My pictures are a mixture of new photos (butterfly exhibit) and old ones (that I apparently never posted from when my son was 13 and interviewed at the MHS he's now 17 and graduating high school this year lol). The butterfly exhibit alone was worth the repeat visit. The grounds are calming and the view of the amusement park from the gardens is spectacular. read more

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Ok, now I have been to Hershey Gardens both in the winter and when, you know, there are actually living plants. As expected, the gardens are beautiful and meticulously well kept. In the middle of all the beauty is a fairly robust play area for the little ones, including a big fake cacao tree! We had a hard time convincing the kids to leave. If you are heading here without kids, then my all means please enjoy a relaxing stroll through the grounds. Years from now I may join you! Also, the butterfly room is worth visiting every time. read more

We went during the Christmas holiday. The indoor of Hershey Gardens is open as well as outdoor with so many beautiful decorations. read more

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A lovely start to the July 4th holiday with a visit to Hershey Gardens. An early 9:00 a.m. walk through the well-maintained Gardens when the temperatures are bearable and there is no humidity. Twenty-three acres of botanical beauty, stately trees, perennial, annuals, and, of course, roses in many delightful colors and varieties. The Butterfly Atrium is located at the entrance to the Milton and Catherine Hershey Conservatory, a perfect way to end a visit to Hershey Gardens. read more

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During my kid's spring break we visited Hershey and opted to spend a morning at the Hershey Gardens. I wasn't sure how kid appropriate this would be - but we went anyway. I was so pleasantly surprised and could have spent more time then we allotted. We started off with the butterflies - wear layers because this room was HOT. Inside we probably spent an hour watching the butterflies and checking out all the other bugs on display. After we walked the gardens which were beautiful, so many things in bloom. We headed towards the children's garden which had so many interactive things for my kids to explore. They loved it. Before leaving, we saw multiple people enjoying picnic lunches which is something I totally plan on doing in the future. And of course we ended our trip through the giftshop. There was a variety of fun garden items, we ended up purchasing a bee window catcher which my kids love looking at. Looking forward to another trip here soon. read more

Visited the Gardens, mainly for the Butterfly Atrium, and it was well worth the price of admission. The staff were experts on the different butterflies we saw and pointed out some really cool fun facts about the butterflies. We spent probably close to 45 minutes with the butterflies before exploring the gardens themselves and we had a great time. Something different to do while you're in Hershey but a worthwhile stop. read more

Hershey Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Hershey, Pennsylvania

We visited during the off-season, so the outdoor garden wasn't really something we could enjoy. However, we had the butterfly atrium all to ourselves, and since it was my first time experiencing one, it felt truly unique. The atrium is set at 80 degrees, but they provide coat hangers for guests. Though it's a small space, it felt magical. The staff was incredibly friendly and took the time to answer all my questions about the butterflies. There's also a small gift shop, clean bathrooms, and plenty of parking. Plus, it's right across from the Hershey Hotel, making it an easy and walkable visit! Cost to visit was only $14. read more

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I'm officially spoiled by the botanic gardens we have locally (both an outdoor one and one in a greenhouse), because when I went to Hershey Gardens I was underwhelmed. I admit that even before walking into the Gardens proper, my first impression wasn't the best. When I entered their address the GPS took me to the rear fenceline of their property. And there was very little in the way of signage back there; even after I found a tiny overflow parking lot, I wasn't 100% sure which way to walk to get to the main door from said parking lot. Obviously I eventually figured it out, so I paid and walked inside. The indoor butterfly garden was nice; the people ignoring the posted rules while touching the butterflies AND encouraging their kids to do so were not...I wish there were staff monitoring that room to protect the poor things. I also wish fewer people were allowed in the butterfly room at a time; instead it was stuffed full of people trying to walk in every direction...not a very relaxing or enjoyable experience at all. When I made my way outside the outdoor area felt oddly underwhelming. Historically Hershey Gardens opened in 1937; and boy does that date show in the design and layout of the place. The best description I can give is that I felt like I was walking through the backyard of a mansion rather than a botanical garden. Lots of grass; lots of foot paths; and the occasional flower bed or cluster of trees. I especially wished there were more trees because the sun was so hot that day and the lack of shade was awful. I left Hershey Gardens unimpressed. Based on other reviews I'm wondering if I'd be less underwhelmed if I visited even a month later? But even if that's the case: paying the same price for a ticket here that I've paid to visit other, larger gardens (ex. San Antonio's) didn't make for the best experience. So despite the age and history behind this place, I personally think there are grander and more fabulous gardens out there. read more

