When you think of Seattle, Washington, you may think of amazing seafood or the unique culture that thrives in the city. When you are looking for something to do this summer, try something different and visit one of these beautiful botanical gardens that help take you out of the busy city and into a more relaxing atmosphere.
Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, otherwise known as the Ballard Locks, is one of Seattle’s most popular tourist attractions. However, you may not know that a very popular part of the Locks complex includes 7 acres of exotic plants and trees in its beautiful Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden. It is separated from Seattle so that you feel you have left the city and entered somewhere else entirely.
Over the span of 40 years, Carl S. English Jr. transformed an old construction site into a lovely English-style garden, very much like Downton Abbey. Not only can you explore grounds, but they also host weddings and free summer concerts. The visitor center is currently open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and you may want to take advantage of their free scheduled walking tours.
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Fifty-three acres of cultivated gardens, natural wetlands, and restored woodlands make up the Bellevue Botanical Garden. These gardens are all about education. If you want to learn about the plants you are seeing, visit the Interactive Garden. You can use Tap or Scan Markers in the garden to find information about plants, gardening, and events. If you want to have a more formal class, there are educational opportunities for everyone, from preschoolers to adults.
Your small ones will enjoy Kids in the Garden, a program for preschoolers or Garden Explorers, a sensory discovery program for kids a few years older. Classes and lectures for adults span topics from shrubs to food fermentation. You can also enjoy free tours, art exhibits, the new visitor’s center, and free summer concerts. Bellevue Botanical Garden is located on Main Street and is open from dawn until dusk. Admission is free.
Washington Park Arboretum
Hidden on the shores of Lake Washington, the Washington Park Arboretum is someplace you won’t want to miss. It is jointly owned by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the City of Seattle and covers 230 acres. It has a vast variety of plants, some of which can’t be found anywhere else in the Northwest, and is a part of the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences.
Explore the Arboretum through self-guided tours, arranged tours, or through the many classes and activities that are offered. There are classes for both adults and children, in the form of summer camps and family programs to help make sure that you don’t have to just observe nature, but you can be a part of it. The Washington Park Arboretum is free and open to the public from dawn until dusk, with the exception of the Japanese Garden, for which there is a small fee.
No matter which botanical garden you choose to visit, it is sure to be full of beautiful vegetation that you can’t find in the city, and surprises around every corner.
Photo by Jason | Licensed by CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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