Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens — Attraction in Buffalo

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is one of the most beautiful and well-maintained natural attractions in Western New York. Located in South Park, Buffalo, this historic garden stands as a living museum of nature, art, and architecture. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and housed within the stunning Lord & Burnham glass conservatory, the gardens provide an all-season experience that delights plant lovers, families, and tourists alike.

From the moment one steps inside, the serenity and freshness of the environment immediately capture your senses. The conservatory is immaculately maintained, and every section is thoughtfully arranged. The temperature and humidity are carefully regulated to support a vast variety of tropical, subtropical, desert, and temperate plants. Even during the winter months, the greenery and colorful blossoms inside the greenhouse make visitors feel as if they are walking through a rainforest.

The layout includes numerous themed houses such as the Palm Dome, the Orchid House, the Fern House, and the Desert House. The Palm Dome is breathtaking with its tall royal palms, banana trees, and cycads that form a tropical canopy overhead. The Orchid House showcases delicate and rare varieties such as Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, and Oncidium, blooming in vibrant shades of purple, pink, and white. The Fern House offers a soothing green retreat with species like the Bird’s Nest Fern, Staghorn Fern, and Maidenhair Fern. The Desert House contrasts beautifully with its collection of cacti and succulents, including Aloe vera, Golden Barrel Cactus, Echeveria, and Agave americana.

A few of the rare plants that stand out include the Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum), known for its enormous size and unique blooming cycle, and the Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica), which reacts to touch. Other fascinating species like Pitcher Plants, Bromeliads, and Heliconia add to the diversity and wonder of this garden. Seasonal floral displays featuring tulips, chrysanthemums, poinsettias, and orchids ensure that every visit feels different and refreshing.

The ambience throughout the gardens is calm and relaxing. Sitting benches are thoughtfully placed, allowing visitors to rest and absorb the tranquil surroundings. The gentle sound of water fountains, the presence of koi ponds, and the well-paved walking paths enhance the overall charm. The Wegmans Family Garden area adds an educational touch, especially for children and families interested in interactive learning about plants and sustainability.

The staff and volunteers maintain the place with exceptional care, keeping every section clean and vibrant. The lighting and temperature are well-regulated, and each area is labeled clearly for easy understanding. The gift shop and café at the entrance also offer a pleasant break with souvenirs and refreshments.

In conclusion, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is a true gem in Buffalo — a perfect blend of history, architecture, and horticultural excellence. Whether you are a nature lover, photographer, student, or simply someone seeking peace amidst greenery, this is an ideal destination to explore in every season. A visit here rejuvenates the mind and leaves you with a deep appreciation for the beauty...

Admittedly, I'm prejudice. I believe our botanical garden in Cinncinnati, Ohio is one of the best in the nation. But, when I saw this glorious Victorian structure gleaming in the sun with its spectacular landscaped flower beds ablaze with color, I thought for sure we would be surpassed 10-fold. I was mistaken. It is certainly worth your time to drive by and soak in the beauty, but I was very disappointed with the interior displays. (2 senior adult tickets $28.00). Our overall impression was that the gardens were old, tired, lacking color and visual interest. The thematic elements of various wings such as garden statues, a zen sandbox, and hanging frames were probably once intriguing, but now just look disjointed and old. We left feeling like we'd seen every combination of green and brown that exists on earth. (Perhaps coming in late August was a contributor). So many of the once large and lush featured specimens now appear to be on their last leg. In all fairness, it must be exorbitantly expensive to operate a facility like this and to manage it with sufficient staff and volunteers having the expertise necessary to tend these exotic plants. Given two years of Covid challenges, they should probably be applauded for having maintained these treasures at all. At any rate, the highlight for me was actually the gallery of amazing watercolors done by a resident artist whose works are for sale. She happened to be present working on her display and she alone was worth coming for.

Update: Learning that the museum is completely not-for-profit and dependent on memberships admissions, I commend them for the work they've been able to maintain! Buffalo and Erie County would do well to galvanize the public in a passion to keep relevant what I believe is possibly the most beautiful botanical garden architectual structure in the United States. It's a gem. I also failed to mention the outstanding admission services we received upon arrival, who assisted us in finding an area tech store to help with a cellphone problem we were having. They...

I was genuinely excited to visit the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens this past Friday, especially to see the much-hyped new butterfly exhibit. Unfortunately, I left feeling extremely disappointed and underwhelmed.

In the weeks leading up to my visit, I received countless emails warning that tickets were selling out fast and repeatedly claiming there would be hundreds of butterflies. Naturally, my expectations were high — but the reality didn’t come close. After circling the small enclosed section of the exhibit three separate times, I saw maybe five butterflies total — two monarchs, and three other small orange ones. That was it. Oh, and one poor butterfly was lying lifeless on the ground — a fallen soldier, RIP.

There was also a table with a colorful spread of butterfly illustrations showcasing a wide variety of species. One would reasonably assume these were the butterflies we’d be seeing inside — but no, that turned out to be misleading too. The vast majority of them were nowhere to be found. Just as I was giving up hope, I noticed a small enclosure labeled Luna moths (finally, something potentially interesting!). But upon closer inspection, they weren’t moving. I asked the nearby staff member if they were alive, and she kindly informed us they were — but they couldn’t be let out because female Luna moths lay thousands of eggs at once. Total buzzkill.

To be fair, the Botanical Gardens themselves are lovely and worth a visit — but this exhibit did not live up to the hype or the email marketing blitz. I expected an immersive, vibrant experience. Instead, it felt more like a scavenger hunt with barely anything to find.

Here's to hoping their expansion is way cooler than their butterflies...