Harry P. Leu Gardens, a 50-acre historic estate and botanical garden in downtown Orlando, is a kaleidoscope of colors throughout the year. Stroll the walkways that wind through butterfly, herb and rose gardens, past dozens of species of azalea, bamboo and banana plants, showcasing a prized Camellia collection that has more than 2,000 plants and is considered one of the best in the U.S. The gardens also include a number of whimsical sculptures, a native wetlands garden and nearly 400 species of palms.
Parking at Leu Gardens
Ample free parking is available.
Best and worst time to go to Leu Gardens
Although the park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visit in early morning to avoid Florida's afternoon heat and thunderstorms, especially from spring to early fall. The gardens have free admission on the first Monday of each month, with added bonuses on those days including a sidewalk cafe on the patio and a popsicle stand in the gardens. The gardens are closed only on Christmas Day, although the Leu House Museum is typically closed each July for restorations.
Admission to Leu Gardens
Park admission is $10-$12, with students in grades K-12 admitted for a nominal fee and children 4 and under free. Discounted rates are available for larger groups.
Must see/do at Leu Gardens
Don't miss the guided tours of the Leu House Museum, a restored 19th-century home overlooking Lake Rowena that shows what life was like in Central Florida at the turn of the century. The tours, which start on the hour and half hour beginning at 10 a.m., last about 25 minutes and are complimentary with admission. The last tour starts at 3:30 p.m. On your walk through the gardens, make sure to visit the Citrus Grove, which showcases Central Florida's roots with more than 50 types of citrus trees. Numerous other varieties of tropical and subtropical fruit trees dot the gardens, including avocado, guava, mango, papaya, pear, pineapple and star fruit.
Other places to visit near Leu Gardens
For a romantic dining experience after your visit to the gardens, try Santiago's Bodega, a laid-back tapas-style restaurant and bar with soups, salads, desserts and more than 30 small plates, or the Funky Monkey Wine Company on North Mills Avenue, where you can enjoy an extensive wine list, sushi and American cuisine with an Asian flair. Both are within 1.5 miles of Leu Gardens.
Insider tip for visitors to Leu Gardens
For a romantic night out, surprise your significant other with Date Night at Leu Gardens. Held on the first Friday of each month from February to December, the event includes discounted admission to the garden at 6 p.m., followed by a free movie for which you can bring a lawn chair or blanket. Popcorn and other food items are available for purchase, or pack your own picnic basket with wine, cheese and fruit.
Author's bio: Kevin Adams is a freelance writer who has lived in Orlando for more than a decade and has had travel articles appear on USAToday.com and in Golfweek magazine.
The Denver Botanic Gardens, located in the Cheesman Park neighborhood of Denver, features North America's largest collection of plants from cold temperate climates around the world. It is known for it's beautiful plants as well as fun activities like touring exhibitions from visual artists like Dale Chihuly, a summer concerts series and Christmas lights in the winter.
Parking and public transportation
The Denver Botanic Gardens has both an above and below ground parking garage as well as street parking in the very safe and secure surrounding neighborhoods of Cheesman Park and Congress Park.
Best and worst time to go to Denver Botanic Gardens
While the Gardens to have a greenhouse and several indoor attractions, most of the viewing is done outside. Visit the park in the spring or summer where the plants are blooming and the weather is nice. While holiday lights are available towards the end of the year, winter is not an ideal time to visit.
Admission
Admission is free to members and children under 2. Discounts are given to seniors, military and students. For a full list of pricing as well as membership information, visit http://www.botanicgardens.org/.
Must see/do at Denver Botanic Gardens
Seeing a concert at the gardens is a truly memorable experience and one of the most comfortable and beautiful settings you can see one in. The genre's of music are vast and family friendly. Check out the full lineup here: http://concerts.botanicgardens.org/
Other places to visit near Denver Botanic Gardens
Cheeseman Park, located to the West of the Gardens is one of Denver's best kept parks and, as legend has it, very haunted. Board a Banjo Billy's Bus Tour and have them tell you all about the spirits that roam the area.
Insider tip for visitors to Denver Botanic Gardens
A Denver B-Cycle Station is listed right outside of the gardens and is a convenient and fun way to get there. Also, if you have children, be sure to visit the Kid's Area located across the Gardens on York Street.
Author's bio: Andy Thomas is a Colorado native. He is a journalist and touring musician. He has most likely slept on a floor in your hometown.
Lakeview Chamber of Commerce is tied to SSA 27, which is a special service taxing area. This governmental entity helps fund several events and infrastructure improvements within the community. As well, it is the driving force behind many events, promotions, and business-related events in west and central Lake View.
Founded in 1941 as a military air base, Bradley International Airport is western New England's largest. It is named after Lt. Eugene M. Bradley from Antler, Oklahoma, who died in an August 1941 training accident at the airfield. The airport saw more than 5.3 million passengers in 2009. It continues renovations and is seeing airline services expand to 29 markets. Southwest began nonstop service to Denver in March 2010, Delta announced that it will resume nonstop service to Los Angeles in June 2010 and JetBlue began service in November 2010 with twice daily service to both Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando.
