The seasons change, but the world of gardens never does. From historic estates to living museums to towns with their greenery in between – you’ll find variety here for every taste! Find a garden that suits your needs at any time or season by taking one look around the magnificent botanical gardens in Massachusetts.
Contents
- 1. Tower Hill Botanic Garden
- 2. Berkshire Botanical Garden
- 3. Wellesley College Botanic Gardens
- 4. Botanic Garden of Smith College
- 5. The Polly Hill Arboretum
- 6. The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
- 7. Heritage Museums And Gardens
- 8. Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden
- 9. Garden in the Woods
- 10. The Public Garden
- 11. Fenway Victory Gardens
- 13. Boston Public Garden
- 14. Boston Flower And Garden Show
- 15. Boston Common
- 16. Ricky’s Flower Market
- 17. Harvard Museum of Natural History
- 18. Mount Auburn Cemetery
- 19. The Gardens at Elm Bank
- 20. Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
- 21. Gillis Farm and Garden Center
- 22. Golden Skep Farm
- 23. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens
- 24. Stevens-Coolidge House And Gardens
- 25. The Fells Historic Estate And Gardens
There are hundreds of varieties to choose from in this garden, with rare and exotic plants as well. You’ll find native trees like oak or elm on their soil but also ones that can’t be found anywhere else in America! There’s something for everyone here – if it’s color you crave there will be plenty; textures including rock gardens so beautiful they’re worth standing out just look at them long enough before returning indoors. So here’s our list.
Also take the drive to nearby states’ botanical gardens in the New England area:
– Botanic gardens in New York
– Botanic gardens in New Hampshire
– Botanic gardens in Maine
1. Tower Hill Botanic Garden
The Tower Hill Botanic Garden is a botanical garden located in Boylston, Massachusetts. It covers 314 acres (128 ha), of which 109 acres (44 ha) are devoted to cultivated gardens.
The Garden has a wide variety of gardens and plant collections, including a Japanese garden, an herb garden, a rose garden, and a conifer collection. It also has the largest lilac collection in New England. The Garden’s 314 acres (128 ha) include 109 acres (44 ha) of cultivated gardens and 205 acres (83 ha) of natural woodland.
The Tower Hill Botanic Garden is open every day except for major holidays from 9 am-5 pm. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $8 for students. There is also a $2 fee for parking. There are many activities available at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden, including tours, classes, and kids’ activities. The Garden also has a gift shop and a café.
The Tower Hill Botanic Garden is a great place to visit for anyone interested in plants or gardening, if you like plants, you should see this place. It has lots of activities for you and the kids and the Garden is open every day except for major holidays. A spectacular sight indeed!
2. Berkshire Botanical Garden
The Berkshire Botanical Garden is a botanical garden located in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1930 by Dr. Merritt Carey and his wife Helen with the help of landscape architect Harrie Tudor. The gardens were originally designed to display the many different types of trees that grow in the Berkshires.
Today, the garden spans 155 acres (0.63 km2) and includes a variety of gardens, including a Japanese garden, rose garden, and herb garden. Additionally, the Berkshire Botanical Garden offers classes and workshops on gardening and horticulture, hosts concerts and events, and has a nature center with live animals.
There are so many different gardens and exhibits to explore, you could spend an entire day there and not see everything. One interesting thing to do is to walk through the gardens, taking in all the different plants and flowers. The Garden also has a great café, where you can get some lunch or a snack. If you’re looking for something fun to do this summer, we recommend checking out the Berkshire Botanical Garden!
3. Wellesley College Botanic Gardens
The Wellesley College Botanic Gardens is a botanical garden located on the campus of Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. The gardens were established in 1881 and now comprise over 55 acres (22 hectares) of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. The gardens are open to the public year-round from dawn until dusk.
The Wellesley College Botanic Gardens are open to the public year-round from dawn until dusk. They offer a wide variety of activities and programs for visitors of all ages, including guided tours, lectures, workshops, family days, and concerts. The gardens are also home to the Wellesley College Arboretum Museum, which features exhibits on the history of the botanic gardens and horticulture.
The Wellesley College Arboretum Museum is worth a visit. So if you’re ever in the area, be sure to stop by and check out these beautiful gardens!
