On a recent fall afternoon, my family witnessed the transformative power of plants.
The time: Saturday after lunch. My kids were beginning that familiar spiral into whiny boredom when I presented a change of scenery.
“We are going to the Botanical Gardens,” I declared.
The mood shifted as we walked up the path to the majestic building, flanked by a gorgeous display of wildflowers and perennials in full bloom. As soon as we entered, the negotiations began.
“Mom, can we get something from the gift shop?”
The gift shop is pretty exciting, even for me—a known plant killer. “We’ll see,” I said. Classic mom response.
Our delight compounded from there. The helpful staff member at the visitor’s deshanded my daughters a scavenger hunt map and shared that their admission was free.
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Though this was a limited time promotion supported by M&T Bank, there are plenty of discount days throughout the year to make a family trip worth the investment.
The girls searched for the hidden plants of the scavenger hunt as we wandered happily through the winding conservatory, transported to a magical wonderland of exotic plants and trailing ivy. (Don’t forget to bring spare change for a wish in the front fountain.)
In the stunning Palm Dome, couples sat at tables scattered throughout, gazing up at a dazzling umbrella installation, slowly spinning as the sun beamed down.
With the kids occupied by their search, I got to enjoy my own moments of Zen. I noticed there were more kid-friendly descriptions among the exhibits, teaching about the habitats of plants and koi fish. Each area of the building was thoughtfully designed with themes like Rainforest, Desert and Tropical Orchard. Everywhere you turned was an Instagrammable view, sure to inspire questions from friends about where you spent your weekend.
There are events to celebrate every season throughout the year. For kids and families, you can feed the koi fish, meet Santa in December and see what’s new in the Learning Lab, a hands-on classroom. During our visit, it was all about the business of honeybees, which were on display through a live viewing window nearby. Near the buzzing beehive, we marveled at a grow house full of fruit and vegetable plants.
For adults, the November Orchid Show, a holiday card workshop and the Cozy Crafters Artisan Market should keep the colder months busy and bustling.
Over the next few years, an expansion project, called “Growing Beyond the Glass,” will add new indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy and improve accessibility.
Back at the gift shop, the girls were rewarded with stickers for their scavenger hunt work. We all browsed, as negotiated, and chose from an array of botanical goodies ranging from stuffed animals to pottery. Everyone left happy.
Whether it’s a gloomy-day distraction or a whimsical escape, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens deserves a visit—at least once per season.
