These are just lovely gardens to walk around, even without any special events. Brookside is spacious, well maintained, clean, and safe. The visitor center is comfortable. They host countless events tailored to all ages, from reading time to butterfly exhibits. Parking has never really been an issue for us, and it is a very easy drive. Glad that it is Close to Home! read more

One of my favorite places to come for a walk. The trails are beautiful and I loved the Butterfly Experience! They didn't have it this year, maybe 2026 will be different :) It's the perfect place to admire beauty, relax, and get some fresh air. Highly recommend making this part of a date, there's nothing like walking hand in hand while admiring the gorgeous views. Best part: it's FREE! No picnics or drinks, just nature and good vibes. Enjoy :D read more

This is a lovely park and served as a great alternative to going downtown to see the cherry blossoms. They have areas to sit with various views of the lake. Dogs are not allowed unless they are service animals. There are centers on the premises that have bathrooms in addition to events and programs they give yearly. read more

Brookside Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

See all

Hands down, my favorite Maryland landmark! It really is breathtaking. Even in the fall and winter I enjoy walking here and taking in the scenery! Parking is super easy and there's always others around who enjoy this place. There's no food or picnics allowed. If you've never been here, you need to visit! read more

See all

This has become an annual event, with this year being year one. My family LOVES Brookside Gardens, and we have so many incredible memories from coming here. My mom is particularly fond of these gardens and is always rallying the troops for a visit. read more

Brookside Gardens - Family and Friends at the Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

What a lovely garden, even in the fall! My friend brought me here the other afternoon just so we could get outside and stretch our legs. I was surprised that even with nothing in bloom and leaves falling all around, it was still a beautiful garden. They have a nice dedication area to the victims of the DC sniper and a Japanese Garden area as well. They just put up the Christmas lights and are getting ready to have their Xmas garden lights exhibit that they have. You have to pay for that, but I think it would be well worth it, otherwise this place is free. No dogs allowed. read more

See all

This place is lovely! And extra points for it being free. Parking can be a little tough over the weekends but there are always people coming and going so if you are patient you will get a spot. The gardens are not huge, but there is a lot to see! My kids loved the children garden, specially the "mud kitchen". The Japanese garden was my favorite, keep an eye out for the fishes, turtles and ducks- so cute!! I loved that there were benches thought out the gardens to unwind and appreciate the views. We'll be back for sure! read more

See all

Brookside Gardens is absolutely stunning. The grounds are beautifully maintained with a wide variety of gardens to explore, from colorful flower beds to quiet wooded paths. I was fortunate enough to be here in Fall and Summer to see the seasonal flora in bloom. You can take a leisurely stroll, sit and reflect by the ponds, or just enjoy the fresh air surrounded by nature. The conservatories are also a highlight, especially on a chilly day when you can step into a warm tropical space full of blooms. Perfect for families, solo walks, or a quiet date--it's free, open to the public, and always feels welcoming. Brookside Gardens is one of those local treasures you can come back to again and again and always notice something new. P.S. The butterfly exhibit is currently back on until the end of summer! You'll need to make a reservation in advance. read more

I have come here in the spring and the summer with my daughters (10 and 12). Spring is definitely better as all the flowers are blooming and the gardens are vibrant with color. There are lots of ponds, flower displays and some large grassy areas. It's so peaceful. You can easily spend an hour there. It's great for all ages. We have seen turtles in the water and blue herons walking/flying around. There are sections that reminded us of the Japanese Friendship Gardens that we used to visit back when we lived in San Jose. Parking is free and we had never had an issue finding a spot. I would highly recommend. read more

See all

One of the best hidden treasures in Montgomery county. Great walking trails, tranquil gardens and always being well maintained. It's my favorite place to spend the day in nature. read more

See all

Such gorgeous gardens in all seasons! It's a lovely place to wander with a lot of variety. The gardens are free and very manageable to walk around in a couple hours. They also have a butterfly house in the spring/summer which you do need to get tickets for, but is very worth it with so many beautiful butterflies! read more

See all

These gardens are an absolute pleasure to wander through, even when no special events are happening. The space feels open, beautifully maintained, clean, and wonderfully peaceful. Parking is simple, and the entire experience feels effortless and refreshing. read more

We always go here during spring time. We had a great time seeing all the blooming flowers. It was a nice quick walk around the area. Its always so beautiful and clean bathrooms. They always have made it so well kept. Its a nice area just to walk around and be amazed with all kinds of flowers around. read more

See all

Most delightful place I have found in silver spring so far! I love going for walks here and the Christmas lights were so beautiful and magical! My baby loves going here and I can't wait for this summer to go picnicking! read more

