this botanical gardens in Ann Arbor, sponsored by the University of Michigan is absolutely fabulous. It's small enough to cover and a half of a day which makes it very nice for people with mobility issues that can't really do a days worth of walking. They also had sidewalks available in one of the main areas along with the children's gardens areas and that was very helpful in terms of being able to complete the tour that we had wanted to do. I can't even begin to tell you how many plants and trees and herbs there are in this botanical Wonderland. If you ever get to Ann Arbor, I strongly encourage you not to pass this up .....and guess what it's free to the public!!!! Check out some of the pictures I captured....it's only a fraction of them, but even though I am not a gung ho gardens person I sure enjoyed this one!!!! Thank you, Ann Arbor for providing such a beautiful environment to the community and the many visitors that come to see your city!! read more

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Love taking visitors here now. Unfortunately, right now, there isn't much bloomed. Only the indoor conservatory is worth seeing. The Bonzai trees are "sleeping" according to their sign :0( It's $5 for 2 hour parking (I still pay inside because the machine never accepts my credit card). There is a lot to explore here though. Especially on the walking trails. read more

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This is the largest university operated greenhouse in the United States. Part of the University of Michigan. The conservatory consists of 3 areas..Tropical,Temperature and Arid houses as well as a nice Bonsai collection. The Conservatory is relatively small but thete are over 3 miles of Natural area and trails plus a few garden displays. Admission is free but there is a cost for metered parking. read more

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Matthaei Botanical Gardens is a pleasant oasis any time of the year. I love the visit the conservatory in the winter and the bonsai, perennial and children's gardens in the summer. The bonsai garden particularly stands out as something unique and special! Many of the trees are hundreds of years old and are lovingly cared for. read more

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It was nice to see so many University of Michigan students studying plant life here. There is much to discover both indoors and out. We especially enjoyed the bonsai exhibit and walking some of the trails which were teeming with songbirds, frogs and other signs of spring. read more

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Today I visited the Matthaei Botanical Gardens' indoor multi-climate conservatory. The building is beautifully designed, well-maintained and full of beautiful and unusual plants, including a Titan arum or corpse plant. I never thought I'd ever see one in person, but there it was. Can't wait to see if it blooms. The conservatory is a terrific place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Check it out! read more

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*** Absolutely beautiful spot for a wedding. *** Indoor/Outdoor really makes no difference imo. This a great scenic spot to exchange your vows. *** Something about nature makes it pure. *** read more

Matthaei Botanical Gardens - They jumped the broom after 5 years, bravo! - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

I love visiting the botanical gardens. It's a super affordable excursion if you are on a budget. You pay for parking and if you can make a little donation! I will often bring a book or e reader and sit in some of the chairs they have available and read for an hour at a time. It's a big relief when the weather outside is intolerable. Everything is always clean. The bonsai tree display is my favorite. If the weather is nice outside, make sure you spend time on the grounds and enjoy the trails along the creek. Lots of nature to see! read more

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A beautiful visit that complimented our visit to Nichols Arboretum. Stunning plants, trees, flowers and nature walks. We really savored our time at the Conservatory and in the Bonsai Garden!! Parking is per time requested and affordable, we spent less time than we paid for - if you're not taking a long walk this could be a quick visit. We spent about 30-40 mins and saw everything. read more

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Wonderful place to visit for people of all ages, visitors and locals alike! The standout here is their stunning indoor conservatory with tropical plants, a cool dessert plant area, and more temperate plants. Really beautiful and interesting species, and multiple paths to take a few loops through each area. This year they also unveiled their brand new outdoor bonsai collection, made possible by a large single donation. Get to it by going through the conservatory and out the back door to the right. It's truly stunning, and interestingly features a bonsai that's 1000 years old!! Visiting is free! But there are cash donation boxes as well if you'd like to contribute while you're there. Parking I believe is $2.20/hr. Today I went for a special temporary exhibit they're doing called "AURORA", which included a transformation of the conservatory with lights and colors, as well as an accompanying art exhibit called "Earth and Sky" with art by local artists. Check it out through the end of the year! They also have a couple extra select days with extended evening hours, in addition to their normal extended Wednesday hours. It was cool to visit at night / in the dark for the first time! Totally different experience than in the daytime. Ultimately I think I prefer visiting in the day time - much easier to see all the plants - but it definitely felt right to experience "AURORA" at night. read more

