Lewis, A. State Botanical Garden of Georgia 4.5 670 reviews #2 of 46 things to do in Athens Gardens Closed now Visit website Call Write a review About This 313-acre preserve is used by the University of Georgia as a horticulture laboratory and is open to the public. Trolley riders will enjoy festive holiday beverages, music, and a one-of-a-kind tour souvenir! The Native Flora Garden adjoins the Shade Garden. Visit in the spring to see the dogwoods, magnolias and azaleas bursting with color; or in the fall, the camellias shine. The show will run on select evenings from Nov. 23, 2022, through Jan. 8, 2023. Tickets to Winter Wonderlights must be purchased online in advance. Enjoy a daytime fun-filled train rideon the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Shop in the Christmas Village, and ride through the illuminated forest. The event is presented by the University of Georgia. Kids will adore the award-winning Children's Garden, and the summertime Cocktails in the Garden events are the place to be for adults. Tickets for the State Botanical Garden of Georgia's light show are available now. Carol Nourse and Hugh Nourse, The State Botanical Garden of Georgia (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2001). Dont leave without buying a Condor Chocolates Winter WonderBar, created especially for Winter WonderLights, with a portion of the proceeds going toward education and conservation programs at the State Botanical Garden. The childrens garden is a 2.5-acre wonderland, teaching families about nature in a fun and interactive way with garden plots and edible plants, a tree-house, fossil wall, granite map of Georgia and more. Near the Native Flora Garden is the Rose Garden, which features an array of species and hybrids including the state flower of Georgia, the Cherokee rose. Lasting only an hour, the ride is great for families, and all children get a traditional bell and a candy cane. Cookies, smores, Condor hot chocolate, coffee and other beverages will be available for purchase throughout the light show. Premium sponsors are Georgia Power and Athens Ford, the official dealership of Winter WonderLights. Other sponsors include Barrons Rentals, Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center and members of the local community. Toy soldiers light display at Rock City Gardens' Enchanted Garden of Lights in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. The show attracted over 45,000 visitors last year. Members of Friends of the Garden will receive a 10 percent discount, as will groups of 20 or more people. Enjoy entertainment all along the way. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, located in Athens, is a 313-acre preserve set aside by the University of Georgia in 1968 for the study and enjoyment of plants and nature. Reserve your tickets on the Historic SAM Shortline Railroad for several special holiday train rides. All Rights Reserved. Tubing in Georgia: A Must-Have Summer Adventure, 10 Best Things to Do this Summer in Georgia, Guide to Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Resort & Gardens, Drive-Thru Holiday Lights You Have to See to Believe, Lighting of Downtown Dahlonega and Lighting of the Tree, Celebrate Christmas Past with These Holiday Home Tours, 8 Holiday Train Adventures Around Georgia. The Dahlia Garden and Trial Garden are nearby. Experience the holidays inDahlonega, which has been named one of the Top 25 Hallmark Christmas Towns! Start a new tradition and create memories that will last a lifetime for your kidsand you. Join magical festivities in town squares throughout the state in dramatic holiday lighting ceremonies with music, performances, food and much more family fun. Visitors to the show represented 132 Georgia counties and 45 states. This year, the State Botanical Garden extended Winter WonderLights to include evenings around the Thanksgiving holiday. Along the way, visitors can roast marshmallows for smores over an open fire, and enjoy rich hot chocolate or cold refreshments. Aerial view of holiday lights at Atlanta Botanical Gardens in Atlanta, Georgia. (2002). State Botanical Garden of Georgia at UGA/Facebook. Carolers sing traditional favorites while colorful characters capture your imagination with street theater. The Field of Lights scene is nearly two football fields long, featuring a Christmas tree more than 10 stories tall, making it the tallest Christmas tree in the South. At the University of Georgia, we are working hard every day to achieve at the highest levels. Members of Friends of the Garden will receive a 10% discount, as will groups of 20 or more people. Proceeds from ticket sales, parking and merchandise will go back into the garden, supporting education, horticulture and conservation programs. Our Friends members will receive a 10 percent discount on ticket purchases. Jekyll Island is home to more than a million lights during the Holly Jolly Jekyll season. It is located at 2450 South Milledge Avenue, Athens, Georgia . The trail hosts 21 markers that show where hummingbirds frequent the garden. Winter WonderLights allows us to show off our world-class botanical garden and generate support for our impactful programs., Krislyn Johnson and her daughter, River, enjoy hot chocolate in the Childrens Garden. All requests for permission to publish or reproduce the resource must be submitted to the rights holder. Courtesy