Birmingham Botanical Gardens
4.8(4.4K)google
4.8(147)yelp
Nature
Overview
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a 67.5-acre botanical garden located next to Lane Park at the southern foot of Red Mountain in Birmingham, Alabama. Opened in 1963, it features over 12,000 types of plants, 25 themed gardens, and more than 30 outdoor sculptures, and is one of the state's most visited free-admission attractions.
Practical Info
Every day7:00 AM–7:00 PM
Best TimeSpring (March–May), when peach blossoms, cherry blossoms, and azaleas bloom, and fall (October–November), when the Japanese Garden features beautiful red maples.
Getting ThereLocated in the Lane Park area south of downtown next to the zoo. Driving is the easiest option, and the gardens offer a large free parking area.
Travel Tips
- Admission to the botanical gardens is completely free, including parking.
- Dogs are allowed, but certain areas such as the Japanese Garden may have restrictions to protect plant life. Please follow posted signs.
Reviews
Positive
- One of the few major public botanical gardens in the United States that offers free admission year-round.
- The Japanese Garden is beautifully designed, featuring a red torii gate, tea house, and koi pond, making it a favorite photography location.
- Covering 67 acres, the gardens include rose gardens, greenhouses, wildflower areas, and many other themed sections connected by well-maintained walking paths.
Heads up
- Summer afternoons in July and August can be extremely hot and buggy, so visitors should prepare for sun exposure and heat.
- On pleasant weekends, the gardens can become crowded with visitors and wedding photographers, especially in the afternoon.