Things to Do in Toledo, Ohio: Toledo Botanical Gardens

The Toledo Botanical Garden in Toledo, Ohio is located between Holland Sylvania Ave, Elmer Dr., and Bancroft St. in West Toledo. With ample free parking and no admission fee, it's the perfect place to spend a nice day in Toledo! The park is open any time during daylight hours. The thing I love most about the Toledo Botanical garden is that there are really multiple gardens - you can explore and not even find them all, if you don't know they're there. There are seventeen gardens included in the Botanical garden, each with their own design and personality.

The Dahlia Garden is one of the smallest but one of my favorites. You can walk through rows of vibrantly colored huge flowers with bees buzzing around. One of the gardens, called the Green Garden, is nestled behind a stone wall, much like I would imagine the Secret garden from the children's book. One garden has a gazebo over a pond with goldfish in it, while another is a long, rectangular garden that is a formal English Border Garden.

Right in the middle of the Toledo botanical garden you'll find a large pond. This pond is frequented by geese and ducks year-round, and during the summer you can see swans, large fish in the water, and ever a blue heron if you're lucky. In the spring, robins are very common. Pets are not allowed at the Toledo Botanical Garden.

If you're looking for a pretty place to have a summer or fall wedding, the Toledo Botanical garden can certainly meet that need! With multiple gazebos and fields, all the gardens, and even the small buildings on-site, there is something to suit everyone. The prices are reasonable, starting at $1500 for a 10-hour 100-guest rental.

In addition to being a great place to explore on your own, Toledo Botanical Garden also sponsors classes in art, history, and science for adults, children, and families. There is an old cabin at the garden that is the center of some of the history classes.

The Toledo Botanical Garden has a very well put together website with all the information you might need - how to get there, maps of the gardens, rental prices, and a calendar of events. You can also join the Garden on their website, and enjoy free admission to special events, and to other botanical gardens throughout the country with their reciprocal program. The Toledo Botanical garden is one of the best outdoor things to do in Toledo, Ohio!