7 Beautiful Botanical Gardens Around Indianapolis

Minnetrista is a museum and nature center near Indianapolis that features exhibits and programs for all ages with a focus on nature, history, gardens and art. The forty-acre campus lets guests enjoy a nature area, a portion of the White River Greenway, beautiful gardens, a museum facility, historic home, sculptures and more. Family fun activities include explorer bags, imagination playground, backyard garden, Betty's dollhouse and cabin, workshops and other special events held throughout the year.

Tracy Snyder Molina:  This public garden is located just south of Carmel City Hall and inspired by Carmel’s Sister City, Kawachinagano, Osaka, Japan. It features a koi pond, sculptures, garden path, flower gardens and plenty of benches and picnic tables to stop and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Tracy Snyder Molina:  Garfield Park Conservatory and Gardens is located within the 136 acre Garfield Park, on Indianapolis' near south side. The 10,000 sq. ft. Conservatory is open year round and houses hundreds of orchids, fruiting trees, and koi ponds. The outdoor Sunken Garden blooms with tulips in the spring and an annual display in the summer. They have a lot of great programs for children, adults, and families.

Beth Wood:  Holcomb Gardens is located on the Butler University campus and covers twenty acres of lawn that overlooks a small lake. The gardens are accessible by a pedestrian bridge and feature waterfalls, a garden house, gazebo, poets' corner, a 500-foot long grass mall, and a fountain adorned with a statue of Persephone. Hundreds of seasonal flowers including Tulips, Daffodils, Lilacs and Daylilies bloom in the gardens and thousands of trees, shrubs and other native Central Indiana flora can be seen on the grounds as well.

Jaclyn Keifer:  100 Acres sits just west of Newfields and is free. Sculptures are scattered throughout the grounds including a swing set and a massive bone sculpture that is fantastic for kids. Highly recommend!

Tracy Snyder Molina:  Inside the Indianapolis Zoo sits 3 acres of botanical beauty. Attractions include the indoor Hilbert Conservatory which is home to a tropical oasis of exotic flowers, greenery and fish pond as well as currently hosting an indoor butterfly garden. In addition, the outdoor gardens of DeHaan Tiergarten combine the best of gardening ideas, plant information and inspirational design. Just like the seasons, the gardens are always changing, so no two visits will ever be the same.

Tracy Snyder Molina:  This modern public park features a Children's Garden, which includes village stores, echo walls, peek-a-boo hills, a sun dial and Tiki huts. The park periodically offers tours of the Coxhall Mansion, concerts at the Coxhall Gardens Centerpiece, as well as other programs and events.