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Brookside Gardens
Category: Arts & Entertainment Botanical Gardens Botanical Gardens [Edit]
1800 Glenallan AveWheaton, MD 20902
(301) 962-1448
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
43 reviews for Brookside Gardens
43 reviews in English
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Review from Ken W.
Clifton Park, NY
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nice during the day (just watch out for geese poop).
But the main motivation for this review is for the holiday lights. The lights are set-up very creatively resulting in an enjoyable experience to walk through.
Get there early as the parking line forms right when they're open! -
Review from Peter T.
Silver Spring, MD
4/11/2012
I have a list things I'll do when I become a billionaire. Number 7 (or 8 or 9, or 6, still hammering out the order) is build a replica of Brookside Gardens in my gigantic county-sized backyard. I'm not sure who will take care of the maintenance yet, so for now I'll just enjoy the real thing.
One of my fondest memories of Brookside is going there to take photos of rare plants for extra credit in a high school science class. It boosted my GPA, and even though we weren't supposed to stroll through a contained park photographing leaves (I guess the teacher expected us to actually travel around the country with our learner's permits or something), I did it anyway, and got an A+. Hahaha that teacher was a joke. Anyway...
This is a place you can go when the weather's nice and there's nothing to do. It's the best when nobody's there, but since you can't blame anybody for wanting to be there, you can still find peace among kids running around and..I i think kids running around is the only complaint I might have. And again, I can't blame them (I was them). It's fun here. Makes you wanna run around like a damn crazy person, too.
Be sure to stop at the memorial and have a quick moment of silent tribute to those lost in the sniper attacks. Have a walk around the mandala in the grassy area and contemplate cool stuff, like life and stuff.
Allergy nerds: bring your meds -
Review from Nick S.
1/15/2012 7 photos
Brookside at Christmas? Yes please!
It's as if this place hasn't changed at all since I was eight years old. The Garden of Lights is a wonderful holiday nostalgia trip for the whole family. They've actually gotten pretty creative with some of the installations, and unlike drive-through light shows (like Seneca Creek) you can actually get up and close to everything. -
Review from Ben S.
5/26/2012
One of those hidden little gems in the DC burbs. Brookside Gardens has very beautiful sculpted gardens. Highlights are the early spring when you get Azaleas, tulips, and red buds. They also have a very nice Japanese garden, and an indoor greenhouse. It isn't far from suburban sprawl but when you are in the gardens you feel very removed. The gardens itself are not huge but it abuts Wheaton Regional park so you can make much longer walks if you want to. They also have a gazebo space that I've seen used for weddings. I've never been a wedding at Brookeside, but I can only imagine that it is a great space. They also have holiday lights in the winter that my family loves. The gardens themselves are free but there is a cost for the holiday lights.
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Review from Venu N.
11/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
For those of you who know me quite well, you are now going to think you don't know me quite well. For not only was I present at Brookside Gardens during their Garden Lights Festival, but I was also here DURING THE IRON BOWL. This is a real world example that family (especially my three year old niece) is indeed greater than football to me. Of course, that didn't keep me from following the action live on my cell phone. This led to the following exchange with my Dad:
"What's the name of this place again?"
"27-14." (the score of the Iron Bowl at that point in time)
Alabama football aside, the light festival here far exceeded my admittedly pedestrian expectations. You start by walking past a garden of lit "roses" and then find your way through a "caterpillar". Some of the more amazing lights involved a wolf howling at the moon, bees buzzing back to their hive, a weather display replete with sound effects, and a cute version of the Loch Ness Monster. I don't want to note everything that they have out there, but let's just say that it is enjoyable. I'd highly recommend a trip here during the Garden Lights Festival if you have young children. Chances are high that they will enjoy it. -
Review from Aliya M.
Washington, DC
4/4/2012
A beautiful place to spend a day, especially in the spring. Great for walking, jogging, picnics (if you can find a spot without goose poop), friends, dates, or what have you. A bit tough to get to via public transportation (it's like a 30 minute walk from Glenmont metro, but the sidewalks occasionally cut out), but it's possible.
