The Inside Scoop by our Local Expert
Founded in 1930, the Cleveland Botanical Gardens boasts 10 acres of gardens in the city's University Circle cultural arts district. It's in the former location of the Cleveland Zoo and bi-annually hosts the nation's largest outdoor flower show. It began as the Garden Center of Greater Cleveland, the first urban garden center in the United States. Since then, the Northeast Ohio garden has led the way nationally in urban horticulture, environmental education, and horticultural therapy. The dazzling display includes more than 350 species of plants and 50 species of animals in the Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse, an 18,000-square-foot conservatory. The garden's centerpiece showcases re-creations of two fragile ecosystems: the desert of Madagascar and the cloud forest of Costa Rica.The attraction's award-winning Hershey Children's Garden features a wheelchair-accessible tree house, and other outdoor environments include a rose garden, Japanese garden, herb garden, and the Elizabeth and Nona Evans Restorative Garden, created by top therapeutic designers in the country with paths for wheelchairs and walkers. Three inner-city learning gardens and outdoor classrooms at dozens of schools bring gardening to a diverse group of ages and interests. Its garden café offers dining in a beautiful setting.The garden, which has 6,000 members, also holds special events, lectures, and programs incorporating holidays, food, and other fun into its usual sights. The attraction is open year-round, making it a spectacular option to include on a trip to the region. Accommodations in the Cleveland area range from well-appointed luxury hotels to affordable chain properties with a host of amenities.