gardens showcases the best plants and fauna that Southern California offers. Garden areas for visitors to roam include Japanese, Chinese, Desert, Tropical, Australian, Rose, Shakespeare, Conservatory, and Jungle Gardens. There’s even a unique Children’s Garden for the youngsters. Be prepared to do a lot of walking, so wear comfortable clothing and shoes. 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, California.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Seventy-eight acres to explore more than a thousand plant species thriving in various garden sections. Mission Creek runs through the canyon and includes a rock dam constructed to supply nearby Mission Santa Barbara water. The garden is in a valley with beautiful views of the towering mountains behind the coastline. 1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara , California.

San Diego Botanic Garden

Explore a 35-acre haven of garden trails boasting a spectacular array of flowering trees and plants from across the globe. The four-mile path is segmented into 24 unique gardens, each showcasing a different environment. Be amazed by one of the world’s most extensive and diverse plant collections as you wander through canyons and hillsides, observing various habitats. You can also unwind in the many secluded nooks dotted throughout the gardens. Find this tranquil oasis at 230 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, California.

Balboa Park Botanical Building

The Botanical Building, constructed for the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition, houses over 2,000 plants, including orchids, ferns, trees, and flowers. The building is not just a home for these plants but also a sight to behold. Visitors can also enjoy the nearby Lilly Pond, built for the exact exposition. Admission to the Botanical Building is free, but dogs are not permitted inside. However, they are welcome in the park surrounding the building.

Fullerton Arboretum

The nursery, situated on a sprawling 26-acre land at Cal State Fullerton Campus, has a noble objective of preserving the planet’s botanical treasures. Among its notable features are the native vegetation of southern California, a unique fruit grove, a massive 11,000 square foot organic vegetable garden, the Channel Islands garden, an extensive cycad collection, a conifer collection, a palm grove, community gardens, and a children’s playground. Fullerton  Arboretum makes a great day trip destination for the whole family.

Japanese Gardens Van Nuys

If you like Star Trek, you will enjoy the Japanese Gardens in Van Nuys. You may recognize the building in the above image as Starfleet Academy. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek Voyager, and Star Trek Deep Space Nine all included scenes shot at the gardens. The building, in real life, is a water reclamation plant. Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, California.

Conejo Valley Botanic Garden

33-acre garden located in Thousand Oaks, California. Admission and parking are free. The kids’ adventure garden is the most popular attraction and is open on Sundays from 11 am to 3 pm. The garden also features a nature trail through plants and flowers separated by geographical regions. Park benches and picnic tables.

South Coast Botanic Garden

Located in a former landfill, the South Coast Botanic Garden is a green oasis surrounded by urban sprawl. The 80-plus acre botanical garden and culture center features many different gardens, including a Mediterranean, Rose, Water-Wise, Garden of the Senses, Cactus, Children’s, Herb Garden, and Japanese Garden. 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Peninsula , California.

Descanso Gardens

This 150-acre gem was developed as a year-round retreat for urban dwellers and highlights nature’s beauty through an internationally renowned botanical collection and seasonal horticultural displays. For kids, the Enchanted Railroad is a lot of fun. It allows you to ride aboard a 1/8th replica of a diesel train that travels around a Descanso Gardens section. 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, California.

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

One of the fascinating attractions at Rancho Santa Ana is the perennial plants indigenous to Baja and the southernmost part of California. With over 70,000 plant species native to California, this botanical garden is a must-visit destination. The park has informative signs that provide visitors with comprehensive details about the plants, birds, and butterflies that can be seen there. You can join a guided tour to gain more insights from experts. The garden is located at 1500 N College Ave, Claremont, California.

California State University Northridge Botanic Garden

A small garden spanning an acre is located at the heart of the Northridge campus. Though not extravagant, it is a peaceful haven for students seeking refuge from their classes. The garden was founded in 1959 and boasts an impressive collection of over 1,000 plant species, predominantly native Californian plants. The park is exclusively open on weekdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Alta Vista Gardens Vista CA

The garden has hundreds of unique and exciting plants and showcases sculptures and artworks throughout the grounds. Expect to find a new remarkable sculpture at each trail twist, often accompanied by a bench with a beautiful North San Diego County view. Admission is free; donations are always welcome. 1270 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista, California.

Los Angeles County Arboretum

From sweeping lawns with peacocks that roam free to cactus gardens, hothouses filled with orchids, ponds with sunbathing turtles, and Asian gardens, this 127-acre historical site also serves as the summertime home of the California Philharmonic’s Concerts on the Green. 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia , California.

Moorten Gardens Palm Springs

Visitors to Palm Springs can discover a hidden gem in the gardens, where they can leisurely walk and admire the impressive collection. This shaded area is ideal for wandering and relaxing, as it boasts over 3,000 desert plants arranged in specific habitats along a marked natural trail. 1701 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs , California.

Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden

If you’re in the area, check out the garden in Pollywog Park. Spanning less than an acre, it boasts an impressive assortment of native and drought-resistant California plants. While a trip here might only take up to 20 minutes, it’s worth stopping by before heading to Manhattan Beach Pier. Additionally, Pollywog Park has a lake and a spacious playground for children.

Wrigley Gardens Catalina Island

One of the island’s main attractions is the gardens, which feature a stunning monument to William Wrigley Jr. and a lush garden designed by his wife. The gardens showcase plants endemic to Southern California’s coast and islands, focusing primarily on Catalina Island plants. 1402 Avalon Canyon Rd, Avalon, Catalina Island , California.

Queen Califia’s Magical Circle Garden

French artist Niki de Saint Phalle crafted this enchanting sculpture garden. Her inspiration came from her visions of the history of early California, myths, and the culture of Native Americans, which are reflected in the magical artworks present in the garden.

Gardens at Casa Romantica

Casa Romantic is situated in San Clemente and boasts picturesque gardens, including the top bluff garden, native American garden, butterfly garden, herb garden, and cactus & succulent gardens. These gardens also offer a cozy small amphitheater terrace.

100 Amazing Southern Destinations for Your Bucket List

Gubler orchid farm landers, cactus mart morongo valley.

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The Garden is operated by the Gregor Medel Foundation, a non-profit organization.

We are pleased to see the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden on your important list of local gardens. Please remove the above line. We no longer use this foundation name but are operated within the CVBotanic Garden. Thank you. Beverly Brune

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To get a feel for what you might see when you come visit the U.S. Botanic Garden, we encourage you to take our virtual tour. You’ll get a peek at our Conservatory , gated outdoor gardens and Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens , but the plant displays and exhibits are likely to be different each time you come.

Find lots more ways you can connect with the Garden from home at www.USBG.gov/AtHome !

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• Jump into a virtual tour in full screen

We've worked with Google Street View to gather 360-degree imagery throughout the Garden -- both in the outdoor gardens and also inside the Conservatory! A few proposed starting points are embedded below. You can interact with them to look around and move in any direction. Every garden room throughout the Garden can be explored! Also, if you make the image full screen, you'll see a map in the bottom left that will show in blue all the pathways through the Garden where you can virtually visit. Enjoy exploring!

​Proposed virtual tour starting points: Outdoor Gardens, Rose Garden:

Conservatory Interior, Tropics House:

Outdoor Gardens, Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens:

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• Tour the Garden with Deputy Executive Director Dr. Susan Pell and learn about plant morphology. (Part 1 of the playlist below. See all videos by clicking the video's top right corner or click here to see the full playlist .)

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The best botanical gardens and hidden oases in Los Angeles

Stop and smell the flowers at the most beautiful botanical gardens in Los Angeles, from Japanese gardens to hidden oases

Los Angeles—and California as a whole—is a pretty amazing place, botanically speaking. Stick practically any plant in the ground and it’ll grow, hence the palm tree-lined streets and the ubiquitous jacaranda tree bloom .

Even though some of us can reach out our windows and pluck an  avocado  from a tree, a trip to one of the region’s many botanical gardens (easily among the best things to do in L.A. ) reveals vegetation that simply can’t be found on our city streets.

We’ve rounded up some of our favorites—broken up by category, like Japanese gardens  or museum grounds—from botanical gardens in the San Gabriel Valley  to a hidden oasis in a  Hollywood  Hills park .

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Japanese & botanical gardens

The Huntington Library, Art Museum & Botanical Gardens

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Reservations required on weekends.

You’ll find cultural glories inside the library’s impressive book collection—the bequest of entrepreneur Henry E. Huntington—but the Huntington’s true highlights are outdoors in its vast jigsaw of botanical gardens, arguably the most glorious in the entire Los Angeles region. The acres and acres of public gardens are divided into a variety of themes, including a prickly desert garden, a serene Japanese garden and bamboo forest, as well as a recently-expanded assembly of Chinese pagodas, pavilions and bridges.

Descanso Gardens

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This delightful tribute to the horticultural magic of Southern California includes more than 600 varieties of camellia (these are best seen between January and April, when there are around 34,000 of the plants in bloom) and some five acres of roses. There are also lilac, orchid, fern and California native plant areas, as well as a tea house—flanked by seasonal cherry blossoms—donated by the Japanese-American community.

Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden

These gorgeous grounds in Arcadia have been designed as an educational facility (the plants are mostly arranged by region, and tours are available), but many people simply come here for a little peace and quiet. You could wander these gardens for hours, taking in tropical forests and waterfalls, trees and fish. Plus, be on the lookout for wild peacocks, which were first imported into the area in the late 1800s and have stuck around ever since.

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

This nearly two-acre private Japanese garden and traditional teahouse opens its doors to the public on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. First constructed in the late 1930s, the garden features two ponds, four bridges and a cascading waterfall, all centered around a Japanese tea house. The current structure was painstakingly restored after a fire in 1981; the original was created in Japan by landscape designer and craftsman Kinzuchi Fujii.

South Coast Botanic Garden

• Rancho Palos Verdes/Rolling Hills Estates

Reservations required.

This South Bay botanical garden covers 87 acres on the northeast side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. You’ll find a mix of Southern California flora, from fuchsia to the talngled roots of Moreton Bay Fig trees, alonside more specialized areas like small Japanese and desert gardens. It may not be as grandiose as some other gardens, but it’s well worth the reasonable price of admission. Look out for its special dog walking hours , too, typically on the third Sunday of the month.

