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Best time at the Gardens for Safe Summer Series. The weather stayed on track for a soulful good time of families enjoying a beautiful surrounding with great music. Families dancing, enjoying the food trucks and lounging on the beautiful lawn. A special shout out to Kaylyn of Iron City Shuttle for transporting guest from the Zoo's parking to the Botanical Gardens. Great event Councilor Smitherman! We appreciate you!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It was beautiful. I really enjoyed everything there. I'd like to go back in the spring when everything is in full bloom.
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.
2 months ago
This place nice, as a matter of fact, it's free?? You definitely can't complain about that part. Very beautiful place to take a walk, didn't have much time to explore but man oh man.. it was definitely a sight to see, very enjoyable walk, being with nature. Lots to explore, would spend more time here if I could honestly. One of my favorite things to do out here in Birmingham! This place doesn't disappoint at all and if it do, it's probably you! read more
The main point of our trip to Birmingham was to see an exhibit at the art museum. However, we are early rises (especially with the 1-hour time difference from home), so we had some time in the morning to fill. My wife determined that the local botanical garden opened by 7 a.m. (!) and was also free, so we opted to stop here before the museum opened later at 10 a.m. We made it here by around 7:30 a.m. A word of caution - the highway interchange nearby was nightmarish. We missed 2 turns (even with a navigation app running). I don't think it was just me. So be careful and add a few extra minutes to get lost. Once finally off they highway and through the final roundabout, we proceeded along a road bordering the gardens. On the other side appeared to be an expensive hotel and an upscale shopping / dining plaza. The garden was having some sort of plant sale, and crowds were apparently expected. They had traffic control cones in place, but we arrived early enough so that parking was still plentiful. When we left, it seemed like the lot had mostly filled up. The gardens are quite large. They are divided up into sub-areas and there is a large map posted about 100 yards inside the main gate. No paper maps were on offer, so I guess you can take a photo of theirs and use that. We first strolled to the Japanese Garden. We had this to ourselves until almost when we left. This area is quite large by itself. They have koi ponds, a tea house, etc. It was nice. We took an alternate path back to the map pavilion. From there, we explored other areas (mostly dedicated to specific flowers). Some of the terrain is hilly. We routed through the vegetable garden and eventually ended up back at the central formal rose garden. This was being watered periodically that morning and some of the brick paths in it were flooded. They seemed to have some satellite restrooms in remote areas, in addition to the main set near the gate. We spent almost 2 hours here and probably could have spent even more time, but we wanted to drive to our prime stop. If you have any interest in botanical gardens, this is a very worthwhile stop. read more
One of the first things I appreciated was free parking and free entrance, which is always an attractive feature. From there, it just kept getting better. You can easily spend hours exploring the many trails that wind through beautiful flowers and plants, the serene Japanese Gardens, and even an active beehive community--which was my favorite part! We were on a bit of a time limit and didn't get to walk the entire property, but we still managed to spend about two hours covering roughly three miles, and it never felt rushed. While it's still a little early in spring for everything to be in full bloom, there were still plenty of gorgeous floral displays to enjoy. Some of the trail directions can be a bit confusing at times, and we did end up wandering off course once or twice. That said, it was never difficult to find our way back to the main trail and continue exploring. If you're looking for a place to meander, slow down, and truly enjoy nature, this is absolutely the place to do it. A peaceful and rewarding experience overall. read more
4 months ago
Best time at the Gardens for Safe Summer Series. The weather stayed on track for a soulful good time of families enjoying a beautiful surrounding with great music. Families dancing, enjoying the food trucks and lounging on the beautiful lawn. A special shout out to Kaylyn of Iron City Shuttle for transporting guest from the Zoo's parking to the Botanical Gardens. Great event Councilor Smitherman! We appreciate you! read more
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. read more
11 months ago
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! read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
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. read more
1 year ago
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. read more
1 year ago
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. read more
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. read more
1 year ago
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. read more
2 years ago
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. read more
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. read more
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. read more
2 years ago
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. read more
4 years ago
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. read more
4 years ago
Absolutely wonderful place to come to be with nature. So much to see! I was only there two hours and only visited half the garden. I definitely will be visiting again. I cannot believe this place is free! I'm so grateful that Birmingham has such a peaceful and beautiful place to visit that is free. There is a donation box available at the gate, so don't forget to leave a donation. read more
How amazingly gorgeous! Could have spent days and days exploring. Used the Nikon and the iPhone so many spots to stop and enjoy the gardens and just breathe. Parking and admission is free! This was well worth the heat of July . read more
6 years ago
I was really close to the area and try to make my trips worth the travel, so I stopped by the Botanical Gardens. I figured it would have heavy foot traffic as it was such a beautiful day. There were groups and those taking family photos but I was able to freely take a walk and be one with nature. I also enjoyed the spaces where you could sit and enjoy the beauty. This will not be my last time strolling around the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. read more
