Denver Botanic Gardens is home to a wide variety of plant life from all over the world, all spread across 23 acres of space and organised into themed gardens. For the most part, these gardens showcase plants from cold temperate climates from all around the globe and are organised into 7 different groups. The collections here are so well-maintained that they're often used as a resource for botanists, horticulturists, and other researchers.
The calm atmosphere that fills the Denver Botanic Gardens can appeal to a wide variety of visitors, from those with an interest in botany to those who simply enjoy tranquil strolls in nature and time to reflect and relax. Trips here tend to take about 2 or 3 hours in total, but you can easily lose yourself among the gardens and turn it into an all-day excursion.
Denver Botanic Gardens - one of the highlights of 10 Things to Do With Your Family in Denver and 10 Best Things to Do in Denver (Read all about Denver here)
What are the highlights of Denver Botanic Gardens?
The most prominent features of Denver Botanic Gardens are the living plant collections that are organised into 7 different themed gardens. The alpine collection features plants that typically grow in unexpected places, like rock crevices and sites with little soil exposure. The amenity garden showcases plants that hail from the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains regions and their semi-arid climates. You'll even find a section on aquatic plants.
Denver may be up in the mountains, but that doesn't mean you can't see desert-dwelling, water-retaining plants in the cactus and succulent garden in Denver Botanic Gardens. Plants native to Colorado have their own designated garden, but you can also see plants close to mountain barriers with low humidity in the steppe garden. Finally, the tropical garden is able to mimic warmer conditions using a plexiglass conservatory.
Special events in Denver Botanic Gardens
Be sure to check the calendar before visiting Denver Botanic Gardens, as you may be able to enjoy some special events. These events are fairly common throughout the year, but if you visit during the spring or fall, plant sales are especially prominent. Celebrations around major holidays like Halloween and Christmas are also common, with the latter inspiring the Blossoms of Light festival that features a dazzling display of lights strung up throughout the gardens.
If you can't seem to get enough of the Denver Botanic Gardens, you may want to consider becoming a member. With member status, you'll have access to special events that you wouldn't be able to get into otherwise. That includes a special time block where you and other members can enjoy the gardens by yourselves away from the general public.
What else is good to know about Denver Botanic Gardens?
When it comes to getting to Denver Botanic Gardens, you'll find quite a few different options available. There's an on-site parking deck that's only open to visitors to the gardens and is completely free to use, though RVs aren't permitted to use it. Additionally, if you drive a van, you should limit yourself to the top deck of the parking structure to ensure you don't run into any height limit issues.
While you're visiting Denver Botanic Gardens, you'll find yourself close to quite a few other attractions you may want to check out. The gardens are situated in between Cheesman Park and Congress Park, both of which have plenty to offer. If you head a short distance northeast, you can check out the Denver Museum of Nature & Science along with the City Park Golf Course.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Location: 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206, USA
Open: Daily from 9 am to 4 pm
Phone: +1 720-865-3500
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