Recently my friend suggested we take our boys on a day trip to the Cleveland Botanical Garden. At first I was taken back that she would suggest such a place for 5 boys under 7 but man was I wrong. What a fun day we had!
Conveniently located in University Circle and just minutes from downtown Cleveland, Cleveland Botanical Garden is a oasis filled with so many beautiful flowers and unique plants that it makes the city just slip away. The Cleveland Botanical Garden boasts 20 gardens, Glasshouse Conservatory, a cafe, and gift shop and will keep you entertained for hours.
Our first stop was the The Glasshouse. This large conservatory boasts two separate climate controlled areas which will make you feel like you have traveled half way across the world. When we entered into the area of Madagascar, we were able to see some of the most unique plants in the world including one of the largest collections of Madagascan baobab trees. My boys loved exploring the paths and meeting a real chameleon and cute tortoises. You can even spot a few rare and colorful birds as well as touch “fuzzy plants”.
As you walk out of the doors on Madagascar you enter into the balmy rainforest of Costa Rica. This area just blew me away as my senses were on overload with all the sights, sounds, and smells. From the towering trees (and I mean towering!!) to the abundance of butterflies I think you’ll love this place too. You’ll even be able to walk through a stone grotto complete with a waterfall. Before you leave be sure to head up to the canopy walk where you’ll be able to look down at all of the beauty this area holds. Don’t forget your camera as you’ll be able to snag some great pictures as the feeding areas for both the butterflies and birds are on eye level.
After leaving the Glasshouse we ventured outside to Katherine Phillip Geis Terrace to have our snack. Located right nearby is a eatery with assorted snacks and drinks which offers indoor or outdoor seating. This area has a 74 foot-long reflecting pool which holds a variety of plants, water lilies and small fish as well as is the main entrance into the other outdoor gardens.
With the well maintained landscaping and bright flowers and gorgeous views, I think the Cleveland Botanical Gardens is absolutely breathtaking!
With so many paths and gardens to explore outside, we couldn’t wait to get started. The first outdoor area we headed to was the Hershey Children’s Garden. While I had seen pictures online, they were nothing compared to what I saw in person. As soon as we entered through the gate all the boys rushed to different areas to explore.
The Hershey’s Children Garden is filled with a fountain, kid-sized structures, a treehouse and much more. There are even special times during the day where children’s activities may be planned. With so much to see and do my boys didn’t want to leave.
As we left the Children’s Garden we found that there were many other gardens too. One of the best things that I loved about Cleveland Botanical Garden was the the amount of areas where the boys could run, jump, and investigate. There were so many nooks and crannies nestled inside each garden area.
As we walked along the paths we were able to see many of the different themed gardens such as, The Japanese, Woodland, and Inspirational Gardens. With so many inviting benches, flowered arches, hidden bridges, and a bevy of plants and flowers we easily spent half of the day exploring. I can’t to come back and visit during a different season!
Garden Hours
Tuesdays, Thursdays – Saturdays: 10 am – 5 pm
Wednesdays: 10 am – 9 pm
Sundays: 12 pm – 5 pm
Closed MondaysGarden Admission
Members: Free
Adults: $9.50
Children (3-12): $4.00
Children under 3: Free
Groups: (15 or more): $7.50
Senior Groups (15 or more): $6.00 (Tuesdays only)The Garden offers FREE admission to military veterans and their immediate families. Please present a military ID at the ticketing desk to receive FREE admission
The Cleveland Botanical Garden has graciously offered a 4-pack of tickets to giveaway so you too can visit! The giveaway will end next Friday, 9/13 and you can enter each day. Please enter below. Good luck!
Debra Dobray says
Looks so beautiful. Cant believe I never went there! It seems like your sons had a great time!
racheljk says
I can’t believe we hadn’t either! You’ll love this place!
Stephanie B says
Sounds like fun!!
Eric Ludwig says
Looks so beautiful.
Tonya {The Traveling Praters} says
My husband and I visited the botanical garden and LOVED the Glasshouse. That lizard was so much fun to watch and we loved the butterflies.
Lauren says
That looks like so much fun and so beautiful! I have been thinking about going, and now I definitely want to!
Mike T says
Looks amazing!
Sarah C. says
Gorgeous! Would love to visit!
Cynthia Whelpley says
Our family has not had the opportunity to visit, but would enjoy it.
Jack McGill says
Would love to go!
Sandi says
Looks beautiful and not far from home! What a lovely way to spend a fall day!
Stephanie McFarland says
Would love to take the kids!
Larena says
Looks like a neat place to go. Our family would love to visit.
Kendra Green says
I’ve never heard of the Gardens…I would love to visit!!
Connie Tillman says
My kids would love this!
Alyssa Bonner says
I went for a field trip at work with my k-5th graders and it was an awesome trip I would love to be able to take my little brother
Stephanie McFarland says
Is this place open in the fall and winter?
racheljk says
Yes, they are open year round. What a great place to explore during each season!
http://www.cbgarden.org/come-visit/hours–admission.aspx
DK says
Such a lovely place. My husband and I would love to check it out!
danielle says
It definitely looks like a fun place to visit and at a good price too.
Robin S. says
Thanks for the great review! Would definitely love to check it out!
Susan says
Very cool! Fun for all!
Laura says
Would love to take the kiddos!
Heather says
we have never been there!
Natalie K says
We’ve never been and would love to go! sounds awesome
Alana says
we would love to go.
Joclyn says
Looks beautiful and Can not believe I have never taken my kids Would love to win !!!! Good luck everyone!!
margaret says
Love it there!
Amber says
I went to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens for the first time this year. It was so much fun. I loved walking through all the different gardens and the butterfly part was amazing.
Raquel says
I haven’t been to the Botanical gardens in years. I hate to say but I forget about it. Beautiful pictures. I would love for daughters to go back. Matter of fact my girls were babies and I’m sure they don’t remember it.
sarah nemitz says
Love the gardens! Haven’t been there in a few years but would love to go again. My daughter loves garderns and butterflles. She has her own garden in the back yard!
Stephanie McFarland says
Beautiful pictures!
Kathy Gray says
Looks amazing! I had no idea it was so kid friendly. I think a field trip is in order!
Stephanie McFarland says
Love kid friendly events
Christina says
This looks wonderful! I’d love to win!!!
Debra Dobray says
Your description of “breathtaking” sound pretty accurate by the pictures posted.
Joclyn says
fingers crossed the more and more I see this the more and more I want to take my kids !
Heather eichenlaub says
Never been here! Would love to try it out!
Stacey M says
This looks like a great relaxing day trip!
Beth says
I’d love to take my two boys! We’ve never been but my sister was in a wedding there. It looks beautiful.
stephanie mcfarland says
im running out of things to post but really want to win:)
Christine says
My daughter loved this place when she took her class over the summer. It is on my list of to dos.
Karen Worcester Thorne says
looks like a great place to spend a day!!
Amy Brown says
Plants rock!
Susan says
A bit of paradise…. so close to home!
Stephanie McFarland says
Beautiful!
Carlie Albers says
Looks amazing!
JAMIE GILL says
I have never been. Would love to win
Debra Dobray says
Amazing that we have such great places to go and spend the day at without driving far away!
Lori Moore says
have never been … would like to see the beauty 🙂
Stephanie says
Looks really beautiful!
Susanne I. says
I would love to take my daughter here!! She adores all things nature related!
Kakaty says
We love the CBG – especially the children’s garden!
Jessica Loescher says
Kids would love this!
Stephanie McFarland says
Can’t wait to see if we won!
lori m says
Would love to visit this beauty