In 2020, we have experienced a limiting of some of our options with regard to things to do when we have free time to get out and about. It's been a great year for visiting parks, hiking trails, and checking out other outdoor activities. The Birmingham botanical gardens has been, for me a great place to take some time and get out of the house. Aside from the robust variety of plant life to explore, there are a number of small walking paths/trails that in spite of being in a relatively small space can give you the feel of being out in the woods, without actually having to go out into the woods. The whole place can be thoroughly experienced in under 2 hours, and there are benches and swings scattered throughout that are great for stopping and taking time to enjoy a bit of nature. Admission is free, parking is great, and there are a number of restaurants and shops nearby in the area in case you want to grab a bite and enjoy your lunch outside in a nice environment. Overall this is a great spot in the city and we should be glad to have it. If you haven't been, get down there. read more
2 years ago
Well maintained, impressively diverse exhibits, small but beautiful greenhouse. Beautiful even when out of season. Could spend hours here. read more
2 years ago
Great place to host a women's retreat, the room was very nice with excellent views of the garden. read more
4 years ago
5 years ago
How have I waited this many years before visiting this beautiful gem in the middle of a big city? We went this weekend and they were having a huge plant sale! The whole place was super crowded, but after circling the lot twice, we lucked up in a parking spot. Parking is free and entry is free! What a gift to the people of Birmingham and its visitors! Though there appeared to be a ton of folks here, we never felt crowded. The park is so spread out with something to see in every single corner. We loved the conservatory with its water feature and tropical plants, the beautiful fountains, the winding paths to get to each area and the thoughtfully placed swings and benches along the way to rest your tootsies. Far and away my favorite garden was the Japanese Garden. The Japanese Garden has a Tori Gate at the entrance to welcome you and it sets the tone perfectly for the wonders you are about to see. Beautiful photo ops await with the koi pond, the meandering bridge, the turtles sunning themselves on the rocks and the tea garden. Do not miss this. We didn't see everything we wanted, so I know I'll be back when I'm in town again. So peaceful and lovely. read more
5 years ago
4 years ago
The botanical gardens is free to the public. It is a great walking trail. There is much more to it than the garden, there is a shop there. A nice room for events. There is also attached, the Japanese garden read more
BBG was beautiful! Having recently relocated from Brooklyn we are excited to explore a new city and feel blessed to have found such a beautiful retreat! BBG is free and open to the public. My toddlers loved roaming around the different sections and we can't wait to go back and explore again and again! Stop and smell the roses, you'll be glad you did! read more
8 years ago
I can't believe that I have lived in Birmingham my entire life and have never visited the gardens. It is such a beautiful and relaxing place. I've spent the last 2 days walking the various walkways and trails taking in the beauty of the budding flowers and blooming trees. It is early in the spring season so there are several plants that were not in bloom yet, but that does not change how breathtaking the scenery was. I can't wait to see all of the flowers in full bloom. The gardens were overflowing with teenagers taking their prom pictures. It was such a refreshing sight to see them laughing and enjoying such a special moment. There were also family photos being taken. There was signage that welcomed photographers, but asked them to leave props, furniture, and pets at home. At every turn there was a great photo op. Entrance into the gardens is free, but they welcome donations. read more
3 years ago
A fun, free activity for a date or family time. Great way to spend some time in nature. The gardens are very quiet and enjoyable - also a great place to take pictures for families, graduation, etc. We went on a Sunday and it wasn't busy at all. read more
This is a nice botanical garden. There's several walking paths and an enclosed botanical garden house in the middle. We didn't go to tho, because we didn't have the time. We did walk around on the main path which connects with their Japanese gardens. I've always loved Japanese gardens for their calm, tranquil aura, and this was no different. I do wish the tall bamboo-lined path were longer, as it was beautiful walking along and seeing nothing but tall shoots and blue sky when I looked up. Also, the rose garden! Not very huge, I bet it's fantastic during the early spring months and full of wonderful floral smells! A stop on our travel adventures, this was a nice step into nature for an hour. read more
2 years ago
This is a lovely place. The highlight is the Japanese garden with lovely bridges, small waterfalls, bonsai plants and koi fish in the pond. In the spring the cherry blossoms bloom. The whole garden is free of admission so that makes it even lovelier. Best time to come is early fall and spring mid day during the week. During weekends it can be crowded. They also have events here so check their website. It is family friendly and stroller and wheelchair accessible. There are many nice places to sit and take breaks or just to sit and enjoy the scenery. It takes 20-45 mins to walk through the whole garden. Lovely spot for friends, dates, couples and families. You will always find photographers here taking shoots of prom goers, engaged couples, wedding parties and of families. In addition, this place is also a nice place to come alone and clear your head and kill some time if on a conference or work trip or if you live in Bham and just need a break from housemates and your family. You can usually find parking but if you can't, you can always park at the Grand Bohemian or apartment complex and shopping center across the street. Be mindful to not park there for more than an hour or two because residents or businesses may have your car towed! Make sure you wear appropriate shoes for walking. There are a few places you may need to climb or cross so be mindful of that. There are a few public restrooms inside along with a garden store. read more
One of my favorite places in bham to visit! It is beautiful year round. My favorite part is the Japanese Garden but you really can't go wrong visiting any of it. I highly suggest taking at least 2 hours on your first visit so you can see everything. The restrooms are always really clean and I love that there are benches all over so you can enjoy the beautiful views. read more
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Ask the Community - Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Hours of operation?
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.
Review Highlights - Birmingham Botanical Gardens
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