Cancel

Open app

Search

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

4.7 (147 reviews)

Services - Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Venue rental

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Renee H.

This was my first visit to the gardens, and as a newer transplant to Alabama, I couldn't have asked for a lovelier introduction. I visited on a Saturday morning around 10 a.m., and there was a smaller presence; not overwhelming, just the way I like it. Even without exploring the entire property, we spent nearly two hours wandering the grounds. The rose garden is especially captivating, a fragrant and colorful haven that invites you to linger. The greenhouse, while charming and full of character, could use a bit of extra care for some of its plants though. The Japanese-inspired section, with its graceful bridges, bamboo, and koi pond, was a highlight -- tranquil, picturesque, and thoughtfully designed. Every corner of the gardens seems to whisper an invitation to photographers; in fact, we noticed a family having professional portraits taken during our visit. (For those planning similar sessions, it's worth reviewing the venue's photography guidelines in advance- see photo) Before leaving, we stopped by the gift shop, which was an absolute delight, filled to the brim with exquisite, one-of-a-kind treasures. I could have easily spent another hour browsing its elegant displays. What a hidden gem, tucked away in the quiet residential streets of beautiful Mountain Brook. A visit here feels like a step into serenity itself.

Beautiful garden wedding
Rikesha F.

What's not to love about this beautiful example of nature? There's walking trails, beautiful flowers and trees, pure springs and streams, little animals, plant sales, and so much more offered right here! This is a wonderful venue for weddings and receptions, parties, meetings anything you can think of the Botanical Garden can host. I have attended many events here, from a holiday soirée, weddings, business meetings, social events, cooking demos and so much more. But my favorite thing to do is take a stroll through the gardens on a nice Spring day! Nothing beats it! I served as a Junior Board member many years ago and it was an honor to represent such a jewel of a venue that our city has. Did I mention that admission is free? You have to visit here at least once. When you do, I'm almost certain you will be back!

Kaneka R.

You can definitely exceed your step goal here. There's free parking and free entrance. The garden has very wide walking trails. I love botanical gardens, however this one didn't have too much in bloom. I would like to see what it looks like during spring, summer, or Fall. The Japanese garden needs some love. I know it's winter but GA and AL have similar climates and the garden in Atlanta is very beautiful all year. This one just seemed like it needed some TLC.

Russell M.

I can't believe I've lived in Birmingham this long and hadn't visited the Botanical Gardens as an adult. I recently took my family, and we had a great time walking around and exploring. Our visit was cut short by a little rain, but we'll definitely be back. Now that we're parents, I think we'll be coming here a lot more often.

Japanese Garden
Lucy T.

Don't sleep on the Botanical Gardens! It's huge! There are so many plants here. A lot of greenhouses too! With the changing seasons, there's always something new to discover here!

Katalina I.

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens were the highlight of my trip to Alabama. The location is quite beautiful and there is so much to see. They have rose gardens, vegetable gardens, wildflowers, a conservatory, and a ton of woodlands plus a Japanese Friendship Garden with a koi pond and bamboo walkway. We spent about 2 hours just walking around and taking in the beauty of the place. Tons of areas for a lot of great pictures. When we went, we saw a ton of students taking prom pictures and I know those must have come out great! Although there were many people, the place is large so it did not feel crowded to us. They have easy to follow maps and trails and their koi pond also featured swimming turtles. A really beautiful place for sure and it was free entrance when we went. They also have a pretty large gift shop with a ton of goodies.

Marie L.

Went with my family to take a promenade amoung the many beautiful gardens before leaving Birmingham. And the trip wouldn't have been the same had we not visited this little gem. The weather was cloudy and overcast but all the better for shade.

The iconic Greek god Vulcan.. he looks good in a floral apron. Trust your dopeness!
ViVi S.

