Matthaei Botanical Gardens

We had an absolutely wonderful time! Everything was beautiful and well maintained. Carole was incredibly informative and I really enjoyed learning about the century tree. She even retrieved photos to show us of it growing through the roof! And thanks to her, my dying succulent now has the proper soil and a chance at survival!

Having this place somewhat close by is an absolute privilege. Free admission, and parking that is cheap. The Botanical garden has three seperate climate rooms and plants that range from ones you've surely heard of to ones you never have before. It feels like every couple times I visit there are some improvements made, too. There are a handful of benches in the temperate room and one memorial bench that I'm pretty sure isn't an intended seating spot, an elevated seating area with tables in the tropic room thats often taken, and below that in the temperate room there is a small children's play table with folding stools you can use to sit somewhere. There is also one bench in the arid room, which is also the only room that doesn't get a misting of water every maybe fifteen minutes. Seeing the plants change through the years is a delight, I just wish other guests would be more respectful of the plants. If you can get past the occasional family with children, it has an amazing atmosphere for getting some work or writing done after spending some time appreciating the plants and the air inside the greenhouses. I've used the Aboretum portion less, but the trails are pretty extensive and all of them are well kept. There are plaques and signs with facts and history on them, explaining things about what you are looking at. There is a pond with viewing binoculars atop a small hill next to it, a bridge that goes over what seems to be a stream that feeds into the pond, and the occasional picnic table or bench. There is also a gift shop style area in the entrance, it sells a range of things from books to coloring books to kits for various nature related things. Stock definitely rotates over time, so even if you're a regular visitor they might get you with something eventually, haha.

As a photographer, it's such a privilege to have a lovely botanical space like this in the community (especially in the frigid winter months!) Not only is it a great spot for photos, it's just a great place to visit if you're into plants + nature, or if you just like a fun weekend activity with a friend, significant other or kids. I love that its free to visit and is so well maintained by the lovely staff. It's also a pretty spot for a wedding ceremony in the summer months when all the flowers are in bloom (though keep in mind there are still visitors wandering the conservatory and gardens during your designated time block).

I had an absolutely wonderful time visiting the botanical garden. Unfortunately it was cold and snowy so I was only able to explore the green house. This is a three part green house with a lot of informational signage and well as recipes from around the world near plants that are edible.

I am a wedding & portrait photographer in Ann Arbor and I love shooting at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. This place is beautiful inside in out! I have shot weddings, families, maternity and engagement sessions here and it always is one of my favorites backdrops.

WOW what a beautiful experience!!!!! This place is absolutely magical the bonsai garden is stunning one of them is over 1,000 years old you absolutely must see if you are a bonsai lover !!!!! I went with my fiancé and we both thought it was really cool there were people on site trimming all the bonsai answering any questions we had about our own plants loved that 😗 the gardens themselves extremely wonderful 😍😍😍very well organized each plant labeled which I really enjoyed !! It’s such a peaceful place even with others there you don’t even know it !!☮️they have over 3 miles of trails as well so you know we had to go see that it’s connected to the parking lot of the gardens so it’s very convenient 💖 we didn’t walk deep into the trails because it was very hot out but what we did get to explore let us know want to come back !!! The view of the pond in my photos is one of the pictures from the trails !! If you are looking for something free*** and beautiful to do I suggest putting this place on your list !!!

Went to see the Joe Ferraro photography exhibit, which was truly amazing! Glad the gardens support local artists! Walked through the gardens after and it was very nice! Huge variety of plants in such a small space. Wish more were labeled, but there are so many different plants, it must be hard to get them all identified.

I recently visited Matthaei Botanical Gardens and had a wonderful experience. The conservatory is impressive, with separate sections for tropical, desert, and temperate plants. It feels like stepping into different climates all in one place. The outdoor gardens and trails are peaceful and very well maintained. The children’s garden and prairie area are especially nice for a calm walk or quiet time with family. Parking is convenient, and admission is free, which makes it an easy spot to visit anytime. Overall, this is one of the best places in Ann Arbor to enjoy nature, take a relaxing walk, and explore a wide variety of plants. Highly recommended.

