This leafy oasis is a pleasant place to wander and escape the Atlanta traffic. While many travelers visit independently, a guided Atlanta Botanical Garden tour ensures you explore all 30 acres (12 hectares) while learning more about the plants, animals, hidden sculptures, and water features that make this one of the best gardens in the nation.
Nature-themed tours of the city include the botanical garden, as well as Olmsted Linear Park, Grant Park, and Centennial Olympic Park.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a must-visit for nature lovers and families traveling with kids.
Dress appropriately for the weather, as many of the gardens are outdoors.
Give yourself three to four hours in the garden to explore.
Nearly all areas of the garden are wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available for rent.
Atlanta Botanical Garden is located in Midtown Atlanta, adjacent to Piedmont Park on Piedmont Avenue. You can easily get here by car, Bus 27, and the MARTA transit system.
The botanical garden is closed on Mondays, except for certain public holidays; hours are reduced during the winter months but the garden is open rain or shine. Springtime tends to be the most colorful season, but there’s always something in bloom. The garden is particularly lovely to visit during the Christmas season when it is lit with thousands of fairly lights for the annual Garden Lights, Holiday Nights exhibit.
The garden provides a habitat for a dozen or so species of native birds, including red-tailed hawks, blue jays, ruby-throated hummingbirds, and chickadees. Early mornings are the best time for birdwatching, particularly in the Perennial Gardens, Fuqua Conservatory, Children’s Garden, and Storza Woods.