Hershey Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Hershey, Pennsylvania

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Such a beautiful grounds! It was a very relaxing and calming view. The butterfly room that they had inside was also very beautiful and a rare treat that it was included with the admission ticket. Definitely a great place for pictures or a picnic. read more

Hershey Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Hershey, Pennsylvania

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Beautiful walk through the gardens. Different types of gardens ranging from botanical, Japanese, a rock garden and an arboretum to name a few **They offer free shade/umbrellas to use while walking outside. Wish I saw this BEFORE I went into the heat Amazing experience. As soon as I walked into the garden, I had a Blue Morpho butterfly land on my head . I was able to see a butterfly hatch from its cocoon and view amazing species of butterflies. read more

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This is such a beautiful place! Went with my daughter and grandchildren. The butterflies are amazing. Everyone enjoyed it. Will definitely go back when flowers are in bloom. read more

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Lovely walk. A little pricey, but I don't know how much it costs to maintain gardens. I have a black thumb when it comes to plants. The butterfly Atrium is small, but lovely. The staff really cares for these beautiful critters. It's a lot of walking, but there are benches & chairs in lovely shaded areas. There is 2 meditation circles. There are places you can hear traffic or Hersheypark, but for the most people it is very peaceful. read more

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An absolute must when visiting. Hershey Gardens was the pet project of Milton Hershey's wife, Catherine. It is a stunning area with many different sections including a Japanese garden, herb garden, rock garden and a Children's Garden. If you are to follow the trail around it's about a mile walk and you can walk around at your leisure. Major highlight of the visit was the butterfly atrium. The butterflies are gorgeous! When you walk in, you're in their home so you have to be very careful. There are really no words to describe how beautiful it is here. Looking forward to my next visit back! read more

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Wow! Beautiful place! We visited Hershey Gardens to check out the site as a possible wedding venue. I was so impressed with the friendliness of the staff; they answered all our questions and were incredibly my welcoming. The Gardens don't seem like they're that big--but once you move out of the main building and into the gardens, you discover all the unique areas. Japanese garden, rose garden, arboretum, children's garden... and so much more! There's a pretty gazebo and a beautiful lake, too. Unfortunately, our visit was very late in the day so we didn't get to see much, but we did get to view the Butterfly Atrium. Absolutely gorgeous! The room is filled with tropical plants and so many varieties of butterflies. The butterflies do land on the floor (and people!), so it's important to be careful there. They decorate seasonally, so I'm already excited to visit again and spend more time walking and soaking in the beautiful sights. read more

We went the 2nd week of August. We loved the butterfly atrium! It was really neat to see all the different butterflies and even they beginning stages. There are other creatures in little cages to see too. A butterfly brushed up against my arm and startled me but I thought that was pretty cool. The gardens are extensive and there is lots to see and enjoy. The pond area was mostly empty due to a leak or something so it was "shut down" and not much to see. They had an area for children to play as well; some of it was interactive. Seems like a nice spot to take kids. We had a a good time. read more

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The fam and I really liked the Gardens. It was complementary (part of a package through Hershey Lodge). We enjoyed the Butterfly part and the kids were loving it. The kids garden was great as well but we stopped the visit short because it was so hot and we were there early afternoon. Worth the stop. ENJOY! read more

The location for a leisurely morning walk is absolutely breathtaking! One aspect that truly mesmerizes me is the butterfly atrium, a rare gem within this garden that remains open year-round. Even during winter, I found joy in witnessing blooming trees and a few scattered flowers. It's a place of enchantment that offers relaxation. I highly recommend spending an hour or two here to find peace and revel in the beauty of the garden. I suggest having a meal beforehand, as there are no food options available for purchase on-site. Staff was super friendly and seems to enjoy working there/educating others. read more

Hershey Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Hershey, Pennsylvania

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Such a fun time visiting even during winter! First time back since I was young and I had a wonderful time! Since we visited during the holiday season, we spent most of our time in the butterfly atrium and enjoying the seasonal Christmas display and activities. Before seeing the butterflies we got some simple instructions about how to interact. Then we got to explore the atrium for as long as we liked! They also had some other animals in cages like spiders. Seeing all the greenery, flowers, and butterflies was really enjoyable! The Christmas display included several different Christmas trees with different decorative themes. Also they had two activities. One was decorating your own bag that you could fill with candy. The other was designing your own ornament out of clay! Overall a great activity in Hershey! read more