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Review from Sabrina H.
Silver Spring, MD
11/4/2011
This place is so pretty. I when here to take pictures for my 15th birthday and I love how they came out.
I also have high school memories of my friends and I lying down on the grass and talking to each other in till the sun goes down.
This is definitely a place where you can relax and watch the world pass by. -
Review from Jamar S.
Silver Spring, MD
Updated - 9/23/2011
Brookside Gardens is amazing. As a budding photographer, I needed a peaceful place, with beautiful scenery to attempt to capture some moments for my portfolio. I got that and more. The walk is peaceful, the trees, ducks, rock statues are phenomenal, and to top it off, they have a butterfly exhibit that's simply breathtaking!
I've since gone back three or four times, and highly recommend this beautiful place to any and everybody looking for exercise, relaxation, or to make magic with a camera.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/4/2011
As a budding photographer, I was recommended this park as a place to capture beautiful shots. What I… Read more »
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Review from Ed Q.
Columbia, MD
8/13/2011
How many places can you go these days that are completely free (aside from the gas it takes to drive there, of course) that are actually worth going to/seeing?
Brookside Gardens is one of mine and my family's favorite place to spend a few hours together. There are many different types of gardens ranging from a kids-themed garden, a scent garden, to a rose garden and aquatic garden. The variety of trees, flowers, and other plants are pretty amazing.
One of my favorite things about Brookside Gardens is that it is completely different each visit throughout the year. I have seriously been to this place a dozen or more times and have seen something new each time.
So if you're looking for something free, relaxing, enjoyable, and family-friendly, Brookside Gardens is the place to go! -
Review from Mark O.
Framingham, MA
4/7/2012
It was still fairly early spring, but we caught the tulips in full bloom -- they were wonderful -- and has a great stroll on the extensive walks. It's one of the nicest gardens I've visited, and we're going to be back when we're next in the area.
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Review from Seth A.
Alexandria, VA
12/3/2011
Overpriced parking, nasty employees, tacky displays.
I don't know why anyone would go back there a second time. I had agreed to meet some friends at Brookside Gardens. I hadn't been there before. So I paid the $25 parking fee. I am there and I don't see any of my friends. I called two of them and we figured out I was in the wrong parking lot. I hadn't realized there was more than one parking lot. I headed over to the other parking lot to meet my friends. Now I am confronted by two nasty employees and a cop, all of whom want me to walk out the exit. I told them repeatedly that I paid $25 for parking and showed them my ticket, but that wasn't good enough. The three of them wanted me to permanently abandon my car there and walk home.
Why would anyone in their right mind agree to abandon their car?
Finally after my insisting for long enough that I had paid at the other entrance, one of the employees got on the phone to another employee and he decided to let me proceed. The cop wasn't too happy about it. I could tell by looking in his face he wanted to arrest me but couldn't find a reason to do it.
After that I was able to meet my friends and we walked around and saw the light displays. It wasn't worth all that effort. I found the light displays to be one of the tackiest things I have ever seen.
Why would you put your car at risk just to see a few stupid lights? -
Review from Brandi K.
Frederick, MD
8/24/2011
This is one of my favorite parks in Montgomery County, and I have been going to Brookside since I was a child...I love the gardens, the Gardens of Light winter display, the conservatories, and the fact that you can walk over to the huge playground at Wheaton Regional (though that is closed for renovation--when is that going to reopen??? Looks like it will be awesome when done!). I recently took my daughter to the Wings of Fancy butterfly show, and that was truly a worthwhile experience. She loved it and even remembered some of the butterfly species from last year. Great place to take kids!
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Review from Sharon W.