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Matthaei Botanical Gardens is a bit of a hidden gem in Ann Arbor. Located right on the Ann Arbor/Dixboro border on the East side of AA and on the outside of the highways that border AA, and farther away from its Nichols Arboretum counterpart on campus, it is always significantly less trafficked and probably more popular with locals and out-of-towners alike not looking to deal with all the people and traffic more within city limits. But this place is worth a half day's (or more) visit regardless of who you are and where you're coming from as the gardens boast so many unique garden exhibits and botanical varieties to enjoy! Matthaei is free to visit with a small parking fee, but if you're a student you can get an extremely discounted Matthaei membership (I believe it's $15) for a year or a regular annual membership is $45 and gives you access to a ton of other wonderful events that Matthaei puts on and access to a slew of other botanical gardens throughout the country! Matthaei has both indoor and outdoor exhibits for you to enjoy! The indoor ones go through a few different rooms and biomes of gardens. Dessert, tropical, etc. and they are so beautifully laid out (I particularly enjoy the balcony walkways they have so you can get an elevated view of a lot of the taller botanicals) and so impressive to see! The outdoor space is personally my favorite and boasts their new bonsai garden (SO STUNNING), native garden with a ton of different Michigan-based biomes and plants, herb garden, and so much more! It's truly a great place to check out and I highly encourage everyone visit here on your way in or out of Ann Arbor! read more

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An outstanding place to visit during the winteriest of weather! Warm, bright, and GREEN!

Everything is lovely. Nice programs. Ambiance is very relaxing. Always learn something.

One of my favorite places in the Ann Arbor area, no matter the season. Winter time in particular there's the tri climate conservatory, which includes so many plants, a beautiful fountain, and a koi pond. During the rest of the year be sure to check out the walking paths, gardens, and my favorite- the bonsai area. Best of all it's free! Just pay for parking. A delight for folks of all ages and abilities. Ramps and seating areas abound. Bathrooms gendered. There is also a gift shop. read more

Gorgeous gardens, little surprises tucked around every corner, and the children's garden with its mid kitchen and sample harvest garden were amazing! My kiddo could have spent the whole day there. Did I mention it's free to get in? read more

Beautiful! Simply put, an educational and peaceful environment just outside of the hustle of downtown Ann Arbor. I really enjoyed each separate climate and environment of the buildings. My favorite was the desert because I love how different the plants look. I also recommend the sausage tree and the lobster claw plant. You don't have to pay to go in but it is paid parking. The maximum charge for a day is 5 dollars. I'm planning on coming back when the outside is in bloom. They have a lot of trails to hike but we didn't want to go out in the rain and muddy conditions. Definitely worth a few visits. read more

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Beautifully landscaped botanical garden. Admission is free and parking is quite reasonable. Nice gift shop and friendly staff. Great spot to relax, take pics or read a book. Lots of benches to sit and take it all in. We spotted a hummingbird in the bee balm area. Children's garden area and playground was so nice! read more

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Free Beautiful Botanical Gardens! Absolutely loved all the gorgeous flowers, succulents and all the lovely people drawing them. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming. It's my first time in Michigan and I loved it! They still have the outdoor children's garden where children can hike and climb! I really liked it there looking at the kaleidoscope of plants - I can watch that all day and forget all my worries! They have a neat gift shop and have classes offered for students and adults alike. I absolutely loved this botanical garden in the winter and hope to come back in the summer! If you stop by here, you must also visit the Creature Conservatory too both must see areas in Michigan! read more