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Even though event in the fall the roses were still in bloom! We spent more than an hour in the butterfly garden. We want to go back'

Beautiful Gardens!!! Butterfly enclosure is cool as well!!! Great place for kids and adults to visit. read more

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We went just after Halloween and it was beautifully decorated with lots of decorated pumpkins, pumpkin arches, and a huge pumpkin tower. We had a great time exploring and looking at the butterflies. read more

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Beautiful place to visit! The gardens are breathtakingly beautiful! If you're a botanist, hobby gardener, or just a lover of flowers this is a must go! There is just row upon row upon row of stunning roses. The butterfly exhibit is amazing. To get up close and personal with all those gorgeous butterflies is a truly unique experience. For me, while the gardens are truly beautiful, it wasn't all that exciting. Not my thing. Was it nice to experience? Yes! Would I go back? Hm... probably not. read more

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Positively gorgeous. A natural oasis. I was not expecting the butterflies but they were delightful. I felt like I was in a scene from Bridgeton amongst the vibrant and plush flowers. I could have sat gazing, dep breathing and listening the to trickle from the fountain for half the day. Definitely a great stop for travelers in the area. read more

Hershey Gardens is home to the most beautiful rose garden I've ever seen and some of the nicest employees I've met at any establishment, I highly recommend that you visit! The gardens are not terribly large -- this is a 2-3 hour visit, including time spent in the lovely butterfly pavilion area. We were taken aback by the variety of species, the care taken to grow more chrysalises and breed responsibly. Some of the mothers only live 3-6 days, so you might be catching the glimpse of something only on earth for a few days. There are massive trees and a great variety of grasses and flowers. Again, the roses are truly the most immaculate and certainly the best part of the gardens. The view over Hershey Park is also lovely and vast, great views! I highly recommend and I will be back. read more

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So much fun and so beautiful!! Highlights included the butterfly atrium (shoutout to Barbara for amazing knowledge about butterflies!!), free sun umbrellas, sensory garden, and labyrinth. So much to see I would love to go back again and again read more

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It is our first time here and definitely did not disappoint. We actually visited when it wasn't crowded and it is the end of the season. We pretty much had the place to ourselves and loved every minute of it. The outdoors was exquisite! I have to give credits to whomever take good care of the plants. They still looked amazing when we visited in September. It was a chilly cloudy day but that didn't stop us to wonder around the park until RAIN came then we had to take cover. We would love to go back here again someday especially when my son gets a little older and able to appreciate the beauty of this place. The staff was tremendously friendly, keep up the fabulous work to all! read more

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My husband and I had a wonderful experience visiting the Hershey Gardens. We started off in the conservatory complete with palm trees and colored butterfly ornaments hanging above you. A small garden shop is here along with the famous butterfly atrium. The wait to enter the butterfly atrium was minimal. You are asked to leave all your stuff including bottled drinks outside on a table. Inside you are welcome to see all types of various exotic butterflies flying around you as well as some small reptiles like geckos and whatever else may be on hand. You are asked not to chase or grab the butterflies but let them land wherever. There are a few "dining areas" sets up for them so you can see them there. In the back is a small exhibit detailing the life of a butterfly. A wall garden adorns the area. The butterfly atrium provides a great photo opportunity to capture them as they land on certain plants and trees. An employee checks you over prior to exiting to make sure there are no butterflies with or on you. Once outside you see a lake and the magnificent and renown rose gardens that were inspired by Catherine Hershey. Here you will see all types of roses as well as an area where various arches are set up if you are planning on attending or participating in a wedding. The rose garden is worth a visit in itself. From there, my husband and I decided to reverse the route given on the map and start off at the gazebo. From there we saw pumpkins growing in the seasonal display gardens and took in the statue at the Bill Bowman garden. I loved the M. S Hershey tribute garden with a special rose chosen to commemorate him. Watch for falcons as you walk that are coming from the Hotel Hershey falcon complex. The walk is extensive but leisurely with plenty of rest stops in between on butterfly shaped benches. Each garden had a different theme to it and we got to take in the perennial garden, the herb garden, the Native plant garden, the rock garden, and the Japanese garden. I was deeply impressed with all but the Japanese garden since I didn't see any fish swimming in the pond nor any manicured miniatures. May have been off season but this garden also has some of the sequoia trees that you would find in CA. We skipped the children's garden and the hoop garden but did manage to sneak a peek at the labyrinth. You'll find different types trees off the beaten path. Some were very interesting but they had no names to them. Returning to the conservatory we were easily able to get back in the car while skipping the picnic area. Allow a full hour minimum. Hershey Gardens is located halfway up the hill that leads to the Hotel Hershey and is directly across the street from Hershey park. It is a good way to take your time and soak in the surroundings. read more

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Small but very nice gardens. Really enjoyed the butterfly atrium and the volunteer who talked to us in there was so knowledgeable and personable! There wasn't a ton in bloom besides the mums at this time of year (fall) but they did a nice job of decorating with pumpkins and corn stalks. Would definitely recommend for the price ($16.50/adult). read more

Hershey Gardens - Gardens decorated for fall - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Hershey, Pennsylvania

Bottom Line: Gorgeous sprawling gardens and a pretty conservatory. We went to Hershey Gardens in November and since it was very cold we weren't expecting much but it was terrific! While I suspect many are delighted by the beautiful pollinators flying about in the butterfly house I was most impressed with the roses that were in bloom in late Fall. I also enjoyed some of the fascinating evergreens like a weeping Atlas Cypress that we encountered while strolling through the garden. I had only planned to briefly poke my head outside the conservatory since it was so chilly but I was immediately captivated by this beautiful experience and enthusiastically braved the weather to explore the gardens. In mid-November it was a lovely experience so I imagine it must be fabulous in the spring! read more

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I adored this garden. If you are a flower fan, it is definitely worth the price of admission ($13.50 as of October 2021) however, if you stay at The Hotel Hershey, you receive tickets for free admission. Going in October, I was not sure there would be much to see other than mums, but I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of roses still in bloom. I also enjoyed the butterfly exhibit and all of the employees were very nice and helpful. read more

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The rose garden was beautiful, I wish there were more identification or education of the plants and trees around the gardens. It is also relatively small compared to others I've been at. But it was a nice day to do some laps. Butterfly area can be super cluttered with people but they were neat to see read more

Hershey Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Hershey, Pennsylvania

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We had tickets for this place due to staying at the hershey lodge, it's included. The staff was unfriendly, but everything else was amazing. The butterfly exhibit was fun, tons of butterflies I've never seen before and some were huge! The gardens were beautiful, even on the cloudy day we went. The childrens place was my favorite because of the activities there. We finished everything in a little over an hour. read more

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A must come to but probably the best time is during the Spring/summer when everything is blooming. I'm sure it's packed then. Really enjoyed the butterfly atrium with all the varieties. The employees are all very welcoming, knowledgeable, and clearly love working here. read more

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Seated at the off hill overlooking Hershey Park is beautiful Hershey Gardens. The conservatory building is very impressive with tropical trees and butterfly decorations. There is a very small gift shop as soon as you enter. Just past the gift shop is my favorite butterfly atrium. Inside you see all of the butterflies flying around as well as very small reptiles like geckos and salamanders. The unique tropical flowers are breathtaking. The butterfly atrium provides a great place to have multiple photo opportunities. A butterfly might just land on your shoulder so beware! As you leave an employee checks you over prior to exiting to make sure there are no butterflies with or on you. Walking outside is a large pond that is surrounded my Mrs. Hersheys Rose gardens. There are multiple flower arches and benches for photo opportunities or relaxing and taking in the beautiful sites. Each garden had a different theme to it and we got to take in the perennial garden, the herb garden, the Native plant garden, the rock garden,Japanese garden and the children's garden. It's most definitely worth seeing and spending the morning meditating before a wild day at the park. read more

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Had no idea this even existed! It's right across the street from Hershey Park, you can get a spectacular view of the rollercoasters from the parking lot and in some parts of the garden. There's an indoor butterfly section, which they may land on you, then an outdoor section. It's not a big garden. If you're not deliberately taking your time, then you'll clear through it in less than two hours. We went in fall, in October, when most things honestly were quite dead. They did, however, have a lot of roses which were beautiful to see. Recommend going in the spring when everything is actually in bloom. It was still a nice experience with the shrubbery, but it'd be a better one during a different season. read more

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First time there and only live about an hour away. Absolutely beautiful and the staff was wonderful! It's a flower transition time, but it was still beautiful. Very well maintained. A nice way to spend a sunny day! And don't miss the butterfly house! It's simply magnificent!! read more