Today I visited the Matthaei Botanical Gardens' indoor multi-climate conservatory. The building is beautifully designed, well-maintained and full of beautiful and unusual plants, including a Titan arum or corpse plant. I never thought I'd ever see one in person, but there it was. Can't wait to see if it blooms. The conservatory is a terrific place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Check it out!

Love this Botanical Garden!! Parking is about $2 something/hour and you pay inside at the gift shop (none of the parking meters work). They have the best Bonzai Garden I have ever seen with the most unique plants! At that time, my husband had an ankle injury but we were still able to come because they have a trail chair and regular wheel chairs you can rent (the trail chair is kinda difficult to maneuver though and I still had to push him)! They also have many easy hiking grassy and dirt paths. We took one and it was mostly covered in shade, it was lovely! I highly recommend this garden!

I love visiting the botanical gardens. It's a super affordable excursion if you are on a budget. You pay for parking and if you can make a little donation! I will often bring a book or e reader and sit in some of the chairs they have available and read for an hour at a time. It's a big relief when the weather outside is intolerable. Everything is always clean. The bonsai tree display is my favorite. If the weather is nice outside, make sure you spend time on the grounds and enjoy the trails along the creek. Lots of nature to see!

*** Absolutely beautiful spot for a wedding. *** Indoor/Outdoor really makes no difference imo. This a great scenic spot to exchange your vows. *** Something about nature makes it pure. ***

Gorgeous gardens, little surprises tucked around every corner, and the children's garden with its mid kitchen and sample harvest garden were amazing! My kiddo could have spent the whole day there. Did I mention it's free to get in?

A beautiful visit that complimented our visit to Nichols Arboretum. Stunning plants, trees, flowers and nature walks. We really savored our time at the Conservatory and in the Bonsai Garden!! Parking is per time requested and affordable, we spent less time than we paid for - if you're not taking a long walk this could be a quick visit. We spent about 30-40 mins and saw everything.

One of my favorite places in the Ann Arbor area, no matter the season. Winter time in particular there's the tri climate conservatory, which includes so many plants, a beautiful fountain, and a koi pond. During the rest of the year be sure to check out the walking paths, gardens, and my favorite- the bonsai area. Best of all it's free! Just pay for parking. A delight for folks of all ages and abilities. Ramps and seating areas abound. Bathrooms gendered. There is also a gift shop.

Wonderful place to visit for people of all ages, visitors and locals alike! The standout here is their stunning indoor conservatory with tropical plants, a cool dessert plant area, and more temperate plants. Really beautiful and interesting species, and multiple paths to take a few loops through each area. This year they also unveiled their brand new outdoor bonsai collection, made possible by a large single donation. Get to it by going through the conservatory and out the back door to the right. It's truly stunning, and interestingly features a bonsai that's 1000 years old!! Visiting is free! But there are cash donation boxes as well if you'd like to contribute while you're there. Parking I believe is $2.20/hr. Today I went for a special temporary exhibit they're doing called "AURORA", which included a transformation of the conservatory with lights and colors, as well as an accompanying art exhibit called "Earth and Sky" with art by local artists. Check it out through the end of the year! They also have a couple extra select days with extended evening hours, in addition to their normal extended Wednesday hours. It was cool to visit at night / in the dark for the first time! Totally different experience than in the daytime. Ultimately I think I prefer visiting in the day time - much easier to see all the plants - but it definitely felt right to experience "AURORA" at night.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens is a bit of a hidden gem in Ann Arbor. Located right on the Ann Arbor/Dixboro border on the East side of AA and on the outside of the highways that border AA, and farther away from its Nichols Arboretum counterpart on campus, it is always significantly less trafficked and probably more popular with locals and out-of-towners alike not looking to deal with all the people and traffic more within city limits. But this place is worth a half day's (or more) visit regardless of who you are and where you're coming from as the gardens boast so many unique garden exhibits and botanical varieties to enjoy! Matthaei is free to visit with a small parking fee, but if you're a student you can get an extremely discounted Matthaei membership (I believe it's $15) for a year or a regular annual membership is $45 and gives you access to a ton of other wonderful events that Matthaei puts on and access to a slew of other botanical gardens throughout the country! Matthaei has both indoor and outdoor exhibits for you to enjoy! The indoor ones go through a few different rooms and biomes of gardens. Dessert, tropical, etc. and they are so beautifully laid out (I particularly enjoy the balcony walkways they have so you can get an elevated view of a lot of the taller botanicals) and so impressive to see! The outdoor space is personally my favorite and boasts their new bonsai garden (SO STUNNING), native garden with a ton of different Michigan-based biomes and plants, herb garden, and so much more! It's truly a great place to check out and I highly encourage everyone visit here on your way in or out of Ann Arbor!

