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Galleries in Gardens

Brookgreen Gardens

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

When Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington first beheld the 9,000-acre property of forest, swamp, rice fields and beachfronts near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the couple felt enamored by its beauty and warm weather. Eventually, Anna thought the property should become more than a winter home, and she developed a vision for using the land to showcase her sculptures.

Groups can see her vision realized and more when they roam the 551-acre sculpture garden. The garden contains more than 1,400 works of American figurative sculptures, many created by Anna herself.

A guided tour of the garden gives insight into the natural and artistic elements at work. Live Oak Allee showcases 250-year-old live oak trees planted when the area was a thriving rice plantation. Other popular gardens include the Butterfly House, the Brenda Rosen Carolina Terrace Garden and the Palmetto Garden.

Visitors can also explore the rice plantation history of the site on a Creek Excursion Boat Ride. The Lowcountry Zoo and Native Animal Habitat provides an interactive encounter with some of South Carolina’s wild animals during its Meet the Animals program.

www.brookgreen.org

 Wave Hill

New York

A gray fieldstone mansion built in 1843 went through various owners throughout the years before being turned into a garden and cultural center in the Bronx. Wave Hill houses a kaleidoscopic garden oasis with sweeping views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. Only 20 minutes by train from Grand Central Station, this hidden gem offers guided garden tours, interactive programs and a contemporary art gallery.

On the hourlong Garden Highlights tour, guides meet groups entering the property to walk them through the Herb Garden, the Aquatic Garden, the Conifers Slope, the Flower Garden and the Wave Hill House. At the conclusion of the tour, groups can stop at the on-site cafe for a cup of tea or a snack before exploring the garden further on their own. The 1.5-hour combination Garden Highlights and Glyndor Gallery tour explores both the site’s flora and the works of art on display.

Some groups book other add-ons, such as breakfast, Sunday brunch, cocktail receptions and lunch. Those inspired by the peaceful surroundings can harness their creativity with a workshop in photography, plein-air painting, garden woodworking or botanical crafts. Cooking programs also combine culinary techniques with practical gardening advice.

www.wavehill.org