Just in time for spring: Beautiful botanical gardens

Spring is finally upon us — meaning it’s the perfect time to get outside and soak in the wonderful smells and beauty of the outdoors. There’s no better way to experience springtime than by visiting your local botanical garden.

There are hundreds of botanical gardens throughout the U.S. (click here for a complete list of the ones in your area), and spring is the perfect season to check them out. The air is fresh and the temperatures are finally above freezing. The birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. Spend a day leisurely walking through the gardens to relax your mind, renew your spirits and rejuvenate your body. It’s a great day trip for families and couples alike, and it’s even the perfect activity if you’re in need of some alone time. Though there are hundreds of botanical gardens to choose from (and all are equally magnificent), we found the five most beautiful ones here in the United States.

Longwood Gardens is described as a place to “relax and reconnect with nature.” From majestic fountains to a lush orchid display (now through March 24^th), the Garden features over 1,077 acres of nature at its finest. Feel free to bring the kids, as it’s the perfect place for family fun. They’ve got insect-catching plants sure to impress any kid, dancing fountains and even gardens created specifically with your child in mind. With so much to do and even more to see, Longwood Gardens is a place you’ll want to visit more than once this spring.

Desert Botanical Garden has been around for more than 70 years now and is still going strong. DBG is located on 145 acres of desert ground and features over 50,000 different exotic plants. Special events for spring include a beautiful butterfly exhibit, a Spring Paintout — where local Scottsdale artists capture the Garden’s scenery — and their Music in the Garden concert series. Whether you’re looking to hike the beautiful trails or learn more about the culture of Phoenix, Desert Botanical Garden is for you.

Atlanta Botanical Garden in spring is all about orchids. Orchid Daze runs now through April 14^th and is described as “surreal beauty.” We love the vibrant colors the orchids provide and it’s sure to get you in the mood for spring. The Garden is full of children’s activities as well — including a scavenger hunt, critter crawl and carnivorous plant hunt. They even offer spring break and summer camps for the little ones to enjoy!

Founded in 1910, Brooklyn Botanical Garden is a 52-acre garden that gets over 900,000 visitors annually. People come from all over the world to see their unique, one-of-a-kind gardens — including a Cherry Garden, Fragrance Garden, Herb Garden and Discovery Garden for the kids. The Garden offers family workshops, children’s classes and even a two-week summer camp session. For spring, the plants are colorful, happy and welcoming, making it a perfect spot for those who live in the area or are planning an upcoming visit.

We love everything the Missouri Botanical Garden has to offer — from the Orchid Show to the Canopy Climb, where guests learn to climb majestic trees and get a birds-eye view of the world. Founded over 154 years ago, the Garden is described as “an oasis in the city, a place of beauty and family fun — and also a center for education, science, and conservation.” Missouri Botanical Garden is by far one of the oldest and most beautiful gardens the U.S. has to offer.

More on spring travel

Best spring break travel destinations for everyone
5 Under-the-radar spring break destinations
Easy spring break day trips