The 10 Best Gardens in Texas, United States

September 14, 2021 Renato Branum

Texas has great beaches for bird watching, boating, and fishing. Plus golf courses, cowboy and high art culture, and a rich history. Bask on the beach and bird watch between golf games before, during, or after spring break in Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Crystal Beach, or South Padre Island. Explore East Texas from Dallas to Tyler, Texarkana, Jefferson, and Nacogdoches. Enjoy golf and big city life in Dallas or Houston. Visit Galveston's coastal Strand. Tour West Texas and Hill Country from San Antonio, New Braunfels, Austin, and Fredericksburg to Amarillo and El Paso.
Restaurants in Texas

1. Chandor Gardens

711 W Lee Ave, Weatherford, TX 76086-4121 +1 817-613-1700 [email protected] http://www.ci.weatherford.tx.us/index.aspx?NID=834
Excellent
78%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 125 reviews

Chandor Gardens

Reviewed By 545JuliaH - Garland, United States

This was a beautiful garden in the middle of town!! Lots of water features!!! Very serene!! Definitely a must visit!!!

2. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739-1702 +1 512-232-0100 http://www.wildflower.org
Excellent
61%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,071 reviews

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas, is dedicated to inspiring the conservation of native plants. Located a quick but quiet ten miles from downtown, we are a botanical garden open to the public year-round and have become a favored venue for everything from conservation-focused conventions to beautiful weddings. We carry out our mission to inspire the conservation and application of native plants through our gardens, campus, research, education and outreach programs. In doing so, we improve water quality, provide habitat for wildlife and enhance human health and happiness. Visit, learn and make a better world with us. The Wildflower Center was founded by Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes in 1982 and became a part of The University of Texas at Austin in 2006.

Reviewed By Susan05821 - Barnet, United States

As with most places in TX the signage for finding this place was abominable. Not all of us have GPS. We happened upon the visitor's entrance and parking quite by chance after following a veritable rabbit warren of roads. Would have been lost had we not found a volunteer just arriving for her shift who showed us the way in around construction debris. Once inside, however, we found a lovely courtyard, beautiful buildings, and an expanse of trails that enabled us to wander through meadows, woods, and somewhat formal gardens filled with native plants and trees that were relatively well-marked and curated with signs for those who like to know what they are looking at. The volunteers were very friendly and graciously answered all of our questions. The gift shop and cafe were surprising gems. We also enjoyed meeting the resident owl. Well worth the trip!

3. Japanese Tea Gardens

3800 N Saint Marys St, San Antonio, TX 78212-3170 +1 210-559-3148 http://saparksfoundation.org/japanese-tea-garden
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,781 reviews

Japanese Tea Gardens

Originally a rock quarry, part of the tea garden came from a donation by George W. Brackenridge and another section from Emma Koehler. In 1915 Ray Lambert, city parks commissioner, thought it would make a nice location for a lily pond. Ultimately, it grew to become a tea garden. The latest renovations began in 2007 and cost about $1.6 million, compared with the $7,000 Lambert originally spent to open the park. It is a Registered Texas Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.

Reviewed By volcanogirl - Texas, United States

This was one of our favorite things that we did on our trip to San Antonio. The gardens are absolutely stunning. More elaborate than most Japanese gardens we've seen before. You enter from above and what was once an old rock quarry is now a beautiful oasis full of lakes, bridges, colorful flowers, loads of steps, a pretty waterfall, and some gorgeous architecture. There's also a little restaurant, but that was closed when were there along with the restrooms. We spent about an hour exploring. It's a beautiful place for taking photos. Surprisingly, it was free, so that was an added bonus. We've been going to San Antonio for years, but this is the first time we've ever visited the gardens. If you love getting outdoors and exploring nature, don't miss this beautiful spot.

4. Fort Worth Botanic Garden

3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107-3420 +1 817-392-5510 [email protected] http://www.fwbg.org/
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,161 reviews

Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Enjoy all four season in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. No matter the season there is always something spectacular to see, our most popular gardens are the Fuller, Rose, and Japanese. Guest also enjoy the Native Texas Boardwalk, Rock Springs, Four Season, and Back Yard Vegetable Garden. We recommend​ you bring comfortable shoes and bottled water.

Reviewed By cuinthemoon - York, United States

A wonderful way to spend an afternoon. I stopped here on my way to Abilene, the price is very fair. I spent 2 Hours strolling the grounds, I would highly suggest purchasing the fish food because the koi in the ponds are huge and follow you around and were sorely disappointed when I had nothing to give them. Because of covid the only option is to purchase it for $2 in the lobby, they do not take Apple Pay and I left my money in my car because I did not anticipate needing it. Also all the fountains are covered and again they have water in the lobby and there is a cafe at the other end but nothing in between so plan accordingly. Loved the turtles.