The Japanese Garden

This appropriately titled Japanese garden sits just across from the Sepulveda Basin on the border of Van Nuys. The stony bridges and footpaths wind along a central pond, flanked by by rockwork, manicured trees and tea houses. Of course, this wouldn’t be the Valley without a bit of an industrial edge—the garden is irrigated by the adjacent Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant.

Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens

• Griffith Park

Reservations recommended.

The L.A. Zoo’s greatest asset is its location in the isolated hills of Griffith Park . It’s a pretty popular place, but the zoo’s size—80 acres, plus a huge parking lot—means that, like the park itself, it rarely feels busy. There’s not a separate botanical garden here (and fauna is definitely the main focus over flora), but you will find over 800 different plant species, from native succulents to prehistoric cycads, labeled and catalogued throughout the zoo’s continentally-themed habitats.

James Irvine Japanese Garden

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Currently, the only way to access the garden is via dinner at the Hansei pop-up .

This small, tranquil garden is one of Little Tokyo ’s best-kept secrets as the urban oasis isn’t accessible from the street. According to the adjoining community center, gardens carry great importance in Japanese culture—caring for the grounds is a form of art and spending time among the flora encourages harmony with nature—so walk the outer path for a complete view of the garden’s foliage, babbling stream and cascading waterfall.

Mansion & institution gardens

Getty Center

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Perhaps the only thing more impressive than the J. Paul Getty Trust’s astronomical endowment is the famed hilltop art museum’s grounds. Once you’ve taken the electric tram ride up the hill, one thing becomes apparent: it’s a big place. Zigzagging paths cut across a manicured creek and down to artist Robert Irwin’s Central Garden, with a pond and hedge maze as its focus. You’ll find bits of greenery elsewhere among the limestone edifices, but make sure to visit the perch above the cactus garden, set against the Century City skyline and Pacific Ocean.

Exposition Park Rose Garden

• USC/Exposition Park

The host of two Olympics (with a third on the way), Exposition Park stands as one of L.A.’s most significant institutions. Home to the Natural History Museum , California Science Center and California African American Museum , you’ll find green spaces scattered around the USC-adjacent property. But the most charming section resides in the fragrant Rose Garden, where you can rest in one of the gazebos or take a stroll around the central fountain, all the while admiring its beautiful brick neighbors.

Getty Villa

• Pacific Palisades

This Pacific Palisades villa—the original site of J. Paul Getty’s collection—houses thousands of Greek and Roman artifacts, but you could easily be satisfied just wandering through its gardens. Built to mimic a Roman country house, the villa’s central pool is flanked by flower beds and bronze busts, and its southernmost point offers the tiniest glimpse of the ocean. Make sure to explore both sides to find an edible garden and a fountain set against a vibrant mosaic.

Virginia Robinson Gardens

• Beverly Hills

Reservations required. Tour calendar posted monthly.

Department store magnates Virginia and Harry Robinson built this Beverly Hills estate in 1911, and upon their passing it entered into the county’s hands as a public park. Because of the six-and-a-half-acre estate’s quiet residential location, it’s only accessible via docent-led tours, which you’ll need to arrange two weeks in advance over the phone or via email. Once inside, you’ll find finely manicured gardens and a just as impeccably assembled mansion. In keeping with its storied history of lavish Hollywood parties, the estate hosts a swanky garden party at the beginning of each summer.

Greystone Mansion

• Walks and tours

This 55-room Tudor estate is a good way to get a glimpse into the lives of L.A.’s historical 1%. Though the interior is only open for events and tours, the exterior gardens are open daily, free of charge. Take a stroll through alleys of poplars and cypress trees, a fountain and reflecting pool, and a terraced pool area.

Urban & hidden gardens

Amir’s Garden

In 1971, hiker Amir Dialameh singlehandedly nurtured a scorched hillside in Griffith Park into a shaded retreat. More than a half-century later, this five-acre, volunteer-run garden remains a favorite rest stop for hikers and equestrians alike. Getting here is the difficult part: It’s about a half-mile walk uphill from the trailhead at Mineral Wells Road and Griffith Park Drive. But the payoff is sweet once you’ve found a seat on the hilltop picnic benches, among a patchwork of flower beds.

Arlington Garden

Pasadena certainly doesn’t come up short when it comes to green space. But among all those parks and plazas, Arlington Garden is the only public garden in the city. Walk among sycamores and succulents in this Italian-inspired sanctuary and navigate a seven circuit labyrinth.

Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine

Meditation gardens open Wednesday through Sunday with free reservations . Time slots open Saturdays at 10am for the week ahead.

Just inland from the Pacific Coast Highway and easy to miss when you’re rushing to catch the sunset, the mystical, mysterious Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is run by a non-denominational order that welcomes visitors but doesn’t proselytise to them. Set on a 10-acre site that was used as a film set during the silent era, the lovely gardens evoke old Hollywood: look out for the Dutch windmill chapel, the Mississippi houseboat and a number of gliding swans. The East, meanwhile, is represented by a gilded lotus gate enclosing a shrine that contains some of Gandhi’s ashes.

Blue Ribbon Garden at the Walt Disney Concert Hall

• Music venues

It’s impossible to cruise along Grand Avenue and miss the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a twisted metallic explosion of Frank Gehry’s imagination. You may not realize, though, that the acoustically impressive hall harbors a lush garden in its shadows . Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to sit on your lunch hour or a climb along the building’s lustrous exterior, it’s the perfect spot to both appreciate and escape the city.

Los Angeles River Center and Gardens

• Cypress Park

Events, weddings and banquets are often held at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens, but the former site of the Lawry’s California Center is an ideal spot for an afternoon stroll as well. Stop by the visitor center, which serves as an exhibit hall celebrating the L.A. River, or walk through the small River Garden Park at the corner of San Fernando Road and Avenue 26, where you might see families picnicking or joggers taking a water break.

Garden of Oz

Tucked between the Hollywood Reservoir and the Hollywood Sign , this mosaic-filled grove of folk art is decidedly not public: The locked gate and general lack of information clearly state that this garden is meant to be hush-hush. But as a Designated Historic-Cultural Monument (#996), its existence isn’t exactly secret; the hours aren’t consistent, but you can sometimes visit it on Thursdays from 10am to noon (as long as you don’t take photos inside). At any other time, we just request that you glance into this peaceful terrace of tilework and potted succulents from a respectful distance.

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The Chicago Botanic Garden has 385 acres of nature, beauty, and respite to discover.

Today's Hours

8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Free Admission Opportunities

The Chicago Botanic Garden offers a number of Free Admission Days for Illinois residents each year.

Preregistration for nonmembers is required and will extend until the Garden is at capacity; parking fees apply. Visitors can preregister up to two months in advance for free admission days. Please see the chart below for this year's Free Admission Days.

Please note: Free admissions are not applicable during ticketed events (e.g., Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns, Lightscape, the Orchid Show, Orchids After Hours).

Preregister for free admission

2024 Free Admission Days

Free admission – no advance ticket required.

Preregistration is not required in advance, including on Free Admission Days, for the following people:

Active-Duty Military      The Garden would like to thank our active duty U.S. military personnel and/or their families for their service with free admission for their family and free parking. Please present an ID at the entry gatehouse (one car/van vehicle per entry) and at the entrance to the Visitor Center. 

U.S. Military Reservists and Former POWs      The Garden would like to thank U.S. military reservists and former POWs for their years of service with free parking and free admission for one person . Please present your ID at the entry gatehouse (one car/van vehicle per entry) and at the entrance to the Visitor Center. 

LINK and WIC Cardholders      As part of the Museums for All program, any visitor with a state-issued EBT card (known as a LINK card) or WIC card and anyone in their households receive free admission and free parking. Please present your card at the entry gatehouse (one car/van vehicle per entry) and at the entrance to the Visitor Center. (not applicable for Night of 1,000 Jack o Lanterns and Lightscape)

Illinois Educators      Illinois primary and secondary educators receive free parking and admission for one educator per visit. Please present your valid educator ID at the entry gatehouse (one car/van vehicle per entry) and at the entrance to the Visitor Center. (not applicable for Night of 1,000 Jack o Lanterns and Lightscape)

Kids’ Museum Passport      The Chicago Public Library offers Kids' Museum Passports to a number of public institutions, including the Chicago Botanic Garden. The passport allows a family of four general admission during regular public hours. Group must include at least one child under 18; maximum of two adults admitted with this pass.  Parking for one vehicle per pass is included. Please present your Chicago Public Library Passport at the entry gatehouse (one car/van vehicle per entry) and at the entrance to the Visitor Center. (not applicable for Night of 1,000 Jack o Lanterns and Lightscape)

Visitor Information

Code of conduct, accessibility, accommodations.

8 Gardens to Visit around Seattle & Tacoma

This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated for this post. Please read our disclosure policy here .

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8 Gardens to Visit in Seattle & Tacoma

The Pacific Northwest is known for being an outdoor lover’s paradise with the abundance of beautiful mountains, unique islands, driftwood beaches & many trails & hikes all around the area. The Puget Sound area in Western Washington also has quite the wealth of beautiful gardens to visit. Everything from the more European style formal gardens to the Japanese gardens with the beautiful bridges over ponds. A number of these are totally free to visit, too. Ideally, the spring or summer are the best months to see the peak blooms, but fall would be another fun season to visit to see the changing colors with all the trees. And if you want somewhere to go for a peaceful walk, winter would be a great time to visit as well.

Kubota Garden – Seattle

Location: Seattle Cost: Free to visit Times to Visit: 6am – 10pm (always check the website to see current times) Pet Friendly: dogs allowed on leash

The Kubota Garden in Seattle are an urban garden oasis right in the middle of the Rainier Beach neighborhood in south Seattle. This is a stunning Seattle Japanese garden on 20 acres surrounded by neighborhoods. Fijitaro Kubota, a master landscaper & horticultural pioneer, established these gardens at his home estate in 1927, as a way to merge Japanese design techniques with the Northwest native plants. In 1987, the city of Seattle acquired the property & turned it into a city park, so it is completely free to visit.