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I haven't been here since elementary school days - yeah it's been some time :) When I visited, it was in mid 40's, so it was nice being inside, able to take off the jacket and walk around. Not a plant person, but it's nice when you are visiting with a friend who majored in biology and knows all the plant stuff and explain things to you. In all honesty, green leaf is a green leaf in my eyes :) You'll need to pay for parking - $5 for all day or $2 per hour... I ended up paying $4 for 2 hours, but would recommend just paying $5 and spend few hours here. Perfect place to be in the summer, when you can walk the trails and definitely worth the parking fee. read more

This place is amazing! The only fee is for Parking, so make sure they're open before you park. Seriously, I've never been to such a nice botanical garden that was free and well I've been to several for a fee that aren't as nice. I wholeheartedly recommend this place to anyone that likes gardens. read more

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens is a feast for the eyes and the imagination. Walking from area to area and seeing the beauty and diversity of plants, trees, bushes, and flowers from around the world is good for the soul. It is a dreamlike fantasy of color and texture, a balm for a too-often hurried and cold world. You owe yourself a trip. read more

Beautiful location with well-maintained indoor conservatory and outdoor trails. I really enjoyed seeing all the different bonsai trees and ample trails to walk on as well as benches to sit on and enjoy the plants and scenery. It's a great place to relax, take a walk, and catch up with friends. This is also a good location for photo shoots both inside and outside. One downside however is having to pay for parking if you get here by car. Before the pandemic, I came here for plant sales once in a while which were really fun. Definitely a gem of Ann Arbor and good place to take visitors. read more

Matthaei Botanical Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

This is one of my favorite places to come in the winter to get a bit of the outdoors in my life when skies are gray. It is a tradition for us to spend the afternoon here right after New Years. My kids grew up coming here and exploring the plants and hidden gems, like the fairy gardens and the fish. The gardens are considered Ann Arbor and part of U of M, but are located several miles outside of the University. There is plenty of parking, but make sure you bring money or a credit card if you are not a member of the gardens because they charge for parking. It is not too much. I usually start with an hour, but ultimately pay for more since this place is so enchanting. The inside garden is small, but you could spend a surprising amount of time exploring the various sections. It is great place to relax, take pictures, or explore the minute details. They have fountains, koi fish, and a desert area. You can climb the steps and survey the gardens from above. Bring a novel, bring a sketch book. This is a splendid place to bring the kids. They have small activities they love, like finding plants and fairies on a scavenger hunt. When it is warm, they have a remarkable children's garden where my kids used to spend hours playing. When it is warm, the outside gardens are perfect for a stroll. They also have a hiking path. It is noteworthy to bring water, we have been quite lost on a hot day, the path is longer than you think, but worth the walk around beautiful nature tucked away in a suburban area. They host events, like bonsai tree workshops, and often change themes of the gardens. During Christmas, they have fun trees to look at covered in natural ornaments. They have a charming gift shop. I love buying stuff here, the prices are reasonable, and they have plenty of fairy garden items. They also sell a few snacks and drinks in case you forget to bring your own, but they have a couple tables and chairs where you can eat your food. We usually pack a small picnic to eat during our visit. This is a great place to visit and support. It is relaxing, fun, educational, and a nice place to take a break from the fast paced life or a get away from too much screen time. read more

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Only had to pay for parking which was extremely reasonable. The conservatory was very well put together educational. Exterior gardens and trails were well manicured and beautiful. I would highly recommend this place to anyone. read more

A fantastic indoor conservatory with beautiful outdoor gardens and some great hiking paths in the woods behind the conservatory. A great place to recharge your spirits or warm up in the middle of winter. Heads up - parking can occasionally get tight in the space in front of the main entrance. There is more parking to the right/west of the main entrance. Also fellow photographers - They do charge for using the gardens for professional photos. The fees are reasonable and you can find more info here https://mbgna.umich.edu/matthaei-botanical-gardens/photography-at-the-gardens/ read more

What a beautiful place to just walk and be with nature. Easy walking paths full of natural scenes filled with all sorts of flowers, trees and small animals. Highly recommended for an outdoor activity that allows for social distances! read more

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Simply a joy. Thank you UM! They do a great job maintaining the botanical garden, but do not miss the the three mile paved walkway. It is a one way path that takes you through a wildflower wonderland under the Michigan sky. Not much shade but a wonderful way to get in your steps while admiring nature's glory. read more

