Take a calming break from the bustle of travel and treat your group with one of the West’s many botanical gardens. Wandering these areas is the perfect way to unwind, soak in the scents of blooming flora, and connect with the natural world. Here, encounter plants from deserts, mountains, grasslands, shrublands, and forests—species some groups may never see in their everyday lives.
In Colorado, the Denver Botanic Gardens span multiple locations and focus on plants from the American West and steppe regions around the world that share similar climates and elevations. Your group can explore garden designs that might inspire sustainable landscaping back home, from habitat-supporting plants to low-water lawns. Spokesperson Erin Bird says the gardens are “much more than a place to look at plants,” offering a robust roster of art exhibitions by local, national, and international artists; educational programs for all ages; and unique special events.
Groups should visit the York Street location, which is compact enough for a one-hour tour, says Bird, though visitors often spend half a day exploring both the outdoor gardens and indoor tropical areas. The Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory, a striking mid-century modern concrete-and-glass building, showcases the gardens’ tropical collections. Bird says the Japanese Garden offers a tranquil retreat reminiscent of Japan, with a Colorado twist. “The species of trees used in traditional Japanese gardens are not hardy enough for Colorado,” Bird says, “so we have trained Colorado evergreen species to grow and display in the same style.”
Farther west, the Bellevue Botanical Garden in Washington offers 53 acres of cultivated gardens, restored woodlands, and natural wetlands. Here, your group can stroll the Urban Meadow, where low-maintenance plants, grasses, and shrubs attract pollinators; the Perennial Border, featuring hundreds of perennials, bulbs, shrubs, and trees; the Rock Garden, with tiny wildflowers, mountain hemlock, and granite outcrops; and the Waterwise Garden, where shaded paths showcase plants that thrive without large amounts of water. Wander at your group’s own pace or schedule a free docent-led tour for a more in-depth exploration.
One of the Bellevue garden’s most popular features is the Ravine Bridge, a 150-foot suspension bridge that spans a deep ravine, allowing visitors to observe unique topography, wildlife, and towering conifers without disturbing the forest floor. “The Garden showcases plants that thrive naturally in our maritime climate,” says Darcy McInnis, spokesperson for the gardens.
Credit: William Sutton
At the Portland Japanese Garden in Oregon, groups will experience one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. The garden was created in the aftermath of World War II, with the hope that, through nature, culture, and artistry, people could learn more about a nation previously understood only as an enemy. Encompassing 12 1/2 acres, the garden’s landscape is designed and maintained by a lineage of Japanese-born gardening experts, currently Garden Curator Hugo Torii. “Because of its calming nature, it’s a great place for groups to visit as they bustle around the city,” says garden spokesperson Will Lerner. “It’s a good place to be among people from all over the world, who are similarly experiencing feelings of harmony and peace.”
Heading south, the Filoli historic mansion in Woodside, California, offers tours of both the home and gardens. The property features a 16-acre English Renaissance-style display of formal gardens and structured “garden rooms.” The grounds also boast 650 acres of natural lands beyond the gardens, where tourgoers can hike two trail loops through hundreds of fruit trees.
Also in California, your group can explore the botanical gardens found at The Huntington in San Marino, which spans 130 acres of beautifully cultivated landscapes on the former estate of Henry E. and Arabella Huntington. Here, groups can wander more than 16 themed gardens, from the historic Rose Garden and world-renowned Desert Garden to immersive cultural landscapes such as the Japanese Garden and classical-style Chinese Garden. The gardens include thousands of plant species, including rare and scientifically significant specimens.
“There’s something here for every visitor,” says The Huntington spokesperson Annabel Adams. Groups also can pair their garden experience with visits to Huntington’s world-class art museum. “Many describe the gardens as restorative and peaceful while also full of moments that spark curiosity and invite closer attention,” Adams adds. “The scale surprises people—there is always more to explore—but it never feels overwhelming. There are quiet paths for reflection and, just around the corner, something new to learn or experience.”
By Clarissa Casper
Main Image: Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, Colorado; Credit: Scott Dressel-Martin