See all

Super cute spot! Loved coming here on a day off I had awhile back.. will def come here again as I'm trying to see how it is in all seasons! Great for exercise, great for the mind read more

See all

Good place to walk and always lovely floral arrangements. Smack dab in the middle of Montgomery County. Christmas is especially beautiful. We are lucky to live in Montgomery County. read more

I stopped by these gardens several years ago in early spring and forgot to write a review, but there is no excuse to postpone sharing my pictures this time around: on my second (11/02/2025) visit to this beautiful garden, I'm impressed by the beauty of colorful fall foliage around several ponds, as well as vibrant plants in the greenhouses. read more

See all

It is nice to see when the leaves change colors during the Fall months. It is even better to see them at Brookside Gardens - that is the last time I visited this place. I took a stroll throughout the landscape and soaked in the wonderful views. There is so much to this place and what I saw is probably just half the visit. The day I went, I grabbed a map from the Visitors Center which is right by the main parking lot (next to the gift shop). It was a nice day, and I was looking forward to walking throughout these gardens. I liked that there were a few benches to sit here and there and even water fountains available (I didn't check to see if they worked). It is just nice to take a seat at times and be amazed at the views surrounding you. I also checked out both conservatories - as you walk through one, it leads you into the other - so many pretty flowers. I loved it. I am looking forward to going back this year - when their rose garden is fully ready. Now, that will be a sight to behold. Visited October 2023 read more

See all

Brookside Gardens is my happy place. I love going on walks and admiring the beauty of nature. The groundskeepers at Brookside need to be commended. Every plants and every tree is well thought out. While there are hours listed on the website, you can go to the gardens during off hours. However, you will not have access to the conservatories nor the bathrooms. You can still walk around and enjoy the gardens though. read more

See all

Beautiful park with a decent parking lot (although it can get pretty busy). This park is a gem in Maryland. There's so much to do and see, from the butterfly conservatory to the rose garden. Great spot for walking, going on a picnic, weddings, attending concerts, holiday lights and more. I always bring guests here and people love it every time. read more

Gorgeous location even with the rain! I've gone multiple times for various photo op's like people's graduation, prom, etc. This was my first time in the visitor center and it was great! Loved the full wall of windows! Even though it was raining the view through the windows were gorgeous! read more

One of my favorite spots in MD.I love going here for walks, to read, or just to enjoy nature. There's so much beauty to see, from the butterflies to the artwork intertwined throughout the garden. A visit here is like a mini oasis in the middle of MD. read more

See all

If you don't want to fight huge crowds at the DC Tidal Bason, where can you go to see Cherry Trees in bloom? The Washington Post recommended Brookside Gardens. What a beautiful day for strolling through Brookside Gardens. The sun was shining and the temperature was nice. We began our tour at the Visitor's Center. Truth, be told, we had no idea where to start our Cherry Tree hunt. They couldn't have been nicer. They gave us a map of the gardens and put little dots by the areas with cherry trees. Make sure and wear comfortable shoes, because there is a lot of places to see. The terrain is beautiful, but you go up and down steep hills and veer off the beaten path to see tucked in treasures. The gardens were packed with other people who had the same idea. The lady warned us that there were not a lot of Cherry Trees, but we were happy to see a few. What we weren't prepared for was the other beautiful flowers: roses, daisies, tulips and the Cherry Trees. There is a Pagoda Gazebo and other lovely landmarks. There were quite a few private events going on and those areas were shut off from public view. There were helping hands that circulated around, incase anyone got lost or had a question. We donated our map to a lost lady and she was thrilled. It was a wonderful day and I can't wait to return when The Butterfly Garden opens up. Thank you, Brookside Gardens. read more

See all

Fresh - Fun - Free - Fantastic! Must visit and get the experience because it is indescribable. Brookside Gardens might not be a well-known place for tourists but for local people, this is the heaven on the earth. It is not a very huge park but good size, everyone can take an easy walk and enjoy the nature around the pathway. There are a large open lawn and nice lake, indoor greenhouse dome, several garden area, plants and small creatures surrounding with a plenty of seats/benches facilitate for guests everywhere. This beautiful place is opened all-year round from sunrise to sunset and the scenery always change in different season. So you will not feel boring any time that you visit. Recommend, if you feel burn out, try to come here and recharge your life! p.s. There is something you might feel a little upset. No food, drink and picnicking in the garden. Only service animals are allowed. read more

