Add These Botanical Gardens to Your Must-Visit List

Take a break from traditional tourist landmarks to enjoy nature

The vibrant blue of Jardin Majorelle stands out among the plants, palm trees and cacti. Step into these botanical gardens for a relaxing break from the hustle of your vacation.

Jan Wlodarczyk/Alamy Stock Photo

Annita Stokes Thomas,

AARP

Published February 20, 2025

You have probably heard the saying, “Stop and smell the roses.” Vacations are the perfect time to experience the serene public spaces and gardens in the cities you visit. For more than 40 years traveling to 130 countries and 50 states, I have included botanical gardens and nature areas on trips. I’m able to find relaxation away from the fast-paced and bustling tourist areas, where crowds and long lines can leave me feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.

“Gardens bring us joy and calm!” says Lisa Hall, president of The Garden Club of Georgia Inc. “You instantly feel relaxed as you take the time to walk outdoors and take in nature’s beauty. You can also learn a lot about plants, landscape design and conservation techniques.”

Botanical gardens offer wonderful opportunities for older adults when traveling. Access to gardens provides space for exercise and physical activity, positively impacting mental and physical health. Time spent outdoors connects us with nature and encourages relaxation and less stress. Community events and programs offered by gardens are a big part of getting involved. This is one of my favorite ways to enjoy gardens when traveling, especially solo. I make new friends, learn about the area and feel less alone. The educational component of visiting gardens shouldn’t be overlooked. Educational workshops, lectures and tours are perfect for continued learning. For 12 years on my radio show, Travel With Annita (available on my website), I have shared ways to include a theme with your travel, and visiting botanical gardens is a wonderful theme to add to your itinerary.

“Visiting a botanical garden when you travel connects you to the destination through the flora and fauna of the area,” says Beverly Hurley, editor of Triangle Gardener, a North Carolina gardening magazine. “The trees, the flowers, the design are part of the environment of the place you are visiting. And most times, the local residents who volunteer at the garden love to tell stories about the garden and the locale.”

This list of botanical gardens includes places to relax, reflect or get your hands in the dirt for a few hours. Prices, listed in U.S. dollars, may change based on exchange rates.

Sonoma Botanical Garden is dedicated to conservation and plant diversity.

Courtesy Daniel Perales Studios/Sonoma Botanical Garden

Sonoma Botanical Garden

Glen Ellen, California

Founded in 1987 by Jane Davenport Jansen, a botanist and cultivator of rare seeds, the garden has been dedicated to conservation and plant diversity since its beginning. The beauty of Asian and California native pines and redwoods is celebrated in the “Bonsai Show: Wood & Stone” through March 30. There, you’ll see small and large bonsai trees displayed in a tranquil and serene setting. Throughout the year, bring your hiking shoes to explore the 67 acres of Asian woodland and California native oak savanna, or use the 0.5-mile accessible path.

“A visit [to the Sonoma Botanical Garden] offers a refreshing break between wine tastings, with fresh air, hiking trails and stunning views,” says Jeannie Perales, executive director of the garden. “From May to October, enjoy extended evening hours with live, local music in our Redwood Amphitheater — dogs and picnics welcome!” Admission: $15 for adults; $12 for adults 65-plus. Open daily: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

St. George Village Botanical Garden is set in the ruins of an 18th-century Danish sugar plantation.

Courtesy Development Counsellors International

St. George Village Botanical Garden

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Set in the ruins of an 18th-century Danish sugar plantation, over 1,000 exotic and native plants highlight the island’s natural beauty and create a vibrant journey through towering palm trees, flowering vines and lively tropical blooms. Admission: $15 for adults; $10 for adults 60 and older. Open daily: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Guests can stroll through shaded paths and enjoy an oasis of fragrances and natural beauty at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden.

Courtesy Development Counsellors International

Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

A lush and vibrant array of plants and flowers, including orchids, palms, bromeliads and a host of succulents and exotic plants, provides a tranquil feel to a visit. Guests can stroll through shaded paths and enjoy an oasis of fragrances and natural beauty.

“These sites offer visitors a tranquil environment to connect with nature while gaining insights into our rich culture and heritage,” says Joseph Boschulte, U.S. Virgin Islands’ commissioner of tourism. Admission: $12 for adults; $10 for adults 65-plus. Open: Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

At Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, South Africa, visitors get a view of Table Mountain.

Ian Dagnall/Alamy Stock Photo

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Cape Town, South Africa

A garden highlight is a bust of Nelson Mandela beside the pepper-bark tree Mandela planted on his visit to Kirstenbosch in 1996. Beautiful green spaces showcase local plants, providing an understanding of the region’s biodiversity and horticultural traditions. Views of Table Mountain make this a perfect spot to include in your Cape Town plans.

