I enjoyed my first visit to White River Gardens! Even though I'd been to the zoo many times, I hadn't made my way into White River Gardens yet. With the butterflies being there (April 2021), I decided to go check it out with my niece. There was a wait to get into the butterfly room, but it moved fairly quickly. You were required to wear a mask inside. The rules for the butterfly room are pretty basic: stay on the paths, don't touch the plants, don't touch the butterflies, and don't freak out if a butterfly lands on you--let it do it's thing. The butterflies were fun to watch flutter around. There were an assortment of types. I liked the ones with blue wings best. I think my niece and I spent about 10 minutes in the butterfly room. It was a little crowded and we didn't go to the upstairs portion. Next we went outside to the outdoor gardens. It was still early Spring, so I imagine they're even more impressive when the leaves are back on the trees and things start growing more. Still, it was really lovely to walk the paths a bit. White River Gardens was a nice slice of nature in a city setting. I'll be back to explore more later! read more

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Love the gardens. We have been here a few times. In 2021 we came on Sept 6, the last day for the butterfly exhibit. We arrived at 2p. Parking at that time isn't great, but most people are at the adjacent Indianapolis Zoo. There used to be a separate admission for White River Gardens. Now it is included in the fee to get in the zoo. (We have a membership. Today I came to the garden and never was asked to show my card - maybe I did something abnormal??) I really enjoy the gardens - both inside and out. I will say though that the outside is getting a little tired looking. I also know I just visited after some really hot days and during COVID. Still, I find it peaceful. I like sitting I. The shade garden and looking through the park with the cityscape in the background. read more

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Beautiful grounds!! Butterfly Kaleidescope is a fun exhibit, lots of brightly colored, beautiful butterflies. It was fun going through and trying to identify all the different butterflies. So many excellent photo opportunities! The mural near the main entrance is magnificent. The pitcher plants are exceptional. The statues in the garden are adorable and fun! read more

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This is a COVID update; please see my earlier review for my thoughts on White River Gardens in normal times! We visited here on. drizzly Sunday morning shortly after the zoo and gardens had reopened. If you reserve an entry time at the zoo, you can get in here the same day either before or after your zoo entry time. They don't seem to be picky about entry time to the gardens, but in theory, will limit number of people allowed in at once. They are not requiring or really even encouraging mask use here which was frustrating to me because we are so not out of the woods yet with COVID, and even with reduced capacity, indoor spaces without masks seems like a bad idea. There are signs encouraging people to stay 6 feet apart, but that's it. We did stop in to see the butterflies because there were only a couple of people inside the conservatory, but only maybe 25% were wearing masks so there is no way I'd consider going in if there were more than a couple of people. Since it was so empty we were able to stay far away and kept our visit brief. Staff are wearing masks and I feel bad for them because since patrons aren't required to wear masks, they're protecting the patrons, but they aren't being provided with that same protection. The outdoor gardens were beautiful and also sparsely populated today and it was easy to stay far away from all those non mask wearing patrons. read more

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If you want to escape from the crowds at the Indianapolis Zoo, take comfort knowing that your ticket gets you into the White River Gardens as well! The Hilbert Conservatory is where you will find indoor and tropical plants. As a bonus, the Butterfly Kaleidoscope has returned this year (into September) where you can watch butterflies released from their incubator. There are plenty of colorful butterflies winging their way throughout the two story structure. The outside gardens were just beginning to show color during my visit. Although the water works had not been activated yet, I can imagine that the gurgling sound of water splashing in the fountains will combine with the breeze to make this area as calm as it is beautiful. Even without the water (mid April), I could see that the numerous fountains and ornamental statues would be the foundation for some great photos. The addition of colorful flowering plants, shrubs, and trees will surely create a space that is worth stopping by. Note that to enter the outdoor gardens, you must first go into the White River Gardens Building and after showing your ticket, you will pass into a small room where one door leads to the indoor garden and another on the left leads to the outdoor gardens. The outdoor gardens are arranged into a variety of styles. Each of these areas has the name of the garden written in the footpath as you stroll along. Lots of artwork (mostly limestone) can be found in the Knot Garden and along the wall of the Ornamental Allee (not a typo!) I look forward to returning in the summer to see how much the view has changed. Review #269 read more

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Boo says it free. You pay $8 to park and pay to get im zoo. What a rip. Never come back here again. Very misleading. After trying to get out $8. We did go back around to the zoo. Talked to a lady and we got in free so ended up making it goid read more

Each time I visit, I leave the gardens feeling a little more relaxed than when I entered. This is a place that I wish I could spend more time in -- I never spend enough time here. There is always something new to see, something new to photograph (bring your camera). It's in the middle of a bustling city, but you'd never know it. It's alive with butterflies, birds and other creatures, plants and flowers and water trickling from beautiful water features. It's just a nice, peaceful, beautiful place to visit. read more

