Explore the habitats of two continents in the Cleveland Botanical Gardens’ vast biomes, where desert and rainforest plants are on show. Wander the boardwalks of a woodland garden, find plants that smell like chocolate or popcorn in the herb garden or enjoy a moment’s contemplation in the traditional Japanese garden.
Cleveland Botanical Garden was established in 1930 and moved to its current location, the site of the old Cleveland Zoo, in 1966. Covering 10 acres (4 hectares) it contains 20 different gardens as well as the vast 10,000-square foot (930-square meter) glass domes.
Your visit will begin in the 2-acre (0.5-hectare) Campsey-Stauffer Gateway Garden. Admire its bright blooms in spring and summer and ornamental plants in winter. Continue to the glasshouse where the spiky flora of the Madagascan desert makes for a striking contrast with the tropical flora of the Costa Rican rainforest. If you’re particularly keen on seeing the tropical butterflies then visit in the morning, when they are at their most active.
Head outside for an educational walk around the Herb Garden where over 4,000 culinary, medicinal and scented plants are displayed. Stroll along the boardwalks of the Woodland Garden and keep an eye out for the old bear pit, a reminder of when this was the site of the Cleveland Zoo. Children will love the Hershey Children’s Garden, which features interactive exhibits such as a cave, a treehouse and a bog. Enjoy a refreshing cup of tea in the Garden Café before heading out to explore further.
The gardens host several festivals over the year. Most popular are the Big Spring festival in April and the RIPE festival in September. Keep an eye on the calendar to see what coincides with your visit.
Cleveland Botanical Gardens is located alongside Wade Oval in Cleveland University’s Circle district. It is closed on Mondays, as well as New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Metered parking is available and there is a fee for entry.
