This Stunning Botanical Garden In Maryland Is A Peaceful Gem With Lush Plants & Cute Shops

Nestled in Wheaton Regional Park in suburban Maryland, Brookside Gardens is a breathtaking, award-winning 50-acre natural wonderland. Founded in 1969 and named after the brooks that flow through its landscape, the Gardens have long served as a living canvas of horticulture and design. From the moment you step onto one of its tranquil paths, you're enveloped in meticulously designed garden rooms: Fragrant beds, serene water features, and shaded walks are framed by azaleas and Japanese maples.

Particularly charming is the Aquatic Garden — with two reflective ponds and a graceful gazebo — and the Japanese-style Gude Garden, where bamboo, a teahouse, and koi ponds offer a moment of zen. Even in winter, the two conservatories beckon with tropical plantings and seasonal displays, ensuring that Brookside's beauty can be enjoyed year-round. All this is open to the public at no charge, making Brookside Gardens a truly accessible escape.

Brookside Gardens isn't just about plants — it's an experience that delights all the senses. Wander into the Visitor Center's Gift Shop and discover museum-quality botanical treasures, including eco-friendly items, fine jewelry, tableware, books, and charming children's toys that are all inspired by the gardens themselves. It's the perfect place to pick up a plant, a butterfly-themed keepsake, or a token to remember your visit.

The Gardens' design encourages lingering with benches, shaded groves, and gazebos that invite you to pause and absorb the atmosphere. Paths meander through themed landscapes, from the vibrant Azalea Garden to the contemplative Fragrance Garden, the Woodland Walk, and the elegant Rose Garden. Visitors reflect on quiet strolls here as a balm to modern life. In that way, Brookside feels like a garden for the soul. If you want to combine your trip with nearby destinations, McLean, Virginia, offers Great Falls Park, full of waterfalls and scenic hikes. You can also opt to take the family glamping on a Maryland mountaintop for a nature-filled adventure.

What elevates Brookside Gardens above a mere pretty place is its range of thoughtful programs and events suited to every season and stage of life. The Gardens host both free and ticketed events, from the enchanting Garden of Lights holiday show to the delightful Butterfly Experience and educational horticultural programs. Classes for children, lectures, GreenScapes symposia, and youth programs ensure the Gardens are as engaging as they are beautiful.

Brookside's connection to the local community runs deep, with over 650 volunteers and an expert horticultural team that cherishes each bloom and organizes educational outreach sessions. Nature lovers also flock to seasonal plant sales, where Montgomery Parks' horticulturists and local growers offer native plants and expert advice in support of the Gardens' upkeep. Whether you're enjoying a calm stroll, snapping wedding portraits, or simply soaking in the greenery, Brookside Gardens welcomes you with open arms. If you're inspired to seek out other nearby blossoms, don't forget to visit D.C. during cherry blossom season, located just over 11 miles away.