The Buffalo Botanical Gardens is located in the heart of Buffalo in South Park. The Buffalo Botanical Gardens consists of 12 greenhouses as well as other outdoor gardens. However, it is the greenhouses that hold the most impressive displays. I have never been to a botanical garden with such a large collection of plants displayed in so many greenhouses. A large number of greenhouses allows the museum to grow a significant number of plants from all varieties of climates, from all over the world. The conservatory part of the Buffalo Botanical Gardens (pictured above) was built in 1894, and not only houses a gorgeous array of flowers and plants from all over the world but is also listed on the National Registry as well as the New York State Registry of Historic Places.
The Greenhouses at the Buffalo Botanical Gardens
The Buffalo Botanical Gardens was a neat place to take my children to because it was so different from some of the other places we visited. My son, in particular, was fascinated with the carnivorous plant exhibit. Honestly, what 10-year-old wouldn’t be. They had several varieties of different exotic carnivorous plants. The other greenhouses are set up with different habitats and plant types. Exhibits include an Asian rain forest, which has a large collection of exotic plants including many kinds of bonsai. There is also a Florida Everglades exhibit, Panama Cloud Forest, an Aquatic Garden as well as a large and very impressive desert exhibit featuring a huge display of cacti and Succulents. My children really enjoyed going from greenhouse to greenhouse and looking at all the different exotic plants. The plants were all well cared for and in excellent health, as well as very beautiful.
Special Features of The Buffalo Botanical Gardens
Wegmans has a family garden at the Buffalo Botanical Gardens with crafts and garden-themed fun. This is a perfect place to take a few minutes to break with the kids. Throughout the year they have special themes planned in this area. Check the Buffalo Botanical Gardens website for more information. In addition to this, there is an outside children’s garden. This is a great rest spot for little people. Even my older children enjoyed this area. The outside gardens aren’t as plentiful as the inside gardens, but they are nonetheless still impressive. There was a huge tree that my kids thought was fun to hide in. It was so full and the branches hung so low that it was almost like a fort. They thought it was great!
Special Events
Poinsettia Exhibit
The holidays are here, and so is our annual Poinsettia Exhibit! Step into the warm embrace of our tropical conservatory, filled to the brim with brilliant poinsettias of all sizes and colors. Allow the vibrant reds, magentas, pinks, yellows, and oranges to fill your heart with joy. This Western New York holiday tradition is sure to brighten your mood, and keep you warm, as you explore our carefully curated collection of pretty poinsettias.
Poinsettia Exhibit – November 22 – January 6 – 10am-4pm
Poinsettia After Dark
Experience the magic of the holidays this month during Poinsettias After Dark! Thousands of twinkling lights will guide you through our magically illuminated greenhouses. See textures, shapes, and shadows that you’ve never noticed before as different colors bathe our plant collections in a whole new light. Escape Buffalo’s cold winter nights and enjoy a charming and calming evening at the Botanical Gardens.
November 29, 30
December 6, 7, 14, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
5-9pm
Getting to the Botanical Gardens
Address: 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo