1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
Phone +1 404-876-5859
While planning your next trip to Atlanta, don’t miss this family-friendly destination in the heart of Midtown. From the 30 acres of outdoor gardens to art installations to its rare orchid collection, edible garden, children’s programming, and more, this urban oasis offers year-round activities for the whole family. Here’s your complete guide so that you can plan a visit.
History
In 1973, a group of civic-minded Atlanta citizens petitioned the city for a botanical garden. Three years later, the Atlanta Botanical Garden was incorporated as a non-profit, and the organization secured a 50-year lease for its current site in 1980.
Within three years, the garden had organized social events, educational programs, and other activities — surpassing 50,000 visitors before building a permanent structure.
This permanent structure arrived in 1985 with the centerpiece Gardenhouse. The garden launched the popular “Concerts on the Lawn” in 1992, the award-winning Children’s Garden in 1999, and the Fuqua Orchid Center, the largest devoted to the flower in the United States, in 2002. In 2010, the opening of the Kendeda Canopy Walk, Edible Garden, and Cascades Garden doubled the size of the garden. Today, the space is home to permanent art and plant exhibitions, educational programs, and more.
What to Do
Start your visit at the Kendeda Canopy Walk — the largest walkway of its kind in the United States. The 40-foot suspension bridge offers views of Storza Woods, one of the city’s last remaining urban forests, and links to the main botanical garden property.
Then, stroll through the gardens to view dozens of permanent art installations, such as the 25-foot sculpture “Earth Goddess,” which features a water element and over 18,000 live annuals. In addition, the garden boasts the Southeast’s largest permanent display of works by glass sculptor Dale Chihuly.
Children will be enchanted by the Lou Glenn Children’s Garden, featuring interactive displays, a splash fountain, vegetable garden, Venus flytraps, and an observation hive of honeybees.
Indoor exhibitions include the Fuqua Conservatory, which is dedicated to the conservation and display of tropical and desert plant life, as well as the Fuqua Orchid Center, the largest devoted to flower species in the United States.
The garden also hosts a popular summer concert program featuring artists like Old Crow Medicine Show and Emmylou Harris. Engage in an instructional Edible Garden, enjoy story time for children, and experience seasonal events like “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights,” showcasing one million energy-efficient LED lights during the holiday season.
Take a break from your exploration and enjoy lunch or dinner at Longleaf, a two-level café offering grab-and-go options, as well as sit-down dining. The rooftop terrace provides skyline and garden views, while a snack bar in the garden offers sandwiches, snacks, and refreshing drinks during your visit.
How to Visit
The garden is conveniently located off Piedmont Avenue, directly east of Midtown and Ansley Park neighborhoods, and west of Morningside and Virginia-Highland. It is accessible via the 14th Street exit of I-75/85N and S, and is approximately a mile walk from both the Midtown and Arts Center MARTA stations.
From April through October, the garden is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, with extended hours to 9:30 p.m. each Thursday from May through October. From November through March, hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. For details on hours for Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, and other special exhibits, consult the website for the latest information.
Admission costs $21.95 for adults, $18.95 for children ages 3-12, and is free for children under 3. Garden members are granted free entry.
Things to Do Nearby
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is close to several popular Atlanta attractions, including Piedmont Park, which is the city’s version of Central Park. Visitors can explore the playgrounds, walking trails, splash pads, and more. From the park, you can rent a bike, scooter or simply walk down the bustling Beltline Eastside Trail—a 1.5-mile mixed-use walkway that connects the park to Krog Street and neighborhoods like Inman Park and Cabbagetown.
Don’t forget to stop by Ponce City Market, the city’s largest adaptive reuse project, for a bite at one of the food stalls, shopping at local and national retailers, or games at the rooftop Skyline Park. Additionally, you could visit neighboring Midtown to explore the Center for Puppetry Arts, High Museum of Art, or the historic Fox Theatre.
For a wider experience, take MARTA downtown to visit Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center, and other family-friendly attractions.
