ISU Horticulture Center — Attraction in Normal

A beautifully designed collection of gardens. It’s primary purpose is as an outdoor learning/teaching facility for the Horticulture program at I.S.U. Except for a few days each year when it hosts a festival/showcase it is also open (and free) to the public.

I was surprised to see so much color this late in October. A wide assortment of late season blooms were still holding on while additional color was provided by some of the foliage and seed heads. The generous use of a wide assortment of evergreen plants also kept the gardens looking fresh.

There are no hard surface walkways so it probably isn’t ideally suited for those in wheelchairs (especially after a heavy rainfall). There are however numerous benches throughout the center, and even a couple of bench type swings under the cover of a wood framed gazebo for those who need to take a break or just want to stop and soak in their...

We had a great visit to the ISU Horticulture Center! The space is peaceful, well-maintained, and fun to explore. We loved learning about the plants and horticulture pioneers. The Wonder Lab and Children’s Discovery Center were especially whimsical and full of fun elements. There is a little something for everyone here making it perfect for solo visitors, dates, or families. There’s limited parking, so plan ahead. Overall, it’s a beautiful spot, and hats off to the students and university for creating such a...

This garden is very well taken care of. There's a sense of care and organization in this outdoor center. A porter potty nearby, some picnic tables, a children's discovery garden, and great use of the 5 senses with things to touch and smell...