There are many beautiful and serene botanical gardens located throughout the state of Michigan. These gardens offer visitors a chance to admire a wide variety of plant life, as well as learn more about the importance of plants and their care. Whether you are looking for a place to enjoy a leisurely stroll or you are interested in learning more about Michigan’s native plants, these botanical gardens are sure to please.
The following is a list of some of the best botanical gardens located in Michigan:
The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park – Traverse City, MI
Address: 1490 Red Dr, Traverse City, MI, 49684
Phone: (231) 935-4077
The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park is a 25-acre botanical garden located near Grand Traverse Commons, southwest of downtown Traverse City. This garden features a wide variety of plant life, including Michigan natives, as well as a beautiful rose garden. The garden features many plants that are native and prevalent across Northwest Michigan. The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park is open to the public from April through October. Docent-led tours and self guided tours are available as well as art shows and other events throughout the year.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens – Ann Arbor, MI
Address: 1800 N Dixboro Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: (734) 647-7600
The Matthaei Botanical Gardens is located Northeast of downtown Ann Arbor and east of M23. This garden features several different gardens, including a wildflower garden, children’s garden, and an arboretum. The Matthaei Botanical Gardens also feature a conservatory, which is home to many different species of plants from around the world. The garden is open year-round and offers a variety of events and programs for visitors to enjoy.
Leila Arboretum – Battle Creek, MI
Address: 928 W Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49037
Phone: (269) 969-0270
The Leila Arboretum is a 72-acre arboretum and botanical garden located in Battle Creek, Michigan. This garden features many different gardens and attractions including a kaleidoscope garden, a fantasy forest, a 365 urban farm, sculptures, and disc golf. Refer to their website for information about garden tours, live music festivals, yoga in the garden, gardening classes, and other events and volunteer opportunities.
The W.J. Beal Botanical Gardens at Michigan State University – East Lansing, MI
Address: W Circle Dr, East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 355-5191
This small 19th century botanical garden on the Michigan State University is the oldest continuously-operated botanical garden in the United States. The garden is located between the Main Library building and the Department of Kinesiology building near the Red Cedar River. This garden features thousands of different types of plants from around the world and native to Michigan including endangered species, wetland plants, fruits and vegetables, and medicinal plants.
Dow Gardens – Midland, MI
Address: 1809 Eastman Ave, Midland, MI 48640
Phone: (800) 362-4874
Dow Gardens is a 110-acre public display garden located in Midland, Michigan. This garden features a wide variety of plant life as well as many different gardens including a children’s garden, a Japanese garden, and an English garden. The gardens also feature a butterfly house, a conservatory, and a gift shop. Dow Gardens is open year-round and offers many different events and programs for visitors to enjoy.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park – Grand Rapids, MI
Address: 1000 East Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Phone: (616) 957-1580
Established in 1995, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a 158-acre botanical garden and sculpture park located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This garden features a wide variety of plant life as well as sculptures by many different artists. The garden also features a conservatory, a children’s garden, and a trial garden. The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is open year-round and offers many different events and programs including a summer concert series, plant exhibitions, and butterflies.
Windmill Island Gardens – Holland, MI
Address: 1 Lincoln Ave, Holland, MI 49423
Phone: (616) 355-1030
Take a trip to the Netherlands without leaving Michigan! The Windmill Island Gardens is a 36-acre park located in downtown Holland, Michigan along the Macatawa River. This park features a working Dutch windmill as well as many different gardens including a tulip garden, an herb garden, and a rose garden. The gardens also feature a boardwalk, a gift shop, a playground, and a picnic area. The Windmill Island Gardens are open seasonally from April through October but feature year round programs and events related to arts, heritage events, and gardening.
Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve – Niles, MI
Address: 13988 Range Line Rd, Niles, MI 49120
Phone: (269) 695-6491
The Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve is a 105-acre botanical garden and nature preserve located in Niles, Michigan. This garden features many different gardens including a wildflower garden, a tallgrass prairie garden, an arboretum, nature trails, a railway and nature adventure garden, sculptures, and an education center with a café. The garden is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10AM – 5PM and Sunday 12-5PM. Admission is free for members and $10 for non-members.
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory – Detroit, MI
Address: 4 Inselruhe Ave, Detroit, MI 48207
Phone: (313) 821-5428
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is a 982 acre botanical garden located on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan. This Victorian-style conservatory features a variety of plant life from around the world including palms, cacti, ferns, and tropical flowers. The conservatory also features a gift shop and is open year-round with free admission.
Hidden Lake Gardens – Tipton, MI
Address: 6214 Monroe Road, Tipton, MI 49287
Phone: (517) 431-2060
Operated by Michigan State University, the Hidden Lake Gardens is a 755-acre botanical garden and nature preserve located in Tipton, Michigan. This garden features many different gardens including a wildflower garden, an iris garden, a hosta garden, conifers, a bonsai garden, and a daylily garden. The gardens also feature nature trails, ponds, and a visitor center with a gift shop. The Hidden Lake Gardens are open seasonally from April through October but offer year-round events and programs related to gardening, nature, and the arts. Check out their canopy walk when you visit!
DeTour Village Botanical Gardens – DeTour Village, MI
Address: Ontario St, DeTour Village, MI 49725
Phone: (906) 297-5471
Take a stroll through the DeTour Village Botanical Gardens when you’re in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula! This 2.5-acre botanical garden features over 1,000 different varieties of flowers, shrubs, and trees. The gardens also feature a gazebo, a pond, a picnic area, and individual memorial gardens. The DeTour Village Botanical Gardens are open seasonally from May through October but provide access to the Bid Munro Natural Trails throughout the year.
Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens – Taylor, MI
Address: 22314 Northline Rd, Taylor, MI 48180
Phone: (888) 383-4108
The Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is a 12-acre botanical garden located in Taylor, Michigan. This garden features many different gardens including an English cottage garden, a Japanese garden, an herb garden, a rock garden, and a children’s garden. The gardens also feature a Victorian-style greenhouse, a butterfly garden, and a gift shop. The Taylor Conservatory & Botanical Gardens are open year-round with free admission. Refer to their events calendar for upcoming events for the public including music and art events.
Image source:
Dwight Burdette, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons