Atlanta Botanical Garden — Attraction in Atlanta

I have had a Membership to the Atlanta Botanical Garden for Two Years, but have never had a chance to go. I have always been one of the “I gotta get there soon” kind of people, and soon has never seemed to come. However, this past weekend, it finally came.

As we celebrated my sister's 34th birthday, she wanted to walk the Alice in Wonderland exhibit. As such, we decided to gather as a group and do an exhibit walk to enjoy the sights together.

Arriving at the Atlanta Botanical Garden was smooth. The parking was simple as the signs were easy to follow and there were ample parking spots. Once parked, it was easy to navigate to the front entrance for check-in as well.

The exterior of the Atlanta Botanical Garden presents as a visual draw on its own. The wood and water design capture your attention as the natural scales of nature feed into the man-made features of benches and signage as you are guided to the entrance doors. This is a great play on art and nature as they come together to set the tone.

As a member of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, I was able to bypass the ticket window and head directly inside to the gate for check-in. The agent was all smiles and very pleasant. Once I was welcomed in, I was met with a map to help guide my adventure and assist me in not getting lost.

After we got through the main foyer area and walked into the main outdoor area it was nothing but moment after moment of visual capture and eye-pleasing sensations that set such a calming tone for the moment as you walked the path and took in all that the Atlanta Botanical Garden had to offer.

As we continued through the side of Enchantment on the path to Wonderland, all I could think of was Peace, Tranquility, and Artistic Genius Craftsmanship.

Arriving at the Alice in Wonderland Exhibit within the Atlanta Botanical Garden was nothing short of breathtaking. Detailed as a moment to “Tumble down the rabbit hole for the final chapter of larger-than-life plant blooms inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in Atlanta’s Urban Oasis.

Alice’s Wonderland features 38 larger-than-life sculptures in seven installations inspired by Lewis Carroll’s timeless tales, plus Shaggy Dog and the now-iconic Earth Goddess, two pieces in the Garden’s permanent collection from the 2013-14 exhibitions Imaginary Worlds: Plants Larger Than Life and A New Kingdom of Plant Giants.

Let imagination be your guide as you enter the Garden through giant Storybooks. Discover Alice spinning in a whirl of teacups and playing cards. Watch out for the Queen of Hearts and her Chess Set army as you greet the new Singing Flowers on your approach to the 27-foot-tall White Rabbit floating in the Skyline Garden, where you’ll also encounter the toothy grin of the Cheshire Cat.” the exhibit is exactly as it is written.

As you walk through Wonderland, you are engrossed in the world of Alice and all that you can remember from the tale. As you take in each creation, you are taken back to the scene when the character is first introduced or to their most memorable scene.

Furthermore, the placement of each character is sheer genius. Instead of one after the other positioning, you have a strategic placement of each curation as it sets not only its own tone but shares its own expression as well. It’s as if the set forms its own story within the overall story within Wonderland.

Best of all, as you think it can get no better… the Queen of Hearts takes it all!!! This is a design that stops you dead in your tracks and commands your full attention. You will respect the Queen and Bow...

A Living Dream in the Heart of the City – Atlanta Botanical Garden is Pure Magic

From the moment I stepped into the Atlanta Botanical Garden, I felt like I was entering another world—one rooted in wonder, peace, and vibrant life. I’ve visited several botanical gardens in my travels, but this one… this one stood out in a way that touched both my heart and spirit. It was, without a doubt, the highlight of my trip to Atlanta.

Currently, the garden is hosting a breathtaking Alice in Wonderland seasonal feature, and it was nothing short of enchanting. Giant topiary sculptures brought the story to life—Alice tumbling into a shadowy pool, the White Rabbit perched under an umbrella, the Queen of Hearts ruling over a checkerboard court, the singing flowers, and even the mischievous grin of the Cheshire Cat peeking through the foliage. The attention to detail was extraordinary. It felt like I was walking through a fairytale reimagined with nature as the storyteller.

We also explored the Enchanted Forest, adorned with towering, intricate glass trees. This seasonal installation was another surreal moment, as light danced through the glasswork, reflecting off leaves and petals like nature and art were having a conversation. I stood in awe before the Earth Goddess, a permanent and iconic sculpture that instantly reminded me of Te Fiti from Moana. Nestled by a tranquil pond, she radiated calm and power, as though the earth itself were speaking. It was a spiritual moment for me—grounding, moving, and affirming.

One moment that brought me to tears was when a cardinal appeared just outside the orchid house, where the air was thick with fragrance and delicate blooms. It felt like a sign, a quiet spiritual reminder that I was exactly where I needed to be.

Beyond the stunning installations, the garden layout is incredibly thoughtful and immersive. Everything is beautifully labeled, which I appreciated as a plant lover. The variety of greenery, the canopy of towering trees, the winding trails, arched bridges, and elevated walkways—it all felt purposeful and alive. Even though we were in the heart of Atlanta, once inside, the city faded away. We walked over 12,000 steps, yet never felt rushed or overwhelmed. Every corner led to another peaceful discovery.

The orchid house was a true sanctuary. Protected, pristine, and overflowing with the most radiant colors—it was like stepping into a temple of blooms. And don’t even get me started on the gift shop! It was full of meaningful treasures, and I was able to bring home gifts for my children and family in Denver that captured the magic of the garden.

Parking was surprisingly easy and affordable—just $11, and there was ample space despite it being a busy weekend. There was even a wedding happening, and yet it never disturbed the serenity or accessibility of the rest of the garden.

To say I was impressed would be an understatement. I was emotionally moved, spiritually recharged, and reminded of the power and healing that nature holds. I left feeling lighter, more connected to the earth, and so very grateful for the experience.

Atlanta Botanical Garden, thank you for being a sanctuary. I can’t...

Every time I go to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, I am reminded again exactly how big it is. So beautiful, and surprisingly large amounts of shade for an attraction that had to be able to move large numbers of people around daily.

We chose to go on the same Saturday as the Atlanta Jazz Festival in Piedmont Park next door, and, to be honest, in retrospect I wish we hadn't. Even though all of the event websites and flyers clearly told both groups (the ABG group and the jazz group) which side of the park to enter through, and that there would be no cut through available, scores of Jazz goers didn't get the memo and clogged up the entrance to the Gardens anyway.

That being said, the entrance was being managed by the Atlanta Police department, with three or four officers for our one entrance, and they did a great job in spite of being ignored and defied by various jazz goers, and it only took us about 10-15 minutes to get in, and there was plenty of parking once we did get in.

Our tickets had been purchased ahead of time, so when we arrived, we walked straight past the lines and directly to the entrance, where we were admitted immediately. All the staff were friendly and helpful, and ready to direct you if you need help.

Inside, they were very knowledgeable about the plants and the displays, and were happy to answer questions.

The gardens take about 2-3 hours to go straight through, but there are many pleasant places to sit and enjoy the day, as well as several snack /beverage stalls and a very nice-looking sit-down restaurant that we didn't try. The snacks and cocktails were lovely but priced like they know you're inside an attraction where outside food and beverages aren't allowed.

The one complaint I had was that the trash cans are few and far between, so if you prefer to walk while drinking a beverage, you'll likely have to carry your cup or can for a bit before you get to the next trash can. Assuming that you're not visiting during the fancier evening events, you might carry a small bag that would help you not lay things down and forget/litter.

Overall, a beautiful and peaceful way to spend and afternoon/evening, and worth the money. Thanks for an...