Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center — Attraction in Orange

Always a lovely experience at the gardens, and for now it is free to visit as they restore the grounds from weather damage. This is a place that is deserving of support and I hope it is around forever. I discovered this place by searching for botanical gardens and have been proud to introduce my family and friends to it.

The staff is always nice and informative. They host events throughout the year (butterfly release, scarecrows, christmas lights, etc.).

As you arrive, you park across the street from the entrance and walk (drop off is available if needed).

Originally the gardens had a information building with art and history of the gardens with a short movie presentation that introduced you to the gardens. They also had a boat ride that took you down the river and back. Both have been closed the last couple of times I visited, but I hope they become available again as it added even more to the experience.

The gardens are lush with flowers in the spring/summer. Along the trail is a bird watching area that allows you to look at nesting birds and alligators in the lake without disturbing them. We have seen bees, small grass snake, birds, alligator, rabbits, spiders, etc. during our visits (But no need to fear- everything is noticable and at a distance).

It is a good place for families to enjoy- kids can enjoy the sensory gardens and...

Went to the Christmas light show tonight. It was great for the price (free). Only complaint: we got in “trouble” when getting back in our car for parking in the handicap parking lot. There were signs up in some spaces, but not all, including our spot. There was not a sign indicating the entire parking lot to be a handicapped lot. If you’re going to have someone patrolling the parking lots, maybe say something BEFORE someone parks and not as they are leaving? We do not want to be the reason a person with a handicap cannot park in their deserved spot. This one may be my biggest issue with the situation: why did the security officer who got onto us assume that we do not have a handicap? Simply because we were ambulatory? (And no, she did not check for any handicap car tags or anything. In fact, our trunk was up at the time, making our license plate not visible). So anyways, maybe don’t expect people to know things they are not told? And then reprimand them for not knowing what they don’t know? And just a PSA to everyone: just because a person is ambulatory does NOT mean that they do not have a...

This is a beautiful place! The plants trees and flowers are beautiful! While I was there I saw a few turtles 🐢, some lizards 🦎, fish 🐟, and a few frogs 🐸 and the lily pads. You have a walk that's three quarters of a mile. The place is well manicured and maintained. They also have a ride on a pontoon, I believe that's what it's called, around the lake, a tour. I'm coming back to go on the site seeing 👀 tour another day. All of it is free! The Stark Foundation funds it. As you walk around there plenty of benches to sit on. There's an area to picnic. Children would find it boring. Children in strollers is cool. There is shady spaces along the pathways, but there are places that are sunny. If it's a sunny day, I would recommend an umbrella 🌂 I highly recommend a visit, to leisurely stroll through and absorb the beautiful surroundings they have for you to look at. The site seeing tour shoves...