This Seattle Japanese garden feels so much bigger than it is because there are so many unique aspects to this park & such beauty at every turn.  There are 2 striking Japanese red bridges & 9 ponds. Kids will love looking for koi in the ponds – the ponds are such a highlight of these gardens. These gardens would honestly be beautiful any time of year, even winter, due to the different aspects featured such as streams, waterfalls, ponds & bridges & more.  {Make sure to check the ponds for the large koi fish, too – kids will love looking for the fish!} They have vibrant pops of color in the spring & summer (30 varieties of hydrangeas blooming in the summer) & fall would be gorgeous with the changing colors as there are 140 maple varieties.

While this is going to be a much busier park, due to its location within the city & being a city park, it still feels like there is plenty of space to enjoy it. (During the busy seasons, you may want to head there on a weekday, though, as weekends will be quite busy on pretty days). We went on a busy Saturday, but honestly never felt crowded. Another bonus to this park’s location is that it is just a 5 – 10 minute drive to Seward Park, another Seattle city park. Seward Park is located on the shores of Lake Washington & I highly suggest you pair it with a visit to the Kubota Garden in Seattle as there are so many beautiful walking trails along the lakeshore & the forest on this point.

Rhododendron Species Garden

Location: Federal Way Cost: $8/adults & children 12 & under are free. Military members are free too. Seniors are $5/ea Times to Visit: Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 4pm (always check their website for current times) Pet Friendly: no pets allowed

The Rhododendron Species Botanical Gardens (RSBG) are located in Federal Way, literally right off the I5 freeway, so these gardens are easily accessible & a great stopping point if you are doing a longer drive & want a pretty destination to get out & stretch your legs & enjoy some beautiful gardens. They are open year-round for visits, with 22 acres of gardens & grounds. They  boast the largest collection of varied Rhododendron species in the world & mid March to mid May is the peak season for these blooms.

The gardens are actually a living museum, meaning that they are not only a public garden destination, but they also share their international collection of rhodies with the scientific community for research purposes and they offer quite a few educational events. They have a nursery open year-round with many of the unique & different species of rhodies that you will see in the gardens, if you want to take any home with you to plant at home.

We visited the Rhododendron Gardens on Mother’s Day one year & it was the perfect destination for a relaxing stroll thru the beautiful flowers. I love that rhododendrons can be so vibrant with bold color so it makes for a colorful walk thru the blooming garden in the spring. While they do have so many rhododendron plants all over the grounds, these are not the only pops of color as there are many other blooming flowers you will find as well, such as camellias, magnolias, poppies & more.

There are quite a few different areas of these large gardens, including a large gazebo with sitting to sit out & look over the gardens. One of my favorite areas is the pond & the flowers & trees surrounding it filled with various colors as well & such full foliage.Another unique aspect to these gardens is the largest public Stumpery. These are a number of stumps all placed around an area with ferns, hostas & groundcovers spilling over the mossy stumps & logs.

On the same grounds as the Rhododendron Gardens is the Pacific Bonsai Museum. This is a small museum, but it’s fascinating to see the bonsai trees, both large & small. There are some unique bonsai creations & the detail is fascinating to see. Definitely worth a visit to see these unusual trees! Make sure to check out our Des Moines guide for some delicious restaurants & more outdoor adventures nearby, as well.

PowellsWood Garden

Location: Federal Way Cost: $7/adults, Children 12 & under – free Times to Visit: Tues – Sat 10am – 3pm (closed holidays except Mother’s Day) – always check the website for most accurate info. No reservations needed. Pet Friendly: no pets allowed

PowellsWood Garden is located in Federal Way near Dash Point State Park. It is a 40 acre nature preserve – the actual gardens are about 3 acres but they are then nestled against 35 acres of native forest. So, it combines the beautiful flower gardens with the beauty of the native plants & forest. They have nice trails to walk thru the woods and enjoy the different varieties of native plants.

There are about 5 specific garden areas, but there are more areas to walk thru with flowers all around the grounds & they should be blooming at different times throughout the spring as it seemed like they had a great variety of plants & flowers in different stages of bloom. There is a stream & pond inside the gardens as well, which is always popular with kids. I just loved how lush this garden feels & with the woods surrounding it, it feels very serene & such an oasis to escape to for quiet & beauty. You are also welcome to bring a picnic lunch if you’d like to sit & enjoy the gardens longer (just pack out your trash)

We visited the gardens on Mother’s Day, as well (Are you sensing a theme for our Mother’s Day?) as they often have a Mother’s Day tea on their patio. It was the perfect place to visit during the prime time of the spring flowers and enjoy tea & desserts. {I’m not sure if they will have a tea this year, but keep watch on their social media or website as it’s such a nice way to spend the afternoon.}

Bellevue Botanical Gardens

Location: Bellevue Cost: Free Times to Visit: Open daily, dawn to dusk Pet Friendly: No dogs allowed

The Bellevue Botanical Gardens are one of my favorite gardens around the Puget Sound area. They just have such a great variety of flowering plants, with plants blooming all different times during the spring & summer to provide lasting color throughout the garden. Plus there are so many water features such as mini waterfalls & streams all throughout the garden, making it interesting for kids & adults. The gardens are 53 acres, which are made up of multiple different garden areas. The gardens include a Fuschia garden, Native Discovery garden, Rhododendron Glen & more.

In the back area of the gardens is the Ravine area, which has a 1/3 mile nature trail thru this area of forest, and is highlighted by a 150 ft unique suspension bridge (this was definitely a favorite for our girls, walking on the suspension bridge). We also loved that they offered a large lawn area in the middle of the gardens where you could bring a picnic blanket & enjoy a coffee or food from the nearby coffee shop in the main building. Leading up to the lawn area was one of my favorite garden areas, the Dahlia display, with their bold & colorful blooms in all different shades.

The Bellevue Botanical Gardens are definitely another very popular garden to visit – we went on a beautiful May day & there were definitely people all around, but these gardens are well spread out, that it never felt crowded. It was prom weekend, though, so this was the place to come for prom pictures. So just keep that in mind for your visit that you might want to come on a less crowded day if you want uninterrupted time or the best photo opps of the gardens.

Just a few minutes away from the gardens is an awesome park to visit with your kids, too, called the Wilburton Hill Park , a Bellevue city park & it has an awesome playground kids will love for a chance to run off some energy. There is even a cool zipline, too! So definitely add that to your list after the gardens if they need to burn some energy after a quieter time at the park.

Bloedel Reserve

Location: Bainbridge Island Cost: $20/adults, $15 for seniors/military, $10 for students (13-18) & $5 for kids ages 5-12 (4 & under free) Times to Visit: Tuesdays – Sundays, 10am – 4pm (those are winter hours, check back for summer hours); timed tickets required right now Pet Friendly: No pets allowed

Bloedel Reserve is located on Bainbridge Island on the Kitsap Peninsula. It has 150 acres & 23 different kinds of landscapes to visit and check out. There is a loop trail that is around 2 miles long with a combination of bark, gravel & paved roads that bring you through all the different areas of the gardens and it is such a peaceful, quiet stroll. {They estimate that it will take around 2 hours for this walk but of course that also depends on your pace & how long you want to stop & enjoy the flowers & views}.

Since 2020, they have designed the loop trail to be a one-way trail with timed tickets, so that you can have more time to enjoy & explore the grounds without crowds. You’ll explore everything from large meadows (filled with wildflowers in the summer) to a boardwalk over marshlands where you look & listen for various birds, ducks & geese in the water. You’ll also find pretty shaded pathways filled with gorgeous flowers next to a small creek as well as more formal gardens closer to the residence grounds.

The main residence is a beautiful building, built in the 18th century French tradition. When we visited, the home was not available to tour, but it looks like it is now open to tour the first floor dining room, living room & library, which I think would be so fun to go inside & check it out.

From the back yard & patio, there is a gorgeous view of the water, too, so it’s a great spot for photos. Once you pass through some of the trails & pathways into the woods, you’ll find a Japanese guest house that overlooks the Japanese gardens.

Bloedel Reserve is a great place to visit for someone with limited mobility, too, to get out & explore nature as they have a shorter route through the gardens along a paved road that is a 2/3 mile long trip (& complimentary wheelchairs available at the Gatehouse, too, if needed). This will still take you by the best highlights of the gardens & the buildings to see the beauty of the park.

Bloedel Reserve is definitely one of my very favorite gardens around the Puget Sound area as I felt it just had such a great variety of different areas to visit & explore. It kept all of us interested with the variety of options to see & such different landscapes all in one park & grounds. It is definitely the most expensive gardens to visit on our list, but it absolutely felt worth it to me & we did spend a good several hours there exploring when we visited in May. Spring was a gorgeous time to visit, but I’d love to visit in the summer, too, to see all the different flowers blooming at that time, too. And honestly, even in the off-season & rainy weather, this place is just such a serene & relaxing place to visit & see the beauty any time of year.

Pro Tip: Since Bloedel Reserve might be a longer drive or ferry ride for you, we enjoyed combining it with a trip to the darling town of Poulsbo, a cute little Norwegian town on the Kitsap peninsula. We highly recommend visiting the Burrato Bistro & Paella Bar, too – it was a delightful restaurant with small plates/tapas & they have covered outdoor seating on the back patio too.

Washington Park Arboretum

Lakewold Gardens

Location: Lakewood Cost: $10/adults, $8/seniors (62+), students & military, $5/youth 6-17, & children 5 & under free (online tickets only at this time). You can also get a free museum pass from the library for 2 adults & 3 kids Times to Visit: Wednesday – Sunday,  11 am – 5 pm Pet Friendly:  no pets, although dogs can visit on the last Tuesday of the month during Dog Days

Lakewold Gardens are 10 acres of gardens & buildings that were part of an estate first built back in 1908 on the shores of Gravelly Lake in Lakewood as part of what was known as the Lakes District. On the grounds is the Wagner House,  which is a gorgeous Georgian home. I just visited the gardens for the first time this week, which is still just the start of spring, so the blooms are just starting to peek out. But looking at the pictures & knowing the beautiful grounds, I can’t wait to go back when the flowers are in full bloom as it’s such a beautiful space.

