Words by Bedsonline
Serene green spaces might not come to mind when you think of the USA’s big cities. However, many of these bustling urban centres feature sublime gardens that act as peaceful green oases. Make sure to add these beautiful gardens to your USA travel itinerary for a refreshing break from city life!
New York Botanical Garden
No one ever really needs a season - or reason - to visit the iconic New York Botanical Garden in New York City, but the fall and spring are particularly special times. Located north of Manhattan in the Bronx, this 101-hectare historic garden draws over 300,000 annual visitors looking to soak up the aroma of roses, lilies and herbs. You can visit the, a 4.5-hectare garden featuring thousands of azaleas and rhododendrons - designed to provide colourful blooms nearly every day of the year - amid dramatic rock outcrops.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
When visitors arrive in Dallas, Texas, they usually hit a Cowboys American football game. For a change of pace, spend an afternoon exploring the scenic 27-hectare Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Here, you will find areas devoted to specific types of flora. Particularly noteworthy is the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, a certified wildlife habitat complete with educational activities. If visiting in the fall, see more than 65,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash that make up the Pumpkin Village.
Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden of Phoenix, Arizona, features more than 56 hectares of resilient flora, including the Southwest’s famous saguaro cactus. With so much to see and a variety of walking paths to choose from, it's recommended to download the Garden App, which can help customise the experience. In spring, don't miss the Spring Concert Series.
Portland Japanese Garden
Portland, Oregon, has a unique gem only minutes from downtown. The Japanese ambassador to the USA described it as ‘the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside Japan’. Each of the five gardens - flat, strolling pond, tea, natural and sand and stone - is designed to impart peace, harmony and tranquillity.
Boston Public Garden
One of the most popular gardens in the USA, the Boston Public Garden is a veritable Eden of relaxation. A stroll around this nearly 10-hectare garden in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, will take you past many different types of plants. For a closer look, tag along on a public tour of the garden or take a ride in one of the iconic swan boats. In the fall, the colourful changes in foliage transform the landscape entirely.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Miami, Florida, lures about 14 million visitors each year with its beautiful beaches. However, tucked away from the shore about 14 kilometres south of downtown is the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, a seamless blend of tropical plants and statuesque modern art fixtures. These 33.5 hectares in Coral Gables welcome more than 350,000 visitors each year and there are plenty of opportunities to visit since it is open every day except for Christmas Day. Be sure to stop by and see the famous cigar orchid, a spectacular burst of orange and yellow.
Don't miss out on these serene gardens during your next trip to the USA. Contact your local Travellers Choice agent today to book your next holiday!