If you plant enough seeds of happiness, it will spread like wildfire and become contagious. It's why I adore botanical gardens. The seeds of happiness is everywhere in the gardens. Came here to close out my trip to Birmingham and enjoyed the transition from fall. Since it was mid September it was toasty so make sure you hydrate. Cannot believe they do not charge for admission so come often, stay long and enjoy a break from the fast pace of life. It is well maintained and so many areas to wander and spend time. I loved the greenhouses and veggie garden. But my favorite were the paths that led to the woods and secluded areas that transport you out of the city noise. It's literally smack dab in the middle of the downtown vibrant area of Mountain Brook. Was looking forward to lunch at the cafe but bummed it was closed and there was no notice or information that advise you. The staff at the gift shop are so friendly and take such care to wrap your purchased items. The gift shop is wonderful, stocked with adorable gift items, jewelry, and cute souvenirs. I swear you can create your own beautiful garden purchasing the plants available here. Gardens are always a good idea. Indulge a little or a lot. But you'll leave smiling from ear to ear for hours, even days after the visit.

Plant life
Kimberly A.

Hands down - one of the best botanical gardens in the country. I am still in awe of the variety of plant life as well as animal life present on site. We aimlessly wandered around the grounds and just enjoyed the natural beauty of the surroundings. They are getting a new garden completed so beware some parts have construction vehicles working away. Make sure to pack DEET BUG SPRAY. We were eaten alive by the mosquitoes.

Greenhouse
Kelli H.

Came here on a hot September afternoon (in the '90s) and just wanted to say: bring yo water/hydration with you! Unbelievable this is free, and the gardens are a lot bigger than expected. Beautiful flora and fauna, and had a variety of greenery - from the tropical paradise in the greenhouse to the veggie garden (even had cotton growing!) to the bamboo shoots with the turtles and koi fish! Got away with wearing slippers. The gift shop at the front is cute, and all the plants in the front for sale would be dangerous if I lived here.

Snow peas
James T.

BBG has a lot to offer, and my personal favorites are cherry blossoms in the Japanese Garden (in full display during early spring). The rose gardens are also quite beautiful from early April to late May. The pictures being shared here were taken in spring 2025.

John B.

This land is quite dynamic; while the entrance leads to a series of highly manicured plots and a greenhouse, the surrounding terrain varies considerably in elevation and is much more naturalistically curated. Areas showcasing ferns and wildflowers attract the viewer like a foraging bee, while the occasional bit of sculpture art adds intrigue. The place was well-attended, though parking seemed able to keep up with the wedding and the regular crowd. Even though it seemed the spring flowers had not really taken off yet, there were plenty of splendid sights. The fact that entrance is free and uninhibited is a social good, and the depth and variety of exhibitions admitted of more exploration than I had time for in the slightly less than an hour that I spent wandering around.

Rebecca R.

The best thing about Birmingham Botanical Gardens is that it's free, making it accessible to everyone. But it's nice enough to visit even if they were charging. There are different themed gardens, such as a Japanese garden, rose garden, and some other flower types. In addition to the plants, there are statues and other art to look at, swinging benches, and ponds with fish. The gift shop is large and has some nice finds for holiday and other gifts or a souvenir. I didn't have a chance to chevk out any of their programming, such as tai chi classes or performances, but it looks like they have a nice schedule that is worth checking out.

See all

27 days ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

29 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 month ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Lucy T.
648
1304
6263

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Marie L.
7
172
64

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of ViVi S.
214
435
1368

3 years ago

Helpful 16
Thanks 2
Love this 13
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of James T.
0
20
110

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 0
Love this 5
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 0
Love this 6
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Simply beautiful! Can spend hours there enjoying the beauty and solitude. Would definitely go back!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 0
Love this 7
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Gwen W.
970
2023
6161

3 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Beautiful place and a treasure to Birmingham. Love going with my family and significant other

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Paul C.
623
776
1523

8 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 4

Ask the Community - Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Could you have a sweet 16 tea party here?

Probably. I believe there was an event taking place the afternoon we were there.

Is there anywhere you can have a dog here?

No pets allowed. There's a sign at the front gate.

View All 5 Questions

Review Highlights - Birmingham Botanical Gardens

There are different sections with different landscaping styles (the rose garden, the Japanese garden, etc).

