6 Botanical Gardens to Visit in the Southern United States in 2016
#6 Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (Charlotte, NC)
Open year-round, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is the premier botanic garden of the Carolinas. Its mission is to connect its visitors with nature for purposes of enjoyment, education, and the promotion of conservation. This 380-acre garden hosts a wide variety of plant species. Walking paths provide a direct immersion into nature, and some of them feature fountains and lakeside views. Also, don't miss out on the conservatory's tropical plants and collection of orchids!
#5 Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden (Dallas, TX)
A landmark in Dallas, TX, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanic Garden spreads over 66-acres of grounds and contains 19 named gardens. One exciting feature is the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden: and 8-acre exhibit where children and their families or teachers can experience biology and Earth science firsthand.
#4 Fort Worth Botanic Garden (Ft Worth TX)
Another gorgeous spot in Texas makes the list: the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. This classy attraction features two distinctive historic-style rose gardens, an enchanting Japanese garden, a conservatory, and much more. For the traveling botanist, the Texas Native Forest Boardwalk is a must-see. Stroll through the true native nature of Texas in this preserved slice of wild country.
#3 Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (Coral Gables, FL)
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a conservation haven located just outside Miami. In addition to acres on acres of garden exhibits, this destination also features tropical fish and thousands of exotic butterflies. Tourable labs allow you to see conservation science in action. Florida's unique climate allows this Garden to be home to collections of outdoor plants that can't be grown in other parts of the United States, such as species from the Caribbean and the spiny forests of Madagascar.
#2 Naples Botanical Garden (Naples FL)
Naples Botanical Garden is another garden taking advantage of the unique climate that Florida provides, but on the opposite coast. One of the southernmost places in the contiguous United State, Naples is green all year. In addition to Brazilian, Caribbean, and Asian garden collections, Naples Botanical Garden offers a look at real Florida nature. Their Preserve showcases the wonder and brilliant of wild Florida. From flooded brackish marsh to dry upland scrub, the 90-acre Preserve has conserved all types of unspoiled habitat for Florida's natural wildlife. Sharing space with hundreds of native species (many of them rare and endangered), visiting the Preserve will make you feel like you've gone back in time.
#1 Atlanta Botanical Garden (Atlanta, GA)
With 18 distinct plant exhibits, Atlanta Botanical Garden can be an all-day adventure or a quick tourist stop, depending on what you're hoping to see. Their indoor and outdoor collections contain just about everything. Their High Elevation House displays the beauty and diversity of the high Andes Mountains, complete with a man-made waterfall that's home to Andean orchids. Can't get enough orchids? Carry on to the Orchid House. If visiting exotic lands is your pursuit, check out the Desert House, the Japanese Garden, or the Tropical Rotunda. The website has visitors' guides of all types in their Day Planner section, to help provide you with the garden visit that suits your unique interests. This spring, the garden will be hosting an exhibit by internationally acclaimed artist Dale Chihuly, who incorporates his works into the Garden's natural beauty.