Winter is great, but by the time January rolls around, everyone is thoroughly disgusted with wet snow, dirty slush, and chilly winds. Instead of being wet and cold, we dream of strolling in a lush, flower-filled garden on soft grass with perfumed breezes wafting by.
The good news is that winter is followed by spring, and spring brings beautiful flowers and lush gardens to reality. With so many beautiful botanical gardens across the United States, you can easily find a gorgeous garden close by to relax in.
Local gardens are great, but we've listed some of the best botanical gardens in the US that are our personal favorites, and you should visit if you are in the designated city.
Most of these botanical gardens hold regular plant shows, exhibitions, and sales all through the year. For example, the Longwood Gardens hosts workshops for amateur gardeners and children throughout the year, while the Denver Botanic Gardens is famous for its Blossoms of Light Festival in Dec-Jan.
However, the actual event schedule does tend to vary every year. Make sure you check the website of each garden before you plan your trip and itinerary.
Below is our pick of 10 best botanical gardens in the US to see flowers blooming this Spring.
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This 1,077-acre expanse of gardens, woodlands, and meadows is a magical experience anytime during the year. It's impossible to cover all 20 outdoor and indoor gardens in a single visit.
However, our personal favorites and must-see gardens include the Orangery with its exquisite collection of flowers and foliage, the East Conservatory with its intriguing expanse of waterfalls, fountains, flowers, and pools, and the Open Air Theater with its towering wall of water, hidden fountains and stunning setting for outdoor performances.
Address: 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348
The Denver Botanic Gardens is one of the best botanical gardens in the US.
This public botanical garden is barely 23-acres, but it is impressive. The outdoor conservatory, several theme gardens, and sunken amphitheater make this garden a great place to have a fun time.
At present, the garden has an Orchid Showcase that generates immense interest, but exhibits do change regularly. The garden is particularly famous for its annual concert series and the Spring Fall plant sales.
Address: 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206
A trip to New York is incomplete without a visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Brooklyn.
The 52-acre park has several specialty gardens that you can explore, but it's difficult to cover the entire garden in a single visit.
If you are visiting the park for the first time, make sure you plan your visit around the flowering of cherry trees. The cherry trees were planted after World War I, and the trees were a gift from the Japanese Government.
During flowering, the entire 52-acre park is filled with the fragrance of cherry flowers. Apart from the cherry trees, the Japanese Hill and Pond Garden and Alice Recknagel Ireys Fragrance Garden are a must-visit because of their unique nature.
The Alice Recknagel Ireys Fragrance Garden, in particular, is designed for people with vision disabilities. It is the only botanical garden in the US that encourages visitors to touch and rub the fragrant plants to experience their texture and perfume.
Address: 990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225
A visit to the Desert Botanical Gardens will be an eye-opener for you and your children. This 140-acre garden focuses on plants that thrive in extreme climates.
The handicap-accessible park hosts musical bands, wine-tasting events, dog-days, astronomical gazing, great views, and more than 140 unique plants from all over the world.
The park is particularly dazzling in spring when the succulents start flowering.
Address: 1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Also Read: Top Phoenix Attractions and Things To Do
Chicago Botanic Garden is one of the best botanical gardens in the US. The Windy City is particularly proud of its Botanic Garden and it has every right to be so. The Botanic Garden is lovely all through the year but the can't-miss Model Railroad Garden is simply stunning.
The garden has exquisite miniature trains traveling through an extensive framework of tunnels, bridges, and built-to-scale landmarks like the White House and historic Comiskey Park.
Each part of the garden is handmade from natural materials by noted designer Paul Brusse who specializes in garden railway design. This display is a must-see for children and adults alike.
Address: 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
The Atlanta Botanical Gardens are a must-visit for the Canopy Walk. The 600-foot-long skywalk takes the visitor all along one of the last remaining urban forests in the world.
The Walk covers Storza Woods and provides an aerial view of the botanical gardens located below.
Don't forget to visit the Rose Garden and the Japanese Garden with a quick pop-through to the Children's Garden.
Accommodation: Where to stay in Atlanta
Address: 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Also Read: Top Tourist Attractions in Atlanta
Probably one of the best botanical gardens in the US, the National Tropical Botanical Garden focuses on preserving and displaying tropical plant life in its natural setting.
The Garden has five sections: Limahuli Garden and Preserve, Allerton Garden, McBryde Garden, Kahanu Garden, and the Kampong.
Each of these gardens has its own living laboratory with scientists and researchers studying flora and fauna of the unique gardens.
Visitors are provided with a map, but the parks are famous for their water features, old grove charm, tiered plantings, rare plants, and beautiful views spread out over the island.
Address: 4425 Lawai Rd, Koloa, HI 96756
The Memphis Botanic Garden is famous for its gardens, but it is super-popular for its events. World-renowned artists perform live at the venue and events are fully booked well in advance.
Memphians love the garden for its scenic beauty and annual events that include the Daffodil Dash Race, the Family Egg Hunt, and the Mother's Day Jazz Brunch.
Address: 750 Cherry Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
The Missouri Botanical Garden hosts several annual cultural festivals, including a Chinese Cultural Day, the Japanese Festival, etc.
Multiple Asian festivals are held in the garden, and visitors can also enjoy special features like the Children's Garden, the Climatron (a geodesic dome greenhouse), the English Woodland Garden, the Blanke Boxwood Garden and the Strassenfest German Garden.
Address: 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110
If you want to see a traditional Japanese garden, you don't even have to place a single toe out of the US. The Portland Japanese Garden in Oregon brings traditional Japanese landscaping right to your doorstep.
The impressive 5.5-acre garden encompasses five different Japanese garden styles and you can loiter in the Tea Garden, the Stroll Garden, the Flat Garden, the Natural Garden and the Sand/Stone Garden at your leisure.
This garden is one of the must-visit botanical gardens in the US as it combines tranquility and harmony with nature but in a way that represents a completely different culture.
Address: 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205