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Absolutely breathtaking. I've been to a butterfly display before, but the White River Gardens is something special. It's a place that brings you into reality. That we're part of something bigger. That creation is something that is precious. Life is priceless. And sometimes stopping to literally smell the roses is the best medicine. My first time to the gardens began with high expectations. I'm one that finds a lot of peace in tranquil little piece of heaven. I wasn't let down by any means. Gorgeous manicured plants and flowers indoors and outdoors along with the butterflies softly guiding throughout the two story indoor glass house created a perfect setting and truly exceeded my expectations. Nature has a voice. It's through precision, detail, colors, and vibrance. If you need something to lift your spirits make a point to pack a lunch and sit, see, feel, and visit here. A perfect place for a special moment, White River Gardens is on the grounds of the zoo and should be part of the overall experience. read more

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Adjacent to the Indianapolis Zoo, White River Gardens is one of its newest attractions. White River Gardens is a 3-acre attraction that is included as part of your zoo entry fees. It's unclear if it can be treated as a separate attraction, though I can't fathom being willing to pay for both parking and entry for what amounts to being a small, admittedly beautiful, garden area and the annual butterfly exhibit that, while amazing, certainly wouldn't justify a separate entry fee. Do I sound like a bit of a naysayer? It's not often I find myself offering up the lowest rating on a business or attraction, but I have to admit that I found myself a tad disappointed with this experience despite being completely enthralled by the butterflies. In fact, I'd just seen a movie about Henry Bates, one of the early researchers around species whose work likely centered around butterflies. I was able to make a pretty amazing connection based upon the movie I'd just seen at the nearby IMAX. White River Gardens is in the same parking lot as Indianapolis Zoo, thus a parking fee is applicable. The entry is next door to the zoo's entrance and includes an ADA compliant concrete ramp. As you enter, there's an entryway that seems to serve no purpose other than, perhaps, for one of the events hosted by White River Gardens. White River Gardens includes a family nature center with mild interaction with animals (a king snake, box turtle) and an annual exhibit area for butterflies that is typically open from mid-March to the 2nd week of September. There's also, of course, the botanical areas including the DeHaan Tiergarten and Hilbert Conservatory - described on the Indianapolis Zoo's website as "the shining centerpiece of White River Gardens. Offering 5,000 square feet of lush, tropical greenery, the Conservatory is a great place to come and relax as you take in the warm, tranquil atmosphere." There's a double-entry into the butterfly exhibit, likely to avoid any escaping, Before you enter, you are told that there are two rules - 1) No touching the butterflies and 2) You will exit through the same door you enter. I'm not sure the 2nd actually qualifies as a rule, but I didn't want to argue since I've heard those butterfly advocates can be fierce. I found the staff/volunteers to be relatively unenthusiastic and not well informed. They were friendly, I mean we're not talking about a Denny's here, but, for example, as a first-time visitor I completely missed the actual gardens. I had no idea where to go and nobody seemed willing to help. THAT was hugely disappointing once I realized I'd missed a key part of the whole experience. It would be helpful to have some interaction with guests - "Did you enjoy the gardens?" would have been a great question that would have allowed me to say "I haven't seen them. How do I get to them?" Instead, I left not realizing that I'd actually not seen everything that White River Gardens had to offer. The Family Nature Center is geared to small children. The adult staff/volunteer seemed shocked that an adult male entered the area, though I'll admit that the animal interactions were part of what's missing from the neighboring zoo. I can't picture anyone beyond pre-teen appreciating this area. I'm aware that both the conservatory and Tiergarten are available for special events, including weddings, and I can't help but think the entire facility is available including that inexplicably unused front room as you enter. Overall, I can't say I was unimpressed but this was definitely a disappointing finish to my day at the Indianapolis Zoo. If I return, and that's an if, I will definitely check out the botanical gardens and see if that changes my rating at all. But, seriously. Maybe train the staff on customer service a bit? read more

I've lived in Indy all my life, been to the Indianapolis Zoo a million times, but for some reason I had never made it to the White River Gardens. I seem to only go the Zoo with kids in toe and they are only interested in the animals. Today I went sans kids and thought I'm stopping at the Gardens first thing! It was during the Butterfly Kaleidoscope and it was amazing! I love butterflies and they were everywhere! The indoor part of the Gardens was full of botanicals and all different kinds of butterflies flying around freely inside. My favorite part here was the butterfly nursery where all the cocoons were and you could watch them hatch (? is that the right term?). But that's not all, there is an additional area outside too! Full of colorful flowers in bloom, there is a large area outside to walk around in too. Don't miss this area when visiting the zoo. It's free with zoo admission. read more

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White River Garden is a beautiful place to spend a few hours wandering the flowers. Fantastic place for photos or wedding. read more

White River Gardens - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Great indoor/outdoor garden that comes with admission to the Indy Zoo. Lots of great plants which are fun to see and wandering through the gardens are nice and relaxing! read more

White River Gardens - Which way to go? - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Indoor greenery is colorful, vivacious and fun. Butterflies weren't there yet, it's too early. The outdoor section is pretty and has various styles of gardens. read more

Such a beautiful and peaceful place. Sadly, my trip landed after most of the tulips were done, but even so, the grounds were lovely.