Days have grown darker and shorter. The weather has turned cold. Winter is here, and the end-of-year chaos has officially begun. During these chilly months, it can be tempting to stay inside all day. After all, what can you do outside when it’s so dark and cold? Well, at botanical gardens across the United States, you can see some incredible holiday light displays.
Botanical gardens are great places to visit year-round, but they have a different kind of allure in the winter. When temperatures drop and many plants go dormant, gardens keep the magic alive with sparkling, colorful holiday lights. Find one to visit with this list of five of the best holiday light events going on at botanical gardens throughout the country.
Winter can wreak havoc on a garden. Many plants simply aren’t hardy enough to withstand dropping temperatures and a layer of frost. So, what is a home gardener to do? Well, while your peonies and coneflowers can probably remain safely in the ground through the cold months, other species will require extra attention.
Wondering which plants to bring inside for winter? See the list below for a round-up of eight species that will need to overwinter indoors. Plus, find helpful tips for how to handle the transfer process. In general, you’ll want to start bringing plants inside once temperatures start reaching 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Before lugging all of your potted plants inside, you’ll also want to weed out any pests lingering on the leaves.
Find more tips below, and read up on which bugs to watch out for with this guide.
In Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, the bear population is growing faster than the human population. Hokkaido makes up 22% of the country’s land area, but its roughly five million citizens account for less than 5% of Japan’s population. That’s good news if you like to get outside and enjoy uncrowded hiking trails, rivers, and lakes. Hokkaido offers almost any landscape you could want, from flower fields in summer to incredible snowfall in winter. And after an active day, you can relax in one of the island’s 251 onsen, or hot springs areas. You might even see a bear. Get inspired for your Hokkaido adventure with this list of 10 outdoorsy activities to try.
Not everyone can have a green thumb. For some gardeners, keeping plants healthy and happy is an uphill battle. If that sounds like you, don’t worry. Caring for your outdoor plants doesn’t have to be that way. With a little planning, you can have a stress-free and low-maintenance garden.
The trick is choosing hardy plants. Different plants thrive in different climates, but there are a few species known far and wide for being extremely resilient. These hard-to-kill outdoor plants include everything from flowering beauties to reliable ground cover. Find a few to add to your garden with the photo guide below.
Joshua Tree National Park attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. Each guest who enters the park will find something to love, like the famous Joshua trees or dramatic rock formations. However, only adventurers willing to drive a little further into the desert can enjoy the wonders of the Cholla Cactus Garden. Here’s what you should know about this special spot.
A winding road from the park’s north entrance leads drivers on a 12-mile journey to the garden. A small parking area marks the beginning of the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail. This flat path takes hikers on a tour of the garden’s unique teddybear cholla. These cacti are covered in thin but sharp spikes that give the plant an almost fuzzy look in the right light. Find out the best times to see them and other helpful tips in the list below.
A field of fresh, blooming roses awaits visitors who know where to go in Los Angeles. Away from all the concrete and city smog, people can enjoy a free nature experience at the Exposition Park Rose Garden.
Surrounded by the California Science Center, African American Museum, and Natural History Museum, Exposition Park offers hours of fun for both tourists and LA locals. Outside of these big-name attractions lies a spot that even some lifelong LA inhabitants don’t know. That spot is the Exposition Park Rose Garden.
Stop and smell the roses during the blooming season from March to November. While maintenance season (January to March) and the rare storm close the garden to visitors, the area is open most of the year. Learn more about the Exposition Park Rose Garden with this virtual tour.
Less than half an hour outside Chattanooga, Tennessee, Rock City rests upon Georgia’s Lookout Mountain. Advertised across American highways through bright red barns painted to read “See Rock City,” this destination houses a treasure trove of unforgettable landscapes. Here’s what curious tourists and prospective visitors need to know.
What is Rock City? Described as a “unique geological and botanical wonder,” Rock City blends art and nature to create a one-of-a-kind walking trail. Sightseers can traverse this 4,100-foot path through caves, gardens, rock formations, waterfalls, and more. It’s a novel way to interact with nature that appeals to tourists worldwide.
During a recent press trip with Chattanooga Tourism Co., I got to experience Rock City up close. Discover which attractions Outdoors Wire recommends with this handy Rock City visitor’s guide.
Photo by Grae Gleason
Who should visit Rock City?
Anyone who can appreciate natural beauty and art should consider visiting this destination. Rock City will especially engage outdoorsy folks and families looking for a serene yet captivating adventure.
The main route through Rock City branches into areas that best suit people who can navigate narrow walking paths, stairs, and tight squeezes. For visitors seeking a more accessible route, Rock City provides a ramp entrance that leads guests through part of the Enchanted Trail. From there, groups can reach the Lover’s Leap and Seven States Flag Court overlook.
