10 Breathtaking Botanic Gardens to Visit for Mother’s Day!

Does your mom have a green thumb? Does she love landscape architecture? If you answered yes, you’ve come to the right place! Because a visit to a botanic garden and a lunch at a lovely restaurant makes a perfect outing for you and Mom. No matter which area of the globe you plan on visiting, there are  stunning botanical gardens to visit for Mother’s Day, and you’ll be sure to find one that suits you and the whole family.

Gardens by the Bay — Singapore

Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay is a paradise of tall trees and beautiful flowers in the heart of one of the busiest metropolises in the world. Gardens by the Bay spans over 250 acres and cost upwards of $1 billion to construct. The Gardens are the centerpiece of Singapore’s efforts to improve quality of life in the city.

Gardens by the Bay is home to several conservatories and preserves. But, its best known for the Flower Dome, the largest greenhouse in the world. The Flower Dome covers multiple acres and boasts several distinct gardens. The Dome is focused on plant life from cool-dry Mediterranean climates. Also of note is the Cloud Forest, which is home to plants found in tropical mountain regions and one of the largest indoor waterfalls in the world. Lastly, check out Supertree Grove, a series of vertical gardens that double as elevated walkways.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden — New York City

Tucked into the heart of Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers a lush escape from the frenetic pace of New York City. Spanning 52 acres, this green refuge is celebrated for its curated plant collections, world-class conservatories, and peaceful walking paths. It’s particularly magical in springtime, when hundreds of cherry trees erupt in bloom and visitors flock to enjoy Hanami — the traditional Japanese custom of flower viewing. The Cherry Esplanade and Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden are both must-sees, offering a blend of natural beauty and precise landscaping that reflects centuries of Japanese design philosophy.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is also home to the Shakespeare Garden, featuring over 80 plants mentioned in the works of the Bard, and the Fragrance Garden, which was one of the first of its kind in the country and was designed specifically for the visually impaired. The Plant Family Collection provides an educational twist, grouping species by botanical relationship rather than style. The Steinhardt Conservatory boasts a multi-room greenhouse experience, with climates ranging from desert to tropical rainforest — perfect for a year-round floral adventure.

Families and lifelong learners will enjoy the Discovery Garden, an interactive area where children can dig, touch, and play their way through the plant world. Seasonal art installations, live music, and refreshments from the on-site Yellow Magnolia Café elevate the garden to a true cultural destination. Whether you’re admiring waterlilies in the Lily Pool Terrace or simply enjoying a quiet walk beneath the colorful canopy of spring blossoms, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers a perfect mix of horticultural wonder and New York spirit for a Mother’s Day to remember.

United States Botanic Garden — Washington, D.C.

Nestled at the foot of the U.S. Capitol, the United States Botanic Garden is one of the country’s oldest continuously operating botanic institutions. This living plant museum includes an extensive Conservatory, a butterfly garden, and three outdoor collections. Inside the Conservatory, visitors are transported across continents through exhibits such as the humid jungle-like Tropics exhibit, the cool and misty Orchids room, and the Desert habitat featuring succulents from around the globe.

The Garden Primeval, an immersive display of ancient plants like ferns and cycads, offers a journey back in time. Outside, meander through the meticulously maintained Regional Garden, which celebrates Mid-Atlantic flora, and experience the tranquil serenity of the Rose and First Ladies Water Gardens. Educational programming, children’s discovery stations, and seasonal art installations make the experience both interactive and enriching. Plus, it’s just steps from other major Washington, D.C. landmarks, making it an ideal addition to a Mother’s Day sightseeing itinerary.

Desert Botanical Garden — Phoenix

Tucked amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes in Phoenix, the 55-acre Desert Botanical Garden is a stunning celebration of desert biodiversity. Boasting over 50,000 plants from arid regions around the world, the garden is particularly renowned for its commanding collection of cacti, agave, and succulents. Vibrant spring wildflowers and the bright blooms of desert-adapted plants offer unexpected splashes of color against the muted desert background.

Wander the garden’s five thematic trails, including the Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail and the Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert Loop, which provide cultural and ecological insights into the region’s earliest inhabitants and their plant-based traditions. The garden also partners with local artists and features large-scale sculptures and rotating exhibitions that enhance the sensory experience. Don’t miss their popular Music in the Garden concert series or a visit during the golden hour, when sunlight transforms the landscape into a warm, surreal glow—perfect for a peaceful stroll with Mom.

Atlanta Botanical Garden — Atlanta

Situated adjacent to the verdant Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is a 30-acre oasis bursting with Southern charm and horticultural sophistication. It’s perhaps best known for its jaw-dropping Kendeda Canopy Walk—a 600-foot-long skywalk that weaves through one of the last remaining urban forests in Atlanta, allowing visitors a bird’s-eye view of the woodland below. The garden houses the largest collection of orchids in the U.S. in its Fuqua Orchid Center, a tropical wonderland with rare blooms nestled amid misting trees and waterfalls.

The Rose Garden dazzles with its fragrant heirloom varieties, while the Edible Garden delights with seasonal fruit, herbs, and vegetables, complemented by tasty culinary demonstrations. Seasonal art installations, including large botanical sculptures during the “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights” event (which often begins set-up in spring), add a playful and photogenic element to the grounds. With shaded benches, koi ponds, and on-site dining at the garden’s own restaurant, it’s a picture-perfect day out in Atlanta for honoring Mom.