Mentioned in 27 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Venues & Event Spaces 353 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Birmingham Museum of Art - Meditating space

Birmingham Museum of Art

(106 reviews)

I finally made my way into the Birmingham Museum of Art after driving past it for years like,…read more"Yeah, I'll get to that one day..." Well, that day finally came--and turns out, I've been sleeping on a gem this whole time. First off, free admission? That'll get your attention quicker than a "buy one get one" sign. But seriously, this place is legit. It may not be on the scale of New York City or Chicago, but it absolutely punches above its weight. Birmingham quietly flexing, and I respect it. I started out in the sculpture garden, and with it being spring, the blooming dogwood trees added a layer of nostalgia that hit just right. Between the flowers, the fresh air, and the artwork, it was one of those "slow down and take it in" moments. Not bad for a place I used to ignore at red lights--or even flying past it doing 80 on 59/20. Inside, the collections are surprisingly deep and diverse. European, American, African, Asian--you name it. I spent a good bit of time in the African galleries, which meant a lot to me having traveled to Tanzania several times. It's one thing to read about cultures, but seeing the art up close brings a whole different level of appreciation. They also had a traveling exhibit featuring Claude Monet, and I'll just say--pictures don't do that justice. The way he plays with light and color is something you've got to see in person. The Renaissance pieces were another highlight, especially the Madonna and Child panels. You can actually see the craftsmanship in the materials--it makes you realize these artists weren't just talented, they were patient... like next-level patient. There's also a really cool mix of American artwork that captures early Alabama life. One painting in particular shows a whole social scene--different classes, different backgrounds--all in one place. It's like a historical snapshot, and honestly, probably more accurate than some of the stories we've all heard growing up. Now let's talk about the staff--because that matters. Every person I interacted with was friendly, welcoming, and actually knew their stuff. I asked a few questions, and instead of getting a quick "I think so," I got detailed answers that made the experience even better. That's the kind of thing you remember. Swing by the gift shop or grab a snack on the second floor--they're ready to welcome you. What I appreciated most was how the museum connects everything. You walk through different cultures, different time periods, and somehow it all ties back to the same themes--faith, identity, daily life, legacy. Makes you realize people haven't changed all that much... we've just gotten better at Wi-Fi. Walking out, I couldn't help but laugh a little--I've passed this place for years and had no idea what I was missing. Safe to say, I won't make that mistake again. In fact, this was my second visit in less than a month. If you're local or just passing through Birmingham, this place is absolutely worth your time. Take it from someone who learned the hard way--don't wait as long as I did. Well done, Birmingham!

We decided to visit the museum to see their 'Monet to Matisse' exhibit. I checked occasionally in…read morethe week leading up to our visit. Their website displays how many tickets are remaining for the day. I wanted to ensure this wasn't selling out for our day, in which case I'd have bought tickets in advance online. However, they still showed over 1000 tickets available the day before, so I opted to just buy them at the museum. We had issues with navigation in Birmingham already, and those continued en route to the museum. For whatever reason, the app directed us over a mile beyond downtown and then had us get off the highway, cross the overpass, and double back (?). We actually switched apps a bit later as we were sure there was an issue. We eventually found the museum, though. It wasn't obvious from the front, but apparently the museum does have its own free parking lot behind the building. We ended up parking in a deck a few blocks away, but thankfully that only ended up costing us $3. The museum is normally free for entry, I believe. Donations are encouraged. However, for special travelling exhibits, there was a charge (about $25 per person). This was handled at a kiosk just outside the exhibit. We toured the exhibit and enjoyed it. Works were arranged in 3 large rooms. It was crowded, but manageable. After seeing that, we opted to check out some of the permanent collection before leaving. On the upper level (where we were) there are several rooms devoted to Asian arts (samurai armor from Japan, jade and buddha statues from China, etc.). Korea and India were also represented. If we'd had more time, we would have explored more on this floor. We descended to the first floor and checked out some of the European galleries as well as the end of the wing that is devoted to American art. They had interesting works on all these areas. If I lived in the area, I'd likely come here to check out the permanent collection. Maybe we'll be back at some point to see more of it. This was well worth stopping by if you like art. (I will limit my photos to the permanent collection.)