What makes Lakewold Gardens unique is that you have views of the lake all around the grounds as you meander through the gardens, so that really adds to the beauty. There is a large, expansive green lawn to enjoy & relax on, too.  These gardens are smaller than some of the others I’ve mentioned, but still very beautiful & well worth a visit as the gardens have such a variety of flowers & plants.  You’ll see the more structured European style gardens as well as more natural gardens closer to the water, too.

We also found a “bug hotel” which I have never seen before. Near the bug hotel, they have a little station with books, nature/plant guides & magnifiers that your family can use as you wander around the gardens.

You can check out a Pierce County library pass if you are local & that will save on the admission costs for a no-cost visit for you & your family. Plus, once a month, they are going to continue their dog days on the last Tuesday of the month. They also have a Mother’s Day event for the weekend on Sat & Sunday, so make sure to check out all of those details as well. We love visiting gardens on Mother’s Day & it will be such a pretty spot with everything in bloom.

Highline Gardens

Location: SeaTac/Tukwila Cost: Free Times to Visit: Open dawn to dusk daily (always check their website for current times) Pet Friendly: Yes – dogs on leash are welcome

If you are short on time & would love to see a pretty, smaller garden, the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is so convenient as it’s located just a few miles north of SeaTac airport just a few minutes from I-5 near Southcenter Mall. Even though it’s such close proximity to SeaTac & it’s an urban garden in the city, when you are there, it feels like a little hidden oasis of peace & beauty. It’s just 10+ acres, but these peaceful gardens still have some gorgeous spots to relax & unwind or get some fun photo opps.

We actually visited in late September, but it was still full of lots of color even then, so I can imagine that it would be so pretty in the spring. There are gazebos, ponds, meandering creeks & water cascading over the rocks. There is also a rose garden that I’m sure would be beautiful to walk thru in early summer (or late spring).  They do have docent led tours if you are interested, they are $5/person, but need 10 or more people to host this.

Admission is totally free to these gardens, so it’s a great place to stop over for a visit if you are driving thru the Seattle area or maybe heading to SeaTac & you got there early. Or there are plenty of fun things to do in the Seattle Southside area. We have information about family activities in Seattle Southside , as well as a guide to the Des Moines area , just south of here, if you want to visit some fun outdoor spots by the Puget Sound & take in some delicious eats.  { Spice Bridge , one of our favorite new places to eat, is just down the road from the gardens, too! Read our review on the Des Moines guide !

If you’re headed up to Victoria, BC – the ultimate best garden I’ve ever been to is Butchart Gardens too! It’s absolutely gorgeous in the spring!

Here are a few more gardens on my list to check in the future – I’d love to know if you have been to any of these & what you thought of them:

• Kruckeberg Gardens – Shoreline, WA
• Heronswood Gardens – Kingston, WA (Kitsap Peninsula)
• Seattle Chinese Garden – West Seattle
• Meerkerk Gardens – Greenbank, WA (Whidbey Island)

What are your favorite gardens around the Puget Sound area?

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Triangle on the Cheap

Live well in the Triangle on a budget. Find fun, free things to do in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, NC

10 botanical gardens to visit in the Triangle

The Triangle is home to several very different botanical gardens, each with its own feel and focus. Some are sprawling research gardens that are part of major universities, while some are compact gems. What they all have in common is that they provide a peaceful, relaxing experience and a way to connect with nature.

All are free to visit.

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JC Raulston Arboretum

Address : 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606 Hours : Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking : Free parking in the Arboretum’s paved lot and along Beryl Road. Accessibility : The JC Raulston Arboretum gardens are handicapped accessible, on wide paths of various materials. The A.E. Findley Rooftop Garden is not ADA accessible. More info

Photo by Mace Publishing, LLC

N.C. State’s JC Raulston Arboretum is both a living laboratory and a public garden. Its mission is to “introduce, display, and promote plants that diversify the American landscape.”

The Arboretum includes many gardens, including the A.E. Finley Foundation Rooftop Terrace, Asian Valley, Butterfly Garden, Color Trials, Elm Circle, Finley-Nottingham Rose Garden, Geophyte Border, Japanese Garden, Klein-Pringle White Garden, and more.

There’s a Model Gardens area, where you can learn about landscaping smaller spaces, a Winter Garden, which shows how every season has its beauty, and a Xeric Garden, filled with plants that thrive with no additional watering.

Explore over 6,000 types of plants from 50 countries within the 10 acres.

Photo by Mace Publishing LLC

North Carolina Botanical Garden

Address : 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 Hours : Tuesday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays and University holidays. Parking : Parking is free in the parking lot. Accessibility : Many of the Garden displays are wheelchair accessible. If you need special accommodations, please let the staff know by calling 919-962-0522. More info

Courtesy of North Carolina Botanical Gardens

The North Carolina Botanical Garden, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, includes several distinct areas, including Piedmont Nature Trails, Battle Park & Forest Theatre, Coker Arboretum (read on to learn about visiting here), Mason Farm Biological Reserve, and Preserves and Natural Areas. But when people say “North Carolina Botanical Garden,” they are usually talking about the display gardens at 100 Old Mason Farm Road.

The display garden itself is expansive and diverse, with sections devoted to different North Carolina ecosystems, including the Piedmont Habitat, Sandhills Habitat, Coastal Plain Habitat, and Mountain Habitat.

There’s also a carnivorous plant collection, a Native American garden, water gardens, herb gardens, a poisonous plants garden, and more.

The Children’s Wonder Garden provides a place for children to dig, build with blocks, search for butterflies and more.

If you want to learn about the importance and diversity of botany in North Carolina, there’s no better place to start.

Juniper Level Botanical Garden

Address : 9241 Sauls Road, Raleigh, NC 27603 Hours : Only on the 8 Open Nursery and Garden Weekends each year. Visits at other times must be requested in advance. Parking : Free Accessibility : Unknown More info

Juniper Level Botanic Garden is open without reservations just 8 weekends of the year (2 weekends each season), and plant enthusiasts mark their calendars in anticipation. It’s 28-acre campus contains a staggering 30,000 taxa of plants, including native perennials, exotic plants, and, especially, specimen trees and shrubs that don’t exist anywhere in the world.

The collection is a result of plantsman and horticulturist Tony Avent’s passion for plant breeding and plant expeditions. He and his wife and business partner, Anita Avent, own Juniper Level Botanic Garden and Plant Delights Nursery. Tony Avent studied under J. C. Raulston, who built the JC Raulston Arboretum.

Juniper Level Botanic Garden’s and Plant Delighty’s Open Nursery and Garden Days are always kept on Triangle on the Cheap.

Coker Arboretum

Address: 399 E Cameron Avenue, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Hours : 7 days a week, dawn to dusk Parking : Metered parking is available nearby and around downtown Chapel Hill. Accessibility : The paths are mostly flat and either smooth grit or brick. They are wheelchair accessible. More info

Coker Arboretum is at the corner of Cameron Avenue and Raleigh Street in Chapel Hill. In all, it’s 5 acres.

Stroll the flat, easy walking paths and enjoy wildflowers, trees, shrubs, perennials, vines and more.You’ll find several benches and open lawns throughout. as well as creeks.

This area was first developed in 1903 by Dr. William Chambers Coker, Professor of Botany at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with many East Asian trees and shrubs added in the 1920s through 1940s.

Wilson Botanical Gardens

Address : 1806 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson, NC 27893 Hours : 7 days a week, dawn to dusk Parking : Large parking lot with free parking Accessibility : Wheelchair accessible More info

Photo courtesy of Wilson Botanical Gardens

If you’re up for a little drive, the 11-acre Wilson Botanical Gardens might be calling your name. Of special note is the wonderful 1-acre Children’s Secret Garden, which has several components to delight children, including a garden tunnel, rain wall, music court, dino dig, tire swings, a labyrinth and more.

Some of the other parts of Wilson Botanical Gardens are a medicinal and culinary herb garden, a hosta garden, a show stopper garden, a heritage garden, and a flower garden.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Address : 420 Anderson Street, Durham, NC 27708 Hours : 8 a.m. to dusk, every day of the year. Parking : $2/hour parking at Duke Gardens. Look for parking machines on the lots, or use the Pay by Phone app (location 3109.) Accessibility : Some of the paths are wheelchair accessible, and some are too steep, or include steps. Stop by the information desk for a map that shows the most accessible routes among the Gardens’ 5 miles. More info

Duke Gardens. Photo: Salem Macknee

Any nature-lover will love Duke Gardens!

Duke Gardens welcomes more than 400,000 visitors to its 55 acres every year. Visitors find it a stress-reliever to walk the paths in any season.

The gardens include areas inspired by the cottage gardens of England, rolling woodland terrain, a Japanese tea garden, a rose garden, terraced gardens, a fish pool filled with water lilies and more.

Chatham Mills “Pollinator Paradise” Garden

Address : 480 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312 Hours : Any time. Parking : Free parking. Accessibility : Might vary. More info

This garden is a project of N.C. Cooperative Extension, and features more than 225 different species of plants, all with the goal of attracting butterflies, bees and other pollinators. It’s a demonstration garden, mostly with plants that are native to North Carolina.

The plants are throughout the Chatham Mills property. Some border sidewalks and lawns, and some are even parking lot islands.

Chatham Mills hosts a farmers’ market on Saturdays all year except for February and March. Why not visit the Pollinator Paradise while you shop at this local growers’ market? More info on Triangle farmers’ markets.

This video, recorded in June of 2020, will give you a good idea of what you can expect to see when you visit this spring.

The Raleigh Rose Garden

Address : 301 Pogue Street, Raleigh, NC 27607 Hours : All the time Parking : Free parking in parking lot. Don’t park in the spots that say “permit required” Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is also on-street parking around the theatre, but please observe the parking restrictions. Accessibility : Park in the staff parking lot behind the building. There are a few parking spots for cars with disability placards. There is also a curb cut down in that area that allows wheelchair access to the garden. It’s a fully green space without sidewalks or much pavement, so please keep that in mind. More info

The Raleigh Rose Garden is part of the Raleigh Little Theatre campus. It was dedicated in 1951 and includes 60 rose beds, surrounded by evergreen and deciduous trees.

