dodger stadium botanical garden tours

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Botanic Garden Tour

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1000 Vin Scully Avenue

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All Stadium Tours enforce a clear bag policy. Bags, backpacks, beach bags, hard/soft coolers, large purses, etc. are no longer permitted. Only adult diaper bags, diaper bags that accompany infants, clear plastic bags smaller than 12”x12”x6”, and non-clear wristlets/clutches no larger than 5”x8”x2” are permitted and subject to search.

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Tours that may interest you

Stadium tour

Come by any day and explore every corner of our beloved Dodger Stadium. Along the way, you'll learn all about the team's storied history while taking in breathtaking views of the city we call home.

from $25-$30

Clubhouse tour

Ever dreamt of being a Dodger? Of course you have. This excursion features all aspects of the daily Stadium Tour, plus a glimpse inside the Dodger Clubhouse, a visit to the Dodger bullpen and more.

from $45-$65

Select weekends

Dodger Stadium Botanic Garden

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1000 Vin Scully Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90026

Elysian Park

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Although I've lived close to Dodger Stadium for several years and have attended multiple events at the site, I never really appreciated how well maintained and beautiful the grounds are. Little did I know that Dodger Stadium is the first sports arena nationwide that's also an official botanic garden! This tour was a great way to see the site but also to learn a lot about our native CA plants and which ones will thrive in our local area. All the parts of the stadium we visited seem to come alive with the plantings--I can't even imagine the thought that must have gone into the landscaping/plant selection. The tour guide was helpful, friendly, and really knowledgeable. I can't recommend this tour highly enough! Great way to spend the morning for both tourists and locals alike.

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• Jun 27, 2023

A Tour of the Gardens at Chavez Ravine, Home of Dodger Baseball!

This was an amazing tour! Fun, informative, and full of Dodger trivia. Plus, lots of exercise! What could be better? I have been to Dodger stadium many, many times and have noticed the gardens, and all the architectural elements, but never really thought much about them.

Well, it was clear to me after this tour that Walter O'Malley, and those that followed in his footsteps, including Chaz Perea, have thought a lot about them. How to display the gardens, what to plant, how to maintain their beauty, and especially, how to develop the sustainability of gardens in 2023 in California.

Dodger Stadium is the country’s first sports arena with an accredited botanic garden.

The vision of Chaz Perea, (the landscape designer at Dodger Stadium) was to create a water-wise landscape that would introduce stadium visitors to the beauty of California native and other drought-resistant plants and water-saving irrigation techniques.

"Today, the slopes and giant concrete martini-shaped planters around the stadium have been transformed into beds of fragrant salvias, agaves of multiple colors and size, and boulder-sized century plants sending their towering blooms into the sky. The boxes outside the Dodgers Team Store at the Top Deck are overflowing with succulents of every color. And true to a botanic garden, all the plants have their tags listing their common and botanical names."*

Even though this video is a little bit longer than most, I just couldn't edit out any more of the video that I took - it was all so interesting, and our tour guide, Elizabeth Lara, was so knowledgable about the history of the stadium and its environs that I didn't want you to miss any of her pearls of wisdom!

Here's the article from the LA Times about the gardens, and the landscape designer, Chaz Perea.. It's completely fascinating!

https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2022-03-03/visit-dodger-stadium-botanic-garden#:~:text=Chaz%20Perea%2C%20director%20of%20landscaping,Stadium%2C%20and%20his%20landscaping%20team.

And here's the link to book a tour! Scroll down until you see the botanic tour link.

https://mpv.tickets.com/schedule/?agency=MLB_MPV&orgid=44109&tfl=Los_Dodgers_de_Los_Angeles-Ballpark-Tours_del_Estadio-button-x0-Phone-Portrait&adobe_mc=MCMID=02408406485458979789220680779370557994&MCORGID=A65F776A5245B01B0A490D44%40AdobeOrg&TS=1682035200#/?view=list&includePackages=true

* Credit to JEANETTE MARANTOS , LA Times Magazine, MARCH 3, 2022

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He’s Turning Dodger Stadium into a World-Class Garden, One Native Plant at a Time

Dodger Stadium is the only stadium in the country with an officially accredited botanic garden. Here’s how (and why) landscape manager Chaz Perea made it happen.

Thomas J. Story

Grass isn’t the only thing growing at Dodger Stadium thanks to landscape manager Chaz Perea. After an epiphany on a trip to the gardens at Versailles, Perea was inspired to transform the stadium into a fully certified botanic garden.