We were visiting and had seen the park enough times so we thought we'd try someplace new. The Hershey Gardens came up as a recommendation, and when I saw there were guided tours with a biologist on Fridays and Saturdays, I added the Gardens to our itinerary. Located up on the hill across from the park, the front of the Gardens provides a great view of Hershey. They have their own parking lot, and admission price was reasonable per person. Admission includes entrance into the Butterfly Atrium, and also the tour. The Butterfly Atrium was a unique experience. I didn't realize I would be walking among them, giving them the opportunity to land on me and interact with me (we're told not to interact with them). There were many colors and sizes, and it was beautiful to stand in the atrium and just look around you. The Gardens out back are huge, broken into various sections (you're provided with a map upon admission). I was looking forward to seeing the Japanese garden, which did seem to be the only garden that was not overflowing with plants. The guided tour was fun and informative, albeit long. But you could tell the biologist had a real passion for plants, and we even got to taste some of the edible ones! Bathrooms are inside down the stairs, and the gift shop on the main level is a little overpriced. Overall, great experience to try once. read more

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I have been coming to Hershey Gardens for years and all I can say is that it is beautiful! The Garden was founded in 1937 by Milton Hershey and today it is now 23 acres. The gardens are known for it beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees located at the Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Children's Garden, Nut Grove, Rock Garden to just name a few. When you walk out into the garden you are welcomed by the sight of a large fountain surrounded by the Gardens original rose garden. From that point you will than be able to go through shady areas, over bridges and on trails to see beautiful flowers. Many of them even come with their own story. The arboretum is also a nice shady spot to see unique trees. For example, they have the first ever Dense Jade tree here! Finally, they have a butterfly atrium. The atrium has over 20 species of butterflies that fly around you. Inside the atrium they also have other types of bugs on show. The gift shop they have is small, but the staff there is friendly and they have some good souvenirs. Altogether, this is an amazing place to see the beauty of flowers and trees! read more

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We've been to Hershey Gardens many times and in many different seasons. Of course coming during the beginning of Summer or the very end of Spring is going to equal the best results because that's when you will get to experience the lushness of the Historic Rose Garden area in full bloom. But especially now that they've added the Conservatory you can't totally throw out the concept of a winter visit or a visit at any time of the year. Our most recent visit was done to finally see the new Conservatory which is also the new permanent home for their butterfly exhibit. Previously Hershey Gardens had a seasonal butterfly display over in the Children's Garden area but now they have the ability to offer a climate controlled environment for the several hundred beasts that call this area home. First, a note to the wise. They have several coat racks outside the butterfly area's entrance. When the volunteer mentions that it might be a good idea for you to take your coat off because they keep it a "bit warm" inside, don't be an idiot and say that you'll be fine because it's really, really hot and humid in there. The butterfly area certainly was interesting but of course after maybe thirty to forty minutes (assuming you haven't dropped over from heat stroke) you've kind of done it and in the winter while you can certainly hit the bricks to take in the rest of the place outside it goes without saying as you trek the mile long path thru the grounds that pretty much everything is dead at this point in the year short of some trees, shrubs and a few smaller hearty things that can survive outdoors in winter. As other reviewers have mentioned, if you're expecting Longwood Gardens you need to curb your enthusiasm. Longwood has over 1K acres of stuff. Hershey Gardens is more like 23. Tickets include admission to the Hershey Gardens and the Butterfly Atrium. Admission Rates Regular (ages 13-61) - $12.50 Senior (ages 62+) - $11.50 Junior (ages 3-12) - $9.00 Children ages 2 and under - FREE Hershey Gardens Members - FREE In Winter they offer slightly cheaper admission prices than the ones listed above but even then you're best bet is to come on their Community Day which occurs annually in March on a Sunday as that will score you free admission. By the time we left the butterfly area was quite crowded yet aside of a few hearty souls, the entire outside grounds were as quiet as quiet could be. Unless you live locally this is probably not what you would consider a destination type location but if you're in the area doing other things Hershey Gardens is certainly worth a few hours of your time. read more

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I wouldn't make a trip to Hershey just for the gardens, but if you're in town, it's worth a stop. The highlight of the experience is the butterfly garden where you get to go into a room surrounded by butterflies. There are big and small butterflies of all colors and they often land on the guests. The gardens themselves are nice and very picturesque. You can easily walk through the different areas in a half day spending some time taking in the nature and taking pictures. Overall, it's easy to get there and plenty of parking. It's convenient to take a break from the outlet malls, Hershey park, and all of the chocolate. read more

Hershey Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Hershey, Pennsylvania