WRAL Azalea Gardens

Address : 2619 Western Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27606 Hours : 7 days a week, dawn to dusk Parking : Free parking across from Gardens entrance Accessibility : Some paths are paved and wheelchair accessible More info

One unexpected spot for a beautiful garden is the land behind WRAL-TV’s studios on Western Boulevard in Raleigh. Capitol Broadcasting Company founder A.J. Fletcher loved azaleas and created the gardens as a way of paying tribute to their beauty.

The garden is maintained by CBC Corporate Property Management, with input from CEO Jim Goodmon, who is Fletcher’s grandson.

Besides azaleas, the garden includes camellias, hydrangeas, perennials, shrubs, succulents, trees and vines.

The Arboretum at Johnston Community College

Address : 1240 E Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577 Hours : Walking paths open in late spring. Parking : Park in visitor spots. Accessibility : Some of the trails are wheelchair accessible. More info

The Arboretum showcases traditional trees, flowers and ornamental shrubs. Enjoy dogwoods, azaleas, lilies, roses, and irises.

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We make every effort to make sure that everything on triangle on the cheap is 100% accurate., however, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake. , please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go., reader interactions.

kay Gunter says

March 27, 2021 at 10:05 am

Thank you for including wheelchair accessibility information about these gardens. Having this information really helps before venturing out. Your webpage has made this pandemic bearable!

April 22, 2021 at 12:10 pm

Thanks! I plan to visit them all !

Anne sickinger says

July 10, 2021 at 6:22 am

Thank you for listing all these wonderful gardens that we are so fortunate to have nearby, but there is another one I call the “Secret Garden”. It’s the Nash County Arboretum, located in Nashville at the Nash County Agriculture Center. Designed and maintained by the Nash County Master Gardeners, it’s an undiscovered gem. There’s a lovely Rose Garden, a Woodland Garden a Pollinator Garden and much more! It’s another garden to put on your list of Must -Sees! Free and open during daylight hours. Located at 1006 Eastern Avenue Nashville NC

Tad Einloth says

March 4, 2022 at 9:58 am

Jody, Very informative – I knew about six of the botanical gardens but not the other ones. Have a nice weekend! Tad

Rose Hammond says

April 5, 2022 at 8:52 am

Are any of the gardens pet friendly?

Sam & Dom says

March 5, 2023 at 11:15 am

We absolutely love discovering the gardens of North Carolina! They are havens of peace and beauty. Sam and Dom Raleigh

The 16 Most Beautiful Gardens in Los Angeles

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While the parks get the most attention, Los Angeles is also home to some amazing gardens. You can stroll in traditional botanic gardens, gardens filled with plants native to California, or relax for a while in a tranquil Japanese garden. Some gardens are in historic settings and one even is co-located with the popular Los Angeles Zoo. Read on to discover the top public gardens in L.A.

Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens

Robert Landau / Getty Images

The Botanical Gardens at the Huntington Library feature 130 landscaped acres with 16 themed gardens and a conservatory on the former San Marino Ranch just outside Pasadena . The themed gardens range from a collection of plants native to the state to plants affiliated with Shakespeare to one of the world's largest outdoor collections of cacti and succulents.

You can easily spend all day in the gardens, but the extensive art collection and illustrated manuscripts, including a Gutenberg Bible, at the Huntington Library are also worth seeing. Garden walking tours are available for a fee.

Descanso Gardens

Mitch Diamond/Getty Images

Descanso Gardens contains 150 acres of gardens, woodland, and chaparral. Nine different themed gardens welcome more than 750,000 visitors each year. Descanso's 40,000 camellia bushes are a highlight and have been a part of the gardens for decades. The flowers bloom in the 20-acre California live oak forest from October to March. Peak bloom for the 4,000 roses in the Rosarium is April through December.

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden

Hanlu C/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 

The 127 acres of trees, shrubs, flowers, and historic buildings at the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden are arranged in several large sections but the dedicated African and Australian gardens are especially impressive. The park also includes a waterfall, prehistoric forest, the spring-fed Lake Baldwin, a research center, greenhouses, and several historic buildings.

South Coast Botanic Garden

Angel La Canfora / Getty Images

The South Coast Botanic Garden features over 2,500 plant species on 87 acres with an emphasis on drought-resistant plants. Called “The Jewel of the Peninsula,” the garden is located on the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula, just 10 miles south of the Los Angeles International Airport . The garden has a wide variety of plants, with some coming from as far away as Australia, the Mediterranean, and southern Africa. There is a small lake, a garden for the senses, a children's garden, a Japanese garden, and other specialty gardens.

Exposition Park Rose Garden

Matthew Dillon/Flickr/CC BY 2.0 

The Rose Garden at Exposition Park in South Los Angeles is a popular spot for USC students to hang out and study as well a busy spot for weddings and photoshoots. This 7-acre garden has 15,000 rose bushes of more than 100 different species. The Rose Garden is open daily, though it closes to public from the beginning of January through mid-March of each year for annual maintenance.

Exposition Park is also home to a variety of museums including the Natural History Museum , California Science Center , and the California African American Museum , so you can combine some indoor and outdoor time.

The Getty Center, Central Garden

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The J. Paul Getty Museum, commonly referred to as the Getty, is an art museum in California housed on two campuses and each campus has its own impressive garden. The manicured gardens at the Getty Center campus are a work of art designed by Robert Irwin. Zigzagging walkways, a stone waterfall, and a floating maze of azaleas are surrounded by a variety of more than 500 plant species.

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Greg Doherty/Getty Images

Most people go to the zoo to see the animals, but the habitats at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Griffith Park are just as impressive. The Botanical Gardens house a variety of specialty gardens including a collection of contraband plants that have been confiscated by airport customs from people trying to smuggle them into the country. Another fascinating garden is the cycad garden, a living time capsule full of plant species that have been in existence since the age of the dinosaurs.

California Botanic Garden

The California Botanic Garden, formerly the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic in Claremont has 86 acres dedicated exclusively to California native plants, including some impressive wildflower displays. Home to more than 22,000 plants, the garden also provides resources to help people develop and maintain native gardens on their own.

In addition to plants, the California Botanic Garden features special art installations, festivals, shows, concerts, and seasonal events. When visiting in the summer, be cautious of the heat and bring plenty of water.

Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens

Nafpaktitism/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0

A part of the UCLA campus, this 7.5-acre public garden has around 3,500 species of tropical and subtropical plants on display. Explore ancient trees, fern gardens, and subtropical woodlands before moving on to gardens dedicated to Hawaiian flora and plants native to California.

The nest, a small amphitheater, was designed and built by the garden's staff and volunteers who constructed it with Northern California incense cedar and boulders shipped in from Duarte, California.

Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine

The 10-acre Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is just a quarter-mile from the Pacific Ocean. It honors the five major world religions and includes a memorial to Mahatma ​Gandhi where a portion of his ashes are said to be enshrined. The grounds are especially beautiful with everything manicured and pristinely perfect. The outdoor pathways and meditation benches provide a quiet environment for personal reflection.

The indoor sanctuaries are for silent meditation and prayer. Since this is a retreat and spiritual center, a quiet demeanor and respectful dress are requested. The gardens are open free to the public but reservations are required.

The Getty Villa

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The Getty Villa in Malibu offers visitors the chance to experience ancient Greek and Roman art in a recreation of a first-century Roman villa. Other features include a reflecting pool, fountains, and sculptures. The villa has four gardens that serve to blend Roman architecture with open space and a variety of Mediterranean plants that existed during the Roman Empire. Stroll the gardens at your leisure or take a guided tour.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at CSULB

Sergei Gussev / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a 1.3-acre oasis hidden away on the campus of California State University Long Beach. The garden is a hybrid art form that combines typical elements of Japanese garden design with the natural beauty of Southern California. The garden is frequently used for small classes and discussion groups by the school, so don't be surprised if you see a lot of students on a visit.

Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden

Daderot/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

The Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden is a compact, volunteer-run demonstration garden focusing on California native plants in Polliwog Park. It's where locals go to learn about sustainable native gardening and to get some landscaping inspiration. The free garden features interpretive signs that serve as a self-guided tour appropriate for ages 12 and older.

Virginia Robinson Gardens

Zigzig20s / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

The Virginia Robinson Gardens are 6.2 acres of tropical gardens on the grounds of the former Robinson estate in Beverly Hills. The Robinson mansion, built in 1911, was one of the first homes in Beverly Hills and is now a historical landmark. Now it attracts visitors to see the more than 1,000 palm trees, a heritage rose garden, an edible garden, and more.

The gardens and home can only be viewed by going on a paid docent-led tour. Tours must be reserved in advance online.

The Japanese Garden

timwinter79 / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

This is a traditional 6.5 acre Japanese garden in Van Nuys with plenty of meditative elements. The garden, located on the grounds of the Tillman Water Reclamation Plant, is used as a tool to teach visitors about water reclamation. As a chisen-style garden, waterfalls, lakes, and streams are focal points and all of the water is reclaimed. In addition to the wet strolling garden, there is a dry mediation garden, a tea garden and teahouse, and a traditional Japanese shoin building.

James Irvine Japanese Garden

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This secret Japanese garden is an urban oasis located in the sub-ground level of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) in L.A.'s Little Tokyo district. Known as Seiryu-en or "Garden of the Clear Stream," this garden was designed in the Zen tradition of the famous gardens of Kyoto, Japan. The site features a 170-foot long stream flowing from a waterfall at the upper end of the garden, blooming trees and foliage, and the peaceful sounds of cascading water throughout.

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12 great free gardens to visit this summer

You don't have to pay to get into see all beautiful gardens, many are free. Here's our list of the best free gardens in the UK

Stephanie Mahon

Sorrel Everton

Garden visits don’t have to cost the earth – in fact, there are many beautiful places up and down the UK that you can enjoy for free during the summer holidays, with top-notch, inspirational planting schemes. From the tiny Walled Garden at Mells, through to Sheffield's Grey to Green public space, there are plenty of green spaces to visit that are entirely free.

Looking for more gardens to visit?

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The best free gardens to visit in the UK

The hepworth wakefield garden , west yorkshire.