See all

Peaceful and beautiful scenery in a truly relaxing atmosphere. There are many different types of trees and flowers alongside small ponds and lakes with well maintained paths. When we visited (in April) the tulips, azaleas, and wisteria were in bloom and spectacular to see! It's amazing that admission is completely free. There is plenty of parking as well. Definitely worth your time to visit! read more

See all

Beautiful gardens are a hidden gem in Silver Spring area and free! There's lots of trails and walkways, we did the outer loop along the perimeter of the gardens - which is about a 1 mile. Great spot to visit for fall foliage! The Japanese Tea House on an island of a large pond was my favorite part! You can get a great view from the Reflecting Terrace. The lawn is well manicured and a great spot to read a book and take pics! While soaking up the view of the Japanese Tea House, don't miss the memorial at the Reflecting Terrace that's dedicated to the 10 victims of the beltway sniper shootings in October 2002 with inscriptions in stone. The Rose and Perennial Gardens have an array of pretty flowers and another good photo op! We skipped the Conservatory, but would check it out next time. The Aquatic Gardens are mossy and quite overgrown. I would spend more time exploring other areas of the garden. We spent an hour or so at the gardens and could have easily spent more time meandering around. It's pretty family-friendly with wide walkways for strollers (there were a couple of spots where we couldn't take the stroller to the Azalea Garden and rock crossing over the pond at the Reflection Terrace). Overall, we thoroughly explored 90% of the gardens with our stroller. In comparison to Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna VA, (where we live!) Brookside Gardens is much smaller and flat with no picnicking. The grounds aren't as manicured (it's a public park and free after all!). Meadowlark Gardens are much larger and hilly with $6 fee for adults and $3 for kids or older adults. Note there is no picnicking and dogs aren't allowed. There are lots of great spots for photo ops, but you must get a license to take professional photos. Hubby and I enjoyed taking amateur pics with our baby boy! Wish we lived closer so we could come more often! read more

See all

I enjoy my visits at Brookside Gardens. Ample parking, great gift shop and restrooms available. It's a perfect place to take photos, get your steps in and enjoy the sound of nature. I like going right around 8 am or 9 am - cool...crisp walking weather. read more

Brookside Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

Beautiful place for a spring walk - only wish it was slightly more metro accessible! Usually pretty busy on the weekends.

Beautiful grounds, perfect for a spring stroll! Make sure to plan for parking. We just visited for an outdoor stroll, but we spotted wedding members, a quinceañera court, and tons of other families out enjoying the spring. You cannot miss the beauty that there is to see! read more

See all

We came here as a family with two young kids on Mother's Day to see the butterflies at the Butterfly Experience. The park when you arrive is absolutely beautiful. The trail you walk to get to where the butterflies are is breathtaking. We wound up spending several hours at this park and really enjoyed ourselves. My only complaint is that the parking situation is less than ideal. There definitely needs to be more parking. Otherwise we would come back to this park anytime! read more

Have visited several times - very nice park with walking trails, ponds, gardens, various trees and flowers. There is a venue for hosting events, a small gift shop, & information area. There are actually 2 Conservatory buildings & 2 parking areas - connected by several outdoor paths of course. Although there always seem to be a lot of people at any given time, the grounds appear to be well-kept! A great outdoor getaway! read more

Brookside Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

Many a years ago, I would frequently visit the gardens, going on work outings with our clients for short walks & picnics throughout the grounds. This visit, I brought along my husband, daughter, and friends to show off the beauty. The area has a massive landscape, with a variety of scenery. The large open fields, with ponds & gorgeous large trees providing nice shaded spots. The labyrinth for medicating. The team house & grassy area to sit. The multiple gazebos throughout. The butterfly garden, with adorable flamingo plants, water sculptures, and flower variety. Our daughter loved exploring all the different options, as well as meeting different creatures throughout (geese, turtles, chipmunks, ducks) Aside from the beauty, the logistics were great too! Easy parking, well paved paths; easy for stroller pushing, helpful map available to navigate paths, well-spaced out so though lots of visitors were present it didn't feel crowded. We had a fantastic day..and for free! We look forward to returning with a picnic set-up :) read more

Such a beautiful, peaceful place. The garden is huge, plenty of different paths to take. I can't wait to return in the Spring. Most of the flowers in the gardens were dead but I still was able to catch some good views. Perfect place to connect with nature. read more

See all

This is another great low key hiking spot in MOCO, with very little incline. Its also connected to Wheaton Regional Park. Depending on the time of year, theres always something special going on. During the holidays they have the walk through winter lights which I think is nice, during the warmer months you can see the beauty that this Garden has to offer. Inside the nature center theres friendly staff to help you, they have beautiful scenic places for photo shootings, or even hold a wedding. Also inside the green house they have a cute train set up for the kiddies. in the ponds you will see beautiful koi fish. Definitely a nice spot for a date night. read more

