Asheville Botanical Garden — Attraction in Asheville

The Botanical Gardens of Asheville is located on the campus of North Carolina at Asheville off Merrimon Ave. If you enjoy strolling along a short forested walk on a gravel and dirt trail then you probably will enjoy a visit here. As a well marked botanical garden, however, this place is somewhat lacking. You will not mistake this place for the well maintained exotic plants and the neatly manicured gardens at the Biltmore Estate. Most of the plants here are native plants intermixed along a heavily forested landscape. Many of the plants are difficult to find as the natural environment is not maintained to the standard you might find elsewhere. Reed Creek does wander through the property and provides a nice visual and aural break from the limited walking trails on the property. There is also a small botanical shop on the premises. They sell a variety of books on insects and flowers, tee shirts, some inexpensive jewelry, and a line of lotions etc. Their are also bathrooms should nature call.

If you are into exercise then you may want to explore the Reed Creek Greenway which is just a short distance from the parking lot across from Broadway Street. This well maintained multi use forested path meanders along Reed Creek towards the 5 points Area, and will provide you with a moderately graded 1 3/4 mile stroll up and back towards the Botanical Gardens parking area. If you like you can also stroll in the other direction along Weaver Boulevard towards Merrimon Ave. This is a multi use paved path is of equal length to the Reed Creek Greenway and is denoted as the Glens Creek Greenway.

The best part of a visit to the Botanical Gardens of Asheville, the surrounding greenways, and University of North Carolina grounds, is that your visit is also free of charge. From this respect I think you will enjoy your visit as...

It's true this place is free and well kept. There are a couple trails but not much to see. The plants are nice and there is a beautiful creek. To walk near and step into. However! It is extremely unfriendly to dogs! We are traveling from out of town and have our Miniature Dachshund accompanying us. He is an extremely friendly and quiet dog who only weighs 8lbs. Although their website says dogs are welcome there are multiple signs warning you that dogs are not allowed. We did not have another option but to bring him through the gardens and as an ESA animal we saw me wrong in bringing him with us. All of the paths were fine gravel which was fine for the adults on foot but our group also needed a stroller/wagon as we had two babies, that being said it was very difficult but manageable. Halfway into the trail our group was interrupted by a staff member and rudely stated that dogs were not allowed in the area. After this we were headed out of the park and stopped by the gift shop. It was starting to get very hot so I picked up my 8 month old puppy to carry him into the building. Before the door could even close behind me I was again stopped by another rude staff member saying that dogs were not welcome in the garden. I told her that I understand and we were already told and we're about to leave. Before I could take another step I was asked to leave the building and stand outside while I waited for my group. The front of the shop was also under construction and I had no place to sit in the meantime. This was all very upsetting and ruined most of our morning. Over all it was a nice garden but make sure it's suitable for your group and to minimize your interactions...

While accompanying my hubby on a work trip to AVL, I found myself with a few hours to explore. Typically mid/late Dec it would be very cold but today was a warm mid 60s so I decided to explore more outdoor areas. Though I knew not to expect the gardens to be in all the glory, I found the area to be peaceful and lovely- even in winter. The walkways are easy to navigate and there are plenty of benches to sit. I found a place near the creek and was thankful for a quiet place to listen to the water rush over the rocks. Not often I get to enjoy just being still and quiet in nature. And not often I get to do so in winter. I even read some of my book by the stream. There was someone in the distance kneeling down appearing to be weeding or planting - generally tending the area and it made me appreciate all the hands that go in to making the place what it is. Upon entering I did stop to read the signage where a map was listed and it did show that there is a bridge out. It also mentioned that the gardens are NOT a park and therefore not an acceptable place for certain activities more suitable for a public park (like dog walking or bike riding). If I am ever back during a different season it will be on my list to...