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.
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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 & Railway Exhibit
Be filled with the magic of the holidays with HUNDREDS of poinsettias in varieties of colors as you’ve never seen before. Be amazed by deep reds, magentas, pinks, yellows, oranges, and apricots with pockets of traditional color accented throughout by silver and white foliage! As you walk through the beautiful poinsettias, you will also be able to enjoy a festive model train exhibit. The Garden Railway display, which is made possible by the Western New York Garden Railway Society, will complement the surrounding poinsettias.
Poinsettia Exhibit – November 18 – January 1 – 10am-4pm
Gardens After Dark: Magical Poinsettias
Tis the Season to visit the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. The greenhouses have been decked out in bright holiday displays and filled to the brim with every conceivable color of poinsettias. In addition to this, a festive model train display will delight all those who visit during this holiday season. Make a reservation to visit the botanical gardens after dark. This is a new exhibit where the gardens are bathed in colorful lights.
November 24, 25
December 1, 2, 15, 16, 19, 20, 22, 23, 26-30
5-9pm
December 14 & 21: Thurs-Date Nights! * This is a separate ticketed experience!
6-9 pm
Gardens After Dark: Enchanted Winter Escape
Gardens After Dark: Enchanted Winter Escape is a magical event that occurs at the Botanical Gardens at the end of January and throughout the month of February. The Botanical Gardens are lit up with lights and various flights of imagination fancy. This display will delight all ages and is definitely worth a visit. The festival begins on January 20 and runs through March 6.
There are special themed evenings throughout the festival featuring lots of unique opportunities for families to enjoy the botanical gardens with activities and extra fun. Some of these special evenings also feature discounts for the military and for families with memberships to area attractions.
5pm-9pm
January 20-23, 27-30
February 2-6, 9, 10
5:30pm-9:30pm
February 13-27
March 2-6, 9-12
Getting to the Botanical Gardens
Address: 2655 South Park Ave., Buffalo