4. Botanic Garden of Smith College
The Botanic Garden of Smith College is a botanical garden located on the campus of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. The garden was founded in 1871 and now encompasses 121 acres (49 ha). It is open to the public daily without charge.
The Botanic Garden contains more than 4,000 taxa of trees and plants, including many rare and endangered species. Notable features include a conifer arboretum, a large herb garden, and an aquatic garden. The restored 18th-century barn is used as a visitor center and gift shop.
The Botanic Garden offers a variety of educational programs for visitors of all ages. Tours are offered year-round, and hands-on activities are available during the summer months. The garden is also home to a variety of special events, including concerts and holiday celebrations.
The Botanic Garden of Smith College is an important part of the history and culture of Northampton, Massachusetts. It is a beautiful place to visit, and it offers a variety of interesting activities for people of all ages. We highly recommend a visit to the Botanic Garden if you’re ever in the area!
5. The Polly Hill Arboretum
The Polly Hill Arboretum is a nonprofit arboretum located in West Tisbury, Massachusetts on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. It comprises 158 acres (64 hectares) of woodlands, meadows, and gardens, including 11 miles (18 km) of walking trails.
The arboretum is open to the public year-round, and admission is free. It is home to more than 2,000 plant species, including many rare and endangered plants. The arboretum’s collections focus on northern hardwood trees, New England wildflowers, and shrubs.
There are plenty of things to do here, and most of them are free! You can go for a leisurely walk through the gardens, visit the farm, or have a picnic. There’s also a playground for kids and an outdoor theater. In the fall, the arboretum is full of beautiful colors, and in the winter it’s a great place to go sledding. No matter what time of year it is, Polly Hill is worth a visit!
6. The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
This Arnold Arboretum is located around the Jamaica Plain, near the Roslindale sections of Boston. The Arnold Arboretum contains more than 15,000 trees and shrubs from all parts of the world. The collection includes specimen plants from China, Japan, Korea, Europe, North America, as well as South America. Notable trees include dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), Japanese pagoda tree (Sieboldia tenuifolia), and American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua).
The Arboretum is also home to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Established in 1866, the Peabody Museum is one of the oldest museums in the United States. The museum’s collections include more than 1.5 million objects from cultures all over the world.
The Arnold Arboretum is open to the public every day of the year. The arboretum offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, including tours, workshops, and family days. It also has a gift shop and a café.
The Arnold Arboretum is a beautiful place to visit, and there is plenty to do there. We highly recommend it to anyone visiting Boston.
7. Heritage Museums And Gardens
The Heritage Museums and Gardens, located in Sandwich, Massachusetts, is a 101-acre (41 ha) museum with gardens. The property was acquired by Dr. Henry Francis du Pont in the early 1920s and he began to develop it as a gentleman’s estate. Upon his death in 1965, the property became a museum operated by the nonprofit Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum Trust. The museums include collections of American decorative arts, furniture, and horticulture.
The gardens are open to the public and include a rose garden, lily pond, herb garden, and Japanese garden. There are also several miles of nature trails through woodlands and meadows. The Heritage Museums and Garden is open year-round.
There are so many things to do at the Heritage Museums and Gardens! You can explore the 101 acres of gardens, check out the American decorative arts, furniture, and horticulture collections, or go for a walk on one of the nature trails. No matter what time of year you visit, there’s always something interesting to see at this museum!
8. Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden
The Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden is a botanical garden located on the campus of Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. It is open to the public daily without charge. The garden was founded in 1901 and currently consists of 122 acres (49 ha) of gardens, woodlands, and meadows.
The garden has seen many changes over the years. In its early days, it was home to a large collection of exotic plants from around the world. This collection was eventually moved to other botanic gardens, and the Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden began specializing in native plants instead. Today, the garden features more than 5,000 taxa of plants from around the world, including several mature specimens of trees that are over 200 years old.
One of the most popular attractions at the Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden is the rhododendron collection. This collection consists of more than 1,000 different rhododendron species, and it is one of the largest in New England. Other notable gardens include the Japanese garden, which features a koi pond and traditional Japanese landscaping, and the perennial garden, which is home to a wide variety of flowering plants.
The Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden is open to the public daily without charge. It is a great place for visitors to explore nature, learn about gardening, and enjoy the beauty of plants from around the world.