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This place is really wonderful. We tend to visit at least once a year. It's so nicely spaced out with different areas to explore. There are seats or tables in various places throughout so you can sit and relax. There isn't an entrance fee however they do ask for a donation. You also need to pay for parking. There is a machine up by the entrance doors. Outdoors there are fountains, a cute children's area with a vegetable garden that is very well cared for. There is a walking trail through the trees with different areas to explore. I love the Bonsai Trees display. They are beautifully kept and it's so interesting to see how old some of them are. Inside their are a variety of cactuses which are all interesting in there own way. There's a small pond area with fish. I love the chairs they have in the atrium. They are set in such a serene setting. I love sitting there and looking out into all the trees and plants. Great place to come walk around and explore! read more

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Nice people. Cool plants of all nature. Very helpful resource for native plants. You might spend the afternoon sauntering through the greenhouse. Like walking around in a terrarium. read more

Matthaei Botanical Gardens - Lombardy Poplar cutting from home. - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

First time stopping by and what a lovely experience. There is plenty of metered parking and you can start your walk around the gardens. If you stop by the gift shop area, they have plenty of maps and brochures to make sure you have all the info to learn about the entire area. Everything is well-kept and there was so much to learn about the plants and history of them. My personal fav was the exterior bonsai exhibit. It was truly very zen and seeing how each of the trees was groomed for a certain amount of years really fascinated me. The Children's garden is a fun area for the kiddies and I enjoyed the little jokes that are at each planted area. Didn't have enough time to check out the various walking trails (opposite the garden) throughout the garden, so will be back again. Highly recommend for everyone to visit :) read more

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Matthaei is one of my family's favorite places to spend an afternoon. Although the beautiful conservatory and gardens are temporarily closed due to COVID, the nature trails are open and perfect for social-distancing. There are many paths to choose from, varying in length. All offer beautiful, peaceful and fairly flat hiking. There is an abundance of wildlife and plant species. Please note that dogs are not allowed on the trails. Metered parking is available, but the last time we were there, parking costs were waived. read more

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I came here for a beautiful wedding ceremony for some good friends at the end of September. The parking situation was not ideal. They don't have big parking lots, so when you have regular visitors, groups touring, AND a good sized wedding, people will be left circling the parking lot or making up their own spaces. Definitely some room for improvement here. The main building itself felt a little stuffy, and kind of reminded me of my old high school hallways. The facilities were very clean. Signage was good, you shouldn't get lost here. The wedding ceremony was held in the outdoor gardens. It was spectacular. Everything was so beautiful. My only complaint here is that everything is under direct sunlight. If you are here for more than a few minutes, bring an umbrella to give you some shade! We took a tour after the ceremony and everything was great. Well maintained and easy to walk through at your own pace. I'd love to come back her and spend some more time learning more about all the plants. read more

Beautiful botanical gardens very educational lots of photo ops and trails to walk - not pet accommodating

Take a joy ride out here and enjoy this lovely place - what i wasn't aware of was the parking which you have to pay for; which is $5 (all day) or $1.25 (upto 3hrs - i think). I actually didn't go the "Garden" but i parked in the area and there are several trails around this place. Also restrooms available and/or portable restroom. I definitely will be back in the summer to see all the flowers - unfortunately i came here during the fall and all flowers were gone but i several snakes while walking. There's alot of signs to watch out for RATTLE SNAKES!!! read more

When you need a respite from the busyness of everyday life, Matthaei Botanical Gardens offers just such a break from the grind. On the east side of Ann Arbor, you'll find just the spot. Pull into the parking lot, pay to park for a bit (yes, so minus one star), and wander for a while. Close to the parking lot there are two ponds with a wooded area in between. If you're lucky, you might spot cranes or herons wading in the waters before they take flight. One of the more popular parts of the gardens is the nearly 2 mile paved path that connects it to the B2B trail down near Geddes Rd. Follow the path and wind through meadows, woods, and near the creek. The path is marked every quarter mile, making it easy to go as short or far as you would like. On my most recent trek I saw several bunnies, goldfinches, and even a pair of deer that sprang out of my way before observing me from the safety of the woods. It's a great spot for enjoying the even greater outdoors, so head on out and see for yourself! read more