10/22/22 It's always nice to visit twice and this year is no exception. This time around, there wasn't just two of us, but three. Our friend had never been here and was excited to see all the places we could walk. We all ended up breaking 12 thousand steps as the day started to heat up. Walking along the trails of the woods was the most fun. Why? Because it really puts you natural habitat. You could come face to face with a bear or fox. You have the option of being on your own in the woods and most importantly, not seeing other humans around for a while. I ended up seeing areas of the park I had not seen before. This park us really big and I look forwards to revisiting areas we had not seen before. read more

Brookside Gardens - 10/22/22 - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Wheaton, Maryland

This park was my savior during Covid insanity. Used to go there almost every week. There is a Fragrance Garden, rose garden during season, tulip garden during season, butterfly garden, greenhouse, kids workshop area, a nice lake, fountains. You can go to Wheaton trails from the park and make it a hike. You can go Fishing at a pond behind the park read more

See all

Admission is free. For photographers, it seems like they need to obtain a permit online unless it is before hours (sunrise shoot). There is also plenty of parking. If you are just using your phone camera or taking photos with friends casually, I don't think you need a photo permit, but you could check online. Occasionally, they have a few special events or exhibits. One of the events I had browsed was a flower/bouquet exhibition/competition. Brookside Garden is quite a lovely and dog-walkable park. There is plenty of gorgeous flowers and mini lakes. If you're getting tired of being stuck in your home during COVID-19 and just want a breath of a nature, this is the place to go. During the Christmas/winter season, they also have lights up. To walk through these glimmering displays, you would have to pay. read more

See all

For $10pp their holiday lights show is a fantastic value!!! Absolutely adorable and great fun for kids! Get timed tickets online ahead; it's the only way to get in. You need to show tix in the driveway at the gatehouse upon entry. We are members to Longwood Gardens in PA, and their holiday lights show is of world fame proportions. I have to say, the animals, other critters, rainbow, clouds, etc. at Brookside Gardens are not something you can see at $30pp Longwood. Brookside's more literal, graspable images are so exciting to kids, and it livened the atmosphere for them. The theme this year was warm weather garden (not sure if it's always the same theme because this is the first year I visited). They had bees and flowers, and all the things that fly, hop, crawl and bloom during non-winter months. Flamingoes too, and their fuchsia color, were mascots throughout the garden! There were even sea monster mama & baby dragons in a reflecting pond! There is a visitor center and gift shop. They also had a shed where you could buy refreshments, but despite the huge line, the shed was closed by 8:30pm on a Friday night because they "ran out of hot water" which I don't understand. Closing refreshments for such an easy-to-remedy reason, and the tip jar they had out at a non-profit org, were pretty unprofessional in my opinion. That said, most of the staff I saw were teenagers, so this is what you get without adult oversight. Despite the negatives of unprofessionalism, I still give the show 5 stars for aesthetics, kid fun, and value! read more

See all

I can not say enough good things about this place and the great folks who work and volunteer there. This is one of the great jewels of not only Montgomery County, but also of the Greater Washington DC region. It is absolutely beautiful from all perspectives! A nice walk through in the summer, and a spectacular walking tour during the annual festival of lights! A local hobby train railroaders chapter also usually has an amazing hobby train set up in one of the buildings. The Anderson Pavillion, on one of many water lakes is also a great location for families to gather. There are also event rooms which can be rented and a rotating art show curated by the Garden's own curator. read more

See all

A great place for naturist, quiet walks, a quick getaway from the city, or a great way to spend quality time with family outdoors during these days of the pandemic. We spent about an hour and a half here, walking through the gardens - it is a remarkable spot that never knew existed my entire time living in DC. The gardens span several green acres and spaces with lots of local native and international plant species, trees, flowers, rose gardens, and a even butterfly garden. I attended a wedding on this day as well and Brookside Gardens provided the perfect backdrop. With such a large space and grounds, it was still very open and not at all restricted. There was a gazebo that provided great privacy for the wedding party and ceremony. The space was tranquil with lake and Lots of green space. Although, it is a public space, It is available for bookings and events for a small fee. In all, an exceptional place to observe nature, enjoy some quiet time, or a peaceful walk. I would advise bringing water in the warmer weather and a good pair of walking shoes because of the size of the gardens and there is a lot of ground to cover. Will definitely go back. With so many trees, flowering shrubs and foliage...I'm sure the both the fall and spring seasons are spectacular at this garden! read more

See all