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University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Tue. 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wed. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thu-Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
11 reviews for University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens
I have to admit that I am partial to the Botanical Gardens. This is one of my favorite places in A2.
The Greenhouse is AMAZING all year round. My favorite part of the Greenhouse is the cacti garden in the back.
I've had several friends get married at The Greenhouse and in the gardens, and both areas have provided a lovely atmosphere.
If you are a student with parents/grandparents visiting the area, the gardens cannot be beat.
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We would have visited the Botanical Garden in any case since my husband "loves his garden more than his children" according to our then 5 yr. old son apparently neglected during the landscaping of our raw tract house. But it so happened we arrived just before the big rush attending the opening of the Children's Garden - a site obviously planned and grown with a lot of love. I just hope the living "toys" can hold up to enthusiastic playing. It made me wish I was sharing the charming areas with a 5 yr. old like the little girl digging at a dirt table equipped with kitchen utensils. Her parent continuously called to her to look at something new, and she acknowledged with, "I see that", and kept on digging. Just like me and Social Gourmet 18 years ago!
I have to agree with everyone here. The Matthaei Botanical Gardens are simply amazing.
We go with the family when in town, and hike around the trails. All well marked and a lot to see. If the temperatures or weather is not cooperating, the atrium is a great place as well.
Would be a great place for a wedding there.
Here is another idea we got while there. We donated money and got a membership for my father one year.
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The grounds here are amazing! I was the officiant at a wedding last week here and it could not have been more breath taking.
The inside area where we got dressed was not air conditioned which was hard since it was over 90+ and we were all glammed up..but we survived.
There is a lovely spot with a stone stage where the wedding was. You had the bridal party walking down and appearing from trees, it was nice.
Woman who coordinates the events there was snotty and demanding. She tried to take over our rehearsal and make changes the bride didn't want.
We stood our ground and she eventually left.
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Matthaei Botanical Gardens is a great place to go in the middle of February in Michigan when everything is cold, dry, and mostly dead. The botanical gardens inject a little humidity and a little green into your life in the middle of a harsh Midwestern winter.
You have to pay a $3 fee ($1 for kids) to get into the conservatory, but it's worth it. It has multiple zones, including "warm temperate", "tropical", and "arid." I really dig the weird plants in the desert-like "Arid House."
In nice weather, you can wander the grounds for free. Free outdoor attractions include trails, a flower garden where most varieties are labeled, and an herb garden, full of varieties I hadn't ever heard of until I visited the Gardens.
I've never taken advantage of them, but I have friends who enjoy the plant or bulb sales held here a few times a year. You can check the botanical gardens' website for the sales and other special events.
If you're hosting out-of-town friends who love flowers or gardening, this is the place to bring them.
Note: The hours listed are for the conservatory only. The grounds are open to the public from 10 a.m. until dusk daily.
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Hundreds of acres of formal gardens, and a large indoor conservatory that is open year-round.
What's Golden Gate Park got that we haven't got? (San Francisco? Okay, that was a good answer.)
The botanical gardens are purportedly a good place to watch the birds, as well as the plants, so look down and then look up.
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I am very partial to the Botanical Gardens.
There are many trails to choose from, and you can enjoy an outdoor hike.
However, my favorite part is the indoor conservatory. You begin in a "tropical" environment, filled with plants and a huge, overgrown cement pond filled with huge fish. Then you enter a middle room, and finally an arid, desert climate featuring cacti galore.
The conservatory is a great place to think, write, wander, and breathe fresh, moist air during the dry winters and summers.
The cactus gardens are the best part of the indoor greenhouses, but in winter it's wonderful to see the palms, the orange trees, the little fish pond, and the flowers blooming throughout the display areas. The "friends" run a gift shop and sometimes sell cuttings of the plants.
Outdoors the trail system offers what seems like long and very isolated stretches of walking areas, including a stand of pine trees that look just like the original "hundred acre wood" beloved of Pooh and Piglet. It's magical for children. Frogs sing. Fleming Creek winds around the area. The fun is almost inexhaustible even though a map could tell us it's not as big as it feels. Formal gardens beside the greenhouses also offer an enjoyable place to feel far from modern civilization.
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I'm really glad that Clarence got this up, because I've been trying to find out exactly what this place was called since the first time I was there years ago.
My experience was in the winter, so I wasn't able to see the gardens outside. (because.... well, there weren't any.)
But the atrium that's open year-round is absolutely gorgeous. I was dragged here by my art-school ex, and I'm so very glad that she did.
This place is the perfect cure for cabin fever in January! It's full of strange and exotic plants, trees, many of which were flowering or beginning to bear fruit. Yes, fruit in January!
She wasn't the only one from the U of M art school that came there. There was more than a few students doing still life drawing, painting, and photography there. As strange as it sounds, it was refreshing just to be in a room full of people who are totally silent.
You're gonna have to take your coat off, and you absolutely have to go upstairs to the landing so you can see the tops of the trees better. If it's snowing out like it was when I was there last, then walking into this place could quite possibly save you from the dirge of Michigan winter!
I love this place, in the summer the gardens are a great place to relax.
also wonderful trails
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Second to The (sacred) Arb is the Botanical Gardens. Love sooo much lazing around on a summer day or going inside in the winter to catch some greenery. Plus, I'm told it's a decent place to have a wedding, if that's your style. And for true townies, it's our style. :)
