This is Part 1 of a three-part Botanical Garden series, featuring gardens that are members of the American Horticulture Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program. A membership at one of these gardens includes eligibility for free or reduced admission at 300+ participating locations across North America. Always call ahead of your visit to verify what special admission privilege is offered by the Garden.
A few years ago, I stepped off a plane at the San Antonio airport, picked up my luggage and a rental car, and (with the services of an expert realtor) bought a house. Thanks to the smooth buying process, I had a lot of spare time, so one of my first tourist destinations was the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
The San Antonio Botanical Garden has been a part of the city landscape for the last 30 years. It continues to develop and stay engaged with the city: it offers adult and youth classes, volunteers opportunities in the produce garden, and cooking demonstrations in the teaching kitchen in partnership with CHEF SA.
The Japanese Garden “Kumamoto En” recently reopened. It was originally a gift from San Antonio’s sister city Kumamoto in 1989. “Tranquility” comes to mind when I think of this garden.
Another popular aspect of the San Antonio Botanical Garden is the Family Adventure Garden. They have a hill for running and rolling, a big green space for play, a tunnel, little houses, and during the summer months No Name Creek has running water for kids to splash in. Occasionally, the Garden hosts a dog-friendly day, too!
If beautiful flowers and a peaceful walk aren’t enough to tempt you, the seasonal decor and intriguing garden-wide art exhibits such as Lego sculptures, giant bugs, origami, and the Frida Kahlo exhibit.
We love the San Antonio Botanical Garden so much that I chose to support them with a Friend level membership (which includes one complimentary guest per visit – great for when my mom or a sibling is in town!) I like to go early in the morning or during the member-only hour, so I’ve rarely felt crowded there.
Let me know if you’ve visited and what your favorite part was!
In the meantime, check out some more fun photos of the San Antonio Botanical Garden below.
This post is not paid or sponsored. Views and opinions are my own and do not represent those of any of the featured Gardens or the American Horticulture Society.