The striking modernist gallery building is matched by a stand-out small garden. Designed by Tom Stuart-Smith and curated by cultural gardener Katy Merrington, the space is open to all. Planting gives colour from April to November, starting with tulips and narcissi, through to taller perennials, such as Echinacea pallida and tawny Stipa calamagrostis . Sculptures enhance the plants’ own sculptural qualities. Open 365 days a year, 24 hours. Gallery Walk, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WR1 5AW. Tel 01924 247360, hepworthwakefield.org

Here's more sculpture gardens to visit

Barbican Conservatory, City of London 

A secret oasis in the City of London, housed under more than 2,000 square metres of glass and steel roof and spread over several levels. It’s home to more than 1,500 species of plants, including bananas, palms and cacti, as well as koi-filled ponds, all of which soften the Brutalist complex. While in the area, there’s also Beech Gardens, designed by Nigel Dunnett , free and open 24 hours. Conservatory open on selected days every week from 12pm. Free tickets are released online, on Fridays at 10am for the following week; a limited number of day tickets are released online from 9.30am on open days. Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS. Tel 020 7870 2500, barbican.org.uk

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 

Renowned for its botanical research, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a prestigious institution with a history dating back to the 17th century, but many people don’t realise that this 70-acre garden is also free to visit. Enjoy wandering the different areas such as the Woodland Garden, Heath Garden, Rock Garden, Arboretum, Pond and Chinese Hillside, each with its own style and community of plants. The Glasshouses are presently closed as part of a restoration project to protect the garden’s Living Collection.

Summer open hours: daily, 10am-6pm. 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR. Tel 0131 552 7171. rbge.org.uk

Hauser & Wirth Somerset

This is gallerists Hauser & Wirth’s rural UK setting. Outside the converted farm buildings and additional gallery space, tens of thousands of plants have been masterfully orchestrated by plantsman Piet Oudolf. As its name, Oudolf Field, suggests, this is more of a planted landscape than garden with Piet creating a series of huge interlocking beds that stretch away from the gallery with robust, form-focused planting at scale. The gallery hosts a full programme of high-profile exhibitions, plus there’s a café, bar and restaurant.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm. Durslade Farm, Bruton, Somerset BA10 0NL. Tel 01749 814060, hauserwirth.com 

Here's more on the planting at the Oudolf Field

Mayfield Park, Manchester 

An ambitious, six-and-a-half-acre, urban project encompassing a sequence of spaces – open lawns, play areas, floodable meadows , riverside walks – inviting the user to ‘get closer to nature and experience the park differently’. Accessibility to the River Medlock has been reclaimed from decades of post-industrial neglect with flower-rich planting cleverly interwoven into the shared spaces. Don’t miss the children’s slides – including one that slides you across the river. 

Open daily, dawn until dusk. Baring Street, Manchester M1 2PY. mayfieldpark.com

Horniman Museum & Gardens, London

The Horniman Museum in south London and its extensive gardens are concerned with natural history and human culture. There’s been a fresh approach since head gardener Errol Reuben Fernandes took over, and newer areas such as the Grasslands Garden, which celebrates wild landscapes and was designed by James Hitchmough , now complement established spaces including the Sunken, Wildlife, Sound, Medicinal and Dye Gardens.

Summer opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 7.15am-8.30pm; Sundays and Bank Holidays, 8am-8.30pm. 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ. Tel 020 8699 1872, horniman.ac.uk 

Here's more museums with great gardens

Grey to Green, Sheffield 

This remarkably successful regeneration initiative has greened a formerly industrial corridor of inner-city Sheffield, with beautiful but low-maintenance, ecological, perennial planting schemes. Planting designer Nigel Dunnett and the project team created rain-garden-style beds to manage the rainwater runoff, planted many trees and introduced welcome ribbons of colour to the previously tarmac and concrete routes. There is also art to enjoy along the way. Castlegate, Sheffield S3 8LE. greytogreen.org.uk 

Read more about Grey To Green

Crossrail Place Roof Garden, London

Located on a rooftop in Canary Wharf, London, this little green surprise with its sweeping glass roof, designed by Foster Partners, features many tropical and exotic trees and plants from around the world, including Asia and the Americas, and offers views out across the waterfront and city skyline. Inspired by the history of the surrounding docks in international trade, there are different areas of planting themed to various parts of the world, including Morocco and New York.

Open daily until 9pm, or sunset in summer. Crossrail Place, London E14 5AB. canarywharf.com/open-spaces/crossrail-place-roof-garden/ 

Inner Temple, London

You’ll find this gem tucked within the historic courtyards of London’s legal quarters. With its own microclimate, the garden includes semi-exotic borders, mature trees, seasonal containers and an immaculate glasshouse . The lawn is dominated by huge plane trees, while the area beneath has been left to give a more meadowy effect. 

Usually open weekdays (excluding Bank Holidays), 12.30-3pm. Also look out for Open Days. Crown Office Row, Inner Temple, London EC4Y 7HL. Tel 020 7797 8243, innertemple.org.uk/estate-garden/

Peter Beales Rose Garden, Norfolk

As one of the top UK rose growers, Peter Beales has long been a destination for rose lovers. Alongside the nursery there’s a two-acre display garden showcasing unique, historic, rare and contemporary roses growing alongside other planting. The first rose was planted in 1983, while more recently, the gardens have been developed to include an area where roses are being grown for their benefits to pollinators and other wildlife. Plenty of expert advice available.

Open daily, 9am-5pm (Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am-4pm). London Road, Attleborough, Norwich, Norfolk NR17 1AY. Tel 01953 454707, classicroses.co.uk

Aston Pottery, Oxfordshire

A working pottery with shop and café, set in a charming Oxfordshire village, Aston Pottery also has a show-stopping garden made up of six large, inspirational border schemes , which give interest from spring right through to autumn. They include the Hornbeam Walk, Dahlia Garden, the Hot Bank, traditional Perennial Border, the Annual Border (peaking in September with over 5,000 plants), and a tropical border, many with bright, cheery colours and half-hardy and tender plants.

Open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am-5pm; Sunday, 10.30am-5pm. Kingsway Farm, Aston, Oxfordshire OX18 2BT. Tel 01993 852031, astonpottery.co.uk 

The Walled Garden at Mells, Somerset

Step through the door into the walled garden behind a pretty cottage in the Somerset village of Mells and you’ll find that its low-key, relaxed atmosphere is infectious. It couples shabby-chic cottage-garden-style planting – including lots of roses and honeysuckle – with a café serving fresh pizzas, a community, not-for-profit plant nursery, and a programme of horticultural, social and therapeutic workshops. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-5pm (last pizza order at 4pm). 5 Rectory Cottages, Mells, Frome, Somerset BA11 3PN. Tel 01373 812597, thewalledgardenatmells.co.uk

Head to our Gardens to Visit page for lots more great gardens to get to

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25 gardens to visit with public transport, 10 of the best museum gardens to visit, 10 of the best gardens to visit for planting inspiration.

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31 free garden ideas – simple ways to improve gardens without spending a penny

Posted: March 17, 2024 | Last updated: March 17, 2024

These free garden ideas will enhance any outdoor space at zero cost to you

Kitting out a garden can quickly turn into an expensive job, but at Ideal Home, we don't think a fresh look garden for summer should burn through your savings. In fact, we think you can do a pretty good job of updating your space with the right free garden ideas.

While there's nothing quite so pleasing as a spot of horticultural therapy, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis means that we have grown incredibly fond of a budget garden idea (and even fonder of a totally free garden idea, too).

Thank goodness, then, that the hottest garden trends are so very purse-friendly.

Use rubble and reclaimed waste material

Forget mulching your plants: try using rubble and reclaimed waste instead.

Another big RHS Chelsea Flower Show trend, reusing materials that would otherwise go to landfill won't just help you rack up your sustainability points; it will also inject some urban appeal into your garden.

A word of advice: stick to woody, Mediterranean, and drought-tolerant plants in your rubble rockeries, as they are incredibly well suited to its poor nutrient value and good drainage.

Embrace chaos gardening

If it's good enough for Martha Stewart, it's good enough for us. The chaos gardening trend is probably one of the simplest around: simply collect up any and all old seeds (flowers, vegetables, you name it!) that you have lying around, and scatter them throughout your flowerbeds.

Once the plants establish themselves, you'll be left with an effortlessly beautiful, and pleasingly chaotic, potager-style garden.

Grow your own lemon tree from seed

If you have a glut of fresh, ripe lemons in the house, you can grow your own lemon tree. And, sure, while it may take a few years to fruit (if ever), it will only take a few months for you to get a pretty ornamental tree worth fawning over.

Pick self-seeding flowers

Whether you're a hands-off gardener that doesn't have the time or inclination to propagate plants – or you simply don't have the budget to buy them – self-seeding plants are your friend.

Once you have your first batch of seeds, which you can likely scavenge off a friend or neighbour for free, you simply sew, and let them do their stuff. As they die back, they'll drop new seeds – self seeding – and you'll see brand new blooms the following year. All without spending a penny.

But which flowers are self seeding, I hear you ask? Try meadow cranesbill, poppies, verbena and forget-me-nots.

Landscape with beachcomber treasures

Save on garden landscaping and make your own garden rockery by using beachcomber and foraged finds. This landscaped garden uses recycled whelk shells to light up the ground, hiding the dark soil beneath an impressive Acer tree – making a feature of it in the process.

Make your own compost

Be organised, and you never have to shell out for bags on compost at the garden centre ever again. Instead, have a go at making your own.

You can start any time, collecting food scraps like peelings and egg shells, and when you come round to potting up your plants in spring, you'll have a plentiful supply.

Mow the lawn

Never underestimate the difference a freshly mowed lawn can have on the rest of your garden. Scott Chandler, former Kew Gardener says 'Simply mowing the lawn will turn a scruffy garden into a purposefully rustic outdoor area.' He advises, 'If you have grass, keep it short', for the best way to keep it neat and tidy.

Or don't mow the lawn

Many of us were left pleasantly surprised when we downed our lawnmowers for No Mow May, as it allowed for plenty of lush grass growth and gorgeous pollinator-friendly meadow flowers.

If you prefer to keep your lawn short, you can always leave a few patches to grow wild. Or, if you want to go truly bold, make like Monty Don and mow in pathways that will meander though your garden, creating a lovely bloom-riddled secret garden effect.