City of Birmingham - Sloss Furnace

City of Birmingham

(17 reviews)

Birmingham is a great city to live! It has that big city feel with a small town charm. Over the…read moreyears, Birmingham has emerged as a slept-on foodie city. Many new restaurants have popped up over the last ten years. New businesses bring more revenue and more revenue brings bigger acts to the city. From Chris Brown to Garth Brooks to Janet Jackson, many big names have graced our city with concerts at our new venues, Protective Stadium and the Coca Cola Amphitheater. There is so much to do in the city. From taking a walk in Avondale Park to watching a movie at Sidewalk Theater, to checking out the latest exhibits in the Museum of Art, to shopping at the Summit, Birmingham has something for everyone. Pro Tip: Follow your favorite businesses on social media to find out about different events that may be taking place. I believe that the current politicians have the city's residents best interests at heart. Mayor Woodfin combines youth and wit and for Birmingham, it works. I appreciate how his administration has helped minorities and women gain ground in the business sector by the offering of grants through non-profits such as Rev Birmingham. The school system, while still having room for improvement, has shown tremendous growth since the pandemic that has made national headlines. Is Birmingham a perfect city? No. But has it come a long way from its tumultuous past during the Civil Rights era, yes. There's so much more I could speak on, but don't just take my word. Come for a visit and let the city speak for itself.

I like Birmingham! I give a huge thanks to Birmingham for existing over the years because its music…read morescene was always so much better than Huntsville's especially in the 80s and 90s! Following a two-hour drive from Huntsville, we could be at the BJCC enjoying acts like Judas Priest, Alanis Morrisette, the Who, Kid Rock, and Van Halen (as an add on to their Huntsville shows), many of whom wouldn't bother booking a show in Huntsville's smaller VBCC. My tennis buddies graduated and played college tennis for Samford; my stepdaughter works as a PharmD at UAB; my best friend lived in and returned to the Highlands area (thank goodness); and honorary nieces have gone to college there. I was featured in a commercial in the 90s that was filmed on Red Mountain promoting "Dances With Wolves" and Kevin Costner. It's not that I was special in any way, it was part of a contest that I won. That was a fun day! I can't count the Do Dah Day events I've attended over the years, and the Do Day Nights they used to have on the Friday before the big day! I've enjoyed The Club with my best friend and have celebrated various birthdays there always completely impressed by the view! We hosted my stepdaughter's baby shower there and were so grateful to have the fabulous venue! Thank you, Birmingham for leading the way for culinary excellence! Places that come to mind are Hot and Hot Fish Club, Ocean, El Barrio, and Bottega. Five Points South and Highlands are my favorite areas of the 'Ham! Thank you "Magic City!" You have indeed brough the magic to this girl!

Jefferson County Courthouse

Jefferson County Courthouse

(13 reviews)

04/13/26, I went to the Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Alabama today to get a…read morereplacement driver's license, and a really nice lady named Toni helped me. I had lost my wallet at home and was trying to get everything taken care of. She explained the newer document rules to prove identity, such as needing things like a birth certificate, and she was very helpful and polite. A friend who was with me asked if there was anything else that might work, such as an old driver's license, and Toni kindly checked and let us know that would help. I came back with it and was able to get my replacement license. Later, she even stopped by and kindly asked if I got my license. I told her yes, and that she was a really nice lady. I appreciated her kindness and helpful attitude very much. God bless! Mark H. Elders

Huge place. Very clean and very secured Lol. I'm performing my best woman duties as my best friends…read moreget married. I am elated to be here for them as they've been there for me in ways that I could never repay them for (has nothing to do with the review I know) I do dislike that all of the ministers here refuse to marry same sex couples here. I know it's their personal choice but it's disheartening all the same. Only one does and he's here only on Friday's and not all day and they refused to give us his information so we had to find someone. Thank God that the pastor that was due to marry me in July was available short notice. The testars is for the discrimination we felt being here today. Either way what we came for was accomplished and my besties got married.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens - venues - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...