9. Garden in the Woods
The Garden in the Woods is a nature preserve located in Framingham, Massachusetts. It has over 1,500 acres of forest land and is home to a variety of trees, including oak, maple, and pine. The Garden in the Woods also features many walking trails, as well as picnic areas, and opportunities for fishing and bird watching.
The Garden in the Woods was founded in 1941 by Boston businessman William Robinson. Robinson had purchased the land in 1939 to create a private garden, but he soon decided to open it up to the public. There are also numerous hiking trails, which wind through the forest and offer visitors beautiful views of the area. There are several miles of walking trails, as well as a nature center, gift shop, and plant nursery.
The Garden in the Woods is open every day from dawn until dusk. Admission is free for all visitors, though donations are accepted.
10. The Public Garden
The Public Garden is a 24.5-acre park in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. The garden was established in 1837, making it one of the oldest parks in the United States. The garden is home to many different types of trees, including over 500 elms and 400 American beeches. It also features a large pond, which is home to several species of ducks.
The garden hosts many different types of events throughout the year, including concerts, art shows, and holiday celebrations. It is also a popular destination for runners and walkers. The garden is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. Admission is free.
The Public Garden is a great place to go and enjoy the outdoors, but there is one drawback that comes with it. One of them is how busy it can be. It’s not the most peaceful place in the world, and it can be tough to find a spot to relax. Overall, though, the Public Garden is a great place and worth checking out!
11. Fenway Victory Gardens
This is a park in the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. The gardens cover 5 acres (20,000 m2) and contain over 130 different types of trees. There are also several areas for children to play in, including a playground, a wading pool, and a basketball court.
The Fenway Victory Gardens has a rich history dating back to World War II. In the early 1940s, the United States government launched a campaign to promote home gardening as a way to increase the production of food. As part of this campaign, victory gardens were created in cities and towns across the country. The Fenway Victory Gardens was one of these gardens, and it was opened in 1942.
The Fenway Victory Gardens is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. The gardens contain over 130 different types of trees, including maples, oaks, and birches. There are also several areas for children to play in, including a playground, a wading pool, and a basketball court.
The park is open from sunrise to sunset, and admission is free. There are also several educational programs offered at the gardens, including classes on gardening and nutrition. The Fenway Victory Gardens is a great place to spend a day with family and friends, and it offers something for everyone.
13. Boston Public Garden
The Boston Public Garden is a large public park in the heart of downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It covers 24 acres (97,000 m2) and is located between the Back Bay neighborhood and the Financial District. The garden was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1858, and it is the oldest public botanical garden in the United States.
The Boston Public Garden is home to many different types of trees, including American elm, maple, and oak. There are also several flower gardens, including a rose garden and a Shakespeare garden. The garden is open year-round and attracts about 2 million visitors each year. Some of the most popular activities you can try in the garden include walking, biking, and skating.
Note that the garden can get a bit too crowded. Especially in the summer, it can be hard to find a spot to sit down and relax. But that’s also what makes it so great – there’s always something going on! You can people watch for hours, or take a peaceful stroll through the gardens. And of course, no trip to Boston is complete without a visit to the Public Garden!
14. Boston Flower And Garden Show
The Boston Flower And Garden Show is an annual event that takes place in Massachusetts. The show has changed locations over the years, but it has been held in Boston since 1984. The event is now held at the Seaport World Trade Center, and it occupies more than 150,000 square feet of exhibition space.
The show features a wide variety of trees, flowers, and plants, as well as garden tools and accessories. The Boston Flower And Garden Show is a popular event, and it typically attracts more than 50,000 visitors each year.
There are a lot of fun activities to do at the Boston Flower And Garden Show! You can check out the beautiful gardens, watch amazing flower-arranging demonstrations, and learn about new gardening techniques. Plus, there’s always a great selection of food and drinks available, so you can relax and enjoy the show. We highly recommend checking out the Boston Flower And Garden Show if you’re in the area – it’s a must-see event for gardeners and non-gardeners alike!
15. Boston Common
Boston Common is a public park in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It is the oldest city park in the United States. The park is 50 acres (200,000 m2) and includes grassy areas, a large pond, a frog pond, tennis courts, several baseball diamonds, and a playground.