Save your seeds

Speaking of Monty Don, the Gardeners' World expert is a big fan of saving your seeds. Basically, when the flowers in your garden borders have turned to dry seedpods, cut them off, store them in paper bags, and label them so you know what you have to plant next year.

Make a DIY mini pond

Water features are a top modern gardening idea, but you don't have to splash out (sorry) on a new fountain or waterfall: a DIY mini pond is the perfect focal point.

As per The Wildlife Trust , a washing-up bowl, a large plant pot, or a disused sink could all be repurposed as ponds – and all are a brilliant way to support local wildlife, too, especially during the oncoming heatwave.

Make time to tidy up

It won't add anything new to your garden, but giving the space a good straighten up could help you give your outdoor space a new lease of life. Many of us put off the nitty-gritty gardening chores, but de-weeding your patio or fixing that wonky fence panel will transform the space in an instant.

Deep clean the patio

Start with a clean slate, quite literally. If you have a patio or decking in your garden use a pressure washer to spray away any dirt and slime that might have built up over the winter months.

A thorough clean will ensure it’s much more pleasing on the eye when it comes to sitting outdoors to enjoy the garden.

Use eggshells to start off your seeds

Not all eggshells need to go into the compost heap. If you can save any intact, you can use them to hold seedlings in an egg box. Eggshells contain calcium, which will enrich the soil, helping your seedlings to grow.

Divide your plants

If you're looking to up the number of flowers and plants in your garden, without any additional cost, now's the ideal time to divide or split summer-flowering plants. By dividing your plants, you’ll be able to add more colour to your garden whilst also making your original plants healthier by making sure they don’t overgrow.

Experts recommend, 'Primroses, daylilies, asters, geums, heucheras, hardy geraniums and Japanese anemones' – as all suitable for dividing. 'To separate your plants, dig up the clump whilst gently loosening the soil. Using a trowel or hands, carefully pull the plant apart. Making sure each section has plenty of roots still attached. Then simply replant these new sections in your garden and water well.'

Rearrange the furniture

Simply repositioning the furniture can alter the garden layout – instantly refreshing the space, making it feel like new by creating a different perspective. Non-fixed outdoor seating allows you to change things up at your leisure, and solar powered fairy lights are easy to move and re-drape as the mood takes you.

Or try repainting garden furniture

If you have some wood or metal paint left over from a recent home renovation project, then it's time to make good on all those exciting garden paint ideas, grab a brush, and give your garden furniture the hot new look it deserves.

Move a mirror

Doesn't every household have a mirror they can afford to move into the garden? You've amazed at the difference it can make, moving such a simple accessory.

Garden mirrors can help to totally transform the garden, making it feel more like an extension of the indoors but more importantly it can help to make it look bigger by reflecting light and scenery back into the space.

Raise up your planting

Change the landscape in grassless gardens by rethinking your plant pots. Move freestanding pots to create a more curated display, that will fill any empty gaps on the patio to add greenery and colour.

Elevate smaller pots on side tables and plant stands to gain a different perspective, adding depth to the overall feel of the planting arrangement. A cluster of potted plants surrounding a seating area is a great way to make the experience of sitting outdoors feel more immersive.

Paint your garden buildings

Winter can take its toll on garden buildings. Use your free time now to check and learn how to paint a shed or even a greenhouse. 'A fresh lick of paint and regular ventilation now the weather is improving will help your garden buildings and plants within them stay healthy,' advise the experts.

To do this for free, put shout outs for leftover paint on Facebook and other social media, and ask around. It won't necessarily match, of course, in which case pick a striped multicolour look, or try painting a mural.

Top tip: If your outdoor buildings provided extra storage in the winter, now's the time to do a bit of decluttering. Even better transform the extra space to a home office or home gym.

Create garden zones

Creating different themed zones can help to make the space feel bigger. This can be easily done by moving garden furniture such as chairs or outdoor tables into one section to create a seating space and children's play items into another section to create a mini play area.

These simple measures can go a long way to ensure the whole family can take time for themselves, and get a much-needed break from the indoors.

Welcome colour to walls

Nothing invigorates a tired garden more than a splash of colour. Beyond your summer bedding choices you might want to add colour on the walls to create the perfect backdrop for your planting.

Check if you have leftover paint in the shed to add even a slither of striking colour on one wall or fence – a little can go along way to enliven the space.

Failing that you could check what's being thrown out at your local tip in the paint section, always ensure you gain permission first. Another idea for a free fix is to use chalks to add colour to the wall, even a mural perhaps?

Upcycle a potting bench

Turn something old into something new. Rather than throwing out a piece of old furniture see if you can repurpose it to fit for a job in the garden. An unwanted set of shelves could be perfect for creating a budget friendly potting table.

To keep it looking its best we advise adding a coat of weatherproof shielding, be it varnish or garden furniture paint. Check the shed to see what you already have to hand, in order to keep the task free.

Entice wildlife into the garden

From birds to bumble bees, there are lots of free and easy ways to make your outdoor space more inviting to wildlife.

Tying a bunch of hollow stems like bamboo together with string and placing them in an old terracotta plant pot or open wooden box will create a lovely new bee hotel for your garden – helping to preserve the dwindling bee population.

Or another way, and a good one to get little ones involved, is by stacking a pile of wood in a shady area as a habitat for small mammals, amphibians and insects.

Fashion a free trellis

We started to see the rise during last summer's DIY frenzy – homeowners were recycling old slatted bed bases to make ingenious vertical planters. Simply remove the base, cut to size and securely attach to the garden fence.

Vertical planting is a great way to add colour into your front garden, where space may be at a premium.

Get weeding without chemicals

Help you garden kicks a weed habit with ease. Forget expensive, and more importantly, harsh toxic weedkillers - try this savvy bin liner hack to rid your garden of weeds.

Gardening gurus suggest simply covering the problem area of your garden with a domestic bin liner or sheet. Weigh whatever method you use down with rocks, to keep it firmly in place. Leave the area covered long enough to deprive the weeds of sunlight, and viola – no more weeds.

Turn old tyres into something more

Before you drive that old spare tyre to the nearest tip, consider if you could give it new life as a garden swing. All you need is a sturdy branch and some rope, tied around the swing at 12am, 4pm and 8pm positions for balance.

Alternatively, tyres make great containers for flowers, plants or vegetables.

Find a new use for coffee filters

Potting up plants? Before adding soil, pop your used coffee filters inside to line your pot. It will prevent any soil from escaping and will help hold the water for longer, yet it will still be able to drain away so your greenery won't be waterlogged.

Upcycle plastic bottles as a cool display

This display appeared at no less prestigious an event as the Chelsea Flower Show. So if it's good enough for the great and good of gardening, it's good enough for you!

To recreate it, take your plastic bottles, cut off the tops and pierce a few small holes at the bottom. Add gravel for extra drainage, before plant up in compost. The look is surprisingly effective.

Remember, anything can be a plant pot!

Your pretty plants don't always need fancy planters, as RHS Chelsea Flower Show has well and truly proven. Be imaginative when finding homes for you plants – that empty golden syrup tin or tea caddy might not be any good for your kitchen any more, but it will make a beautifully nostalgic home for your flowers and shrubs. For free !

Make a colander hanging basket

Talking of colanders, due to their amazing drainage, they make great hanging baskets or strawberry planters. How's that for a free garden idea? Do remember though, they may be heavier than a standard design, so make sure your existing bracket can take the weight.

Re-use broken pots

Create the quickest-ever rock garden simply by nestling broken terracotta pots into a gravelled border, and plant low-maintenance succulents inside.

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How to watch ‘Billy Joel - The 100th Concert Live at Madison Square Garden’ (for free)

• Updated: Apr. 15, 2024, 1:36 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 14, 2024, 2:32 p.m.

• Joseph Rejent | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Billy Joel: The 100th Concert Live at Madison Square Garden is premiering on CBS on Sunday, April 14 at 9 p.m. You can watch live as it airs on DIRECTV Stream (free trial) or Paramount Plus (free trial) .

The event will be Billy Joel’s record-breaking 100th concert held at the infamous venue. It will feature appearances from Jerry Seinfeld and Sting, as well.

Here’s the information you’ll need to watch a free live stream of “The Billy Joel: The 100th Concert Live at Madison Square Garden″ online without cable.

How to watch ‘Billy Joel: The 100th Concert Live at Madison Square Garden′ without cable

If you’re a cord-cutter or don’t have cable, you can live stream the “Billy Joel: The 100th Concert Live at Madison Square Garden” on any one of the following streaming platforms:

DirecTV Stream (free trial)

In addition to ABC, Freeform, ESPN, and the other Disney channels, DIRECTV Stream offers CBS, NBC, and FOX. This sets it apart from most live TV streaming services. On top of that, a subscription gets you access to more than 65 other channels in its base package, including Nickelodeon, MTV, CNN, vh1, and more. The biggest selling point for DIRECTV Stream , however, is that it is the best for live and regional sports coverage. Add that to over 65,000 on-demand titles and its Cloud DVR and you have a diverse, versatile service that can meet any of your streaming needs. The base package costs $64.99 per month, with a wide range of add-on options. DIRECTV Stream offers a five-day free trial .

Fubo TV (free trial)

Fubo is considered the ultimate live TV streaming service for anyone seeking to cut the cord. With a subscription, you get access to over 100 channels (depending on your local area), 30 hours of DVR space and tons of on-demand content, mainly featuring episodes of shows that have aired in recent weeks. Fubo has ABC and the ESPN family, too, making it a top option for sports fans. The service costs $74.99 per month, with a range of add-on options, and its standard package features a seven-day free trial .

Paramount Plus (free trial)

Paramount Plus offers the ability to watch all CBS channels live as they air on TV, along with unlimited access to an enormous roster of CBS shows. Currently, the service features two subscription plans: a “limited commercials” option for $6 per month ($60 annually), and a premium “no commercials” option for $12 per month ($120 annually).

What time do ‘Billy Joel: The 100th Concert Live at Madison Square Garden′ start?

