Harry P. Leu Gardens, a 50-acre historic estate and botanical garden in downtown Orlando, is a kaleidoscope of colors throughout the year. Stroll the walkways that wind through butterfly, herb and rose gardens, past dozens of species of azalea, bamboo and banana plants, showcasing a prized Camellia collection that has more than 2,000 plants and is considered one of the best in the U.S. The gardens also include a number of whimsical sculptures, a native wetlands garden and nearly 400 species of palms.
Parking at Leu Gardens
Ample free parking is available.
Best and worst time to go to Leu Gardens
Although the park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visit in early morning to avoid Florida's afternoon heat and thunderstorms, especially from spring to early fall. The gardens have free admission on the first Monday of each month, with added bonuses on those days including a sidewalk cafe on the patio and a popsicle stand in the gardens. The gardens are closed only on Christmas Day, although the Leu House Museum is typically closed each July for restorations.
Admission to Leu Gardens
Park admission is $10-$12, with students in grades K-12 admitted for a nominal fee and children 4 and under free. Discounted rates are available for larger groups.
Must see/do at Leu Gardens
Don't miss the guided tours of the Leu House Museum, a restored 19th-century home overlooking Lake Rowena that shows what life was like in Central Florida at the turn of the century. The tours, which start on the hour and half hour beginning at 10 a.m., last about 25 minutes and are complimentary with admission. The last tour starts at 3:30 p.m. On your walk through the gardens, make sure to visit the Citrus Grove, which showcases Central Florida's roots with more than 50 types of citrus trees. Numerous other varieties of tropical and subtropical fruit trees dot the gardens, including avocado, guava, mango, papaya, pear, pineapple and star fruit.
Other places to visit near Leu Gardens
For a romantic dining experience after your visit to the gardens, try Santiago's Bodega, a laid-back tapas-style restaurant and bar with soups, salads, desserts and more than 30 small plates, or the Funky Monkey Wine Company on North Mills Avenue, where you can enjoy an extensive wine list, sushi and American cuisine with an Asian flair. Both are within 1.5 miles of Leu Gardens.
Insider tip for visitors to Leu Gardens
For a romantic night out, surprise your significant other with Date Night at Leu Gardens. Held on the first Friday of each month from February to December, the event includes discounted admission to the garden at 6 p.m., followed by a free movie for which you can bring a lawn chair or blanket. Popcorn and other food items are available for purchase, or pack your own picnic basket with wine, cheese and fruit.
Author's bio: Kevin Adams is a freelance writer who has lived in Orlando for more than a decade and has had travel articles appear on USAToday.com and in Golfweek magazine.
A short drive from downtown Asheville, the North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre natural protected environment featuring 65 acres of cultivated gardens for all ages to enjoy. The Arboretum offers miles of self-guided walking, hiking, and biking trails with a variety of difficulty levels as well as educational programming and exhibits throughout the year. Guided walking trails are available April through November.
Parking and public transportation at the North Carolina Arboretum
Parking at the North Carolina Arboretum is $14 for personal vehicles, $50 for commercial vehicles, and $100 for busses or motor-coaches. The Arboretum's Education Center, exhibit center and gardens are wheelchair accessible. Annual membership passes are available.
Best and worst time to go to the North Carolina Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum features plants in bloom year round. Because many of the exhibits are outdoors, the best time to visit are during the spring, summer and fall months. However, during rainy days, the Arboretum offers educational opportunities inside.
Admission to the North Carolina Arboretum
Aside from parking, there is no admission fee to the North Carolina Arboretum.
Must see/do at the North Carolina Arboretum
The Arboretum features the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, which opened in 2005 and includes more than 100 diverse bonsai trees from around the world. Due to weather conditions, the Bonsai Exhibition Garden is open from mid-March through mid-November. Other popular exhibits include the quilt garden, native azalea garden, and a winter outdoor lighting exhibit.
Other places to visit near the North Carolina Arboretum
The Arboretum is located at the entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway off of Highway 191 in South Asheville. Visitors can travel north or south on the Parkway to see amazing views of the Southern Appalachia. Guests are also encouraged to visit the Asheville Outlet Mall on Highway 191, near Interstate I-26.
Insider tip for visitors to the North Carolina Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum hosts many national exhibits throughout the year that encompass art, history, science and culture. Many are indoors and can be enjoyed year-round. Visit their website at ncarboretum.org for a list of current exhibits.
Author's bio: Carolyn B. Fraiser is a freelance journalist, photographer, and publications specialist in Asheville, North Carolina. Follow her on Twitter @carolynbfraiser.
Cornerstone Sonoma is a commercial community of local home and garden shops, wineries and galleries embedded among lush architectural landscaping. This collection of shops and restaurants sprawls over nine acres of geometric modern gardens and water features. This center is alsoavailable for event rentals, particularly weddings.
