9 Botanical Gardens Worth Visiting This Summer

Whether you're a brand-new gardener or you've had a green thumb for years, watching a professionally designed garden in full bloom is genuinely motivating — and most botanical gardens double as real educational resources, with classes on everything from native plants to garden design. They're worth building into a summer trip or even a weekend outing.

1. United States Botanic Garden — Washington, DC

A living plant museum with roots tracing back to George Washington, home to the First Ladies water garden and a striking glass conservatory built in 1867.

2. Missouri Botanical Garden — St. Louis

A National Historic Landmark and the oldest botanical garden in continuous operation in the country, with a Victorian garden and 23 demonstration gardens sized and designed like an actual residential yard.

3. San Francisco Botanical Garden — San Francisco

Tucked inside Golden Gate Park, this garden's unusual microclimate lets it grow plant species that can't survive most other places in the country, some well outside their native range.

4. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden — Richmond, Virginia

A large garden built around seasonal design, with a conservatory and a dedicated Children's Garden — worth a membership if you're local enough to visit more than once a year.

5. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens — Columbus, Ohio

Known for botanical art alongside its plant collections, with a weekly farmer's market and plant sales that make it easy to combine a visit with something practical.

6. Atlanta Botanical Garden — Atlanta

Home to the largest collection of orchids grown under glass in the country, plus large-scale botanical sculpture installations — plan for a full day here.

7. Chicago Botanic Garden — Chicago

A newer, community-oriented garden with a modern feel. Summer brings its best displays, along with extended evening hours and regular events.

8. Desert Botanical Garden — Phoenix

Focused entirely on desert ecosystems, with evening concerts that turn a desert-plant education into an actual event.

9. New York Botanical Garden — New York City

Large enough that it can take more than one visit to see fully — Daffodil Hill and the Edible Academy's hands-on classes are both worth building a visit around.

Bring the Inspiration Home

If a visit gets you thinking about growing more yourself, grow a freeze-dry garden and planting a kitchen herb garden are both good starting points, and preserving your garden harvest covers what to do once your own garden actually produces something.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the oldest continuously operating botanical garden in the U.S.?
The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, which is also designated a National Historic Landmark.

Which botanical garden has the largest orchid collection?
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is known for the largest collection of orchids grown under glass in the country.

Are botanical gardens good for learning gardening skills, not just sightseeing?
Yes — most major botanical gardens offer public classes on topics like native plants, garden design, and seasonal growing, in addition to being scenic places to visit.

Is the New York Botanical Garden worth more than one visit?
Many visitors find it large enough to warrant multiple trips, especially if you want to see specific seasonal features like Daffodil Hill or take part in Edible Academy classes.