Beautiful! Simply put, an educational and peaceful environment just outside of the hustle of downtown Ann Arbor. I really enjoyed each separate climate and environment of the buildings. My favorite was the desert because I love how different the plants look. I also recommend the sausage tree and the lobster claw plant. You don't have to pay to go in but it is paid parking. The maximum charge for a day is 5 dollars. I'm planning on coming back when the outside is in bloom. They have a lot of trails to hike but we didn't want to go out in the rain and muddy conditions. Definitely worth a few visits.

Beautifully landscaped botanical garden. Admission is free and parking is quite reasonable. Nice gift shop and friendly staff. Great spot to relax, take pics or read a book. Lots of benches to sit and take it all in. We spotted a hummingbird in the bee balm area. Children's garden area and playground was so nice!

Free Beautiful Botanical Gardens! Absolutely loved all the gorgeous flowers, succulents and all the lovely people drawing them. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming. It's my first time in Michigan and I loved it! They still have the outdoor children's garden where children can hike and climb! I really liked it there looking at the kaleidoscope of plants - I can watch that all day and forget all my worries! They have a neat gift shop and have classes offered for students and adults alike. I absolutely loved this botanical garden in the winter and hope to come back in the summer! If you stop by here, you must also visit the Creature Conservatory too both must see areas in Michigan!

This place is amazing! The only fee is for Parking, so make sure they're open before you park. Seriously, I've never been to such a nice botanical garden that was free and well I've been to several for a fee that aren't as nice. I wholeheartedly recommend this place to anyone that likes gardens.

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens is a feast for the eyes and the imagination. Walking from area to area and seeing the beauty and diversity of plants, trees, bushes, and flowers from around the world is good for the soul. It is a dreamlike fantasy of color and texture, a balm for a too-often hurried and cold world. You owe yourself a trip.

I haven't been here since elementary school days - yeah it's been some time :) When I visited, it was in mid 40's, so it was nice being inside, able to take off the jacket and walk around. Not a plant person, but it's nice when you are visiting with a friend who majored in biology and knows all the plant stuff and explain things to you. In all honesty, green leaf is a green leaf in my eyes :) You'll need to pay for parking - $5 for all day or $2 per hour... I ended up paying $4 for 2 hours, but would recommend just paying $5 and spend few hours here. Perfect place to be in the summer, when you can walk the trails and definitely worth the parking fee.

Beautiful location with well-maintained indoor conservatory and outdoor trails. I really enjoyed seeing all the different bonsai trees and ample trails to walk on as well as benches to sit on and enjoy the plants and scenery. It's a great place to relax, take a walk, and catch up with friends. This is also a good location for photo shoots both inside and outside. One downside however is having to pay for parking if you get here by car. Before the pandemic, I came here for plant sales once in a while which were really fun. Definitely a gem of Ann Arbor and good place to take visitors.

Only had to pay for parking which was extremely reasonable. The conservatory was very well put together educational. Exterior gardens and trails were well manicured and beautiful. I would highly recommend this place to anyone.

