Changing Seasons at Roger Williams Botanical Garden
Spring is not quite here yet, but I absolutely can’t wait for the warm weather, blooming flowers, and fun springtime activities. If you want to get a little taste of spring before it officially arrives, head over to the Botanical Garden Center at Roger Williams Park. I recently visited for the first time, and I will definitely be heading back soon.
The botanical center opened in March of 2007 and includes two main greenhouses, two smaller greenhouses, and an outdoor garden with over 150 different species and cultivars of plants. I felt like I was in a jungle when I entered, and forgot that I was in a greenhouse. The variety of plants is beautiful and it is a great place to take pictures. In fact, when I was there, a couple was taking engagement photos under a gorgeous spot surrounded by a variety of different plants.
The botanical garden isn’t just great for picture taking though, it’s also a great spot to relax, and hang out with friends. When I went, I saw a ton of people there with laptops doing homework, or just chatting at one of the tables. I would love to do my homework there because it is a very calming setting. I also saw a couple that looked like they were on a date there, so it’s a great place for that too. There is a section of the gardens called open studio, which provides a seating area for quiet reflection, chatting with friends, or sipping coffee while working. This is where I saw a lot of people hanging out and chatting with one another.
If you’re looking for an affordable activity, this is definitely a place to go. The tickets are super inexpensive. Ages 13-64 cost $5, kids 6-12 or over 64 are $2, and children under 6 are free. All you have to do is go onto the Roger Williams Conservancy website to purchase your tickets and choose a timeslot to visit. One thing to keep in mind is that the gardens are only open Friday-Sunday from 10am-4pm, so make sure to plan around that!
There were so many things that I loved at the botanical gardens. One of my favorite parts was the Koi pond. There were so many fish that were all different sizes and colors. I found it really relaxing to just watch the fish swim around. There was also a plant at the gardens that looked very similar to the trees in the Lorax, which I thought was so cool. I also saw a plant that had the biggest leaves I had ever seen. I learned that it was called a Bismarck Palm and it is native to Madagascar. There are tons of signs throughout the garden so you can read all about the plants that you see.
The gardens aren’t limited to inside though. I am really excited to go back in the spring because there are a lot of things to see outdoors too. In the spring, there is a rose maze, as well as a ton of beautiful flowers that line the walking path, so there is a lot to see.
Rain or shine, the Roger Williams Botanical Garden is a great place to visit with family, friends, or on your own to get some work done. It is sure to be relaxing and can even be educational. I would highly recommend visiting the gardens if you are looking for an inexpensive weekend activity.