8/14/2011
The grounds are beautiful with the ponds and gazebos and gardens. The Butterfly Exhibit is interesting; the holiday lights amazing (you walk not drive) and the train show in December is a lot of fun! They also have a family-oriented New Year's Eve program featuring the holiday lights, crafts, face painting, etc. There are two gift shops that have unusual items including books, jewelry, ornaments, etc. They offer a number of classes and programs for nominal fees, brochures are available at the gardens or on-line. Access to the gardens and some of the programs are free, others require a nominal fee and/or registraton. Bring your camera and walking shoes and enjoy!
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Review from Lori P.
Gaithersburg, MD
3/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Beautiful gardens - lovely anytime of year.
I am glad that they are focusing plantings on more of our native plants. Everything is well marked.
The Rainscaping class was a very good value - must set up PARK PASS to enroll. -
Review from Fenny L.
4/30/2009
When I was a kid, we had a Sunday tradition in my family. On beautiful Sunday mornings, my parents and grandmother would pile my brother and I into the car, along with any house-guests (we always had a few staying with us at any given time) and any random sampling of aunts, uncles and cousins to head out for dim-sum or some other Chinese breakfast/brunch around 11am. By 1pm, after we had consumed enough food to feed all of Latveria for a month, we would waddle to the cars, and head over to Brookside Gardens to walk off the 500,000 calories we had each consumed.
Now that my brother and I are older, and my parents have stopped running a free hostel for all of their friends and family, these treks don't happen often, but in my heart, Brookside Gardens bespeaks of wonderful Sundays of full bellies, gorgeous plants (that my mother would be plucking and putting into her purse), and carefree days.
All that blissful Rockwell stuff out of the way....
Brookside Gardens is still fantastic. Hidden away behind busy Randolph and Georgia, it's definitely one of the hidden gems of MoCo. The sprawling acres contain 2 greenhouses, a visitor's center, and a plethora of walkways, gazebos and lakes. Even if you're not an outdoor plant lover (I'm not), there is just something serene and lovely about Brookside that makes you, literally, stop and smell the roses.
A few quick key things:
There are two parking lots at Brookside. The very first one you come to, will lead to the visitor's center. Although it's usually packed, remember that if you just sit around long enough, someone will be leaving. The second parking lot leads to the greenhouses. I don't like this parking lot as much, as it's harder to "circle around" in. Both parking lots are *WAY* too small for a place as big as Brookside - which is why this is a 4 star review, instead of a stellar 5 star. Finding parking can be a pain.
There aren't any vending machines, so bring a bottle of water. You will be thirsty.
Bring your camera. Even if you aren't a professional photographer, the gardens and plants here are so beautiful that you'll be able to take gorgeous photos with a simple point and shoot. If you are a student and have a photography project due soon (but don't have time in your busy drinking schedule to do it), come here and you'll have at least a B with very little effort.
Ladies, I know you will be tempted to wear pretty dresses and cute little wedges and heels. DON'T. While there are numerous paved paths, the paths are still rather hilly and you *WILL* kill your feet. Unless you're like me, and have been wearing heels since you were 7, and have lost all feeling from the ankle down.
In the spring, there are a ton of weddings held here. Please don't be a schmuck and ruin someone else's special occasion by intruding. If you want to watch (I admit, I do), stand a distance away, and get out of the wedding party's way, when they are doing photos. You would like the same courtesy for yourself.
If you keep walking toward the south of Brookside, it will lead you to a gate that will lead you through a path, that will lead you into Wheaton Regional Park. This is a great trip if you have kids, because it's a semi-long walk, so it will definitely tire your kids out (which is a bonus, right???).
On the west side of Brookside, there is a nature center. It's in the woods, and it's rather hidden, but I highly recommend it. It's quiet, calm and the nature center usually has a few animals that they are nursing or rehabilitating to be released by into the wild. -
Review from Emily R.