This is one of my favorite places to come in the winter to get a bit of the outdoors in my life when skies are gray. It is a tradition for us to spend the afternoon here right after New Years. My kids grew up coming here and exploring the plants and hidden gems, like the fairy gardens and the fish. The gardens are considered Ann Arbor and part of U of M, but are located several miles outside of the University. There is plenty of parking, but make sure you bring money or a credit card if you are not a member of the gardens because they charge for parking. It is not too much. I usually start with an hour, but ultimately pay for more since this place is so enchanting. The inside garden is small, but you could spend a surprising amount of time exploring the various sections. It is great place to relax, take pictures, or explore the minute details. They have fountains, koi fish, and a desert area. You can climb the steps and survey the gardens from above. Bring a novel, bring a sketch book. This is a splendid place to bring the kids. They have small activities they love, like finding plants and fairies on a scavenger hunt. When it is warm, they have a remarkable children's garden where my kids used to spend hours playing. When it is warm, the outside gardens are perfect for a stroll. They also have a hiking path. It is noteworthy to bring water, we have been quite lost on a hot day, the path is longer than you think, but worth the walk around beautiful nature tucked away in a suburban area. They host events, like bonsai tree workshops, and often change themes of the gardens. During Christmas, they have fun trees to look at covered in natural ornaments. They have a charming gift shop. I love buying stuff here, the prices are reasonable, and they have plenty of fairy garden items. They also sell a few snacks and drinks in case you forget to bring your own, but they have a couple tables and chairs where you can eat your food. We usually pack a small picnic to eat during our visit. This is a great place to visit and support. It is relaxing, fun, educational, and a nice place to take a break from the fast paced life or a get away from too much screen time.

A fantastic indoor conservatory with beautiful outdoor gardens and some great hiking paths in the woods behind the conservatory. A great place to recharge your spirits or warm up in the middle of winter. Heads up - parking can occasionally get tight in the space in front of the main entrance. There is more parking to the right/west of the main entrance. Also fellow photographers - They do charge for using the gardens for professional photos. The fees are reasonable and you can find more info here https://mbgna.umich.edu/matthaei-botanical-gardens/photography-at-the-gardens/

What a beautiful place to just walk and be with nature. Easy walking paths full of natural scenes filled with all sorts of flowers, trees and small animals. Highly recommended for an outdoor activity that allows for social distances!

Nice people. Cool plants of all nature. Very helpful resource for native plants. You might spend the afternoon sauntering through the greenhouse. Like walking around in a terrarium.

Simply a joy. Thank you UM! They do a great job maintaining the botanical garden, but do not miss the the three mile paved walkway. It is a one way path that takes you through a wildflower wonderland under the Michigan sky. Not much shade but a wonderful way to get in your steps while admiring nature's glory.

This place is really wonderful. We tend to visit at least once a year. It's so nicely spaced out with different areas to explore. There are seats or tables in various places throughout so you can sit and relax. There isn't an entrance fee however they do ask for a donation. You also need to pay for parking. There is a machine up by the entrance doors. Outdoors there are fountains, a cute children's area with a vegetable garden that is very well cared for. There is a walking trail through the trees with different areas to explore. I love the Bonsai Trees display. They are beautifully kept and it's so interesting to see how old some of them are. Inside their are a variety of cactuses which are all interesting in there own way. There's a small pond area with fish. I love the chairs they have in the atrium. They are set in such a serene setting. I love sitting there and looking out into all the trees and plants. Great place to come walk around and explore!

Beautiful botanical gardens very educational lots of photo ops and trails to walk - not pet accommodating

First time stopping by and what a lovely experience. There is plenty of metered parking and you can start your walk around the gardens. If you stop by the gift shop area, they have plenty of maps and brochures to make sure you have all the info to learn about the entire area. Everything is well-kept and there was so much to learn about the plants and history of them. My personal fav was the exterior bonsai exhibit. It was truly very zen and seeing how each of the trees was groomed for a certain amount of years really fascinated me. The Children's garden is a fun area for the kiddies and I enjoyed the little jokes that are at each planted area. Didn't have enough time to check out the various walking trails (opposite the garden) throughout the garden, so will be back again. Highly recommend for everyone to visit :)

Matthaei is one of my family's favorite places to spend an afternoon. Although the beautiful conservatory and gardens are temporarily closed due to COVID, the nature trails are open and perfect for social-distancing. There are many paths to choose from, varying in length. All offer beautiful, peaceful and fairly flat hiking. There is an abundance of wildlife and plant species. Please note that dogs are not allowed on the trails. Metered parking is available, but the last time we were there, parking costs were waived.

