TRAVEL GUIDE

Wisconsin Travel and Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Wisconsin may not strike you as a great place to grow tropical flowers, but that's exactly what the Olbrich Botanical Gardens are famous for. Located in the heart of Madison, this one-of-a-kind tourist attraction proudly boasts some of the world's most exotic blooms and trees. Wisconsin travel planners and tourists are invited to stroll through 16 acres of outdoor displays, including every imaginable garden setup. From perennials and roses to wildflowers and herbs, you're sure to find plenty of flora fun inside the Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

The wonder of walking through gardens

More than 250,000 visitors stop in at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, making it the most popular tourist attraction in all of Madison. So what's so wonderful about this luscious landscape? Well, first of all, there are ten unique gardens located within the sprawling 16-acre facility. Wisconsin travel planners and tourists are invited to breath in the sweet smells of spring inside areas like the Sunken Garden and the Meadow Garden. The Starkweather Creek and Atrium Shade Gardens are always popular on hot summer days, while the Rose Garden is always flourishing in early autumn. The Olbrich Botanical Gardens even boast an ethnic flare, thanks to the unique Thai Pavilion and Garden. This wonderful architectural detail was crafted in Thailand and then reassembled by artisans in Madison.

Enjoy spring all year round inside the Bolz Conservatory

If the winter blues have you craving the smells of springs, there's no better place to go than the Bolz Conservatory. Located in the heart of the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, the Bolz Conservatory houses over 750 plants representing nearly 70 families and over 550 different species worldwide. Native to tropical and sub-tropical climates, these exotic plants are kept cozy inside the Conservatory thanks to temperatures that range from 65 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The plants housed inside the Bolz Conservatory mimic the great diversity of plants, which exist within the tropical forests of the world. A number of exotic wildlife species also call the Conservatory home. These include fish like koi, reptiles like Mediterranean geckos and amphibians like tree frogs.

Get your green thumb in gear

Aside from providing Wisconsin travel planners and tourists with an assortment of beautiful plants, the Olbrich Botanical Gardens also feature a handful of exciting monthly classes. These informative sessions are designed to help visitors improve their gardening methods through unique programs and hands on opportunities. There are even workshops specially designed for children, so go ahead and let your young'uns get good and dirty. Arts and crafts, garden walks and lecture series are also offered periodically throughout the year.

Explore Olbrich during your upcoming Wisconsin travel vacation

Finding the Olbrich Botanical Gardens is easy. If you're traveling from Milwaukee, simply head east via 94. As you approach the city in your car rental, follow Highway 30 to Madison. Take the exit entitled Fair Oaks Avenue, turning left at the exit's end. Wisconsin travel planners and tourists will want to follow Fair Oaks Avenue to the Atwood Avenue intersection. Turn left onto Atwood Avenue. The Olbrich Botanical Gardens will appear on your left. Free parking is available for all Wisconsin travel planners and tourists.

The Olbrich Botanical Gardens are truly one of the most memorable attractions in Madison. If you would like to learn more about this blossoming landscape, simply contact the facility by phone at 1-608-246-4550. The Gardens are open April through September from 8am to 8pm and October through March from 9am to 4pm. Wisconsin travel planners and tourists will find the Gardens at 300 Atwood Avenue. The Olbrich Botanical Gardens are owned and operated by the city of Madison Parks Division in partnership with the Olbrich Botanical Society.