Schnormeier Gardens — Attraction in College Township

In case you were like us and used the information on google and not scroll to the very bottom of the gardens website, this place was only open for June now and I guess you need a reservation too? We drove 40+ minutes, only to have a member of the staff explain this to us.

Maps took us to the maintenance area, unbeknownst to us. My husband did not see the sign on the brick wall telling us parking was up the road still and as the passenger, I wasn’t paying attention to signs.

I went and checked the website after the staff member who stopped us said, “well, if you’d have read that sign on the entrance, you’d have known parking was up the road.”

At that point we tried to say thank you and get away from him because it came off as condescending, but he proceeded to cut us off and say something to the affect of “wait, I’m not done yet, because also if you would have read the website, you’d have known we were only open for June.”and then continued on about it being due to an influx of visitors.”

I’m not sure if he was trying to be helpful, but it felt more like he was annoyed at us for wanting to visit lecturing us for missing a sign. Haha!

Overall, I’m sad we weren’t able to experience the gardens. I would recommend the management reporting changes to business hours this big to google, or maybe put it at the top of your webpage at the very least.. Otherwise we just end up annoying your...

Wow is this place stunningly beautiful! The staff was very friendly, and we did meet the owner who was a nice gentleman. I will give two words of warning: 1. we got ticks when we went through the Woodlands Trail Gardens. 2. It is very very hilly and some of them are quite steep. It's so gorgeous that it's worth it to be huffing and puffing up those hills, but I do want people to be forewarned. I realized it was going to be hilly based on reviews, but I did not realize how hilly and how steep. I am overweight, middle aged, with asthma, so it got me and I needed my inhaler. But it was so so worth it as it was just beyond beautiful and relaxing! $50 a car load to get in, (we had four people with us which is a great rate). I highly recommend it if you're able to handle the hills and the uneven terrain. Also they do not sell any water there, so you might want to bring a water bottle with you that will stay cold. they had a water fountain but the water barely...

The gardens are beautiful, lush, and various, the buildings were nice to look at, and the artwork is appropriately provocative. The koi were vibrant and interactive. The hilly terrain is not accessible to anyone with mobility impairment or who might out be of shape. I enjoyed interacting with Mr. Schnormeier throughout my visit and hearing about the history of the property and about his collection of plants. The volunteers were extremely friendly and knowledgeable. I was surprised to see so many water features and fountains. At dinner in Mt. Vernon, I was struck by stories of how Mr. S. loved his community and all he had been involved with. Overall a very nice day. I would have preferred to not have to walk in the grass so much, but this is not an amusement park. It is someone's home. Not a Longwood Gardens, but still a gem in the wilderness of Knox...