The “Billy Joel: The 100th Concert Live at Madison Square Garden” will begin its broadcast on Sunday, April 14, at 9 p.m. It will be bookended by local programming.

What channel is CBS?

You can use the channel finder on your provider’s website to locate it: Verizon Fios , AT&T U-verse , Comcast Xfinity , Spectrum/Charter , Optimum/Altice , DIRECTV , Dish .

Where can I watch ‘Billy Joel: The 100th Concert Live at Madison Square Garden’ online on-demand?

If you missed the “CMT Music Awards” or want to binge watch other CBS series or events online as they become available, check out the following streaming platforms:

Here’s a look at a preview for the event, courtesy of the official YouTube channel for all CBS programming:

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Joseph Rejent covers TV, writing about live television, streaming services and cord-cutting. He can be reached at [email protected] .

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How to Watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert & See Him Make History

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While the Piano Man’s historic residency at the Garden may be over, fans can still catch one of his final performances from the comfort of their very own homes. If you want to find out how to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th concert live for free , keep on reading ahead.

Watch Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden Concert

If you’re ready to see the magic of the Piano Man in action live from New York City, keep on reading ahead to find out how to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th concert live for free on CBS—even without a cable subscription.

When does Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden Concert air?

Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert special, titled The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden , airs Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 9:00 p.m. ET on CBS. The special will also be available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount Plus . Keep on reading ahead to find out how to stream it for free.

How to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert live for free

Best overall pick to watch billy joel’s madison square garden 100th concert: directv stream, best free trial pick to watch billy joel’s madison square garden 100th concert: fubo, best budget pick to watch billy joel’s madison square garden 100th concert: paramount plus.

• Best Upgrade Pick to Watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert: Hulu+ With Live TV

Watch Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden Concert With DirecTV Stream

Direct TV is our best overall pick to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert live for free for its free trial, price, and channel selection. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial . DirecTV offers four plans: Entertainment , which costs $ 79.99 per month ; Choice , which costs $108.99 per month with the first 2 months at $83.99 per month; Ultimate , which costs $119.99 per month with the first 2 months at $94.99 per month; and Premiere , which costs $174.99 per month .

As for other differences between the plans, Entertainment includes more than 75 channels, the ability to stream on unlimited devices in your home, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and a special offer on premium channels. Choice, which is the most popular plan, includes more than 105 channels, regional sports networks, and everything included in Entertainment. Ultimate includes more than 140 channels and everything included in Entertainment and Choice. Premiere includes more than 150 channels including premium channels like HBO and Starz and everything included in Entertainment, Choice, and Premiere. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert with DirecTV Stream’s free trial. 

• Visit streamtv.directv.com ‘s packages page
• Click “Try It Free” for the plan of your choice
• Enter your information and payment method
• Search for CBS and start watching Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert!

Watch Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden Concert With Fubo

As for the difference between the plans, Pro includes 180 channels, 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR, and the ability to watch on up to 10 screens at once. Elite includes everything in Pro, as well as a total of 256 channels and 4K resolution. Premier includes everything in Pro and Elite, as well as a total of 299 channels, Showtime, and the Red Zone NFL Network. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert with Fubo’s free trial. 

• Visit Fubo.TV
• Click “Start Free Trial”

Watch Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden Concert on Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus is our best budget pick to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert live for free based on its price. Paramount Plus offers a seven-day free trial and two plans: Paramount Plus Essential , which costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year , and Paramount Plus With Showtime , which costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year .

• Visit ParamountPlus.com
• Click “Get It Now”
• Select your plan
• Search for CBS Sports and start watching Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert!

Best Upgrade Pick to Watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert: Hulu+ Live TV

Watch billy joel’s 100th madison square garden concert with hulu+ with live tv.

Hulu+ With Live TV is our best upgrade pick to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert based on its channel selection and its free subscriptions to Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus. Hulu+ With Live TV offers four plans: a $75.99 per month plan with access to only live TV; a $76.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; a $81.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; and a $89.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with no ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert with Hulu+ Live TV.

• Visit Hulu.com/liveTV
• Click “Sign Up Now”

When was Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden Concert recorded?

Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden Concert special was shot on March 28, 2024. The show marked his 100th consecutive performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City and was sold out to a crowd of nearly 20,000 audience members.

Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden Concert Setlist

• “Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)”
• “My Life”
• “Vienna”
• “The Downeaster Alexa”
• “An Innocent Man”
• “The Longest Time”
• “Turn the Lights Back On”
• “Big Man on Mulberry Street” (Duet with Sting)
• “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” (Duet with Sting)
• “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)”
• “Half a Mile Away”
• “The Entertainer”
• “Don’t Ask Me Why”
• “Allentown”
• “New York State of Mind”
• “Only the Good Die Young”
• “The River of Dreams”
• “Nessun dorma” (Giacomo Puccini cover, sung by Mike DelGuidice)
• “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant”
• “Piano Man”
• “We Didn’t Start the Fire”
• “Uptown Girl”
• “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me”
• “Big Shot”
• “You May Be Right”

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Billy Joel 100th Concert Special: How to Stream the Performance Online

Claire franken, weekend editor.

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Slow down, you crazy children! You won’t want to miss Sunday’s major musical celebration from the Piano Man himself. Here’s everything you need to know for watching the Billy Joel : The 100th — Live at Madison Square Garden concert special online.

( Note: CBS is only available in select markets. Always confirm that your area is eligible for CBS before signing up for a live-TV streaming service. )

Where to Watch the Billy Joel Concert Online for Free: Paramount Plus

The best way to livestream CBS is by signing up for the Paramount Plus With Showtime plan. If you’re a new user, you can even watch the Billy Joel concert for free by signing up for the Paramount Plus 7-day free trial . CBS can only be livestreamed with the premium plan that includes Showtime, which costs $11.99/month after the free trial period has ended. But, if you cancel your subscription right after Billy Joel: The 100th – Live at Madison Square Garden concludes, you can watch it free of charge! Or, you can opt for the $5.99/month Essential plan to stream the special the day after it airs.

Where to Watch the Billy Joel Concert Online — DirecTV Stream

How to Watch Billy Joel Concert Online for Free — Fubo TV

Fubo is another way to watch Billy Joel’s 100th concert special live online for free thanks to its seven-day free trial . Fubo’s Pro plan grants subscribers access to CBS in certain markets. For $79.99/month, you’ll also get access to over 175 other channels. More good news? You can cancel and change your subscription at any time, making Fubo an easy and low-commitment way for watching the concert online free.

How to Watch the Billy Joel Concert Online — Hulu + Live TV

The  Hulu + Live TV subscription  is one of the more expensive options for watching the Billy Joel concert without cable, ringing in at $76.99/month. With that being said, you get a lot of content with this bundle subscription. You gain access to the Hulu streaming library, CBS, ESPN+ and Disney+. This is a comprehensive packing for addressing all you cord-cutter needs, not just for watching the concert special.

When Is the Billy Joel Concert Special? Date, Start Time

As stated above, the pre-taped concert special begins at 9 pm ET and will be televised on CBS. It will run for two hours, ending at 11 pm ET. The 100th concert at MSG took place on March 28.

What Songs Does Billy Joel Play in 100th Concert Special? Madison Square Garden Setlist

• Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)
• The Downeaster “Alexa”
• An Innocent Man
• The Longest Time
• Turn the Lights Back On
• Big Man on Mulberry Street
• Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
• Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)
• Half a Mile Away
• The Entertainer
• Don’t Ask Me Why
• New York State of Mind
• Only the Good Die Young
• The River of Dreams
• Nessun Dorma
• Scenes From an Italian Restaurant
• We Didn’t Start the Fire (encore)
• Uptown Girl (encore)
• It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me (encore)
• Big Shot (enocre)
• You May Be Right (encore)

(If you sign up for a service through our links, TVLine may earn a commission.)

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When and where the solar eclipse will be crossing the U.S.

A total solar eclipse will grace the skies over North America on Monday, one of the most hotly anticipated sky-watching events in recent years.

Weather permitting , millions of people in Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada will have the chance to see the moon slip between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light .

The total solar eclipse will be visible along a “path of totality” that measures more than 100 miles wide and extends across the continent. Along that path, the moon will fully obscure the sun, causing afternoon skies to darken for a few minutes.

Follow live updates on the solar eclipse

In all other parts of the continental U.S., a partial solar eclipse will be visible, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun. Exactly how big a bite depends on the location.

The first spot in North America that will experience totality on Monday is on Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PT, according to NASA .

After moving northeast across Mexico, the eclipse’s path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Slivers of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

In Canada, the eclipse will be visible in parts of southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

The timing of the eclipse and the duration of totality varies by location. Most places will experience around 2 minutes of darkness, but the longest periods of totality are typically in the center of the eclipse’s path.

This year, the longest stretch of totality will last 4 minutes and 28 seconds in an area northwest of Torreón, Mexico.

Below is a list of timings for some U.S. cities along the path of totality, according to NASA .

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m. CT.
• Idabel, Oklahoma: Partial eclipse begins at 12:28 p.m. CT and totality at 1:45 p.m. CT.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m. CT.
• Poplar Bluff, Missouri: Partial eclipse begins at 12:39 p.m. CT and totality at 1:56 p.m. CT.
• Paducah, Kentucky: Partial eclipse begins at 12:42 p.m. CT and totality at 2:00 p.m. CT.
• Carbondale, Illinois: Partial eclipse begins at 12:42 p.m. CT and totality at 1:59 p.m. CT.
• Evansville, Indiana: Partial eclipse begins at 12:45 p.m. CT and totality at 2:02 p.m. CT.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Erie, Pennsylvania: Partial eclipse begins at 2:02 p.m. ET and totality at 3:16 p.m. ET.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Burlington, Vermont: Partial eclipse begins at 2:14 p.m. ET and totality at 3:26 p.m. ET.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.
• Caribou, Maine: Partial eclipse begins at 2:22 p.m. ET and totality at 3:32 p.m. ET.

Other resources can also help you figure out when the various phases of the eclipse will be visible where you live, including NationalEclipse.com and TimeandDate.com .

If you plan to watch the celestial event, remember that it’s never safe to look directly at the sun, including through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses. Special eclipse glasses are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent permanent eye damage.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.