Memorial Day weekend is coming up and there’s no better way to spend a day off than being out in nature. While a trip to the Garden is already a lot of fun, we also offer a few ways to enhance your visit. From soaring butterflies and workshops to dog walking and delicious cocktails, there is something for everyone to do. Check out the list below to find more ways to enjoy the Garden this Memorial Day weekend.
Things to do this Memorial Day weekend in the Garden:
- SOAR – Tropical Butterflies: Be immersed in the world of tropical butterflies with our exhibit, SOAR – Tropical Butterflies. The exhibit starts in the host and nectar garden, where you’ll find some of the plants that make up our native butterflies’ habitat. Then make your way over to the emergence chamber to see all the chrysalis – you might even see a butterfly emerge! Finally, you’ll enter the butterfly pavilion and be surrounded by hundreds of butterflies! For additional information and to purchase tickets, click here.
- Dottie’s at the Koi Pond: If you’re visiting the Garden over the weekend, make sure to stop by Dottie’s in the Koi Pond for refreshing drinks and a bite to eat. We added a few new cocktails to our menu in addition to our signature Hard Butterfly Palmer. Although Dottie’s at the Koi Pond will not be open on Memorial Day (Monday), it will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. For a full menu and updates, click here.
- Dog walking hours: Grab a leash and bring your four-legged friend for a walk through the Garden! On the last Sunday of every month, a majority of our 87 acres is open for pups and their owners to explore. This month’s dog walking hours is this Sunday, May 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more and to purchase tickets, click here.
- Awaken Your Senses with Bloom!: The Garden is alive with beautiful blooms and pollinators a flutter! Come awaken your senses with Bloom! The journey begins in the courtyard with a stunning display transforms the area into our first photo moment. Guests will then be guided to a variety of areas in the Garden that are newly planted, where the flowers are awakening, and ultimately lead you to the Amphitheater Lawn where we’ve seeded a custom wildflower mix that is expected to begin blooming in May. Current highlights of the exhibit are the Dorothy and John Bohannon Rose Garden and the Pollination garden. For tickets, click here.
- Participate in a Workshop Experience: Looking for a way to enhance your Garden visit? Consider taking one of our workshop experiences! This weekend we have the following:
- Butterflies 101 class on Friday, May 24 from 10 to 11 a.m. This workshop was designed for toddlers but children and the young at heart are welcomed. You’ll learn more about our fluttering friends and make your own butterfly identification guides. To learn more and purchase tickets, click here.
- Parent & Me: Bug Expedition on Sunday, May 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. If your little one loves finding bugs, this workshop experience is for you! You and your little one will go on an expedition to find bugs in the Garden. Each child will be given a magnifying glass, a notebook, pencil and crayons to help record their findings. To learn more and to purchase tickets, click here.
- Sit and Stay a while on Sunday, May 26 from 1 to 2 p.m. This workshop is the perfect opportunity to help dogs of all ages be more comfortable around each other, learn to listen despite distractions, and to get some good bonding time with their owners and new classmates. To learn more and to purchase tickets, click here.
