Denver Botanic Gardens ~ A Peaceful Oasis in the City

A destination guide to the York Street location of the Denver Botanic Gardens.

The Denver Botanic Gardens is a network of gardens, historical sites, and a working farm located throughout the state of Colorado. The flagship site, located in the heart of Denver on York Street, spans 24 acres and is filled with themed gardens, plant collections, and sculptures.

Visiting the Denver Botanic Gardens (York Street)

The Denver Botanic Gardens is a wonderful place to escape the hustle of 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. The Gardens were definitely a splendid way to end a busy day of sightseeing.

Adding to the tranquility of the Gardens was the absence of crowds. This surprised me a bit since it was a beautiful, sunny day in late August. For 2 hours, I meandered through the various gardens, enjoying the vibrantly colored flowers, fascinating local flora, and many chirping birds. I did get hungry during my visit, so I stopped by the Hive Garden Bistro, but guests are welcome to bring food and a blanket to enjoy a cozy picnic in the Gardens.

The only unfortunate thing about my visit to the Gardens was that several areas were closed due to weddings taking place that afternoon. One area had beautiful flowers, so it’s a shame I missed out seeing it! When planning a trip, I suggest travelers reach out to the Gardens to see if and when any areas will be off-limits to the public, so as not to miss out on the opportunity to explore the site entirely.

The Gardens are centrally located and can easily be accessed by public transportation, ride-share, or cycling. There are bike racks available near the main entrance. For those driving to the Gardens, a parking garage offering free parking is available across the street from the site. If the parking garage is full, there is limited street parking available nearby.

On a final note, when planning your visit, I recommend browsing through the Gardens’ events calendar, as it features a variety of interesting activities, including special tours, yoga classes, workshops, festivals, and more.

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

Most of the Gardens are accessible, and on its website is a map that shows which paths are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

Travelers planning to visit the Denver Botanic Gardens along with other major attractions may want to consider purchasing the Denver CityPASS as a way to save money on admission.

Special Events and Exhibits at the Denver Botanic Gardens

During my visit, the Gardens showcased a special exhibit, Spirit Guides, a series of brightly colored sculptures depicting hybrid animals inspired by Zapotec astrology. These sculptures were a highlight of my visit.

Also, at the end of my visit, I stumbled upon the Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society’s Annual Show. This event was open to the public and proved to be an enjoyable experience, seeing the many intricately sculpted bonsai.