Waterfalls, gardens, overlooks, and art
Speaking of the Lover’s Leap overlook, this part of Rock City showcases some of the spot’s most attention-grabbing sights. Lover’s Leap itself is a rock formation that sticks out from Lookout Mountain. According to Rock City’s trailside information panels, Lover’s Leap gets its name from a “Cherokee legend of two young lovers.”
As visitors approach Lover’s Leap, they’ll enjoy a lovely view of High Falls. At 140 feet tall, this waterfall is the gem of Rock City. Bring a camera to capture family pictures in front of the falls, but be prepared to wait your turn on busy summer days.
Photo by Grae Gleason
Other top attractions include Rock City’s lush gardens and scenic overlooks. Greenery thrives in the spaces between curious rock formations. During your visit, look for the little plaques labeling different vines, flowers, and trees. Labels throughout Rock City help orient visitors and inform them about the site’s most interesting landmarks.
Look out for those labels and carefully placed art installations throughout the area. Each piece builds upon Rock City’s whimsical beauty. Go on a scavenger hunt during your visit to find artworks like “Ibsen the Troll,” “Villa Aviana,” and “Perched Raptor.” Families familiar with Disney World’s “hidden Mickeys” can also keep an eye out for Rock City’s hidden gnomes.
Photo by Grae Gleason
Fairyland Caverns
Rock City is for everyone, but Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village are perfect for kids (and adults with an eye for camp aesthetics). Step into this quirky and fantastical passageway to tour a collection of glow-in-the-dark fairytale scenes woven into the rocks. In 1964, sculptor Jessie Sanders completed the Mother Goose Village dioramas. Today, guests can admire their details on a trip through a dark cave.
Each display depicts either a story from European folklore or a classic nursery rhyme. Parents can challenge their kids to find their favorite figures from different fairy tales. Search for everyone from Humpty Dumpty to the Three Little Pigs.
Photo courtesy of Chattanooga Tourism Co.
Rock City seasonal events
In November and December, visitors can witness a magical holiday spectacle. For almost 30 years, the Enchanted Garden of Lights has turned Rock City into a winter wonderland. Travel through the trails to see twinkling lights, the Yule Village, and other charming holiday sights.
Rock City’s seasonal offerings don’t stop after Christmas. For St. Patrick’s Day, the destination transforms into Shamrock City. Expect Irish music, food, and beer offerings. Plus, stop by High Falls to see the water flow green. October brings Rocktoberfest, complete with fall color and German cultural celebrations. October brings Rocktoberfest, complete with fall color and German cultural celebrations. In May, nature-loving crowds will enjoy scoping out flowers during the Southern Blooms Festival. Learn about these events and more here.
Photo courtesy of Chattanooga Tourism Co.
Disclaimer: While this article was not sponsored, Outdoors Wire did visit Rock City during a press trip with Chattanooga Tourism Co. As always, Outdoors Wire operates independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
When you’re on a tight budget, it can feel like everything fun costs money. Museums, concerts, and even some national parks charge an entrance fee. So, what is a frugal outdoorsy person to do? Well, if you appreciate the great outdoors and enjoy strolling through fields of flowers, these free botanical gardens will be your new favorite places.
Whether you like analyzing different plant species or just appreciate lush scenery, botanical gardens are excellent spots for a day of fun. These leafy green wonderlands support rare plant species and help visitors to connect with the natural world. Scope out some of the country’s best free botanical gardens with the list below.
A vacation in Hawai’i sounds like heaven to many people. The region’s pristine beaches and mesmerizing scenery make the islands a dream destination for countless tourists. If you can’t stop thinking about a trip to Hawai’i, feed your daydreams by learning about the wild beauty of the Garden of Eden Arboretum.
Does hiking through lush, flower-filled trails overlooking the ocean sound like a perfect day to you? Then the Garden of Eden Arboretum is a must-visit attraction. This extraordinary Hawai’ian sightseeing spot pairs verdant forest scenery with expansive ocean views.
In the United States, nature enthusiasts have many options to choose from when looking for botanical gardens to explore. Tourists can delight in the topiary art featured at Maryland’s Ladew Topiary Gardens. Meanwhile, San Diego Botanic Garden visitors can explore everything from rainforest gardens to a dragon tree grove.
But out of all the country’s incredible gardens, Missouri might be home to one of the most stunning botanical sites. The Missouri Botanical Garden features everything from tram rides and a children’s garden to a massive Japanese garden and a domed greenhouse called The Climatron.
Discover these fascinating sights and more with this guide to the best attractions at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
