Review: Cleveland Botanical Gardens with Kids

Thanks in part to the Smithsonian National Museum Day Live program, our family was finally able to see the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, which had long been on our list of places to visit. It was not that we could not afford to go, but the fact that the gardens were free for one day helped motivate us to take advantage of the program.

The truth is, I actually used to spend a lot of time at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens (CBG) 12+ years ago when I went to school in the area. The CBG used to be quite different back then, in that the botanical portion of the facility never actually was there until after I graduated college. Before that, the CBG consisted of outdoor gardens that my parents used to take my sister and I to a ton.

When I was in the area during college, I often used the beautiful outdoor scenery to study. Though I admit getting through Physics or Calculus 4 while surrounded by gorgeous greenery was not necessarily the best study environment.

The Cleveland Botanical Gardens is made up of two distinct areas. The Botanical Gardens portion is indoors and features the desert of Madagascar and the tropical butterfly forests of Costa Rica.

The indoor gardens are presented with hundreds of plants native to the various regions. In addition, there are a scattering of assorted animals throughout each area.

The more spectacular area of the CBG is actually outside, where there are several distinct areas that are set up for guests. After the addition of the indoor botanical gardens building, the facility expanded its outdoor garden area, and enclosed what used to be free.

This was the first time I had been back to the botanical gardens in years, and it was the first time for my wife and boys. The kids loved being able to roam freely throughout the boxwoods, rose gardens, and even the children’s garden. At times it is amazing to think that you are in the middle of a large metropolis when wandering through the serene, multi-level gardens.

The Cleveland Botanical Gardens are located east of the City in University Circle. Other museums neighboring the CBG include the Art Museum, Museum of Natural History, and the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum. Adult tickets typically are $9.50 each, children 4-12 are $4 each, and kids under 3 are free.

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Source: InACents