Rockville, MD
7/9/2009 5 photos
Who knew my first trip to Brookside would result in an engagement? :D The boyfriend, now fiance, decided to bring me here on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. After walking around the greenhouse, lovely rose gardens, and romantic flower trellises, we escaped the people and hot sun to find a secluded path where he got down on one knee... :)
Because it was so late in the afternoon, we didn't get to go to the butterfly exhibit. There was a wedding taking place so we were unable to see some of the other scenic spots nearby.
And because neither of us had ever been there before, there's lots of other gardens in the park that I know we missed. Now that Brookside Gardens holds a special place in our hearts, I know we will return to explore much more! -
Review from Nathan C.
1/23/2009
This review is for their winter light display. They put on a wonderful, secular, nature-themed light display right around the holidays and extending through the early new year.
They've got the whole garden decked out in lights, and the effect is simply amazing. There's easily 30 minutes of walking involved to see everything -- from the giant caterpillar to the Loch Ness Monster (and baby!) to the animated display of the four seasons complete with rain and thunder.
Inside the conservatory there's a massive train display set up, too, which is nice as a place to warm up if it's cold outside.
The kids were completely blown away and had a great time, even though it was pretty chilly out.
Come early -- gates open at 5:30; it fills up quickly, and parking is limited. $15 per car, worth every cent. -
Review from Shieva R.
Towson, MD
1/15/2010
What's not to like about a beautiful park tucked away in Wheaton?
I remember coming here as a child with my family... I remember seeing beautiful brides taking wedding pictures with the beautiful scenery. My most recent trips were slightly disappointing. The gardens didn't seem as beautiful and wondrous as I remembered them, but I still enjoy going for a nice stroll when I'm in the area. -
Review from jessica s.
Odenton, MD
5/4/2011 2 photos
One of my absolute favorite places to bring my camera. The Wings of Fancy Butterfly exhibit is one of the best butterfly on the east coast.
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Review from Karman L.
Boston, MA
8/19/2007 1 photo
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/... (from Butterfly Exhibit)
http://www.flickr.com/... (from Garden)
They are having this amazing exhibit: "Wings of Fancy" - Live Butterfly Exhibit, from May 5 through September 16, 2007, and the fee is only $5. It's awesome that once you walk into the exhibit and thousands of butterflies just flying all around you, and landing right on your shoulder or your camera.
http://www.mc-mncppc.o...
The overall garden is very well laid out, very relaxing and peaceful to take a walk around the whole thing. They have a rose garden and Japanese tea house.
Great photo opportunities and a day trip when friends are visiting from out of town!
It's free admission (except $5 for the butterfly exhibit). Plenty of parking. Helpful visitor office staff. You also can have weddings/events here, I saw a catering company setting up as I was leaving.Listed in: Say Cheese! It's a Kodak…
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Review from Marianne D.
Washington, DC
7/13/2009
A well-maintained landscape offering:
Green grass
Water features
Asian Garden
Fall Foliage
Benches
Easy parking
Butterflies, bees, birds, turtles, squirrels and rabbits.
What more do you want, for free no less?Listed in: GETmeOUTSIDE
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Review from Sara N.
Potomac, MD
1/4/2010
I am going to start with the rest of the park and build up to the gardens.
Outside the gardens, there is a big play area for children including little animal sculptures. It's usually crazy packed on a nice day so it's a good family place. The merry-go-round is decent, but not as thrilling as the Glen Echo Park one.
Word to the wise, the 5K is not up to standards. They don't separate the runner's trail and walker's trail so you're not only dodging people who walk their dogs, but it's also soooo hilly! Not for novices. But goes to a great cause (the local animal sanctuary) so maybe it's worth the discomfort?
Nooooow, the gardens. Boy are they gorgeous. So many lovely spots and sites to see. Even in the winter, the greenhouses are spectacular. There's even a little labyrinth which, by the way, is used for meditation... not racing excitable little children. Don't miss the butterfly exhibit. Ever been to a butterfly exhibit and been disappointed because no butterfly would land on you? Well, they will here! There are plenty of gorgeous butterflies all alighting around you. It was a magical experience.
