Toledo Botanical Garden — Attraction in Toledo

It's been a few years since I've been to Toledo Botanical Gardens because my family and I have since moved to another state, yet after coming across it just now while browsing, I still feel compelled to review it and give it the highest rating. That in itself says much about it as being a memorable experience. My wife and I took the kids there a couple of times when we lived in Toledo and all of us enjoyed it tremendously, taking our time to see all of it. It made for a great family outing. I remember the Botanical Garden is quite diverse and extensive in its representation of Midwest flora, ranging from common local greenery to colorful flowers (the tulip garden was breathtaking!) and various trees and shrubs, many covered with beautiful blossoms. There were also some of the more timid rare types of vegetation that grow around the Midwest which was labeled with a nice description so that you wouldn't miss them. My kids and I especially enjoyed walking through the enclosed butterfly arbor which contained many different types of plants (my kids had fun triggering the venus flytraps) and butterflies all about us - so dense with biodiversity.

I grew up and lived a couple of decades of my adult life in Toledo - then I moved away to search for greater things. After living in various areas of the US and also different parts world - Hawaii, Australia's outback, and its more tropical Whitsunday Islands region near the Great Barrier Reef - I found that the grass isn't any greener on the other side as many Toledoans (at least those in my time) like to believe it is. Before I left there, I never appreciated Toledo for what it had to offer - all I heard growing up were complaints from people saying things like, they were "stuck" in Toledo, or they felt that they would never be able to "escape" the city they grew up in - as if it were a curse. Well, I'm here now to say that Toledo - this city of summertime ethnic festivals, street festivals, Party in the Park, a world-class Zoo, a world-class museum, beautiful metropolitan parks, best camping region in the country, great restaurants of ethnic diversity and authenticity, more restaurants per capita than most other cities...or possibly all other cities, surrounding lakes, river, streams, arts and crafts venues, social gatherings, the greatest people and close-knit communities I've ever known, Party?... Where!, my place or yours, bars and pubs to match your style...then to one of the many incredible churches - this city, this diamond in the rough, is as an educated gentleman cage fighter who, after defending his title by gouging another man's eyes half out, tells the press he fears no one but God, then showers up, puts on his Old Navy's and Nike's, and goes home to kiss his wife and read a bedtime story to his children before going out for a dry martini which he has shaken, of course, and then chases it with a beer - like that - Toledo has the refinement of a precious gem while keeping just enough "rough around the edges" to brandish its distinct brand of a classy brute. This city is truly the greatest place to live in the world. You don't need to look...

I've lived in Toledo for 73 million years, and I'm apparently in the top 10% of Google reviewers (jealous?), so I tend to go places and have opinions on them, yet I've never really been here. Maybe when I was a wee lad, but not in recent memory. I suppose it is easy to overlook. It should NOT be overlooked. Do not overlook it. How dare you even consider it? I was out snappin' pics, and I didn't stop to figure out what everything was, so I'll just tell you what I observed: a dad or grandpa and his teenage son flying a drone. A LOT of really cool gardens, including a lot of local plants. Maybe they all were local, I did not inquire. I'm sure a few were visitors. I saw two really great Sycamore trees. I saw a bunch of different groups walking about. I saw a few gals sitting and reading. I saw a lot of little decorated buildings that made me feel like I was at art camp. I saw a lot of confusing parking lots (just go slow and pay attention, you have got this). I saw a lot of ladies sitting around what looked like a stylized prairie teepee (spelling?) Surrounded by pastel colored boxes. A themed baby shower? Bridle shower? Whatever our culture has showers for now? I saw 👀 a cool old building. I saw a bunch of sculptures. I didn't like most of them, but you probably will! I saw rolling hills and a big fountain. I didn't explore that area, however, for the mosquitoes were numerous and hungry. Our wet weather of late has been truly great for mosquito-kind. I can't believe you read all of this. I hope this review was as useful as it...

This is one of the best parks we have around. SO much to see, absolutely a winner in my book! Depending on which entrance you use, (Elmer or Bancroft) shows a different viewpoint of the park. Front-Back If you enjoy plants, water, and art this is a must see for you. An old house with an old school outside cellar entrance, surrounded by a grove of trees sits just beyond the Koi Gazebo to the left upon using the Elmer entrance. You can see a bird cage nestled in the cozy looking front porch. There is a conference center and play area for children adjacent to the surroundings. There are side gardens, bird baths, and a paved pathway that leads out to the Bancroft entrance as a service road. To the right are some shops and education buildings yet hours vary and due to COVID and I am unsure of hours. Walking through there is plenty more to see a far as a wooden bridge, more paths, another 'hidden' garden, as well as statues and artwork. During the summer months, a fountain spouts in the middle of a pond. Plenty of trees as well as carefully placed and labeled plants are to be discovered no matter where one chooses to walk. Benches, picnic tables, stone slabs/steps, and plenty of grassy areas to place a blanket even beckon one to stop and partake in the nature that is all around. Plenty of little spots that will become treasures for the...