If you’re looking for a peaceful escape into nature, the Midwest has some stunning gardens and arboretums to explore.
Ohio, Illinois, and Minnesota each offer unique spots full of beauty and inspiration. From colorful blooms to serene walking paths, there’s something for every nature lover.
Pack your walking shoes and get ready to enjoy the region’s botanical treasures!
1. Cleveland Botanical Garden
Nestled in Cleveland’s cultural district, this 10-acre paradise features both indoor and outdoor gardens that dazzle visitors year-round. The Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse transports you between two distinct worlds: Madagascar’s desert and Costa Rica’s rainforest.
Ohio’s garden gem includes a children’s garden where little ones can explore nature through hands-on activities. The Japanese garden offers serene moments among carefully placed stones and pruned trees.
2. Franklin Park Conservatory
Light installations by artist James Turrell transform this Columbus landmark into a magical experience as day turns to night. The historic 1895 Victorian-style glass greenhouse houses exotic plant collections from around the world.
Visitors to this Ohio treasure can wander through Palm House with its 43-foot-tall palms or explore the Pacific Island Water Garden filled with colorful butterflies. Seasonal shows bring fresh displays throughout the year.
3. Chicago Botanic Garden
Sprawling across 385 acres with 27 distinct gardens, this Illinois masterpiece sits on nine islands surrounded by lakes. The Japanese Garden, designed by Koichi Kawana, ranks among North America’s finest with its meticulous attention to traditional principles.
Seasonal highlights include spring’s million blooming bulbs and summer’s vibrant rose garden. The Model Railroad Garden delights visitors of all ages with miniature trains chugging through tiny plant-based landscapes of American landmarks.
4. Morton Arboretum
Founded in 1922, this 1,700-acre living museum outside Chicago safeguards 4,100 different tree species. Giant wooden trolls created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo hide throughout the grounds, turning nature walks into treasure hunts for visitors of all ages.
Illinois’ tree sanctuary features an award-winning Children’s Garden where interactive stations teach about plant life. The stunning one-mile Meadow Lake trail offers peaceful views and abundant wildlife sightings year-round.
5. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Spanning 1,200 acres near Minneapolis, this natural wonderland showcases more than 5,000 plant varieties. The Oswald Visitor Center houses art galleries featuring nature-inspired works alongside educational exhibits about horticulture.
Minnnesota’s botanical treasure includes three miles of accessible paths through themed gardens. The Japanese Garden, with its authentic tea house, creates moments of tranquility, while the Maze Garden provides playful adventures for families.
6. Como Park Conservatory
This Victorian glass palace in St. Paul has enchanted visitors since 1915 with its lush indoor gardens. The Sunken Garden hosts five seasonal flower shows each year, transforming the space with fresh colors and fragrances every few months.
Minnesota’s beloved conservatory features a tropical encounter zone where visitors can spot sloths and other rainforest creatures. The adjacent Japanese Garden, designed by landscape architect Masami Matsuda, offers contemplative spaces with traditional elements.
7. Holden Arboretum
Spanning 3,500 acres in northeast Ohio, this natural sanctuary offers 20 miles of hiking trails through diverse ecosystems. The Murch Canopy Walk elevates visitors 65 feet above the forest floor, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding woodlands.
Ohio’s woodland wonder includes the Emergent Tower, where climbing 120 steps rewards adventurers with panoramic vistas. The Butterfly Garden attracts colorful pollinators, while the Rhododendron Garden dazzles with blooms in late spring.
8. Anderson Japanese Gardens
Ranked among North America’s premier Japanese gardens, this Rockford oasis features authentic architecture, winding paths, and koi-filled ponds. Master craftsman Hoichi Kurisu designed the space to create moments of reflection and tranquility for Illinois visitors.
Waterfalls provide gentle soundscapes throughout the 12-acre property. Traditional elements like stone lanterns, pagodas, and meticulously pruned trees transport guests to Japan without leaving the Midwest.
9. Garfield Park Conservatory
Often called “landscape art under glass,” this Chicago landmark houses eight indoor display gardens beneath stunning glass domes. The Fern Room recreates prehistoric Chicago with lush plants and an indoor lagoon designed by renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen.
Illinois’ urban oasis includes the Desert House with its impressive collection of cacti and succulents. Outside, 12 acres of outdoor gardens include lily ponds, urban demonstration gardens, and a labyrinth for mindful walking.
10. Stan Hywet Hall Gardens
Surrounding a Tudor Revival manor in Akron, these historic gardens were designed by pioneering landscape architect Warren Manning. The English Garden, later redesigned by Ellen Biddle Shipman, showcases classic perennial borders that peak in mid-summer.
Ohio’s grandest estate gardens include a Japanese Garden with stepping stones across a dry streambed. The Great Garden features symmetrical beds viewed from a dramatic overlook, while the Birch Tree Allée provides a shaded path beneath white-barked trees.