This place is amazing. I will get married there someday I hope,,, -
Review from MaJ C.
Silver Spring, MD
9/12/2010
Been comin here since I was a wee child. The Splendor of watching a garden grow is special, and the butterfly garden is the best of anywhere I have been. Bogota, koi , memorial gardens, greenhouse, fields of contemplation. What's not to love?
And right off the Bike trail? Nice. -
Review from Sarah O.
8/26/2009
I just love everything about this place! You would never expect to find a nature center and gardens in the middle of Silver Spring, but tucked away, there is Brookside Gardens. It is great for walking around, taking pictures, people watching, etc. The flowers are absolutely gorgeous and I love the little pavilions and gazebos that are random throughout the grounds. My favorite is the little Japanese like structure that overlooks the pond; you can stare down and see the fish and turtles swimming.
A must visit spot if you are needing some relaxation or even just to walk around and take in the beauty. -
Review from Derryk A.
3/10/2009 3 photos
I always enjoy this place no matter what time of year. Spring is probably the best time with all of the blooms fresh and full of colour. The lake in the Japanese garden area have some large Koi now if only my would grow to be that size and a wonderfully frequent tea house. Other parts include the butterfly house and an arboretum that has a rather large miniature train display during winter along with the Christmas lights are very very nice. If it's cold out during your walkabout they have hot chocolate or hot cider to help stave off winters chill. During the summer, the other side down the wooded path. It has a large lake with plenty of fish that you can take with you provided that you bring a fishing pole of course. While we where there one older gentleman must of caught all the fish from the lake, he sure had a lot. The other guy had left with none.
Chose your day to go carefully because there can be a whole lot of noisy little kids running screaming all over the place disturbing the peace and quite that this place of beauty offers. -
Review from David M.
8/18/2009
A wondrous botanical treat, and their butterfly pavilion is open through almost the end of September. (Then what do they do with the little flutter-bys . . . send them to a silk farm?;-).
Incredible grounds and sweet, committed staff, make this place a secret haven (almost) in the city.
Check it out, especially if you need a romantic spot to get in your honey's good graces, or need a peaceful place to celebrate, think, grieve, or simply hang with the beauties of nature. -
Review from Amy O.
4/16/2010 3 photos
BEAUTIFUL. Everywhere you turn, beauty. I took so many pictures...this place is a must go! If I lived near, I'd go here all the time to relax.
It's free...beautiful, relaxing...and the people that work here are so friendly.
See my pictures! -
Review from Clifford M.
Bethesda, MD
2/27/2011
Brookside Gardens is a great venue for a small wedding ceremony and reception in the Spring or Fall. As a videographer, I have shot a number of weddings at this beautiful venue. I have also used the gardens for making some scenes of "Love Story Videos". Even if you don't have a wedding there, it is a wonderful place to visit, to enjoy nature, and the stunning flowers and foliage.
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Review from Danilo A.
Silver Spring, MD
6/27/2011
There is no other way to kick off a fun, relaxing, summer outing than going to a place which literally feels like the garden of Eden, Brookside Gardens. With a peaceful ambiance in the midst of such beautiful, unique species of flowers, it is hard to not get lost in this majestic location. Bring your family and friends, or maybe just that special someone ;) to share an eye capturing moment, where time will fly as you enjoy an experience you'll never forget.
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Review from Paul M.
1/14/2009
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN:
First of all a shout out to Lester - I loved your homage review the other day. I am going to try to do the same thing - with a slight twist - lunch or dinner plus drinks on me for the first person to get them all correct ( don't all rush in at once now). Please - this is a homage - I love you guys - love love love .
Yelper #1:
First the preamble. I enjoy Brookside gardens considerably, the offerings are many and varied and the park has an incredible value propostion, in fact I have developed the following value scale:
Offering Price
5000 trees free
10,000 flowers and shrubs free
pond / lake free
labryinth free
butterfly house free
So all of the considerable facilities in the park can be enjoyed free of charge - and there is no limit. You can look at all 10,000 flowers and shrubs and they still will not charge you. This is by far the best value I have seen in a long time. I would also point out, and to make myself appear less of a fatty than I really am, that we did see some animals in the park and I was not tempted to eat them. Well, maybe once.
