After a winter that couldn’t quite make up its mind, with ice storm threats one day and 60-degree afternoons the next, spring in Georgia feels like our cue to step outside and start fresh. The air is warmer, the sunset sets later and weekend plans shift from indoors to anywhere with sunshine. As you’re making plans for spring, consider adding these botanical gardens within 50(ish) miles from Atlanta to your bucket list.
Atlanta Botanical Garden
1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Yes, it’s the most recognizable garden on our list and yes, you’ve probably been before. But the Atlanta Botanical Garden earns its spot every single time. With world-class plant collections, seasonal installations and an unbeatable Midtown setting, it remains a must-visit no matter how many times you return.
Gibbs Gardens
1987 Gibbs Dr, Ball Ground, GA 30107
Spring is in the air at Gibbs Gardens, with cherry blossoms, tulips and daffodils all a part of the garden’s early spring seasonal lineup. Voted the #1 Flower Festival in America by USA Today, and ranked the 10 Best Places in the World to See Daffodils, Gibbs Gardens is a must-visit. More than 20 million daffodils will bloom during the garden’s six-week daffodil season, so while reservations are not needed to visit the gardens, you may want to consider buying your tickets online to avoid lines. DiG tip: Plan on 3–4 hours to explore most of the gardens.
Smith-Gilbert Gardens
2382 Pine Mountain Rd, Kennesaw, GA 30152
While not quite as popular as the other botanical gardens on our list, Smith-Gilbert Gardens is one of the metro area’s most delightful hidden gems. This intimate garden includes curated plant collections, rotating sculptures, thoughtfully designed spaces and an outdoor art gallery. Its walkable size, convenient location and ever-changing displays make it ideal for repeat visits throughout the year. Lowkey, lovely and well worth the stop. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to go far to find something special.
Goizueta Gardens at the Atlanta History Center
130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
Goizueta Gardens at the Atlanta History Center is a 33-acre experience featuring award-winning exhibitions, historic houses, enchanting gardens, interactive activities and a variety of year-round programs for adults and families. Their Quarry Garden is a native garden that contains herbal medicinal plants, the mysterious lost camellia, quiet waterfalls and Georgia’s largest native plant collection in one place. Goizueta Gardens has nine distinct gardens, capturing the variety of landscapes that have shaped Atlanta’s history.
Callaway Resort & Gardens
17617 US-27, Pine Mountain, GA 31822
A bit farther from Atlanta than the other gardens on our list, Callaway Resort & Gardens more than earns the drive. From vibrant floral displays to peaceful walking and biking trails, it offers something for every pace and interest. Callaway Gardens is home to more than 3,000 hybrid azaleas, tulip and topiary displays during their Spring Flower Fest. They also have a butterfly center where typically 1,000 or more butterflies flutter freely in one of North America’s largest tropical butterfly conservatories.