Atlanta Botanical Gardens: Everything You Need to Know
Have you seen this meme going around about getting wine drunk and hitting up the Alice in Wonderland exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens? While I can’t say I was wine drunk (sorry to disappoint), I can confirm that the botanical gardens are incredible, sober or not! The Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Midtown Atlanta are known for their giant topiary sculptures scattered throughout 30 acres of lush gardens where they have themed sculptures, namely their Alice in Wonderland collection!
In this ultimate guide to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, I’m sharing all the details and tips (including hours, ticket prices, and events) you need to know about visiting the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in 2024 and beyond whether you’re only here for one day in Atlanta or visiting Georgia for a longer road trip!
Why you should visit the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Like I said, the garden boasts larger-than-life plants that you have to see to believe! Luckily for us, they’ve brought back their Alice in Wonderland exhibit and it’s better than ever! If the new Alice-themed sculptures aren’t your thing, fear not…they have permanent exhibits like the 25-ft Earth Goddess sculpture (also called Te Fiti in my mind), the dragon, and even a mermaid!
Aside from the giant plant sculptures, check out the beautiful orchid garden in the Fuqua Orchid Center, glass blown creations by Dale Chihuly, amphibian exhibits, sculptures (not plant ones), and numerous water features. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens have many programs for kids like garden play times and a specialty children’s garden with splash pads and a finger painting wall.
Plus, enjoy a bite to eat at Longleaf, which is the premier restaurant at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with beautiful patios (including one on the rooftop) and a dining room. Inside the Longleaf is a quick café for pre-made food selections and near the Japanese garden is the Snack Bar, another eatery with pre-made selections.
There is alcohol served at the restaurants but you cannot bring your own in. Try the exclusive Garden Beer by Wild Heaven Beer, a craft brewery in Atlanta. With their over the top themed exhibits and a little bubbly, it sounds like a fun girls date is in order!
Admission and hours
Tickets for the botanical gardens cost $26.95 for adults on weekdays at $29.95 on weekends. Admission for children ages 3 to 12 is $23.95 for weekdays and $26.95 on weekends. It’s free for children under 3. The gardens are open from 9 am to 9 pm every day, except Monday, which are open only to garden members.
How to get there and botanic garden parking tips
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is located right next to Piedmont Park, which is another great Georgia bucket list item you should add to your list. If you’re visiting one, try to stop by the other!
Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Gardens share a parking lot at 1345 Piedmont Avenue, called SAGE Parking Facility. If you’re visiting the garden park on the upper levels (4, 5, and 6), and for Piedmont Park head to the lower levels (1, 2, and 3). Parking costs $30 maximum for the day. Specifically, its free for the first 30 minutes, $3 for an hour, and $2 for each additional hour.
Alternatively, you can take Atlanta’s public transportation, MARTA, for $2.50 one way. Take bus #27 to Piedmont Avenue or the red or gold lines to the Arts Center station. The walk from there is 25 minutes.
Special events to look out for
Alice in Wonderland at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
I’m happy to report that the Alice in Wonderland exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens is back in 2024! It’s called Alice’s Wonderland Returns and is on display through September 15, so see it while you can! They have 38 new topiary sculptures on theme including some that move and lots of great photo ops throughout!
Cocktails in Wonderland
Cocktails in Wonderland is an evening event on Thursday’s where you can enjoy specialty cocktails, a treasure hunt for the Cheshire Cat, live music, and lawn games! It is weather dependent, so be sure to grab tickets ahead of time and keep an eye on the skies and announcements. So fun and perfect for an Atlanta date night!
Culinary Experiences at the Gardens
Try out a culinary experience event in the gardens with seasoned chefs and special guests. Plants, trees, flowers, AND food! Sign me up! This is such a unique way to experience food because being so close to the plant life is sure to remind you of farming and how the ingredients were harvested to get to you.
Eco-activities
Learn about specialized conservation efforts and gardening skills you can use at home like composting, raising bee hives, selecting bulbs for your at home garden, and even winter container gardening. The experts at the Gardens know how to teach kids and adults about living a more eco-friendly life and how to protect the environment even from home.
Annual fall scarecrows
In the fall, enjoy themed scarecrows that have been created and handcrafted by local businesses, individuals, and schools. They’re on display around the gardens so see if you can find them all!
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
In the winter, be mesmerized at the Garden Lights, Holiday Nights celebration. November through January, when you visit the garden you’ll see amazing lights decorating the topiary sculptures, the Kendeda Canopy Walk, and throughout the garden to illuminate your path! I haven’t been to this event yet, but it looks like so much fun at night.! They even turn the beautiful Earth Goddess into an Ice Goddess!
Check out the full event calendar for more choices and details.
Tips for Visiting the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
When you arrive, you’ll enter a lobby building with bathrooms. As you enter, be sure to pick up a map so you don’t miss any topiary sculptures! For the themed exhibition (like Alice’s Wonderland), they have the sculptures specially marked so you can find the special displays!
The Atlanta Botanical Gardens can get very crowded, especially on the weekends. If you want to visit when there are less crowds, check the event calendar and avoid events. Alternatively, get there right at opening or near closing.
Don’t forget to head to the north side of the gardens to stroll the Kendeda Canopy Walk and visit the Green Goddess. Then continue your day singing Moana.
Be respectful of people taking pictures. The themed exhibitions get very popular and you can’t help but take a bunch of pictures, but be kind and take turns.
Final thoughts:
I think the Atlanta Botanical Gardens’ topiary sculptures are incredible and should definitely be on your radar.
However, a couple notes. If you prefer extensive gardens (rather than the plant sculptures), you might be a little disappointed. I grew up with the incredible gardens of Los Angeles, like the Huntington Botanical Gardens, and I think it genuinely spoiled me. I love Japanese gardens and the one here was small and underwhelming.
Also, if you’re on a super tight budget and don’t care too much about the Alice theme, skip the Botanical Gardens (and it’s hefty admission price) and visit Piedmont Park around the corner for free instead.
Other free things to do in Atlanta can be found in my one day Atlanta itinerary. Just wanted to give some other options and my true opinion of the gardens!
Overall, I think it’s a must-do that doesn’t need to be repeated once you see the sculptures. There’s just too much to see and not enough time or money.
Have you visited? Does this look like your cup of tea?
More time in Georgia? Check out these other posts:
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Ahh, I love Alice in Wonderland! What an enchanting garden; thank you for putting it on my radar!
No problem! I hope you get to visit and take your signature beautiful photos Elena.
I had no idea Atlanta had a Botanic Garden let alone one with such awesome themes! I used to go to Atlanta 4-5 times a year for work for years and now I’m bummed I never got to visit here. I would love to go back to see this one day. Thanks for sharing such fun photos and info on it!
Ahh I’m sorry you missed it when you were here, but the gardens aren’t going anywhere!
This looks like an incredible botanic garden to visit! It’s so cool!
Agreed!
Wow, I haven’t heard of this exhibition before but it’s definitely my cup of tea 🙂 I can’t wait to check this out once I visit Atlanta. I love going to the Botanical Garden.
Botanical Gardens are so great! (and I appreciate more Alice in Wonderland/tea party puns)
I love Alice in Wonderland, so I’d love to see the sculptures! But like you said, it’s kind of a hefty price for sculptures with not many other things… It’s definitely a choice I’d have to think hard about. For now, I’m content seeing your pictures 😀
Yes, definitely a decision to think about! I’m glad the pictures satisfy you for now 🙂