Botanical gardens offer more than just a foray into flora — they’re living museums that combine science, art and natural inspiration.
For groups seeking a shared experience, these settings provide immersive landscapes where education and leisure meet serenity. Whether groups prefer organized offerings like guided tours and hands-on workshops or just a free-flowing meditational meander, botanical gardens invite visitors to explore nature together in ways that spur curiosity and connection.
From the majesty of sprawling conservatories to the intimacy of themed gardens, these destinations are designed to delight collective audiences. Group-friendly amenities, accessible paths and curated programs make them ideal for school trips, corporate outings or family gatherings. And, in springtime, these natural wonders are at their blooming best, giving visitors a colorful and inspiring wake-up call from the winter season.
Here’s a look at seven of the very best botanical gardens for group escapes across the nation.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Atlanta
The Atlanta Botanical Garden has shone as a cultural gem in Midtown Atlanta since 1976, showcasing 30 acres of lush landscapes, the award-winning Children’s Garden, serene Storza Woods with its Canopy Walk and the Skyline Garden’s sweeping vistas. Spring is known for peak blooms and special programs that make group visits especially rewarding. Docent-led tours highlight orchids, roses and seasonal exhibitions while discounted group admission encourages shared exploration. Families and school groups can join Garden Playtime activities or spring day camps, blending fun with hands-on learning. Seasonal events like Garden Lights, Holiday Nights extend the experience into evening. With spaces designed for discovery and connection, the garden provides an ideal setting for groups to enjoy Atlanta’s most radiant season together.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden will mark its 50th anniversary in 2026, and there is plenty to celebrate. In March, the garden offers its annual spring bulb festival, Atlanta Blooms, and this year the garden is calling it Atlanta SUPER Blooms, as the number of bulbs will more than double. In May, the garden will open Niki in the Garden, an encore exhibit of the sculptures of Niki de Saint Phalle, which was first presented in 2006.
The Huntington
San Marino, California
The Huntington, nestled on the former estate of Henry and Arabella Huntington in San Marino near Pasadena, California, spans 130 acres of meticulously cultivated landscapes. More than 16 themed gardens prompt exploration, from the historic Rose Garden and famed Desert Garden to captivating cultural settings like the Japanese Garden and the classical Chinese Garden, Liu Fang Yuan. Thousands of plant species flourish here — many rare or scientifically noteworthy — thriving in SoCal’s mild climate. Beyond their unforgettable beauty, the gardens serve as living collections that advance research, conservation and education.
Spring at The Huntington adds a new layer of cultural and sensory discovery. A special exhibition on viewing stones highlights the artistry of form and texture, complementing the season’s renewal outdoors. The freshly revamped Kitchen Garden features plantings inspired by Filipino food scientist and humanitarian Maria Orosa, whose legacy will be celebrated in a public program on April 19, 2026. Visitors will connect meaningfully with her philosophy through touch, scent and taste. For groups, spring offers relaxing repose and shared exploration of seasonal blooms, cultural encounters and landscapes bursting with potential.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Glencoe, Illinois
Spring at the Chicago Botanic Garden is a breathtaking observation of renewal across 385 acres in Glencoe, Illinois. Groups can investigate 27 distinct gardens and four natural areas, from tranquil Japanese Gardens to tulip-lined promenades. Thousands of blooming daffodils, magnolias and cherry blossoms are just a sampling of the seasonal highlights that create a memorable panorama. Families and school groups can take advantage of spring break camps and hands-on workshops, while adult visitors can schedule docent-led tours and culinary classes focused on seasonal herbs.
The Plant Science Center is home to interactive exhibits that deepen appreciation of horticulture, while picnic areas and accessible trails make it a breeze for groups to relax together. With discounted admission for larger parties, the garden is ideal for budget-friendly collective enjoyment. Whether rambling through the Rose Garden, learning about conservation or just soaking in the beauty of springtime in Chicago, visitors will benefit from infinite chances for discovery and connection.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Boothbay, Maine
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, located on 300 acres along Maine’s Boothbay peninsula, is New England’s largest horticultural destination and a radiant spring retreat. Groups can take advantage of discounted admission for 15 or more, customizable tours and boxed lunch options that make planning stress-free. Seasonal blooms, such as daffodils, tulips and magnolias, frame whimsical sculptures and vistas of Maine’s dramatic coast, resulting in a sensory feast. Families and school groups can enjoy field trips that highlight ecology, pollinators and stewardship, while adult visitors can join horticulture and art workshops that embrace spring’s renewal.
The Children’s Garden, inspired by legendary storybook terrains, is a hit with younger audiences, while wooded trails invite collective exploration of Maine’s natural beauty. The gardens also champion conservation, offering programs that open visitors’ eyes to the significance of protecting native ecosystems. For reunions, retreats or educational outings, spring at the garden balances tranquility and discovery in equal measure. With vibrant landscapes, cultural programming and group-friendly amenities, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is a natural choice for a great group experience.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver
In the heart of Colorado’s Mile High City, spring unfolds across 23 acres of vibrant landscapes, water features and innovative art installations at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Seasonal highlights include the Spring Plant Sale, where groups can shop for unique specimens, and a bustling spring festival that includes cultural performances and horticultural displays. School groups can consider spring break camps focused on plant-animal connections, while adult visitors relish docent-led tours and discounted group admission.
Accessible paths, shaded seating and themed gardens make it easy and inviting for groups to explore together at any pace they like. From tulips and lilacs to interactive exhibits, spring offers a rare combination of beauty and education. The gardens also greatly emphasize sustainability, with programs highlighting water-wise gardening and conservation. For gatherings of all kinds, Denver Botanic Gardens thrives as an urban oasis bursting with color, culture and chances for discovery.
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is one of America’s most renowned horticultural meccas and is at its finest in the spring. Azaleas, poppies and flowering shrubs line the 600-foot Flower Garden Walk, while historic promenades and capacious conservatories display thousands of blooms. Groups can take advantage of discounted admission, self-guided itineraries and tailored tours that highlight seasonal displays. Families enjoy everything from nature strolls to interactive treehouses, while school groups can partake in educational programs tied to conservation and horticulture.
The gardens also frequently host performances and special events that bring music and art into the horticultural setting, creating memorable experiences for groups. With accessible amenities, picnic areas and spaces designed with discovery in mind, Longwood is a truly special setting where groups can learn, play and celebrate together.
Desert Botanical Garden
Phoenix
Spring at Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden is a sensory feast; the gardens come alive with wildflowers and cactus blooms painting the Sonoran Desert in vibrant colors. Docent-led tours, discounted admission and seasonal exhibitions like Framerate: Desert Pulse — which blends art and ecology — are just a few of the group lures here. Families savor the Cactus Clubhouse, an 8,000-square-foot nature play space offering hands-on activities for kids, while adult groups can attend evening concerts as part of the Music in the Garden series.
Educational workshops highlight desert conservation and sustainable gardening, making the garden a hive of learning as well as leisure. Accessible trails, shaded seating and picnic areas ensure comfort for groups of all ages and types. For school trips, reunions or corporate outings the garden provides an unforgettable experience rooted in the desert’s vibrant renewal. With cultural programming and natural wonder intertwined, it’s a destination where groups can bond and be inspired together.
