Atlanta Botanical Garden

This leafy oasis is a pleasant place to wander and escape the Atlanta traffic. While many travelers visit independently, a guided Atlanta Botanical Garden tour ensures you explore all 30 acres (12 hectares) while learning more about the plants, animals, hidden sculptures, and water features that make this one of the best gardens in the nation.

Nature-themed tours of the city include the botanical garden, as well as Olmsted Linear Park, Grant Park, and Centennial Olympic Park.

• The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a must-visit for nature lovers and families traveling with kids.

• Dress appropriately for the weather, as many of the gardens are outdoors.

• Give yourself three to four hours in the garden to explore.

• Nearly all areas of the garden are wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available for rent.

Atlanta Botanical Garden is located in Midtown Atlanta, adjacent to Piedmont Park on Piedmont Avenue. You can easily get here by car, Bus 27, and the MARTA transit system.

The botanical garden is closed on Mondays, except for certain public holidays; hours are reduced during the winter months but the garden is open rain or shine. Springtime tends to be the most colorful season, but there’s always something in bloom. The garden is particularly lovely to visit during the Christmas season when it is lit with thousands of fairly lights for the annual Garden Lights, Holiday Nights exhibit.

The garden provides a habitat for a dozen or so species of native birds, including red-tailed hawks, blue jays, ruby-throated hummingbirds, and chickadees. Early mornings are the best time for birdwatching, particularly in the Perennial Gardens, Fuqua Conservatory, Children’s Garden, and Storza Woods.

Most visits to the Atlanta Botanical Garden last between 1.5 and two hours. All tickets have timed entrance, and it’s a good idea to arrive around 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Once inside the garden, however, you can stay as long as you wish—there’s no time limit.

Bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes to explore the Atlanta Botanical Garden, as some of the well-maintained trails have an uneven surface. Shoes and shirts are always required for adult visitors, but children can don a bathing suit to enjoy the Lou Glenn Children’s Garden Splash Pad.

Spring is a wonderful time to visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden because March and April bring a profusion of brightly colored tulips, along with daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses. Holiday displays from November through January are another highlight, with the Kendeda Canopy Walk and topiary sculptures decked in glittering lights.

No, you can’t bring food or beverages into the Atlantic Botanical Garden. (Water bottles are OK, and filling stations are on site.) Grab-and-go snacks and sit-down meals are available inside the garden at the outdoor Snack Bar, the Longleaf Quick Café, and the full-service restaurant Longleaf.

Yes, you can shoot photos for personal use inside the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Amateur photographers are welcome to take pictures on site—favorite backdrops include the city-backdropped Skyline Garden, the Great Lawn, and the Japanese Garden. Professional photographers must secure a permit, with deposits due two weeks in advance.

It’s a good idea to book Atlanta Botanical Garden tickets in advance, especially if you’re visiting on the weekend. All admission to the garden is timed ticketing, and open time slots during peak hours frequently sell out. Entry times are offered every 30 minutes and you can enter at or after your purchased time slot. While walk-in tickets are available at the visitor center ticket office, admission is not guaranteed.