In 1836, the Boston Public Garden Commission was created to beautify and improve the Common. The commission’s first order of business was to replace the wooden fence with a granite wall. In 1837, a team of Irish laborers began to lay out the park’s design. The land was graded and trees were planted.
The Common is now home to a variety of trees, including oak, maple, elm, hickory, and black cherry. There are also several species of shrubs and flowers. Today, the Boston Common is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The park is home to many events and activities, including baseball games, concerts, ice skating, and trick-or-treating on Halloween. The Frog Pond is a popular spot where you can try ice skating in the winter, and the park is also home to the Boston Garden.
16. Ricky’s Flower Market
The Ricky’s Flower Market is a market in Massachusetts that specializes in selling flowers. It is located in the town of North Attleborough and takes its name from the owner, Rick Dufresne. The market has been open since 2001 and sells a variety of flowers, trees, and other plants. It also offers gardening supplies and advice to visitors.
The Ricky’s Flower Market occupies around 5 acres of land and features a wide variety of trees and plants. These include tulips, roses, lilies, sunflowers, daisies, and more. In addition to selling plants, the market also offers gardening supplies such as fertilizers, mulches, and pesticides. It also has many activities for you, including a children’s play area, a petting zoo, and a gift shop.
The Ricky’s Flower Market is open from 9 am to 6 pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 10 am to 5 pm on Sundays. Admission is free for all visitors.
17. Harvard Museum of Natural History
The Harvard Museum of Natural History is a museum in Massachusetts that contains exhibits of birds, butterflies, fossils, gems and minerals, and Native American artifacts. It also has a large collection of plant specimens. The museum has many different types of trees on its grounds, including oak, maple, elm, and chestnut trees.
There are also several activities that you can enjoy at the museum, such as visiting the butterfly garden or going on a nature walk. The Harvard Museum of Natural History covers an area of 108 acres.
The museum is home to the world’s largest collection of mounted police horses. The Harvard Museum of Natural History has a planetarium that offers public shows every day. The museum also has a 3-D theater. The Harvard Museum of Natural History is one of the most visited museums in Massachusetts. More than 350,000 people visit the museum each year.
18. Mount Auburn Cemetery
The Mount Auburn Cemetery is a large, beautiful cemetery in Massachusetts. Its history dates back to 1831, and it is now over 175 acres! There are all sorts of different types of trees there, and it’s said to be one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the country. (In fact, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places!)
There are also plenty of activities to do there, like walking or biking along the paved paths, visiting the various gardens and ponds, or attending a concert or lecture. Mount Auburn Cemetery is a great place to visit if you’re interested in history, nature or just want to experience something different. The cemetery is also home to a crematorium, so if you’re interested in that sort of thing, you can check it out. And if you’re a fan of literature, you’ll be happy to know that many famous authors and poets are buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery.
If you’re looking for a peaceful place to spend an afternoon, the Mount Auburn Cemetery is worth a visit!
19. The Gardens at Elm Bank
The Gardens at Elm Bank are a public garden and estate located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. The gardens are open to the public daily from dawn until dusk, and admission is free. The gardens cover an area of 36 acres (150,000 m2) and include a variety of trees and plants, including rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias. The gardens also include several ponds and a small waterfall.
The Elm Bank Horticultural Center is located on the grounds of the gardens and offers classes and workshops in horticulture. The gardens are also home to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, which operates a gift shop on the grounds.
The Gardens at Elm Bank are a popular tourist attraction, and the estate is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. So, if you’re ever in the Boston area, be sure to check out The Gardens at Elm Bank. This public garden and estate, located in Wellesley, is a must-see for nature lovers of all kinds.
20. Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
The Roger Williams Park Botanical Center is a beautiful park in Massachusetts that is home to many different types of trees and other plants. The history of the park is also quite interesting.
It was founded in 1871 as a public garden and was later opened to the public as a park. Today, it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state. There are plenty of fun things to do at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center! You can go for a walk in the gardens, visit the nature center, or go on a hike. There are also plenty of activities for kids, like the giant slide and the treehouse.
No matter what you’re interested in, there’s something for everyone at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center!