Yelper # 2:
We took the children to the butterfly house. We wanted to sit under the flintlock sky and decode the epigram of their dreams. An old crone guarded the entrance, like Cerebrus watching over Hades, or perhaps like the mamasan at a bordello I recently went to. The butterflies inside were multitudinous and variegated, they fluttered in the air not unlike the eyelashes of my friend O. I remembered her eyelashes and their butterfly kisses from our time on Lake Como.It was opulent to see they had the Ornithoptera Alexandrae, the rarest butterfly in the world, it lives in the rainforests of Papua New Guinea and it drinks only the nectar of the paraistolachiya family. As the children raced headlong through the butterfly house I thought about their hopes and dreams, would they remember this day, would I , would any of us. And what is O doing now? Whose strong forearms are those eyelashes caressing. As we were about to leave we saw the onatopov, the beautiful Siberian butterfly and I always give two stars for beautiful Russians.
Yelper #3:
the children had to go to the labryinth as if those children with their sugared water and their brittany spears fascinations and the imminent arrival of puberty upon them needed to be confused any further god how i pity them those boys and that first pimple that first pubic hair its coming any day now then they will truly know what confusion is and they will rush pell mell into the cold night of self realization and self awareness and gold help them as their father won't he'll be looking at the bottom of a pint of guinness and drinking whiskey like its water
Yelper #4:
Brookside Gardens elegance
a park and pond
a summer afternoon
a blanket on the grass
the gentle hum of birdsong
the scent of youth
soft breeze on my shoulder
like a lover's kiss
Yelper #5:
Das Kewlest ! If you be in da Wheaton urrea and are seeking a pleasure filled afternoon this is your spot. I am not a nature gurrrl on the regular but I know fo sho a good time when I see hear and feel one and this is it.
Yelper # 6:
Man, last night was another big one, I had way too much to drink and as for the shisha don't even start me. I needed some air so I came here to escape the city. It's a beautiful park but who or what are all these short people, and what were they all doing here ? they're all about 2 foot or 3 foot tall and they are completely undisciplined, running , screaming, it was like a madhouse. I have never seen so many short people before, and funnily enough all several taller people - mainly trendy couples, or couples to be honest, that probably looked at lot better and dressed a lot better about 10 years ago, were chasing the short people, it was very confusing and I don't think I can go back. Anyway, a strapping Nubian boy had followed me into the park and pretended he was interested in butterflies just to talk to me, I liked him and he was wearing Ellie Tahari jeans which always remind me of the city center square in my home town so I gave him my number when he asked for it.
Yelper # 7
So, I decided after all the flesh I had been feeding the boy recently it was time to get out of the city, away from the bars and into some countryside and some exercise.
I like the layout of this park, its brisk and efficient and well organized and the staff are clearly working hard. I did notice that the pruning of the magnolia trees had been left to chance, I mean come on, you prune one magnolia tree properly you can prune the next one properly too. How hard is that?Listed in: This is My Man-Crush list...
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Review from Dee B.
9/6/2010
As a Montgomery County taxpayer, I am glad that my taxes go to support something as great as the park system, including the lovely Brookside Gardens. Coming here is a wonderful way to spend a day when the weather is warm and sunny. My nephew loved the various water fountains, but was a bit too young to fully enjoy the cute kids' garden.
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Review from Miss caroline F.
Alexandria, VA
10/9/2007
Brookside Gardens is an oasis. Located off of Georgia Avenue in Wheaton/Glenmont, MD it is really beautiful. There is a garden that has a fountain that is so relaxing you can walk around and veg out. During December- around the Holidays- they have a Festival of Lights I think it is around $10-$20 per car, however it is beautiful and when I have been there never too crowded. Bring a blanket, relax and dream.