of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. For the second year, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia will transform into a sparkling winter wonderland of lights. For the second year, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia will transform into a sparkling winter wonderland of lights.. Winter WonderLights, presented by the UGA Office of the President, takes visitors along a trail of sparkling animals, including a couple of new ones, a Garden of Delights, a Cone Tree Plaza, and a re-envisioned Candy Cane Lane, among other . These signature events are gifts the whole family will enjoy this holiday season. More: 8 Holiday Train Adventures Around Georgia. (Photo by Shannah Montgomery). (Photo by Shannah Montgomery). The building contains offices, classrooms, a gift shop, the Garden Room Cafe, and a 10,000-square-foot conservatory featuring tropical plants of economic interest. Theyre planning for a wedding in the summer of 2024. Winter WonderLights at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. On select nights from Nov. 23, 2022 through Jan. 8, 2023 the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia in Athens is transformed at night into a wonderland of twinkling lights and dazzling displays. Volunteer photographers for the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, they were named Volunteers of the Year for the Garden in 1997. Tropical Conservatory, Herb and Physic Garden, Science & Conservation: Five Areas of Impact, Mimsie Lanier Center for Native Plant Studies, Preserving Georgias Imperiled Native Species, Georgia Pollinator Plants of the Year Program. Powell and Harris, both UGA students from Loganville, Ga., have been together for almost four years. The Flower Garden also hosts the Sunflower Concert Series each summer. The botanical garden is located approximately 70 miles east of Atlanta, at 2450 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, Georgia. We are thrilled to offer Winter WonderLights for the second year beginning this November, said Jenny Cruse-Sanders, State Botanical Garden director. Reserved timed entry tickets must be purchased online in advance. Foreword by Jeff Lewis. This new family friendly outdoor event gives us a way to show off our world-class botanical garden and generate support for our impactful programs. About The State Botanical Garden of Georgia: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach, is one of the states most treasured resources. Summer is a great time for a leisurely stroll in the shade to . With three tiers of lawn, the Lower Flower Garden also offers opportunities to relax or watch events held on the stage. Please see contact information provided within the above press release. The Day Chapel, completed in 1994, was the third major building constructed at the State Botanical Garden. The Nourses have also lectured widely on the subject. There were NO signs directing. In 2020, a scene titled Magical Field of Lights made its debut to mark the 29th year of this spectacular Christmas event! Hummingbird Trail Maps are available at the Visitor Center front desk or by download here. The show is presented by the University of Georgia Office of the President. The Red, Green, Blue, Purple, and Yellow Trails are shorter, interconnecting segments. Refreshments such as cookies, smores, bottled water, hot chocolate and coffee will be available throughout the light show. Home Visit Us Gardens and Collections Flower Garden. The children's garden is free and open to the public and is an interactive outdoor classroom for hands-on education. |Privacy Policy, Getting Here & Getting Around: Transportation to Athens. on Google+, State Botanical Garden of Georgia Athens, GA 30605. Latest travel itineraries for The State Botanical Garden of Georgia in June (updated in 2023), The State Botanical Garden of Georgia reviews, The State Botanical Garden of Georgia address and opening hours, popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near The State Botanical Garden of Georgia - Trip.com Enjoy Christmas lights, carriage rides, music, wine tastings, extended shopping hours and more holiday festivitiesthrough Jan. 8, 2023. Beginning Dec. 1, the University of Georgia will host its first Winter WonderLights showwith a Garden of Delights, Candy Cane Lane and Cone Tree Plaza, among other magical features, along a half-mile trail at theState Botanical Garden of Georgiain Athens. Funding was provided by the family of Cecil B. They enjoyed volunteering at the smores stations together. 2023 University of Georgia Press 2023 State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Cookies, smores, Condor hot chocolate, coffee and other beverages will be available for purchase throughout the light show. Lighted displays will delight children and adults every evening through Jan. 9, 2022. This year's show, presented by the UGA Office of the President, marks the second year of Athens' newest winter tradition. Cody Powell proposed to his fiancee, Megan Harris, in front of the 40-foot cone tree on Dec. 21. She was excited that Winter WonderLights offered shows around Thanksgiving this year since many people have relatives in town. The seven plazas of the Shade Garden represent the seven districts of the Garden Club of Georgia, whose members helped make the 1988 renovation possible. Athens, GA 30605. Tickets are $17 each, $15 for members of Friends of the Garden, $5 for children ages 4-13 and free for children under 4. The Upper Flower Garden highlights include rotating annual beds and planters, seasonal bulbs, shade-loving foliage plants and native woodland ephemerals. Visit in the spring to see parsley, lemon balm, raspberry, caladiums and canna lilies; or in the fall to see sage, thyme, kale and Solomons seal. Tickets Atlanta Garden Admission Enjoy the Garden and during daytime hours. Modern in design, the chapel contains an eclectic combination of styles and details. Modern in design, the chapel contains an eclectic combination of styles and details. The Flower Garden boasts a variety of stunning collections including the Annual Garden, featuring the All-American Selections Display Garden and the Daylily, Daffodil, Iris, Rose and Peony Gardens, the Fragrance Garden, Perennial Garden, Meditation Garden and a Woodland Walk to reach the Wildlife Pavilion. Atlanta is served by the MARTA transit system. (Photo by Shannah Montgomery), The online newspaper for the University of Georgia community, Research news from across the University of Georgia, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, Todays top news from the University of Georgia, UGA Boyd Data Center maintenance scheduled for July 22, Selig Center unveils 2022 Multicultural Economic Report, BIRC provides state-of-the-art imaging capabilities, Students to work on WWII documentary production crew, HR assistant director is here to help others. A project of: The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, The Georgia Museum of Natural History, and Georgia 4-H. GEN Homepage; About Garden Earth Naturalists; What is an Ecosystem? Winter WonderLights allows us to show off our world-class botanical garden and generate support for our impactful programs., Krislyn Johnson and her daughter, River, enjoy hot chocolate in the Childrens Garden. Members of Friends of the Garden will receive a 10 percent discount, as will groups of 20 or more people. Weekday Admission (Tuesday - Friday) Weekend Admission Throughout the year, the garden hosts educational programming including camps, classes, workshops, concerts and festivals for visitors of all ages. "State Botanical Garden of Georgia." This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Powell came to Winter WonderLights on Dec. 20 to scope out a good spot for the proposal. Public Service and Outreach, State Botanical Garden of Georgia. This walk-through light show at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens features illuminated displays along a half-mile path that is certain to delight and inspire. Home Things to Do Share State Botanical Garden of Georgia Athens is the proud home of Georgia's official botanical garden, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Have a holly jolly Christmas at Stone Mountain Park, where the true magic of the season is in the air. The Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center will be transformed into a holiday market, where guests can shop for gifts and souvenirs. (Photo by Shannah Montgomery). Getting there is a bit of a mission for newcomers. Tickets are $17 each, $15 for members of Friends of the Garden, $5 for children ages 4-13 and free for children under 4. The Dunson Native Flora Garden is the oldest garden at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and offers over 300 species native to the southeastern United States. Lighted displays delighted children and adults on select evenings from Nov. 23, 2022, through Jan. 8, 2023. Tickets are $15 per person, free for children under 3. Beginning in 2020, we offer online plant sales from our Greenhouses. During Christmas at the Mansion, every room is dressed with authentic period decorations - from streamers in the childrens room to poinsettias, holly branches and gorgeous ribbons in other rooms and parlors. Tickets for designated dates and times to visit the show are available now at wonderlights.uga.edu. The 313-acre State Botanical Garden of Georgia is home to numerous themed display gardens, including the Flower Garden, the International Garden, the Heritage Garden, the Shade Garden, and more. The half-mile trail takes about 45-60 minutes to complete and is fully ADA accessible. Other collections of interest include native azaleas (in the Native Flora Garden) and hybrid rhododendrons (adjacent to the Orient and China section of the International Garden). Purchase tickets online for the guided tram tours that take place on select nights. Winter WonderLights at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens, Georgia Winter WonderLights Located three miles south of campus, it is a living laboratory serving educational, research, recreational and public service roles for the university and the citizens of Georgia. "State Botanical Garden of Georgia." Condor Chocolates also sold over 17,000 cups of its delicious hot chocolate at two locations throughout Winter WonderLights. The Garden Club of Georgia State Headquarters was completed in 1998, at which time the club moved its headquarters from the Founders Garden on the University of Georgia campus to the State Botanical Garden. This award-winning light extravaganza at Rock City Gardens features more than 30 holiday scenes that transform the gardens' natural daytime splendor into a nocturnal fantasyland. Georgia Critters Camp June 5-9, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily Ages: 5-10 Fee: $300 Register OnlineLearn to bound like a deer, sneak like a fox, and build a home like a beaver. