Brookside Gardens

Step away from the cold and check out this free park that has a conservatory that has blooming plants year round. And yes, this park is free to attend through Montgomery parks. This park has maps and trails posted throughout with several walking loops and pond to gaze upon. Even in February they had plants starting to bloom outside. They also have fountains and art exhibits throughout the park.

My family absolutely loved walking through the Garden of Lights holiday lights display. It was so beautiful, colorful, amazing displays, and it was huge! This is probably the best walk-through lights display we've seen and it's going to become a new annual family holiday tradition.

Brookside gardens is a lovely place especially for the holiday lights. Great option for families around the holidays to get out for some fun. The gardens are very walkable but not too much walking for smaller kids who might get tired. There are bathrooms and gift shop in the main building and there is usually 1 or 2 food vendors during the holiday lights if you get hungry. Make sure you book tickets for the holiday lights in advance as the earlier times sell out quickly.

Stunning, free admission, and just so utterly peaceful. After a few weeks in Washington, one can feel really city-ed out, and these stunning, peaceful gardens are all about mindfulness and sensory experiences. The smells, scenes, and sounds are so restorative and soothing, and we saw so much wildlife! And the gardens are amazingly maintained.

We spent about an hour and a half, but would have spent longer if our schedule had allowed! Recommend at least 2 hours to really soak it all in.

Andrew gave us some excellent garden and DC area recommendations, and was lovely to chat with. We will certainly be back at least once, if not more. Definitely worth the drive from downtown.

Beautiful public garden, which is well known for winter holiday displays. On the North side of Wheaton Park, best accessed from Randolph. For the winter lights, you definitely should buy tickets in advance as parking is the major limiting factor. Nice little gift shop on-site with nature-themed toys and gifts, including some made from trees that fell or died in the garden complex.

Beautiful, very well-curated gardens, with many different picturesque and serene vistas. A wire variety of interesting plants, flowers, and trees, most of the which have their name plates. The pond in the Japanese garden has lots of turtles. There are many beautiful art sculptures throughout the gardens. It can take upto 1.5 hours if you visit all the mini-Gardens. Lots of benches to sit and enjoy the view throughout the gardens. Overall, a lovely experience. Entrance is free, with ample parking. The staff in visitor center is very cordial and helpful.

Brookside Gardens is an absolute gem of a botanical paradise. From the moment I stepped foot into this lush oasis, I was captivated by its beauty. The meticulously manicured gardens, brimming with a breathtaking variety of flowers and plants, left me in awe.

The garden's design is a testament to thoughtful planning, with themed areas that transport you to different horticultural worlds. Whether you're wandering through the tranquil Japanese Garden, admiring the vibrant colors of the Rose Garden, or exploring the fragrant Butterfly Garden, each section offers a unique and enchanting experience.

One of the highlights of my visit was the conservatory, a tropical haven filled with exotic plants and a stunning collection of orchids. It's the perfect escape on a chilly day or a rainy afternoon.

But Brookside Gardens isn't just about flora; it's also a hub for learning and appreciation of nature. The visitor center provides valuable insights into gardening and conservation, making it an educational experience for all ages.

The attention to detail in maintaining this botanical wonderland is commendable. The staff's passion and dedication are evident in the gardens' impeccable upkeep.

Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a photographer seeking a picturesque backdrop, or simply someone looking for a serene and peaceful retreat, Brookside Gardens is a must-visit destination. It's a place that invites you to connect with the beauty of the natural world and leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Great place as outdoor elopement venue!!! I took photos of this elopement session and LOVE every corner of this place. Will definably recommend my couples for engagement shoot or families who wants to get close to nature at weekends!

We came here in spring and it was pretty busy cause all the tulips were blooming and so were other flowers, you name it! Despite the crowd, it's so utterly peaceful, especially when chilling by the water overlooking the Japanese gazebo. Not to mention, it's FREE ADMISSION! Definitely Brookside Gardens is one of my favorite gardens in MD!!

My family and I went to Brookside Gardens at night to enjoy Christmas lights. It was a great experience and display especially for our little one. Plan ahead and buy tickets. For parking, don’t get stuck on traffic at the main entrance, there is another one with available parking.

The walkthrough winter lights show is BEAUTIFUL. There's so many lights, they make use of the space, and the photography opportunities are ENDLESS. My friends and I spent hours taking couple photos, group photos, etc.

The price is amazing in my opinion. For $10 ($12.50 w/ tax), you're able to spend what I think to be as much time as you want strolling through this beautiful light show!

Absolutely beautiful, especially for a place that's free. Apparently they have different things that bloom depending on the season. Many different places to sit and just enjoy nature. Highly recommend.

Went for the Garden of Lights event. Me and my daughter had a wonderful time. She loved the bubble machine that blew out smokey bubbles! You need to make a reservation. I can highly recommend coming for this event!

This has been the best public garden experience ever. I traveled an hour to visit, and it was worth every mile. The natural beauty was abundant... I even watched a chipmunk scurry across the grass and later 2 blackbirds just chilling.
I spent 3hrs.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING🤩

Amazing garden, I absolutely love it! I have gone three times this far and I plan to go more in the future. But this gardan is beautiful, well maintained thanks to all the hardworking employees! Took my parents there recently and they also loved it. Highly recommend for a nice walk, breathtaking views, great atmosphere!

Stunning, peaceful, relaxing, and more! Spent almost 2 hours here, just walking around, etc. There are a lot of benches and spots to rest. Very clean restrooms, too. If you ever need a moment to get away and breathe, come to Brookside Gardens.

It was amazing to simply sit and stare at the plants around me. This trip was much needed.

I got married at Brookside Gardens and had the most perfect day. The venue is BREATHTAKING and our photos came out beautifully. The staff was flexible with our indoor/outdoor plans and was super helpful during the event (we even got a golf cart ride up to the auditorium from our photos!!). Jennifer Bland was amazing during the planning process and made sure everything was in order. The only thing I would change is the quick turn around time for set-up and tear down (we got 2 hours for setup and 1 hour for tear down), but if you have all hands on deck you will be fine. If you are a bride considering this venue, BOOK IT!!

Beautiful flowers, great landscape, every corner is worth taking a picture. Parking is open and easy. Perfect place to relax, get your walking exercise here…. We loved the nature and so many plants and flowers that I have not seen before. Perfect destination for picture.

Amazing FREE botanical gardens. Much larger than I was expecting with ample parking. The green houses are dense with huge vibrant colored plants. The grounds are expertly maintained with taxonomy of each plant labeled. Paved walking paths make visiting with a stroller a breeze. The visitor center has maps and restrooms.

Beautiful garden with lots of places to take pictures, enjoy nature and quiet time.