Botanical gardens serve as living museums, showcasing the diversity of plant life
while providing serene spaces for education and relaxation. Across the United
States, these horticultural havens offer visitors the chance to explore meticulously
curated collections of flora from around the world, often set against stunning
architectural backgrounds.
Here’s a look at 20 of the best botanical gardens in the U.S., each offering its unique
blend of natural beauty and scientific wonder.
Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, Missouri
Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is the nation’s oldest botanical
garden in continuous operation. Its 79 acres feature a Japanese garden, a geodesic
dome Climatron, and one of the world’s largest collections of rare and endangered
orchids.
New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York
This 250-acre oasis in the heart of New York City boasts 50 distinct gardens and
plant collections. The garden’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, a stunning Victorian-
style glasshouse, is home to tropical rainforests and desert environments.
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Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, Illinois
Spanning 385 acres and featuring 27 distinct gardens, this Midwest gem is known for
its bonsai collection and stunning Japanese gardens. The garden’s unique island
setting, surrounded by nine islands in the Cook County Forest Preserves, offers
picturesque views and diverse ecosystems.
Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
Set against the red rocks of the Sonoran Desert, this 140-acre garden showcases
the diverse flora of arid regions. Visitors can explore five thematic trails featuring
thousands of species of cacti, succulents, and other desert-adapted plants.
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Once the private estate of industrialist Pierre S. du Pont, Longwood Gardens now
spans 1,100 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows. Its 4-acre conservatory
houses exotic plants from around the world, while the outdoor gardens feature
stunning fountains and seasonal displays.
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United States Botanic Garden, Washington, D.C.
Established by Congress in 1820, this historic garden sits at the foot of the U.S.
Capitol building. Its conservatory and outdoor gardens showcase plants from diverse
ecosystems, including a popular orchid collection and a unique ‘Jurassic landscape’
featuring ancient plant species.
San Francisco Botanical Garden, San Francisco, California
Located within Golden Gate Park, this 55-acre garden is home to over 8,000
different kinds of plants from around the world. Its mild climate allows for the
cultivation of many species that can’t be grown elsewhere in the U.S., including a
magnificent collection of magnolias.
Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, Georgia
Known for its innovative exhibitions and events, the Atlanta Botanical Garden
features 30 acres of outdoor gardens, a children’s garden, and a unique Canopy
Walk. Its Fuqua Orchid Center houses one of the most important orchid collections in
the U.S.
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Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, Colorado
This 24-acre urban oasis showcases plants from Colorado and similar regions
around the world. Its Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory, the nation’s largest
single structure tropical conservatory, provides a stark contrast to the arid outdoor
gardens.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida
Spanning 83 acres, Fairchild is one of the world’s premier tropical botanic gardens. It
features extensive collections of rare tropical plants including palms, cycads,
flowering trees, and vines.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, New York
This 52-acre garden in the heart of Brooklyn is famous for its cherry blossom festival
and its Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. The garden’s conservatory houses plants
from three different climate zones, offering year-round tropical escapism amid the
city.
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Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, Virginia
Covering 50 acres, this garden features more than a dozen themed gardens,
including an extensive children’s garden and a classical domed conservatory. Its
seasonal displays, particularly the holiday light show, make it a year-round
destination.
Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, San
Marino, California
This 120-acre property combines art, history, and nature, with over a dozen themed
gardens. Its Desert Garden, featuring one of the largest outdoor collections of
mature cacti and succulents in the world, is particularly renowned.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
Founded in 1893, Phipps is a historic landmark known for its Victorian greenhouse
and seasonal flower shows. Its Center for Sustainable Landscapes is one of the
greenest buildings in the world, generating its energy and treating all storm and
sanitary water captured on-site.
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Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon
Often considered the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan, this 12-acre
hillside garden offers tranquil beauty in every season. Its eight distinct garden styles,
tea house, and stunning views of Mount Hood create a uniquely serene experience.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Dallas, Texas
Situated on 66 acres overlooking White Rock Lake, this garden is known for its
spectacular seasonal displays and festivals. Its Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure
Garden offers 17 indoor/outdoor galleries to teach science and nature to young
visitors.
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Papaikou, Hawaii
This 40-acre ‘garden in a valley on the ocean’ showcases the lush beauty of tropical
plants. Its location on the Big Island’s scenic Hamakua Coast allows visitors to
experience a pristine Hawaiian environment filled with exotic plants, waterfalls, and
ocean vistas.
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Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine
As the largest botanical garden in New England, this 295-acre coastal gem offers a
unique blend of cultivated gardens and natural landscapes. Its Children’s Garden,
sensory gardens, and miles of hiking trails provide diverse experiences for visitors of
all ages.
Duke Gardens, Durham, North Carolina
Covering 55 acres on the campus of Duke University, these gardens offer a stunning
array of landscapes, from manicured terraces to native woods. Its Blomquist Garden
of Native Plants showcases the rich flora of the southeastern United States.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, Minnesota
As part of the University of Minnesota, this 1,200-acre arboretum combines gardens,
plant collections, and natural areas. Its Three-Mile Drive offers a scenic tour through
various landscapes, while themed gardens showcase plants adapted to the northern
climate.
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Explore the Best Botanical Gardens in the U.S.
These botanical gardens represent some of the finest horticultural displays and
research institutions in the United States. Each gives a unique perspective on the
plant world, from desert succulents to tropical rainforests, and from native
wildflowers to exotic orchids.
Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat, a family-friendly outing, or a deeper
understanding of plant science, these gardens provide enriching experiences for
visitors of all interests and ages.
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