See. Smell. Feel. Adore. Pathways lined with bright colors and delicate buds. Slim green shoots reaching for the sky. Children with curious hearts explore with delight. This oasis can be found in the city at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Right now, the grounds are covered in a blanket of snow, bringing a soft, serene feeling to the gardens on York Street. The tropical conservatory, however, is full of life.
Upon entering at the ground level, visitors first encounter a small pond with a host of large fish swimming about. After crossing the bridge, they enter a lush paradise where both the sights and smells draw you in. Big green leaves reach out to greet you as you meander along the path and flowers of all shapes and sizes wave hello and beckon you to discover.
The tropical conservatory is made up of three levels, and at the top of the dome you can look down upon the splendor as if you were standing at the very top of a tropical forest canopy. Here visitors will find everything they can imagine from palm trees to cocoa beans. Chocolate anyone?
For those find themselves hungry after encountering the various forms of plant life in the tropical conservatory, Offshoots Café is located right by the main entrance. They serve gourmet sandwiches, salads, and delicious treats such as giant cupcakes and éclairs smothered in decadence.
If you ever make it all the way through the tropical conservatory, you’ll enter the Orangery and Marnie’s Pavilion where the annual Orchid Showcase is taking place from January 11 through February 19, 2018. Here you’ll encounter hundreds of vibrant blooms and a citrus collection that will make your mouth water. This exhibit makes for a cozy, romantic afternoon as the stubborn snow persists.
Put on your gloves and hats before heading back outside to meander about the water gardens at the back of the complex—a beautiful and icy trip during the winter months.
The Denver Botanic Gardens entice and delight plant lovers of all ages. Take your little one across the street to explore the Mordecai Children’s Garden. Little ones are invited to observe with all of their senses by looking, touching, and smelling the displays. They can build with rocks, climb a “mountain”, jump on a bridge, and find toys to play with around the paths. At the bottom of this winding complex is a building where kids can attend a camp, learning about gardening, cooking, and experience unique activities such as painting with plants.
All members of the family will have fun at the Botanic Gardens on York Street in Denver. On Monday, January 15 and Monday, February 19, 2018, they can do it for free! The location on York Street is just one of the great places to visit and explore.
The Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield is a working farm where bird watchers can hike the many trails and enjoy a day in the sun. When May finally arrives, Chatfield will once again be home to a butterfly exhibit that delights all who enter. The Gardens also offer guided tours of the alpine and subalpine trails of the treasured Mount Goliath.
Nature lovers and mini-adventurers rejoice! The Denver Botanic Gardens have so much art—both natural and manmade—for visitors to love.
Visit our wildlife page to explore additional living attractions from around Colorado, all of which are open year round.
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