A few months ago, I bought a book on New England gardens. My husband thought it was a waste of money, but y’all know that I love a good botanical garden. Not going to lie; the book has sat on my coffee table since I bought it. But then, my husband told me about his desire to visit a botanical garden he read about in my book. Can you guess what garden? The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is located in Boylston, Massachusetts.
For some reason, we chose the hottest day of the month to visit. I highly recommend taking your water bottle. The outside gardens have a building with bathrooms and water fountains to fill up your water bottles. And walking shoes! The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill has a few short trails for you to take, and I highly recommend doing all of them. My husband enjoyed walking around the pond, where he saw a snake, dragonflies, and frogs.
My favorite part of the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill was the scenic views. You could see hills perfectly from the top of Tower Hill and their scenic overview. Both had sitting areas to enjoy that gorgeous view.
If you need more than just scenic views to make the trip, let me help you with that.
Reasons to Visit the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
The Gorgeous Gardens
With 18 (yes, 18!) distinct gardens on over 170 acres, you will find something you’re going to find breathtaking. The gardens are preserved as woodland and open space and display some of the most beautiful plants in the world. I want to go back, sit on a bench, and journal my thoughts. You can find photos of all their gardens here and a map here.
Perfect for Photoshoots
Visitors are welcome to take photos of plants, subjects, and themselves, but a permit is needed to use the gardens as a backdrop for photography sessions. But with their various gardens and building structures, you can find a variety of backgrounds to fit any photoshoot theme your heart desires. I took simple photos at my favorite spots, but if you need something a little more intricate, it might be best to reach out. You can read more about their photography policies here.
Picnic-Friendly
While the gardens have a cafe, the Farmer and Fork Cafe, you can also picnic throughout the grounds. They have scattered tables, or if you want a traditional picnic, you can spread a blanket on any mown grassy area. From what I read, the gardens do not sell single-use water bottles, so make sure to bring a reusable one! Picnics in the garden are perfect for families, friend groups, or even dates.
Bring Your Four-Legged Best Friend
Want a nice place to walk your dog? The garden is perfect for you and your four-legged best friend. You do have to pay admission for the dogs (unless you are a member), but I did notice they had a few water bowls scattered throughout the gardens to keep your dogs hydrated. Also, dogs must be leashed at all times.
Classes For Everyone
Want to experience more in the garden? Check out one of their classes or events. From Yoga at the Garden to Garden Explorers (perfect for young kids!), you will find a class or event for everyone. We missed a class on mushrooms, but we are now checking their online calendar to see if there is anything we like. You can find their online calendar here.
Hours & Ticket Prices For the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
The garden is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last admission time being at 4 p.m. Severe weather and holidays can cause closure, so you can check their socials or call them to see if they will be open.
Admission Prices:
- Members: FREE
- Adults: $18
- Seniors (65+): $15
- Child (age 4-12): $8
- Child (age three and under): Free
- Dog Members: Free
- Dogs: $7
You can purchase tickets here.
Let’s hope that my reasons are enough reason to make the trip to the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. I cannot state how gorgeous these gardens are and how much I enjoyed walking around in nature. If you plan to add this to your Massachusetts bucket list, leave a comment below.
