Innisfree Garden — Attraction in Town of Pleasant Valley

Innisfree is an experiential garden where you can go, as R.W. Emerson says, "where the path may lead, [or] go instead where there is no path..." The choice is yours to make: you can stay to the flatter surfaces and walkways, or you can hit the hills, rock staircases, and tiny trails to discover hidden waterfalls and pools. There is something for every ability. Anticipate spending a couple hours at least.

There are rudimentary restroom facilities near parking and helpful staff to answer questions right at the parking lot. Plan for rain with an umbrella as there are only 2 places to shelter, one (called the corncrib bridge) on undervisited Pine Island with its rare, ancient stand of unlogged hemlock trees, and the other below the terraces in the secret bat cave... also a cool place for shade in hot weather (after the mist fountain). If you bring a picnic lunch you can spread out on a blanket (pack everything out with you) or use the picnic tables in the area overlooking the beautiful Lake Tyrell. Comfortable chairs are thoughtfully scattered around the garden for a rest or contemplation. You never know what one visit to the next will bring: Plein air painters are often seen, tours can be eavesdropped upon, magazine shoots and weddings can occur, mushrooms are everywhere, bald eagles, turtles, rare mosses and lichens. The well-established gardens are full of amazing plants, shrubs and trees that are constantly changing and evolving, watched over and cared for. I can bring anyone here! And one of the very best things? I can spirit some of it home with me. As a gardener I collect plants and they sometimes have reasonably-priced plants from the garden for sale! Primroses, sedums, Kenilworth ivy, forget-me-nots, etc... My own little...

My family and I visited the garden today. We have a 2 year old kid. The garden is very beautiful and we enjoyed it. However we are extremely disappointed at their staff’s attitude especially the old woman at the gazebo (check in spot).

Our reservation was made for 12:30-2:30pm. We checked in at around 1pm due to traffic. When I checked in at the gazebo the women at the gazebo gave me a map and explained the map. She told me that the walk would take 1-1.5 hours.

At around 2:30pm a staff came to the middle of the garden and told us to leave because the next group would have to come in. We then walked back to the exit towards the parking lot which took us 30 mins because we have a kid and she walks slow.

When we got to the exit (there was only a couple of cars at the parking lot, and we don’t see many people because it rains today!), the old woman at the gazebo ask my husband who was having a stroller, “you guys were late for half an hour”. My husband says “I am sorry, because we have a kid.” , the old lady says, “So? I don’t care.”

We understand we were late and We apologize as well. But What kind of attitude is that? I am sure she may not have kids or grandchildren because She was being very inconsiderate and unkind to their customers. Terrible attitude. The garden is extremely empty with very little guests and I don’t see the point why she had to talk to my husband like that.

We will never come back to this park Although this is a...

This garden is stunning. It's not your typical rose gardens and meticulously manicured flower beds, instead opting for a more natural look influenced by Chinese gardening principles.

The pond/bog is covered in lily pads and lotuses, which attract so many incredible birds. There are all sorts of trees, vines, mosses, and flowers across the garden with strategically placed stones and boulders acting as 'sculptures'.

There are lots of beautiful flowers throughout and plenty of opportunities to get a nice photo. There are a ton of birds here, so if you have binoculars, bring them!

There are chairs and benches all over the garden, so you're never far from a place to sit down and rest while you enjoy the view. While the garden is not wheelchair accessible, it is fairly accessible for people with limited mobility as it is mostly flat and only has a few areas with tricky terrain.

The entrance fee is $10 per person and you get a large map with the history of the garden on the back. They take cash and card. There is a good amount of parking.

If I could spend all day here, I would. This place is stunning and a truly unique and...