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, located in Athens, is a 313-acre preserve set aside by the University of Georgia in 1968 for the study. We are thrilled to offer Winter WonderLights for the second year beginning this November, said Jenny Cruse-Sanders, State Botanical Garden director. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia has five miles of color-coded nature trails that wind through serene natural areas that connect numerous natural features and native piedmont plant communities, including uncommon features such as: heath bluffs along the Middle Oconee River, amphibolite geology, and floodplain forest and Piedmont prairie restoration areas. Day Sr. in his memory. The International Garden has a bit of everything history, culture, horticulture and botany. The International Garden at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia pays homage to John and William Bartram, who discovered the Franklin Tree (named in honor of Benjamin Franklin), and Ernest Henry "Chinese" Wilson, who introduced Asian varieties to the Southeast. The Alice Hand Callaway Visitors Center will be transformed into a holiday market, where guests can shop for gifts and souvenirs. This seasons Winter WonderLights featured two new light animals crafted by local artist Chris Taylor, and the number of lights increased from 1 million to an estimated 1.4 million. The massive Tunnel of Light along with favorites such as the Orchestral Orbs, Glittering Galaxy, Radiant Rainforest and Model Trains continue to make the exhibition a must-see holiday tradition. (Photo by Shannah Montgomery), The online newspaper for the University of Georgia community, Research news from across the University of Georgia, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, Todays top news from the University of Georgia, UGA Boyd Data Center maintenance scheduled for July 22, Selig Center unveils 2022 Multicultural Economic Report, BIRC provides state-of-the-art imaging capabilities, Students to work on WWII documentary production crew, HR assistant director is here to help others. Fashion and politics from Georgia-born designer Frankie Welch, Take a virtual tour of Georgia's museums and galleries. The Athens Banner-Herald recently named Winter WonderLights the best local event in Athens in its Best of the Best Awards. The Annual and Perennial Garden, one of the most colorful areas in the entire garden, is located near the Rose Garden and includes the All-America Selections Display Garden. Sign up for our newsletters, and let Explore Georgia provide inspiration for your next trip. This new family friendly outdoor event gives us a way to show off our world-class botanical garden and generate support for our impactful programs. Visit in the springtime to see azaleas, dogwoods, magnolias and old-fashioned roses in bloom; or come in the fall and winter to see the winter veggies, confederate roses and ripening citrus fruit. State Botanical Garden of Georgia The conservatory features plants found exclusively in equatorial climates and informational signs explain their importance in our everyday lives. Celebrate the season at theHills & Dales Estatein LaGrange. The Annual and Perennial Garden, one of the most colorful areas in the entire garden, includes the All-America Selections Display Garden. 2023 State Botanical Garden of Georgia. 2450 S. Milledge Avenue The show is presented by the University of Georgia Office of the President. The University of Georgia Press. All other marks belong to their respective owners. My favorite part is the interaction with the kids, Henderson said. . Other highlights in the lower garden include seasonal bulbs, cut flowers, dahlias, daylilies, tropical foliage plants and peonies. Select dates November through December 2022. Members, please show your digital member card and photo ID for complimentary daytime admission. The half-mile trail will take between 45-60 minutes to complete and is fully ADA accessible. Everything is designed with attention to detail and an interactive, educational component. Winter WonderLights, presented by the UGA Office of the President, takes visitors along a trail of sparkling animals, including a couple of new ones, a Garden of Delights, a Cone Tree Plaza, and a re-envisioned Candy Cane Lane, among other magical features. GDEcD. Community sing-alongs, chestnut roasting and marshmallow toasting will put you in the mood for Christmas. Join the ride to Plains on Nov. 26, 2022, to see the annual Christmas Lighting, ride the Candy Cane Express, and more! The sequence begins aptly with the glorious explosion of spring and meanders joyfully through the waxing and waning of the seasons to the stark forms of winter. The halls of this Georgian Italian villa are decked with fresh plants, flowers and evergreens. The chapel walk layers bulbs, perennials, shrubs and trees to maximize interest all year long. Annual color display production, tropical plant collection management and propagation for plant sales and special events are just a few of the many services the gardens greenhouse facility provides. These 145 spectacular color photographs celebrate nature's cycles in a splendid and diverse southern garden.