Out of all the city escapes outside Washington DC, Meadowlark Botanical Garden might just be my favorite. Located just 30 minutes outside of Washington DC in the elusive Vienna, VA, I’ve gone at every season, and no matter what time of year it is I ALWAYS feel like I’m being transported to a new world when I enter these gardens. It is seriously magical.

What should you expect from Meadowlark Botanical Gardens?

In this article, we will cover everything from basic expectations to the more intricate details about what lies within these grounds, what you should bring, and how to get the most out of your experience here.

Table of Contents:

• Basic information
• What to bring
• What it’s like in the spring
• What it’s like in the fall
• What it’s like in summer and winter
• How to get the most out of your visit
• Where to find events and more
• FAQ

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Basic Information about Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Price of admission (ages 18-54): $8.00

Hours: 10am-7pm in April-October, 10am-4pm in November-March

Annual membership: $45

Bathrooms: bathrooms are available at the visitor center (and they’re actually really nice!). 

To get in, you must enter through the visitor center. The staff has always been incredible when I’ve gone, and even on days that are extremely busy with long lines, they do their best to get you through quickly. If you purchase the annual membership, you can skip the line and scan your card at the front to enter the grounds.

The grounds are great for walking around and enjoying, but it’s also a great space for events. There are multiple options for renting space and licensing for photography within the grounds. You can view the rules and specific pricing on their website.

What to bring

• A camera! You’re going to want to keep memories of the beautiful plants in the garden. I usually just use my iPhone, but you could go with a cheap option like this digital camera or invest in something like this Sony a6400.
• The sun can be brutal, so I definitely suggest bringing some sunscreen.
• Good walking shoes are a must. I really love the Brooks (a great brand for running and hiking)
• A water bottle. My favorite is this one (I have it in both 16oz and 32oz), but it’s currently unavailable (womp womp). I’m a big fan of cute colors plus insulation, so an alternative would be this one.
• Believe it or not, I’ve had some of my best writing in this garden. Having a notebook on hand is a good idea.
• And these are my favorite pens to go with the notebook!
• Picnic blanket to lay in the field. There’s plenty of seating in this garden, but I really love sprawling out on the lawn.
• A good book to read. Reading and writing are my favorite things to do day in and day out at this garden, so pick up a book!

What it’s like in the Spring

Meadowlark in the spring is hands down my favorite place on eart (and any visiting friends and family who visit would agree, too). It is breathtaking with the sheer number of flowers in bloom and all of the wildlife waking up after the long winter. Early spring, especially, is my favorite.

The best-kept secret about Meadowlark is the cherry blossoms. You can get the full experience of walking through a canopy of light pink beauty, without the crowds and long walking miles of the Tidal Basin. As a local, Meadowlark is my place to view the cherry blossoms.

Personally, I’ve also been able to find every single kind of flower I can name, in every color. I could honestly talk about this season at this garden for weeks. There is nothing more beautiful than Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in the spring.

What it’s like in the Fall

Walking through this garden during the fall months is quite a different experience, but equally stunning! My first time visiting these grounds was in the fall, and I  thought I had been transported to another universe.

If you’re looking for fall foliage, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is a wonderful place to experience it. During peak foliage, you will find every color your little heart could hope for! The colors are vibrant and once again, you get the fabulous nature experience without having to worry about big crowds or long drives (or walks).

My first year after discovering this beautiful place, i got an annual membership and spent most of the Fall here. You can go every single day and watch how the world shifts around you. It’s quite breathtaking, and reminds you just how small you are and that you exist in a world of unspeakable beauty.

What it’s like in summer and winter

Although there aren’t otherworldly views like in fall and spring, visiting Meadowlark in the summer and winter is quite a treat, too! A walk through the gardens, despite what is in bloom, always leaves my soul feeling refreshed.

Of course, in the summer you will experience more intense heat that you’ll want to prepare for, but on each of my visits there was always something in bloom that I’d never seen before. Granted, I’m not a botanist and have very limited knowledge about plants, but still! As an average person who just loves to appreciate nature, even in the scorching summer sun, Meadowlark allows me to do that.

Winter is a little bit of a different story. My favorite thing to do in the winter is attend the Winter Walk of Lights, which is an evening/night activity where they adorn the garden with So. Many. Christmas lights!

They also have hot drinks for sale, as well as a s’mores making section. It’s such a fun experience, I would recommend everyone to experience it once if you are able. Remember to book your tickets in advance, because they do sell out!

You can view a general breakdown of what is in bloom during what months here.

How to get the most out of your visit

The grounds within the gate are absolutely huge. I’ve visited at least 30 times, and I still don’t think I’ve uncovered every section (though, admittedly, I wasn’t trying to; I was just enjoying my favorite parts!). With 3.5 miles of walking trails, there is so much to explore!

There are maps available at the visitor center as well as a digital version linked here. The staff at Meadowlark is absolutely wonderful, and are happy to give recommendations if you have a specific question or an idea of what kind of experience you want. But for those just looking for the secret to have a good time, here are my personal recommendations.

The ADA accessible trail

One of my favorite things about Meadowlark is that they have the ADA accessible trail (and, not to mention, wheelchairs available on a first-come first-serve basis). Not only is this a great option for people with things with wheels (like strollers), but the path itself is a 10/10 experience. 

This is typically the path that I follow in the spring most often, as it takes you right under the canopy of cherry blossoms. I usually continue the path around to the other side of the gazebo to experience the magnolias, if they’re in bloom!

Spiral mound, experimental meadow

If you’re visiting in the fall, you have to follow the spiral mound (labeled 16 on the map above) and sit on the bench atop it. I have spent hours looking out at the grounds from this vantage point, and I think it will always be my favorite when the hues of fall are in the air. 

There are also REALLY gorgeous bridges, benches, and picturesque lake moments on this side of the park. Definitely worth the exploration!

The Great Lawn of Meadowlark

My favorite place to bring a picnic blanket, sprawl out, and read a book! There are many benches throughout this section (yes, it’s okay to walk on the lawn!). I’ve had countless talks with friends in this section and even have a “favorite bench” that I take people to.

Korean Bell Garden

This section of Meadowlark Botanical Gardens has a completely different feel to it. During the warmer months, I’ve heard live music being played from here! This gazebo is also rentable for events like weddings and parties.

Where to find more events

There is never a shortage of things to do in Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. They do a wonderful job of hosting events for the community, and I would recommend staying up-to-date on their offerings if you are planning a visit soon.

For general things to do all the time, you can check out their website for the most accurate and updated information. They also have their public events posted for your planning purposes, and I would also recommend subscribing to their newsletter to always know what is going on.

FAQ

What is a Botanical Garden?

According to Wikipedia,  it is defined as “a garden with a documented collection of living plants for the purpose of scientific research, conservation, display, and education.” You can read more about what qualifies as a botanical garden here.

Can I bring my pet to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens?

Unfortunately, you’ll need to leave your furry friends at home. Pets are not allowed within the grounds.

Can I bring food and have a picnic?

There is a small picnic area located outside of the grounds available on a first-come first-serve basis for groups of no more than 10 people. Within the garden itself, food is not permitted.

Can I take a bike ride within the garden?

Bikes, scooters, skates, skateboards, outdoor toys, or balls are not allowed. Sorry!

What about swimming and fishing?

Again, these are activities best suited for a different environment. Within the gated garden, you may not fish or swim in any of the ponds or swamps.