With over 65,000 plants, the United States Botanical Gardens in Washington, D.C. is a green oasis in the middle of a bustling metropolis. From the towering trees of the jungle, small succulents of the desserts, to an incredible variety of gorgeous orchids, the Botanical Gardens offers an amazing experience to everyone from botanists to those who don't know a conifer from a crocus.
Best and worst time to go to Botanical Gardens
While spring and summer are the best time to see blooms (and to visit the outdoor butterfly garden), the sheer diversity of plants means there are no bad times to visit the gardens, which are open from 10 am to 5 p.m. every day of the year. Winter visitors arriving between Thanksgiving and New Years will even be treated to elaborate model train displays set up all over the conservatory, with live music and extended hours on certain nights (check website for details).
Must see/do at Botanical Gardens
One of the most popular exhibits in the Botanical Gardens is a set of balconies which runs around the edge of the jungle exhibition in the conservatory, allowing visitors to get a tree-tops view of the canopy. The orchid display, which features a rotating array of plants from a collection of over 5,000 species, is also a must-see. The 'Plants-in-Culture' exhibition is another great choice; fascinating, educational, and a hands-on experience for kids.
Admission to Botanical Gardens
Admission to the Botanical Gardens is free, and, after a renovation finished in 2001, the conservatory is now completely accessible to all visitors.
Parking and public transportation to Botanical Gardens
While there is limited paid street parking available around the Botanical Gardens, visitors are STRONGLY encouraged to use public transportation. The best way to reach the Botanical Gardens by Metro is to ride the blue, orange or silver lines to Federal Center Southwest, and then to walk up Third street to Independence Avenue (roughly five minutes). Visitors using the DC Bike Share also have easy access to the gardens, there is a bike dock right outside the entrance, at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Independence Avenue.
Food at Botanical Gardens
While there are no eating facilities at the Botanical Gardens themselves, the neighborhoods around the gardens are great places to eat. In the immediate vicinity of the gardens browse second street and D street for some good options. Alternately, take the subway two stops down to Eastern Market and walk along Pennsylvania Avenue or Eighth street, both of which house an incredible variety of amazing restaurants.
Insider tip for visitors to Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens is not only home to plants, it's also home to some great events. From model train exhibits in the winter to live concerts year-round visitors are strongly advised to check out the programs calendar on the website to see what is happening at the gardens while they are in town.
Author's bio: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins has been living in DC since she was born, with the exception of a few brief residential stints in Malawi, South Africa, and the UK. When not writing, she spends her time working on aerial acrobatics and fostering kittens, both of which are really fun facts to bring up at DC cocktail parties.
The Denver Botanic Gardens, located in the Cheesman Park neighborhood of Denver, features North America's largest collection of plants from cold temperate climates around the world. It is known for it's beautiful plants as well as fun activities like touring exhibitions from visual artists like Dale Chihuly, a summer concerts series and Christmas lights in the winter.
Parking and public transportation
The Denver Botanic Gardens has both an above and below ground parking garage as well as street parking in the very safe and secure surrounding neighborhoods of Cheesman Park and Congress Park.
Best and worst time to go to Denver Botanic Gardens
While the Gardens to have a greenhouse and several indoor attractions, most of the viewing is done outside. Visit the park in the spring or summer where the plants are blooming and the weather is nice. While holiday lights are available towards the end of the year, winter is not an ideal time to visit.
Admission
Admission is free to members and children under 2. Discounts are given to seniors, military and students. For a full list of pricing as well as membership information, visit http://www.botanicgardens.org/.
Must see/do at Denver Botanic Gardens
Seeing a concert at the gardens is a truly memorable experience and one of the most comfortable and beautiful settings you can see one in. The genre's of music are vast and family friendly. Check out the full lineup here: http://concerts.botanicgardens.org/
Other places to visit near Denver Botanic Gardens
Cheeseman Park, located to the West of the Gardens is one of Denver's best kept parks and, as legend has it, very haunted. Board a Banjo Billy's Bus Tour and have them tell you all about the spirits that roam the area.
Insider tip for visitors to Denver Botanic Gardens
A Denver B-Cycle Station is listed right outside of the gardens and is a convenient and fun way to get there. Also, if you have children, be sure to visit the Kid's Area located across the Gardens on York Street.
Author's bio: Andy Thomas is a Colorado native. He is a journalist and touring musician. He has most likely slept on a floor in your hometown.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has two miles of walking trails meandering over the property where visitors can see living animals from reptiles to bears and mountain lions -- including an aquarium and a cave. Docents give free demonstrations of plants and small animals.
Best and worst times to go to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Saturdays offer extended hours to 10:00 PM. This is special fun for those who like to find shiny scorpions with black lights. It also gives a chance to see the nocturnal animals. The worst time is after 4:00 PM, when no discounts are available. Afternoons in the summer are very hot. Bring your own bottled water; fountains provide free refills.
