🌿 Boston & Portland Departures

A Summer Retreat to a Forest Paradise 🌼 Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens | A Must-Visit Summer Gem! 📍 Address: 105 Botanical Gdns Dr, Boothbay, ME 04537 This place is incredibly healing and refreshing! I just can't wait to share my experience of pure bliss and rejuvenation here. 🌿 🚗 Getting There - From Portland, ME, it's about a 1.5-hour drive. The journey itself is beautiful, with charming, therapeutic towns along the way. - From Boston, it's around a 3-hour drive. Perfect for a weekend getaway or a day trip! 🚗 🎟 Ticket Tips - Adult tickets are $29 at the gate, but you can save $4 by purchasing online in advance for just $25. - Student tickets are discounted with a valid ID—definitely worth the deal! - If you live nearby, consider becoming a member. It pays for itself after just two visits, and members enjoy exclusive events and discounts! 🌟 🌸 Garden Guide - Every day at 11 a.m., there's a free Highlights Tour. Join the knowledgeable volunteer guides (often charming grandmothers) for a stroll through the gardens, learning about the plants and perfecting your photo ops. - The gardens change with the seasons: rhododendrons in spring, lilies in summer, and stunning fall foliage. It's a natural oxygen bar! - Some of the rare trees were even imported from China. Walking through the gardens feels like stepping into a forest back home. - The venue used to host weddings, which are temporarily on hold, but the guides say they might resume in the future. Meanwhile, you can still take your own beautiful photos here. 🌸 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-Friendly Fun - The Children's Garden is an absolute delight! It features reading nooks, planting experiences, climbing frames, washboards, clotheslines, and even interactions with poultry and other animals. It's like a mini forest playground for kids. - Parents can enjoy a relaxing stroll along the trails, sit on the grass, and take in the floral scents while their little ones have a blast. 🌳 🌲 Giant Forest Guardians! - Hidden throughout the garden are five enormous wooden sculptures of "Trolls," like Nordic versions of Groot! Handcrafted by Danish artists and assembled here after being shipped from Europe. - Each troll is tucked away in a different corner, making it a fun scavenger hunt to find them all. - In the summer of 2025, a new butterfly garden will open. I'm already planning my return visit to check it out! 🦋 📸 Photo Tips - Wear comfortable shoes and make sure you have plenty of storage space on your camera or phone. This place is a photographer's paradise! - Check the official website in advance for any special events, lectures, or mini-markets that might be happening during your visit. 🪻🌳 Stroll deep into the forest, breathe in the fresh air, and snap a selfie with a giant troll. It feels like a complete reset for both body and mind! I highly recommend planning a visit here, whether you're looking for a solo retreat, a romantic date, or a family-friendly adventure. It's perfect for everyone! 🌿 #BostonSurroundings #BostonDayTrips #Maine #MaineTravel #NewEngland #NewEnglandRegion