I came here for a beautiful wedding ceremony for some good friends at the end of September. The parking situation was not ideal. They don't have big parking lots, so when you have regular visitors, groups touring, AND a good sized wedding, people will be left circling the parking lot or making up their own spaces. Definitely some room for improvement here. The main building itself felt a little stuffy, and kind of reminded me of my old high school hallways. The facilities were very clean. Signage was good, you shouldn't get lost here. The wedding ceremony was held in the outdoor gardens. It was spectacular. Everything was so beautiful. My only complaint here is that everything is under direct sunlight. If you are here for more than a few minutes, bring an umbrella to give you some shade! We took a tour after the ceremony and everything was great. Well maintained and easy to walk through at your own pace. I'd love to come back her and spend some more time learning more about all the plants.

Take a joy ride out here and enjoy this lovely place - what i wasn't aware of was the parking which you have to pay for; which is $5 (all day) or $1.25 (upto 3hrs - i think). I actually didn't go the "Garden" but i parked in the area and there are several trails around this place. Also restrooms available and/or portable restroom. I definitely will be back in the summer to see all the flowers - unfortunately i came here during the fall and all flowers were gone but i several snakes while walking. There's alot of signs to watch out for RATTLE SNAKES!!!

When you need a respite from the busyness of everyday life, Matthaei Botanical Gardens offers just such a break from the grind. On the east side of Ann Arbor, you'll find just the spot. Pull into the parking lot, pay to park for a bit (yes, so minus one star), and wander for a while. Close to the parking lot there are two ponds with a wooded area in between. If you're lucky, you might spot cranes or herons wading in the waters before they take flight. One of the more popular parts of the gardens is the nearly 2 mile paved path that connects it to the B2B trail down near Geddes Rd. Follow the path and wind through meadows, woods, and near the creek. The path is marked every quarter mile, making it easy to go as short or far as you would like. On my most recent trek I saw several bunnies, goldfinches, and even a pair of deer that sprang out of my way before observing me from the safety of the woods. It's a great spot for enjoying the even greater outdoors, so head on out and see for yourself!

I love walking around here on a leisurely afternoon. They have a kid's garden with lots of flowers and vegetables, some paths for strolling, and an indoor conservatory with several different "habitats" to explore. There's a small patio with tables and umbrellas which I enjoyed sitting in a few weeks ago on a sunny day. There's a gift shop as well but no concessions. But packing a picnic wouldn't be a bad idea! You have to pay for parking via "meters" but the gardens themselves are free.

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens, was started in 1957 on 200 acres donated by Frederick C. and Mildred H. Matthaei who lived on Dixboro Road south of US-12 (Plymouth-Ann Arbor Road). Prior to this time the University of Michigan's Botanical Gardens was located at Nichols Arboretum, closer to the central campus. Additional land was acquired, and the grand opening of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens took place in 1962. Ever since then, this has been a wonderful place to explore nature at it's best. While I have been to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens several times, none of the students in my color photography class had been there before. So we decided that since it was an inexpensive place to visit, and there are so many wonderful aspects of nature to enjoy and photograph; hence, this would be a perfect local outing to give the shutters on our camera a good workout. We decided to visit the University of Michigan's in May, and it was an ideal time to visit the area with everything coming into bloom with the arrival of spring. We visited the interior of the buildings, and then set out to explore the vast network of trails that are on the property. If you love bird spotting like I do, then this is a Utopian paradise just waiting to be discovered. Likewise, if you enjoy peace and quite and the serenity of nature like I do, then spending a few hours or a day here is ideal.

Such a gorgeous place! We went for the beautiful bugs art show and walked around the green houses - the variety is incredible! We loved seeing the different rooms and types of plants. The information throughout was amazing and complimented the displays so well! I love how the space is used in so many ways. I'm hoping to come back in the spring and see the outdoor space!