Must see at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Many events are scheduled throughout the year. Don't miss the hummingbirds, who are so accustomed to people that the nests are easily seen. Children love the snakes and frogs just within the gates. You may be fortunate enough to catch a docent showing them and letting kids touch them.
Admission to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Admission varies for those 4 and above from about $6:00 to $25.00. Buying a membership gets you in and gives a chance to come back often. Military and student discounts are available; ask at the desk.
Parking at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Unpaved parking wanders among the cactus and mesquite. Handicapped parking is near the entrance. Bus and RV parking is available. If there is an advertised event, nearby parking may fill up early.
Food at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Near the entrance a selection of foods from snacks to fancy dinners is available. Some snacks are available along the trail. Snack prices are a little above in-town prices. The dinners are relatively equal to a good dinner in town.
Insider tip for visitors at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Try the Native American dishes made from cactus and desert plants, a special late-spring event. If you can drive mountain roads, go over Gates Pass, you can see for miles and miles across the desert. Do not touch the soft looking jumping cactus, or the fuzzy looking prickly pear; you'll get a handful of thorns. No pets are allowed, even in the parking area.
Author's bio: Joanne Birch is a freelance writer from the southern mountains of Arizona. She writes tips for parents and about the history of Arizona.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a beautiful oasis in Richmond boasting over 50 acres of meticulously cultivated land. The gardens are maintained year round and contain thousands of plant varieties from around the globe, and they are home to the only classically domed conservatory on the East Coast. Visitors can expect to find seasonal attractions throughout the year, with one of the most popular being the GardenFest of Lights, a spectacular walk-through light show during the holiday season. In addition to the gardens, Lewis Ginter offers a library, garden shop, and two dining options, although their Robins Tea House is only open seasonally.
How to get to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
The entrance to the gardens is on Lakeside Avenue near the corner of Lakeside and Hilliard. It is easy to spot, and generous parking is available. There is separate parking for buses, and it is well marked and easy to find. From the parking lots, one building entrance leads to the garden shop and another to the main hall closer to the dining area, but everything is connected so it's easy to find your way inside. Tickets to access the gardens are sold at the desks in the main hall.
Best and worst times to visit Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens is open daily with the exception of Thanksgiving Day and December 24th and 25th. However, the gardens tend to be busier on weekends, so it is best to plan to visit during the week. GardenFest of Lights begins on Black Friday and extends through January, and it is busiest closest to Christmas. The best times to see the lights are just after sunset in early December and during the week after Christmas. Check ahead during special events, as some evenings are reserved for garden members only. Robins Tea House and The Garden Cafe have separate hours from the gardens, and it is recommended that you check the website or call ahead for their hours.
Admission to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Members are admitted to the gardens for free, but for non members, access to the gardens is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $8 for children aged 3-12, and free for children under 3. Group rates are available, but you must call for details and pricing. The Robins Tea House, education center, and library are located inside the gardens, so paid admission to the gardens or a membership is necessary to access them. Reservations are recommended for dining at the Tea House. Admission is not required to access the Garden Shop or Garden Cafe.
Must-sees at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
The conservatory is lush with tropical greenery, exotic orchids, and a wide variety of desert plants, as well as a fairy garden and seasonal exhibitions such as live interactive butterfly exhibits. The GardenFest of Lights is stunning, and includes model trains and mini villages built entirely from botanical materials. Additionally, the children's garden is exceptional and includes a handicap accessible tree house from which the entire garden and lake are visible.
Other places to visit near Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
The gardens are only a short drive from downtown Richmond, and the Lakeside district is a charming residential area where you'll find antique and consignment shops, a unique pet store called Fin and Feather, and the seasonal Lakeside Farmers Market that operates from May through October. The gardens are also part of the Richmond Garden Trail, which includes 8 stunning gardens within 10 miles of one another.
Insider tip for visiting
The best spot for great photos is the Japanese garden outside of Robins Tea House. There is a little stream with a charming wooden bridge that makes a great backdrop for portraits, and that same path leads through an incredible circular gateway which looks fantastic in pictures. It's one of the most iconic settings in Lewis Ginter.
Author's bio: Kitty Lusby is an author and blogger from the Richmond area. She believes that travel is absolutely necessary and encourages exploration both abroad and in your own backyard.
The Allied Arts Guild is a historic park area featuring beautiful gardens, shops, artists' studios and the Cafe Primavera restaurant. It is owned and operated by The Allied Arts Guild, which hosts public events and holiday celebrations throughout the year. The area is also available for weddings, receptions and other private affairs.
The Butterfly Place is large-scale aviary, housing more than 40 varieties of the brightly colored fluttering specimen. In an open-space greenhouse, visitors can observe these creatures in their element, with caterpillars walking about the flora and chrysalises adorning branches and stems.
