We’ve collected 18 awe-inspiring public gardens from around the world that you can visit on your next getaway.

Public gardens are wonderful for those who lack a green thumb but want to enjoy the awe and splendor of a flora and fauna. They are also great for those who garden and want to not only look for ideas for their own plot, but spend the day dreaming of hundreds of acres and what they would plan.

Gardens In the United States

1  United States Botanic Garden – Washington, D.C.

The oldest continual garden in the United States and is supervised by Congress. Opening in 1820 on the grounds of the U.S. State Capitol, this garden is home to 65,000 plants and open every day of the year.

2  Brooklyn Botanic Gardens – New York, NY

Located on 52 acres in the heart of New York City, this garden features; 200 cherry trees, the C.V. Starr Bonsai Museum, over 14,000 taxa of plants, and an art gallery.

3  Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden – Richmond, VA

Resting on 50 acres, this garden features a conservatory, a rose garden, a children’s garden, a sunken garden, an Asian garden, a Victorian garden, and a healing garden.

4  Longwood Gardens – Kennett Square, PA

This place is massive. Sitting on 1,077 acres is 11,000 different plants and trees. It’s open year round and hosts performances, seasonal displays, educational courses and workshops.

5  Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden – Columbus, OH

Built in 1895, the conservatory is home to more than 400 plant species. On the 90 acres of grounds are also biomes of various Himalayan, tropical, desert and Pacific Island climate zones. They also have a bonsai courtyard, orchids, and a palm house.

6  Chicago Botanic Garden – Glencoe, IL

Nestled in 385 acres, this garden spans over nine islands. They feature 27 display gardens including; an English walled garden, Japanese islands, a rose garden, a sensory garden, and a fruit and vegetable garden.

7  Missouri Botanical Garden – St. Louis, MO

Founded in 1859, this unique garden takes up 79 acres and has a Japanese strolling garden, a geodesic dome, a children’s garden, a pioneer village, and a water locking system similar to the Panama Canal.

8  Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden – Dallas, TX

With half a million blooms and a special pumpkin village with over 50,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash this place is a sight to be seen. Sitting on 66 acres there is a Women’s Garden, fountains, historic homes, and a view of the Dallas skyline.

9  ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden – Albuquerque, NM

Beside the Rio Grande, this 36 acre garden is home to Southwest and Mediterranean climate zones. They also have a Japanese garden, a children’s garden, a zoo, and an aquarium.

10  Desert Botanical Garden – Phoenix, AZ

21,000 amazing desert plants are on display covering 145 acres. They provide a safe haven for 139 species which are endangered or threatened. This garden focuses on desert plants from around the world including Australia and South America.

11 San Francisco Botanical Garden – San Francisco, CA

Located in Golden Gate Park on 55 acres, this garden features 100 rare magnolias, a towering redwood grove, a Japanese garden, and a flower conservatory.

Around the World

12  Gardens of Versailles – Versailles, France

The largest and oldest garden on our list was fit for royalty. Commissioned in 1661 by Louis XIV, this 2,000 acres is a feast for the senses. Meticulously manicured lawns surround flowers, sculptures, and fountains surround this French landscape.

13  Kew Royal Botanic Gardens – Kew, United Kingdom

London houses an amazing scientific research facility but is also open to the public. Scientists have catalogued and housed 8.5 million botanical collections and has a Millennium Seed Bank which is a global resources for conservation and plant diversity.

14  Keukenhuf – Lisse, Netherlands

Seven million flowers create the colorful and breathtaking grounds of this garden. Stretching over 80 acres the garden is open mid-March to mid-May. Tulip season is at its peak in April. However the Castle Keukenhuf is open year round.

15  Villa d’ Este – Tivoli, Italy

The upper and lower gardens of this estate are a green wonderland however it’s the fountains that are the star of the show in this garden. Built in the 16th century there are 51 fountains in this garden that run on gravity.

Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden

16  Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden – Pattaya, Thailand

Spanning over 500 acres is the magnificent gardens of Nong Nooch. Starting out as a private wildlife conservation project, the owners opened the garden to the public in 1980. There is a beautiful French garden, a Stonehenge garden, butterfly hill and flower valley.

17  Kenrokv-en – Kanazawa, Japan

This 200-year-old garden holds the honor of being one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. It contains the oldest fountain in Japan, a teahouse built in 1774, as well as houses and trees from Japanese royalty.

18 Butchart Gardens – Brentwood Bay, Canada

Built by Jennie Butchart from 1906-1929 this amazing garden features 900 varieties of flowers. There is a children’s pavilion, a rose carousel, and several bronze statues scattered throughout the many themed garden areas.

Want more images of some of the gardens on our list? Here is a great video we found.

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