Aldridge Gardens — Attraction in Hoover

Behind the hustle and bustle of the busy streets of Hoover, Al is this little hidden gem of a secret garden. A former resident of Birmingham, I had never heard of Aldridge. To my delight, I visited after an aunt urged me to "give it a chance" for my wedding venue. I was completely against an outdoor wedding-with the unpredictable weather of the south, my allergies, and BUGS-none of these made Aldridge appealing to me. We planned a visit in the dead of winter and it was then that I fell in love...I was in awe of the trees, even minus leaves they gave off this sort of rustic charm that I was trying to capture for our wedding day. The path from the entrance leads you to the splendor of this beautiful lake. I stood there for a moment and took in this breathtaking view. I felt like I didn't deserve to host a wedding at such a nice location. The moment that I sat down with the Events Director, Amanda Baker, I knew no matter what we HAD to be here. Amanda has such a warm and engaging spirit, my fiancé and I felt an instant connection with her and knew that she would do everything in her power to make our day a success. We had our wedding lakeside and our reception under the pavilion. The weather the day of our ceremony was TERRIBLE! I never once worried that the beauty of our day would suffer because moving the ceremony inside the home on the property never felt like a bad thing, it was just as beautiful. Luckily, the clouds split and we were able to have a lovely, breezy June wedding surrounded by our closest friends and family and beautiful hydrangeas. We visited a few other venues in the area. No one else could offer Amanda.I feel like this is an Amanda review not an Aldridge one but a place is only as nice as the people that work for it. I could go on and on about this venue and about the staff who gave me the best possible version of one of the best days of my life. We have made a forever friend and found a forever place to bring our family in the future. Aldridge is the perfect backdrop, it can literally be whatever you want it to be. THE PERFECT...

The Gardens encompasses many types of areas. I've seen the planted flower gardens in the past, but I head for the more "native" areas. I've hiked, camped, and climbed in many forests and deserts around the world, but I have more physical limitations now. Aldridge Gardens, among other things, offers fairly tame "wild areas" with improved walking trails, but with the native fauna and animals. It's very much like walking in the native woods in this part of the country, complete with wildlife.

I've not been in many of the areas, but I haven't seen any problems in any that I have seen. The maps are detailed and accurate, and the restrooms are clean. It's Alabama, so almost everyone that you meet will be friendly.

My family group in this visit included a wagon frequently used for a special-needs child and another youth whenever she wanted, an electric scooter, two "regular" adults and the old man, me. We kept a comfortable pace, and stopped to more closely examine the plants and wildlife as we wanted.

The wild areas are not cultivated or manicured. I noticed poison oak well away from the trails. I would have likely seen poison ivy and sumac if I had looked. They are plentiful in this area. However, people sticking to the trails shouldn't come into contact with them. Similarly, bees and wasps were about, but not close to any of the trails that I was on. Think of this part of the Gardens as a "walk in the woods."

There are hills on some of the trails. I seem to remember that they were marked on the map, but I didn't look at the map this time. One can choose paths that meet their needs. I worked with special needs adults in the past. I would have been comfortable taking many of those clients here. Most would have loved it.

Oh, yea, no entrance charge! Free! Of course, one can leave a donation if...

I recently had the opportunity to visit a charming garden that turned out to be a delightful oasis for a leisurely stroll. The first thing that caught my attention was how impeccably clean and well-maintained the space was. It's evident that a great deal of care and attention goes into preserving its beauty, making it an inviting environment for all who visit.

One of the highlights of my visit was the surprising abundance of turtles. Seeing these serene creatures in such numbers was a unique and enjoyable experience. They added a special touch to the garden's already peaceful ambiance, creating a connection with nature that is often hard to find in more urban settings.

The garden itself is a fantastic place for a stroll, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The paths are well laid out, leading visitors through a variety of landscapes and providing plenty of opportunities to stop, reflect, and take in the surrounding beauty. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, looking for a quiet place to relax, or simply in search of a scenic backdrop for a leisurely walk, this garden is a...