International Waterlily Collection — Attraction in San Angelo

This was, for me, the highlight of my week one of vacation 2019. We made two trips down to the park to take pictures. One evening and the next morning. Well worth both trips. The collection is a part of a private collection too large to be displayed entirely. Major Credit to the people who do the work to share the place with the world. Back to my personal experience The area is about 6 concrete ponds or tanks molded into a few acre area. Good footing and paths divide the displays and solid fencing to keep wayward photographers from going in the water. I was thrilled with the variety and colors presented. Two notes I will offer for first time visitors We parked on the street, not sure how welcoming or not the church across the street is. The place is open at night also, but the light is pretty one-sided towards the bandstand area. Photo ops after dark will require you to bring auxiliary light...

Unbeknownst to me, water lilies don’t bloom in the winter, so I only saw four or five blooms, and not many lily pads either. According to signage, the best times are March through November.

Even though my visit was a bust, the online photos look like it’s an awesome place when they’re in bloom. The areas for the lillies is quite large, so I think you’ll be impressed if you visit during the right time of the year.

It’s a small park with a couple of short trails to walk along the creekside, but the trails have a bit of trash on them.

Park in the Presbyterian church lot across the street (but not on Sundays you heathens!).

P.S. - there’s a rose garden in the same park, but apparently those don’t bloom in the winter either, what was...

I found this beautiful hidden gem of a garden under a recommendation from my hotel's front desk agent Kim at the Econo Lodge San Angelo, that was newly renovated in November. It was a nice little walk from the hotel (about 8 to 10 minutes) on a crisp sunny morning. I had my hot breakfast sandwich and fresh coffee on the go from the hotel with me and ended up eating my breakfast at the bench in front of the garden. So peaceful and calming. Breakfast and coffee there was such a nice experience. This garden is free to the public so I didn't have to spend anything, and my hotel was one of the most affordable hotels with hot breakfast and coffee in San Angelo so I had a very affordable trip that made my pre-Thanksgiving trip a...