The Matthaei Botanical Gardens is a window on the world. There is plenty of parking at the location - unless - there is an event in progress. If so - go early or go late to ease the parking problem. Events include special bonsai sailes, orchids sales and others. The arboretum is a real treat. They have a nice selection of standards and rarities of plants. They are arranged tastefully and the entire enclosure is attractive. They have thre water features. A waterall, large metal tank and an oblong pond at the base of a trickling wall. Two of the water features have fish in them. Their Koi are especially beautiful and the goldfish are some of the largest I have seen. By far their desert plant and arid plant display is one of the greatest. The plants are in excellent health and placed in an easy viewing manner. I was especially pleased to view the 'living rocks' that are there. It doesn't stop there however. Out back during the warmer months there is an extraordinary garden of flowers. The breadth of species that grow in Michigan is quite astonishing. Along with that there is a large outdoor play area for children. Still more awaits afield as there are prairie grounds to observe and an adventurous hiking trail along a stream and ponds.

Really pretty conservatory and botanical garden! We walked around the greenhouse which did a nice job splitting all of the plants and flowers up by growing regions. There were signs spread throughout that explained the climate conditions. Large greenhouse with a lot to see! The outside nature trails and we're lovely. There were lots of plants outside to walk through as well. Free admission, but you pay to park.

Got to see some (rare?) plants for the first time when I visited this garden last week. The plants in the green houses are just awesome.

Well, maybe not a fan of all the rattlesnake warnings. And how lucky we would be to see one they say! I have been to bigger, more elaborate gardens, but for its size and the size of the community, this was very nice. The interior had many varieties of plants from around the world. Nestled among the large plant displays were ceramic art pieces. It was a nice touch, though a few were rather odd. There were formal gardens just outside the greenhouse area and a children's garden too. My favorite part was the bonsai garden, which also included some examples of penjing which are recreated natural landscape groupings rather than the traditional single tree. The exhibit included many examples of bonsai tradition that had taken very many decades to grow and train. Exhausting work for someone with a lot of patience. We also took a walk along the creek and ponds and found that it was a casual stroll, ever looking out for the possible rattlesnakes. Did not see a one! We did see a large turtle and heard a bullfrog or two. This is not the rigorous hike that the other UMich nature area, Nichols Arboretum is. Casual enough for all types. Later in the spring and summer I am sure there will be more in bloom outside and it should be very pretty in the fall. There is lots of parking but you must pay to park. This is the only admission fee though.

This has long been one of my favorite spots in all of Washtenaw County! Maybe it will soon become yours as well...you'll have to check it out for yourself to find out for sure. Matthaei is a large complex with an indoor facility with nice indoor garden areas with plenty of beautiful flora, and outside there are even more offerings in the way of outdoor gardens, and also scenic trails and vast open fields and many trees from many different species; there are forested areas that surround the grounds and they are all very much a small world unto themselves. Matthaei is not only a great place to visit, it is great to visit alone, or with a special someone, or for the whole family as well. And if you enjoy photography, make sure to bring your favorite camera gear. The photo opportunities are unbounded.

Great place to take a walk explore nature and science! They have bonsai trees dating back before my grandparents were born soooo cool! I had a short visit but will return, weather permitting.

This botanical garden is an absolute treasure and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to visit! Run by the university of Michigan, entry is free but parking is not. There is a pay meter next to the building for the main greenhouse. The greenhouse is divided into three buildings with different types of plants and is surrounded by perennial gardens, bonsai plantings, and a children's garden. There is a display for the great lakes plants and ecosystems and that doesn't even include the nature trails not included in the main area near the greenhouse. The property is huge with tons to see! I had the chance to walk the pond and trees trail (green and red) and both were lovely. The entire property is beautiful throughout with wonderful landscaping, plantings, and flowers. They absolutely do their best work here and this is a place to visit that anybody can enjoy!

