Start Your adventure
Plan Your Visit
Explore Our Gardens
With more than 30 public gardens, arboreta, and historic landscapes within 30 miles of Philadelphia, America’s Garden Capital is a destination that will leave you feeling refreshed, inspired, and awed by the splendor of the natural world around us. Search our gardens by region, type, activities, or admission fees.
Pick Up a Passport
The America’s Garden Capital Passport is an exclusive guide to exploring the region’s public gardens. Use the Passport to log garden visits to all 30+ gardens located here in America’s Garden Capital! The Passport provides need-to-know information and must-visit experiences at each garden.
Get Inspired
Whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town, plan your next visit with the help our suggested itineraries. Each guide highlights a few gardens that can easily be visited within a weekend or multi-day trip. Use our guides to get inspired or serve as a starting point for your next adventure in the greater Philadelphia area!
Find a Garden Event or Class
From hands-on horticultural workshops and floral design classes to guided walks, seasonal festivals, cooking demonstrations, and family activities, America’s Garden Capital offers year-round opportunities to learn, explore, and connect with nature. Whether you’re an avid gardener, a curious beginner, or simply looking for a memorable day out, the region’s public gardens and arboreta host experiences for every age and interest across the Greater Philadelphia region.
Tips for Visitors
- Always check each garden's website for current hours and admission prior to visiting.
- Check the weather before you go. Pack sunscreen or an umbrella.
- Dress for the outdoors. Wear comfortable footwear, multiple layers, or a coat.
- Not all garden paths are paved. Check with each garden for accessibility options.
- Bring water or snacks. Few gardens sell food on-site. Check each garden's website.
- Do not touch the plants. Please adhere to each garden's rules for respect in the garden.
- Schedule a tour. Many gardens offer guided tours (additional fees may be charged). Check each garden's wesbite for details.
- Nature is wild. Please be considerate that nature has its own timeline and not all gardens will be in peak bloom during your visit. Find enjoyment in the beauty that is unfolding at nature's pace.
Garden Trip Itineraries
A Scenic Bucks County Garden Getaway
Located northeast of Philadelphia, Bucks County’s picturesque hillsides, vineyards and small towns make it a popular escape from the city. The region, bordered by the Delaware River to the south, is also a destination for gorgeous waterfront gardens and historic estates. To fully experience the beauty of the landscape, plan
Gardens of the Delaware du Pont Family
When the du Pont family emigrated to America in 1800, they brought with them a fierce entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for horticulture. Their botanical influence can be felt throughout the Brandywine Valley, but at Hagley Museum and Library and Nemours Mansion and Estate, you can truly experience how the
Guide to Visiting West Philadelphia Gardens
Philadelphia is a city of fascinating history, incredible diversity, and phenomenal public horticulture. The urban parks system is one of the oldest and largest in the country, encompassing more than 10,000 city acres and comprising such gems as the country’s oldest botanical garden, first zoo, and largest landscaped urban park.
Three City Gardens That Feel Like the Countryside
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Northwest Philadelphia was the summer destination for wealthy city dwellers looking to escape to higher elevations and cooler temperatures.
Today, their estates have grown into lovely gardens that share their horticultural beauty with visitors near and far. Spend the day or stay
Plant Enthusiast Garden Tour
Are you crazy about plants? Always looking for something unusual to plant in your garden or grow on your windowsill? Then spend the day immersed in horticulture at three fabulous gardens with fantastic plant collections. Plan for a very full day of adventure! If you want to make it a
Philadelphia’s Japanese and Asian Gardens
In 1876, Philadelphia hosted the Centennial International Exposition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of American Independence. Japan, which had recently opened its borders, participated in the international world’s fair on a large scale for the first time. As part of its exhibition, Japan built two traditional Japanese structures and the
Gems of the Brandywine
Take a tour of these Brandywine Valley gems, which each carry a legacy of the du Pont family’s dedication to public horticulture. Start the day at Hagley Museum and Library, where the du Pont story begins, then travel to nearby Nemours Mansion and Estate to be dazzled by the largest
Best of the Main Line
The Philadelphia Main Line, lies 30-minutes west of the city and was renowned for sprawling country estates. Today there are a handful of estates that now operate as cultural destinations that breathe new life into the region, along with a bevy of restaurants and shops to fill your day. Plan
