Summer is in full swing, which means there’s no better time to play outdoors. But even diehard city lovers sometimes tire of the incessant urban annoyances in the summer months: the long commutes, the endless pavement, and the oppressive heat.
And these days, botanical gardens offer so much more than just plants. From evening concerts to sculpturegardens to international art exhibitions, botanical gardens are at the heart of city culture. Some even boast stunning fountain displays or children’s gardens that will entertain even the tiniest among us.
For all the design- and architecture-obsessed urbanites out there looking for something to do this summer, consider a botanical garden. We’ve rounded up 11 of the best, right here.
The Flat Garden and Pavilion of the Portland Japanese Garden.
Portland Japanese Garden
Located in Portland’s Washington Park, this 5.5-acre Japanese Garden features five different gardening styles: a strolling pond, tea garden, sand and stone garden, flat garden, and natural garden. It’s a serene and picturesque atmosphere, considered to be the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan.
The Palm House and Lily Pool Terrace at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Founded in 1910 and located in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden features more than 10,000 kinds of plants from all over the world. The garden is open year-round and boasts an alluring indoor tropical garden that’s great for winter, but one of the more popular times to visit is the period during the spring when dozens of cherry blossoms bloom.
Cacti stand tall at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix.
Desert Botanical Garden
It’s easy to discount arid destinations as unlikely places for botanical gardens, but Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden proves that deserts are alive and beautiful too. More than 50,000 plants are on display on 140 acres, and visitors can walk five different loops that showcase cacti, wildflowers, and even herbs. Don’t miss special events featuring music or a night of ballet, all set in the gardens.
The fountain garden at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Longwood Gardens
Founded by industrialist Pierre du Pont, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania’s Longwood Gardens is a bit like jetting away to Versailles for the weekend: Stunning fountains abound, the Orangery is divine, and perfectly symmetrical hedges leave you in awe.
But Longwood also boasts four-and-a-half acres of indoor gardens, a 10,010-pipe Longwood Organ, and a serene waterlily display. Don’t miss the illuminated fountain and fireworks performances each weekend during the summer; the fountains just underwent a $90 million renovation and the show is spectacular.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
It’s hard to choose just one or two things to highlight about the 50-acre Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, especially because this Richmond, Virginia, spot boasts more than a dozen themed gardens. The classical domed Conservatory—the only one of its kind in the mid-Atlantic—is downright Instagrammable, and we love everything from the children’s garden to the stunning rose garden.
A water feature at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C.
United States Botanic Garden
It’d be easy to include this garden in Washington, D.C., on history alone: Congress established it on the National Mall in 1820, making it one of the oldest in the country. But there’s also plenty to love on its own merit, like the 65,000-strong plant collection and the conservatory, where you’ll find indoor gardens focused on jungle and desert climates.
The Japanese Garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Denver Botanic Gardens
This 24-acre oasis in Denver is one of the top attractions in the city, no matter the weather. Spring and summer are ideal times to visit the Japanese, waterlily, and ornamental gardens, while the Gardens of the West section shows how drought-tolerant and native plants thrive in a semi-arid environment. There is also an excellent children’s garden—complete with interactive stream—and top-notch concerts and events throughout the year.
The iconic domed conservatory at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Missouri Botanical Garden
There’s much to love about the 79-acre Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, from the 14-acre Japanese garden to one of the world’s largest collections of rare orchids. But one of the most compelling exhibits is Climatron, the first geodesic dome to be used as a conservatory.
Set on 47 acres that lie between Highway 1 and the Pacific Ocean, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg is one of the few botanical gardens located on the coast. This means that you get ocean views with your rhododendrons and dahlias, and the garden is also a great spot to see more than 160 species of birds.
A Chihuly sculpture in a fountain at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
There’s something for everyone at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, an urban oasis located in the heart of Midtown. From edible plants to an award-winning children’s garden to a tropical conservatory, the Atlanta Botanical Garden boasts 30 acres that educate, inspire, and provide an easy respite from the city beyond. Don’t miss annual outdoor exhibits that invite internationally renowned artists to showcase their work in the gardens.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Everything is bigger in Texas, so it makes sense that the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden offers a lot. Seventeen specialty gardens give you plenty to choose from in the 66-acre space, and the Dallas Arboretum is especially known for their holiday-themed events. At their fall festival, for example, the gardens use 150,000 fall blooming plants and 90,000 pumpkins to create a Pumpkin Village that will impress any plant (or Halloween!) lover.