5. Zilker Metropolitan Park

2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746 +1 512-472-4914 http://www.zilkerparkevents.com/
Excellent
67%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 927 reviews

Zilker Metropolitan Park

Home to Barton Springs, the Zilker Eagle, a large playscape, and four hundred acres of sports fields and woodlands, Zilker Park is a popular weekend destination.

Reviewed By U909KEchrist - Northampton, United Kingdom

We had a very relaxing walk alongside the river, watching the people on their paddle boards and the turtles sunbathing.

6. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

1 Westcott St, Houston, TX 77007-7009 +1 713-639-7750 [email protected] http://www.mfah.org/a/christmas-village-at-bayou-bend
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 447 reviews

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Bayou Bend is the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's house museum for American decorative arts and paintings. Displayed in the former home of Houston civic leader and philanthropist Ima Hogg (1882-1975), the collection is one of the finest showcases of American furnishings, silver, ceramics, and paintings in the world. The house is situated on 14 acres of organically maintained gardens in Houston's historic River Oaks neighborhood.

Reviewed By larryd1941

Comparing the Bayou Bend American furniture rooms to DuPont's Winterthur Museum is unfair, as they both have excellent collections of American furnihings but Bayou Bend has a less comprehensive view of 18th and 19th century furnishings than Winterthur. It is still high on my list of National "must see" Museums. Its grounds are enchanting and the Museum feels more like a visit to a wealthy friend's home (a la Marjorie Merriweather Post's Hillwood in Washington, DC) than to a major Museum of American furniture (Winterthur in Delaware)

7. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218-4335 +1 214-515-6500 [email protected] http://www.dallasarboretum.org/
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,787 reviews

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

A nationally acclaimed 66 acre display garden features breathtaking floral displays all year long. Nestled on the shores of White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum was named "One of the Most Breathtaking Gardens in the World" by Architectural Digest. Dallas Blooms festival boasts of over 500,000 spring blooming bulbs, 3,000 azaleas and hundreds of Cherry Blooms-February-April. Summer in the garden includes an outdoor concert series on Thursday evenings and numerous water features with breathtaking floral displays. Autumn at the Arboretum-September-November features a nationally acclaimed Pumpkin Village featuring over 90,000 pumpkins/gourds/squash and named one of America's Best Pumpkin festivals by Fodor's Travel. The 8 acre Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden was designed to connect children with nature. Education is a central focus the gardens mission, which teach life and Earth science with 17 indoor/outdoor galleries and 150 interactive activities - Where science and fun become one. Open seven days a week and Wednesday nights until 8pm from March-October. Seasonal weekday discounts are available. The garden is closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, United States

The Dallas Arboretum is a retreat within the City of Dallas. It is a big open expanse complete with varied and beautiful flowers, waterfalls, sculptures, picnic areas, and even koi fish. It offers a wonderful view of White Rock Lake. Dallas blooms in March-April is lovely time to visit with sunshine and thousands of tulips of every variety.

8. San Antonio Botanical Garden

555 Funston Pl, San Antonio, TX 78209-6631 +1 210-207-3250 [email protected] http://www.sabot.org/
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,107 reviews

San Antonio Botanical Garden

A wide range of plants from Texas and around the world spread out over 33 acres.

Reviewed By sydneyshellhoward - Houston, United States

San Antonio Botanical Garden is a lovely place to visit. There is a huge variety of plants and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a few animals too. The grounds are well kept and if I lived in San Antonio, I would visit frequently. It’s a great place to spend a few hours surrounded by nature.

9. Amarillo Botanical Gardens

1400 Streit Dr, Amarillo, TX 79106-1731 +1 806-352-6513 http://www.amarillobotanicalgardens.org/
Excellent
54%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 151 reviews

Amarillo Botanical Gardens

Reviewed By flyBarbie15

The gardens are prepping for the Fall Pumkinfest and it’s very nicely decorated. Aside from that, the garden deserves a 5 star rating all on its own. Peaceful, tranquil, and yes, kid friendly for those in a stroller or able to comply with the many signs to “please stay on the path.” The indoor conservatory has some interesting fowl and water features. The gardens aren’t huge, but definitely a big win for $5! Make sure to try the kaleidoscope over the bowl of succulents outside of the conservatory - super fun!!!

10. Zilker Botanical Garden

2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746-5737 +1 512-477-8672 http://www.zilkergarden.org/
Excellent
51%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 760 reviews

Zilker Botanical Garden

Botanical Gardens includes 31 acres of land with plants that thrive in arid southwestern conditions.

Reviewed By Tcritz6774 - Madison, United States

A tranquil oasis where paths and footbridges meander among streams, ponds, a preserved pioneer village, Japanese garden, tropical plants, butterfly gardens, rose gardens and cacti. This area provides a natural habitat for turtles, butterflies, bees and other insects. We lived the experience and a great value for minimal entrance fee.

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