Guide to Denver's Botanic Gardens

Destination guide for Denver’s Botanic Gardens.

The Denver Botanic Gardens is a network of gardens, a working farm, and historical sites throughout Colorado. Each location hosts special events, festivals, and educational outreach activities for the community and visitors.

The main location is on York Street in east-central Denver. It spans 24 acres and includes several gardens, collections, and sculptures.

Visiting the Denver Botanic Gardens

The Denver Botanic Gardens is a wonderful place to escape city life and enjoy some tranquility. While one can follow the provided map, I decided to get lost in the moment and just wander through the gardens, taking in the views and enjoying the water features. During my visit, the Gardens showcased a special exhibit, Spirit Guides, a series of brightly colored sculptures depicting hybrid animals inspired by Zapotec astrology.

I stopped by the Gardens on a Saturday afternoon in late August, and to my surprise, it was not crowded. On the day of my visit, the Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society was having its Annual Show, and there were several weddings. Unfortunately, the areas hosting the weddings were closed to the public, so I missed out on viewing sections of the Gardens.

I recommend contacting the Gardens when planning your visit to find out if any areas will be closed and at what time, so you do not miss the opportunity to explore all the gardens.

My visit to the Gardens took approximately 2 hours, and that included a dinner break at the Hive Garden Bistro. I explored most of the Gardens except the areas closed for private events. The length of your visit depends on how much of the gardens you wish to explore and whether you take some time for a meal or to sit at one of the many gazebos to relax. You are also welcome to bring your own food and a blanket to enjoy a picnic in the Gardens.

I highly recommend that visitors bring a water bottle and wear sunscreen, especially during summer, as there is minimal shade. The Gardens have several drinking water fountains and bottle-refill stations.

The Gardens are accessible, and paths throughout the gardens are paved.

Adult admission is $15.75, but discounts are available for veterans, students, and those in certain age groups.

If you plan to visit several major attractions while in Denver, I suggest purchasing the Denver City Pass as a way to save money on admission. The Gardens is one of the sites included in the pass.

When planning your visit, I recommend browsing through the Gardens’ events calendar as there are many interesting activities, such as special tours, yoga classes, workshops, festivals, and more.