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Review from John S.
Mount Airy, MD
7/31/2007
Brookside Gardens is a beautiful oasis in Glenmont, Maryland. It is a wonderful 50-acre display garden with many distinct areas: formal garden, Japanese style garden, trial garden, herb garden, azalea garden, rose garden, children's garden and fragrance garden. There is a large conservatory for year-round enjoyment. Picnicking is prohibited along with food and drink.
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Review from Kris G.
8/19/2009 3 photos
when i was in second grade, my then-best friend and i used to get her mom to take us to brookside gardens nearly every week for after-school, so we could go traipsing through the gardens, pretending we were fairies. over the next years, i'd go to brookside gardens only at christmas time, to walk through their twinkling, snow-covered winter wonderland scenes. but i hadn't been back in many moons, until this weekend when i attended a wedding in the oh-so enchanting fragrance garden.
teeming with lilies, geraniums, and many other flowers i couldn't name, the fragrance garden is a little slice of heaven: exquisite, alluring, and of course, fragrant. i watched with tears in my eyes as my oldest friend said her nuptials in a flowery oasis fit for a fairy. butterflies flitted around, blessing the day, and the sun sparkled on all the well-wishers. the reception in their atrium was fantastic, and while only she could report back on the prices, i will say that the wedding was seamless, and the spaces elegant and refined.
i think any bride and groom would be happy to say their vows in this floral paradise.Listed in: MoCo Ho Fo' Sho', The Great Outdoors
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Review from Mic G.
Silver Spring, MD
1/29/2009
this is actually a review for both the brookside gardens and (more importantly) the brookside nature center (which is right across the pedestrian bridge)
the gardens are great for all kinds of flora and fauna spectating on pretty days, especially in the spring and fall. the greenhouse is great too on rainy, cold or inclement weather days. the butterfly show is a must see (i never knew that not all butterflies eat nectar, some live off fruit juice).
the nature center is awesome for walk-in trips or for any of the many different classes, tours, and activities that you can sign up for a nominal fee through out the year. the center itself is great for kids to check out some of the local little wildlife (both alive and stuffed), play games, and partake in activities.Listed in: where to take your wee one…
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Review from Erick A.
Silver Spring, MD
5/20/2008 8 photos
i love this serene place.
the butterfly exhibit is worth every cent. :)
for 5 bucks you get to walk into a well kept garden
where you can watch or photograph
hundreds of colorful butterflies
as they fly everywhere. -
Review from Jayselle I.
Washington, DC
9/2/2008
Came here for a stroll one night to walk off dinner at A&J's down the block and around the corner. It was just before sunset which made it all the better. The sky started to turn bright pink, reflecting off the many ponds that you'll pass while walking the trail. Don't worry, its cemented so you can wear those new Pumas or even comfy flip-flops like I did. You'll pass many different species of flowers and plants, gazebos, bridges, and beautiful views along the way. You'll pass brisk walkers, familes and kids (not too many so that its over whelming), and lovers holding hands, enjoying each other and the moment. It's a total getaway from everydays, makes you feel like you're somewhere else. Loved it!
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Review from George C.
Fort Washington, MD
7/18/2011
This is a great place to visit if you love the outdoors. The butterfly greenhouse is amazing!! Great for macro photography
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Review from Catie C.
5/18/2009 6 photos
If you have some technical difficulties capturing photos of butterflies in nature, this is the place to be. They have an enclosed butterfly exhibit where you can take all the photos to make up for the mishaps! After snapping away, you can take a stroll in the garden to relax and be in one with nature.
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Review from Marsha W.
Baltimore, MD
9/8/2009 3 photos
We love the Flights of Fancy exhibit and go back every year. We can never tire of having butterflies land on us and glide past our ears. Its a great place for kids. I actually secretly fantasize about going alone and just have a zen day by myself. One of these days! :)