I'd never been here before. Actually had never heard of it before then. A friend asked if I wanted to ride over to Ann Arbor with her to attend a succulent plant show. Being the curious guy I am, I said "sure", and we were off on a road trip! I haven't spent much time in Ann Arbor over all, but I definitely hadn't been to the area where the botanical gardens are. As we pulled into the long winding driveway (is it a driveway? Entrance road?) the first thing I saw was the surrounding marsh-y land that remained uncultivated and natural. I saw that there were walk paths through them with what appeared to be informational signs scattered about. After parking (we parked along the drive as the lot was very full due to the plant show), we walked up to the main building. The entry is through the gift shop. Very strategic thinking on the planners part. The building was very clean and attractive. There were hi-top tables and stools in the gift shop. The show itself was located in a greenhouse that was down near the end of a long hallway, that very much reminded me of a high school. One of the volunteers says he hears that all the time. Speaking of the volunteers, it appeared they make up the majority of the staff. Everyone was very friendly and went out of their way to assist us. My friend was looking for a specific type of succulent and the volunteers searched all over for one but it was a bust. Since we were already there,my friend decided to show me around, having been there many times herself. We ended up visiting the room adjacent to the gift shop, which sported a large fountain and many temperate zone plants. Next we visited the "desert plant" room? I was definitely amazed at the variety of cacti and other flora. We also took a peek at the English garden. We would have explored further but time was getting away from us. I've been to other botanical gardens and I have to say Matthaei is right up there with the best of them. I plan to re-visit soon and fully explore the grounds. Totally recommended for a serene, informative, and enjoyable outing.

It's a cool place.and it's free ...but you have to pay for parking..$1.80 for one hour parking.they do take donations .the inside gardens are beautiful and well maintained.the outside gardens are awesome must see and there open all year round.dont forget to visit the walking trails . their is a kids area .they offer classes.you can spend hours there the botanical gardens are well maintained. clean restrooms. Conference and meeting rooms available. visit the gift shop . bring a lunch spend the day .get back to nature on one of many trails ...

The BF had mentioned to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens to me before, but we had yet to visit. When our original plans for the weekend fell through, he suggested we go since it would be a nice day. The Gardens includes botanical gardens, natural areas with trails, and several research-quality habitats, which means you can spend a few solid hours here. And it's all free! We started off in the Conservatory, which features a Tropical House, a Temperate House, a Bonsai exhibit, and an Arid House. We thoroughly enjoyed all the sections - I think the BF liked the Arid House the most since it had a lot of cacti. The Bonsai collection was not as big as we had hoped, since we're both Bonsai fans. We also took a walk in one of their nature trails, which was nice and an easy walk. I think it would be nicer to come during the Spring or Fall, when more flowers are in bloom or when the colors start changing.

One of the "hidden gems" of SE Michigan. A lovely spot to visit and learn about the research and activity in the botanical area. I noticed many young people leisurely walking and there are many specimens on display. They also do a lot of seminars and informational events. Gardens to visit are free and parking costs just $1.50 an hour.

I loved these gardens! It was a beautiful place to catch on a day in town. They had a magnificent bonsai exhibit when we went. This would be a great place to bring the family or have a romantic date, or even just bring your mother! I highly recommend.

Went here a couple weeks ago with my mom and loved it! The greenhouse was absolutely gorgeous and neat to walk through

We like to go to botanical gardens on dates. This one is tucked away in Ann Arbor and has a nice feel to it. It's not super big and once you exit the heavily planned areas, it feels a little underdone, but the interior is gorgeous and there is a real emphasis on education, which warms the hearts of two teachers.

I just love coming here. The plants are so gorgeous. It is a great way to spend an afternoon. The indoor conservatory has some amazing spectacles that both inspire and calm me. I highly recommend a visit any time of the year.

If you are stressing out and need to get away this is a magical peaceful place. If it's the middle of winter and you want to escape to the tropics for an hr come here. Great for a picnic. My favorite spot is the Bonsai garden awesome. So cool I want to do that so bad. Great walking trails, beautiful gardens, kids area is nice. It's all awesome EXCEPT the fucking parking meters. really Ann Arbor you couldn't just give free parking? how lame that part makes me mad every time I want to take refuge and find serenity.

Stopped here to spend an hour in between appointments, pleasantly surprised at the lovely gardens. Parking was easy and inexpensive. There's a self serve kiosk near the building entrance to pay, takes coins or cards. Plenty of places to sit and take in the beauty of what's in bloom. I saw there was a children's garden, I did not venture into that area but I could hear kids having a good time in there. I will definitely return when in the area. Nice place to bring a picnic lunch.