Chicago Botanic Garden

Just a short drive from downtown Chicago, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a sprawling 385-acre living museum and one of the crown jewels of Midwest horticulture. Set across nine islands and surrounded by serene lakes, this massive garden is a feast for the senses and a peaceful retreat from city life. It features 28 distinct display gardens, each with its own personality and planting style. The English Walled Garden evokes a romantic European countryside, while the Japanese Garden — set on its own island — emphasizes harmony, quiet reflection, and natural beauty.

Don’t miss the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, a working example of sustainable agriculture complete with edible displays, greenhouses, and hands-on exhibits that show how food is grown. Flowering trees in the spring, especially the cherry blossoms and magnolias, create an enchanting atmosphere that’s perfect for Mother’s Day. The Sensory Garden encourages visitors to engage with plant life through sight, smell, and touch, while the Native Plant Garden celebrates the diversity of the prairies and woodlands of the Midwest.

The Chicago Botanic Garden also houses a comprehensive library, a science center dedicated to plant conservation, and offers a full calendar of seasonal events and walking tours. Stop by their on-site café for a relaxing lunch with views of the blooms, and if time allows, take a mini train ride through the grounds for a distinctive view of the garden’s landscape artistry.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden — Cape Town, South Africa

Next to Cape Town’s fabled Table Mountain lies Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, one of the grandest botanical gardens in the world. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden spans across a massive 1,300 acres. Tours of Kirstenbosch focus on the region’s fynbos heathland, an area rich in the scrubby vegetation that supports a wide array of local birdlife. The park is home to over 1,500 varieties of fynbos, many of which are flowering plants that are used in everything from food to medicine.

Also of note at Kirstenbosch is the magnificent Afromontane forest, a woodland preserve of evergreen trees that hug the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Trails take visitors into the heart of the Afromontane forest. Additionally, overhead walkways allow guests a chance to see the forest from the canopy.

Jardim Botânico — Rio de Janeiro

Jardim Botânico, also known as Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, rests in the shadow of both the statue of Christ the Redeemer and Mount Corcovado, two of the most iconic destinations in Rio de Janeiro. Jardim Botanical was established in 1808. The botanic garden features a healthy mix of cultivated gardens and native fauna: only 40 percent of the park’s 345 acres are cultivated gardens and conservatories.

The remainder of the space in Jardim Botânico is a lush nature reserve that maintains the area’s indigenous plant and tree life found on the slopes of Corcovado. The Avenue of Royal Palms is among the most well-known attractions at Jardim Botânico is. You’ll find a line of 134 palm trees that lead to the heart of the garden. Major collections display the more exotic members of the plant kingdom: many varieties of carnivorous plants call the garden home, as do over 600 species of orchid. Walking around the site also gives visitors a chance to meet Jardim Botânico’s animal residents, including small monkeys and colorful toucans.

You May Also Like: 10 Standout U.S. Gardens to Visit During Spring

Montreal Botanical Garden

Visitors to Montreal can see plant life from around the world at Montreal Botanical Garden, one of the most diverse botanic gardens in North America. Montreal Botanical Garden stands at an impressive 185 acres and is home to over 20,000 different species of plants cultivated in 10 greenhouses and 20 outdoor gardens. Part of the garden’s mission is to show how gardens and plant life reflect culture. To that end, the organization has established three cultural gardens that reflect the values of Chinese, First Nation, and Japanese traditions. Along with plant life, these gardens also include examples of the art and architecture of these cultures.

Meanwhile, the Frédéric Back Tree Pavilion puts the focus on the tallest members of the plant kingdom. Visitors to the garden’s Tree Pavilion learn the role trees play in the world’s wider ecosystem. The garden also shows how trees are used in unexpected ways in our everyday lives.

FAQs:

Q: Is there a difference between a “botanic garden” and a “botanical garden”?
A: Functionally, no. The terms are used interchangeably to describe gardens dedicated to plant collections. “Botanic” is slightly older and more formal sounding, while “botanical” is more commonly used in modern English.

Q: What’s the best time of day to visit a botanical garden?
A: Mornings are generally the best time to visit. Temperatures are cooler, crowds are smaller, and the lighting is great for photos. Plus, many flowers are most fragrant and open in the early hours.

Q: Are reservations or advance tickets required?
A: Many popular gardens require or recommend booking ahead—especially around holidays like Mother’s Day. Visit each garden’s official website to check for timed-entry tickets or special event bookings.

Q: Are botanical gardens accessible for strollers and wheelchairs?
A: Most major botanical gardens are designed with accessibility in mind, offering paved paths, ramps, and restroom facilities. However, terrain varies, so it’s best to check accessibility info on each garden’s website.

Q: Can I bring food or have a picnic inside?
A: Policies vary. Some gardens welcome picnics in designated outdoor areas, while others prohibit outside food and encourage visitors to dine at on-site cafés instead. Always check the garden’s guidelines beforehand.

Q: Are pets allowed?
A: Pets are generally not allowed due to the delicate nature of plant collections. However, many gardens permit trained service animals in compliance with ADA regulations.

Q: What should I wear to visit a botanical garden?
A: Comfortable clothing and walking shoes are a must, especially if the garden spans a large area. Sunscreen, hats, and water are recommended for sunny, open-air gardens.

Do you know any other unmissable botanic gardens? Let us know in our comments section below!