I love walking around here on a leisurely afternoon. They have a kid's garden with lots of flowers and vegetables, some paths for strolling, and an indoor conservatory with several different "habitats" to explore. There's a small patio with tables and umbrellas which I enjoyed sitting in a few weeks ago on a sunny day. There's a gift shop as well but no concessions. But packing a picnic wouldn't be a bad idea! You have to pay for parking via "meters" but the gardens themselves are free. read more

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The Matthaei Botanical Gardens, was started in 1957 on 200 acres donated by Frederick C. and Mildred H. Matthaei who lived on Dixboro Road south of US-12 (Plymouth-Ann Arbor Road). Prior to this time the University of Michigan's Botanical Gardens was located at Nichols Arboretum, closer to the central campus. Additional land was acquired, and the grand opening of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens took place in 1962. Ever since then, this has been a wonderful place to explore nature at it's best. While I have been to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens several times, none of the students in my color photography class had been there before. So we decided that since it was an inexpensive place to visit, and there are so many wonderful aspects of nature to enjoy and photograph; hence, this would be a perfect local outing to give the shutters on our camera a good workout. We decided to visit the University of Michigan's in May, and it was an ideal time to visit the area with everything coming into bloom with the arrival of spring. We visited the interior of the buildings, and then set out to explore the vast network of trails that are on the property. If you love bird spotting like I do, then this is a Utopian paradise just waiting to be discovered. Likewise, if you enjoy peace and quite and the serenity of nature like I do, then spending a few hours or a day here is ideal. read more

Such a gorgeous place! We went for the beautiful bugs art show and walked around the green houses - the variety is incredible! We loved seeing the different rooms and types of plants. The information throughout was amazing and complimented the displays so well! I love how the space is used in so many ways. I'm hoping to come back in the spring and see the outdoor space! read more

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Well, maybe not a fan of all the rattlesnake warnings. And how lucky we would be to see one they say! I have been to bigger, more elaborate gardens, but for its size and the size of the community, this was very nice. The interior had many varieties of plants from around the world. Nestled among the large plant displays were ceramic art pieces. It was a nice touch, though a few were rather odd. There were formal gardens just outside the greenhouse area and a children's garden too. My favorite part was the bonsai garden, which also included some examples of penjing which are recreated natural landscape groupings rather than the traditional single tree. The exhibit included many examples of bonsai tradition that had taken very many decades to grow and train. Exhausting work for someone with a lot of patience. We also took a walk along the creek and ponds and found that it was a casual stroll, ever looking out for the possible rattlesnakes. Did not see a one! We did see a large turtle and heard a bullfrog or two. This is not the rigorous hike that the other UMich nature area, Nichols Arboretum is. Casual enough for all types. Later in the spring and summer I am sure there will be more in bloom outside and it should be very pretty in the fall. There is lots of parking but you must pay to park. This is the only admission fee though. read more

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The Matthaei Botanical Gardens is a window on the world. There is plenty of parking at the location - unless - there is an event in progress. If so - go early or go late to ease the parking problem. Events include special bonsai sailes, orchids sales and others. The arboretum is a real treat. They have a nice selection of standards and rarities of plants. They are arranged tastefully and the entire enclosure is attractive. They have thre water features. A waterall, large metal tank and an oblong pond at the base of a trickling wall. Two of the water features have fish in them. Their Koi are especially beautiful and the goldfish are some of the largest I have seen. By far their desert plant and arid plant display is one of the greatest. The plants are in excellent health and placed in an easy viewing manner. I was especially pleased to view the 'living rocks' that are there. It doesn't stop there however. Out back during the warmer months there is an extraordinary garden of flowers. The breadth of species that grow in Michigan is quite astonishing. Along with that there is a large outdoor play area for children. Still more awaits afield as there are prairie grounds to observe and an adventurous hiking trail along a stream and ponds. read more

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