10 Gorgeous Gardens to Visit
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Dallas Arboretum
- Location: Dallas, Texas
- Admission: $22-26pp
- Highlight: Numerous water features
- Best time to visit: Fall during the spectacular pumpkin festival
Southern Living magazine ranked the gorgeous Dallas Arboretum as “one of the South’s best botanical gardens.” Highlights of the 66 acre space include the vibrant Margaret Elizabeth Jonsson Color Garden, featuring seasonal flowers, the Nancy Rutchik Red Maple Rill featuring 80 varieties of Japanese maples, and Nancy’s Garden featuring pink crape myrtles and azaleas. The entire space is beautiful, with the reflecting pools, waterfalls, and fountains adding a serene touch. If possible, time your visit during the pumpkin extravaganza held each fall. This event, rated as “one of America’s best pumpkin festivals” by Fodor’s, features over 90,000 pumpkins arranged in a new creative theme each autumn.
US Botanical Gardens
- Location: Washington, DC
- Admission: Free
- Highlight: The oldest continuously operated botanical garden (est. 1820)
- Best time to visit: Anytime you need a history break (I love the annual holiday display)
An under visited gem in DC’s historically rich Capitol Hill neighborhood is the US Botanical Gardens. Like most of the Smithsonian museums in this area, admission is completely free. The space is quite small compared to others on this list, however, the combination of indoor and outdoor gardens, plus many rare plants makes for an exciting visit. The orchid room, conservatory, tropical rainforest, garden primeval, and world deserts gardens are all particularly impressive. The National Gardens (outside) focuses on plant life found in the mid Atlantic region. This garden is a wonderful shady oasis during the warm summer season, while the indoor gardens are the perfect cozy escape on frosty winter days.
Tohono Chul
- Location: Tucson, AZ
- Admission: $20pp
- Highlight: Diverse range of plants native to the Sonoran desert
- Best time to visit: Anytime outside of the extremely hot summer season
National Geographic Traveler called this spectacular garden “one of the Top 22 Secret Gardens in the U.S. and Canada.” This park is a real gem, even moreso if you are interested in desert plant life, being that it is home to 49 acres of grounds featuring cacti & plants of the Sonoran. Here you will find over 300 varieties of cacti including the stately Saguaro, over 50 varieties of wildflowers, as well as 150 species of trees. Native animals you may encounter on the trails include bobcats and Gila monsters. A hummingbird garden, a Saguaro Discovery trail, and an endangered Riparian Habitat are also must sees here. Also do stop by the wonderful shady garden cafe and check out the unique gift shop featuring cacti plants and Mexican pottery.
Portland Japanese Garden
- Location: Portland, OR
- Admission: $22pp
- Highlight: The former Ambassador of Japan (Nobuo Matsunaga) declared it “the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan.”
- Best time to visit: The summer months (less chance of rain)
Strolling through this tranquil 12 acre garden is an absolute must do when visiting Portland. There is no better place to relax, rejuvenate, meditate, and enjoy nature. Featuring quiet waterfalls, a koi pond, a fabulous view of Mt Hood, and lush greenery in 8 separate gardens, it’s a true sanctuary. The Strolling Ponds Garden, a picture-perfect oasis, is a popular photography destination due to the iconic Moon bridge. The Bonsai terrace features a rotating selection from around the region. Also quite unique is the Sand and Stone Garden, called a karesansui, and more commonly known as a Zen Garden.
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
- Location: Boston, MA
- Admission: Free
- Highlight: The oldest public arboretum in North America
- Best time to visit: Spring cherry blossom season (late March-April)
- See more pics from the Arboretum
This free arboretum in Boston was established in 1872, making it the country’s oldest public arboretum. There is no admission fee, so really this is a must for anyone looking for something fun, free, and peaceful to do. The 281 acre well landscaped space includes over 16,000 plants from around the world. Featuring lots of quiet nature trails and a large pond, this is the perfect place to escape the city congestion for a bit. The arboretum takes on a new fresh look each season. From spring cherry blossom blooms, to vivid fall foliage, to a wintry wonderland – there is always something new and beautiful to look forward to.
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