Kirstenbosch, a short drive from the center of Cape Town, provides unique and diverse flora, says Robin Mcleod, operations and product manager for Timeless Africa Safaris. “Beyond the unique and diverse flora, visiting gardens offer tourists a peaceful respite from the bustling city, thereby providing a chance to relax and connect with nature,” Mcleod says. Admission: $12 for adults. Open daily: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. (September to March); 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (April to August).

The Royal Thai Pavilion is a must-visit part of Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin.

Rachel Hershberger

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Madison, Wisconsin

A visit to Olbrich Botanical Gardens should include the Royal Thai Pavilion. A gift from the Thai government to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, it is the only such pavilion on the continent and one of only four outside of Thailand. Stroll leisurely among the Thai garden’s tropical plants, ornamental grasses and clipped tree art known as mai dat. Or, hop onboard Olbrich’s eco-friendly electric tram with free guided tours around the 16-acre outdoor gardens. Wheelchairs are available to check out on a first-come, first-served basis in the lobby.

Are you traveling with your grandchildren? Discovery Day is family fun and hands-on. Offered one Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon, this is an opportunity to get your hands in the dirt and find what’s in the Olbrich Discovery Cart; themes and activities change each month.

“Guests can take in the vibrant blooms and lush foliage of the tropical Bolz Conservatory and meander down paths to find stunning and sustainable plants around every corner in the outdoor gardens,” says Tanya Zastrow, executive director of Olbrich. Admission: Free for outdoor gardens; $10 for adults for the Bolz Conservatory. Open daily: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (April through September); 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (October through March).

The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center has tours and presentations at Callaway Gardens.

Jessica McDaniel

Callaway Gardens

Pine Mountain, Georgia

Spanning over 2,500 acres, guests can explore Georgia’s diverse plant life, such as wildflowers, woodland trails and seasonal plants. Don’t miss the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, which has tours and presentations on gardening for butterflies. Rent a golf cart to explore it all. Special events throughout the year include Labor Day Weekend Hot Air Balloon Show & Glow, Fantasy in Lights at Christmas and Symphony on the Sand. Overnight accommodations, golfing and biking are available. Admission: $29.99 for adults; $19.99 for children. Open: Main gardens: Daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center: Daily: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Portland Japanese Garden is a good place to engage in forest bathing.

Jonathan Ley

Portland Japanese Garden

Portland, Oregon

Portland Japanese Garden has been described by visiting Japanese dignitaries as “the most beautiful and authentic Japanese Garden outside of Japan.” It’s a perfect place to engage in mindful practices such as shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. On March 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., plan to visit for Hina Matsuri, Doll’s Day, or Girl’s Day, a celebration of happiness, growth and good health of girls. Admission is included in the daily fee.

“The Portland Japanese Garden was built in the 1960s to try to recover from the tragedies of World War II and the lingering intolerance toward those of Japanese ancestry,” says Will Lerner, communications manager for the garden. “Its original intention was to be a place of understanding, where all with an open heart are welcome. Having a space like this is as vital as it’s ever been within our lifetimes.” Admission: $21.95 for adults; $18.95 for adults 65-plus. Open: Wednesday through Monday, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Kew Royal Botanic Gardens features more than 50,000 plants in its botanical collections.

Alamy Stock Photo

Kew Royal Botanic Gardens

London

With over 50,000 plants in its botanical collections, Kew Gardens is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wander among rare and threatened plants in a Victorian glasshouse and 37 acres of a natural woodland oasis, or explore the world of fascinating carnivorous plants. Visit from May 3 to Sept. 28 for the Of the Oak event, celebrating the biodiversity of the mighty oak with an immersive art installation. Music lovers can enjoy Sounds of Blossom from March 15 to April 6, with compositions by college students celebrating spring. Admission: $14-$31 for adults, depending on the time of year. Open daily: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Cacti and palm trees are part of the plant collection at Jardin Majorelle.

Nick Fox/Alamy Stock Photo

Jardin Majorelle

Marrakech, Morocco

In 1924, French painter Jacques Majorelle started planting exotic botanicals from around the globe, creating a plant sanctuary and laboratory. The garden is over 2 acres and houses a collection of plants, from palm trees and cacti to banana trees. The garden has architecture with art deco and Moorish influences colored with vibrant “Majorelle Blue.” In 1980, the gardens were bought and restored by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, who kept the artist’s vision alive. Visitors may spot frogs, local birds and turtles as they meander through the beautiful grounds. Admission: $17. Open daily: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

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