21. Gillis Farm and Garden Center
The Gillis Farm and Garden Center is a family-owned and operated farm located in Massachusetts. It was founded in the early 1800s by the Gillis family, who originally emigrated from Scotland. The farm consists of over 250 acres of land, which is used for growing a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as raising livestock.
The Gillis Farm and Garden Center are also home to one of the largest collections of trees, with over 5,000 specimens on-site. In addition to the farm itself, the center also features a garden center, gift shop, and play area for children. There is also a restaurant on-site which serves traditional food. The Gillis Farm and Garden Center is open all year round and is a popular tourist destination.
There’s plenty to do when you visit the Gillis Farm and Garden Center! You can take a walk through our beautiful gardens, or go on a tractor ride. They also have a playground for the kids and a shop where you can buy plants and gardening supplies. So whatever your interests are, they’ve got something for you!
22. Golden Skep Farm
The Golden Skep Farm is a family farm in Massachusetts that grows a variety of fruits and vegetables. The farm is also home to many different types of trees, including apple trees, oak trees, and pine trees. The farm spans over 100 acres and is a popular destination for nature walks and picnics.
There are also plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy nature walks and hikes on the property. In addition, the farm offers many activities for you to enjoy, including horseback riding, fishing, and bird watching.
The Golden Skep Farm drawback is, depending on what you’re looking for, it can be a little bit far. It’s in Massachusetts, near the Vermont border. But if you’re looking for acres and acres of apple trees, a cornucopia of activities to do, and a charming historical backdrop to your visit, it doesn’t get much better than the Golden Skep Farm.
23. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens
Did you know that the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens has some of the most beautiful things to see in all of Massachusetts?
The Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens is a tourist attraction in Massachusetts. It features a butterfly conservatory, botanical gardens, nature trails, and picnic areas. The conservatory contains more than 2,000 tropical butterflies representing over fifty species.
The gardens feature more than one hundred different types of trees, including maples, oaks, and birches. The nature trails wind through meadows and woodlands. There are also a playground and a carousel on the premises. The conservatory and gardens occupy sixty acres of land.
The Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens is a popular tourist attraction. In 2016, it was visited by over 250,000 people. It has been featured in magazines such as Yankee and New England Traveler. It has also been featured on the television programs Chronicle and New England Legends.
If you’re looking for a place to spend an afternoon with your family, this is the perfect spot. With acres of gardens to explore, and hundreds of butterflies fluttering around, you’ll be sure to have a good time. Make sure to check out the conservatory while you’re there – it’s worth a visit!
24. Stevens-Coolidge House And Gardens
The Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark located in North Andover, Massachusetts. The estate was originally built in the 1700s by Colonel John Stevens and has been continuously occupied by his descendants since then. In 1930, the property was donated to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and they turned it into a public garden.
Today, the Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens covers over 33 acres and is home to over 200 different species of trees. There are also miles of walking trails, a nature center, an orchard, and several gardens. The property is open to the public year-round, and there are plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy. For example, you can go on a guided nature walk, learn about gardening in a workshop.
There are so many beautiful things to see at the Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens. There’s a lovely pond with a fountain in the center. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery. The house itself is also very pretty, with its white clapboard walls and gingerbread trim. It’s worth a visit if you’re in the area!
25. The Fells Historic Estate And Gardens
The Fells Historic Estate and Gardens is a historic estate and public garden located in the town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. It encompasses 318 acres (129 ha), including a mansion, carriage house, barns, gardens, and a nature preserve with miles of hiking trails.
The gardens include a variety of trees and plants, including rhododendrons, azaleas, and Japanese maples. There are also several bridges, gazebos, and ponds on the property. The nature preserve at The Fells includes 3 miles (4.8 km) of hiking trails that wind through the forested hills and valleys of the property.
The Fells Historic Estate and Gardens is open to the public year-round. Admission is free for walk-in visitors, although there is a fee for guided tours of the mansion. The Fells Historic Estate and Gardens activities to do there are plenty and varied! You can take a stroll through the beautiful gardens, go for a hike on the many nature trails, or enjoy a picnic in one of the many scenic areas.
No matter what you choose to do, you’re sure to have a great time at The Fells or in any of the other botanical gardens in Massachusetts!