It took five years for Perea and his crew to wholly reimagine and replant the hillsides and concrete planters, and meet the requirements for official accreditation from Botanic Gardens Conservation International . But today, the former hodgepodge of geraniums and petunias, ivy and lantana is now home to dozens of California natives, dotted with succulents, complete with a “tequila garden” brimming with spiky agaves .

With multiple horticulture degrees, an MBA, a Ph.D. in the works, and a full-time professorship at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California, Perea is as much educator as landscape professional and Dodger Stadium is by far his biggest classroom yet. To see his horticultural handiwork up close, book a tour .

Dodger Stadium is the only stadium in the country with an officially accredited botanic garden. How did a native plant garden of such scale become a thing?

It actually almost didn’t happen because native plants were not widely available. You do what the people ask for and the commercial landscaping market isn’t suited to push California native plants . To me, the nonprofit Theodore Payne Foundation and nursery in L.A. is the main mechanism. Thanks to their plants and classes, California native plants are coming to light. My crew took all their classes and will continue to. There needs to be structural changes in the industry for native plants to go more mainstream and now we’re tapped into that and can help.

You’ve ripped out asphalt, replaced hedges, and rebuilt the stadium’s signature martini-shaped concrete planters. Talk us through the plantings.

So far we have 150 new species of plants. We’ve got one slope for native California species alone. We’ve got other areas with plants that represent Baja California and the West coast of Mexico; another 50 or so from the Arizona desert region; aloes from Africa, South Africa, Madagascar, and tropical regions. We’re adding 1,000 square feet each year. If you do the math, my guys are putting their hands on more native plants than anyone and are becoming ambassadors for the industry as well.

What learnings can you pass along to home gardeners?

Plant small. The smaller the plant is when you start it, the better it’ll be able to handle the stressors later in the year. You’ll use less power tools and spend more time pruning. There’s something about getting your hands on everything that really connects you to the plants. You’ll get a lot of biodiversity with the plants changing the microbiome in the soil, which attracts insect populations, which attracts birds. We have Asclepias going in for the monarchs . We’re starting to see more native wildlife. Our hummingbird population is ridiculous.

How are the fans reacting?

They’re posting about it on social media. But you know how we really know people are starting to notice? They’re stealing our plant signs!

What do you really want the fans to take away after seeing the gardens?

L.A. has its share of problems but it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world. I love this city and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to do my part to make it more beautiful. We want fans to come to the game and take more away than just the game. This land is sacred. L.A. is rich in beauty and we’re trying to be a part of it.

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• Los Angeles

Dodger Stadium Botanic Garden

1000 Vin Scully Ave, Los Angeles , California 90026 USA

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Reviewed by Ultra R.

Although I've lived close to Dodger Stadium for several years and have attended multiple events at the site, I never really appreciated how well maintained and beautiful the grounds are. Little... Read more

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Dodger Stadium landscaping crew transforms grounds to a certified botanic garden

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Dodger Stadium, known to fans as Blue Heaven On Earth, has gone green, becoming the only stadium in the country with a officially accredited botanic garden. Leading the effort to obtain the distinction was Dodger Stadium's landscape manager Dr. Chaz Perea, who has a PhD degree and teaches horticulture at Mt. San Antonio College.

"A botanic garden means that you are a living collection of plants. It's a living museum," said Dr. Perea. "It's the most visited stadium in the world, but people are really focused on getting from the auto gate to their seat. But if you're observant on your way in, you'll see all sorts of fun species."

Dr. Perea affectionately calls his landscaping team the Guardians of Ravine in reference to Chavez Ravine, the historical hilly land on which the stadium sits.

"The landscaping has defined Dodger Stadium since it opened in 1962, really celebrating the landscape that defines this part of Southern California," said Janet Marie Smith, Executive Vice President of Planning & Development with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"There is no other ballpark in America that has a public park that wraps it," said Smith. "Chaz and his landscape team have really worked hard to bring that park like setting into the property."

For more information, go to: https://www.mlb.com/dodgers

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Dodger Stadium landscaping crew transforms grounds to a certified botanic garden

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Dodger Stadium, known to fans as Blue Heaven On Earth, has gone green, becoming the only stadium in the country with a officially accredited botanic garden. Leading the effort to obtain the distinction was Dodger Stadium's landscape manager Dr. Chaz Perea, who has a PhD degree and teaches horticulture at Mt. San Antonio College.

"A botanic garden means that you are a living collection of plants. It's a living museum," said Dr. Perea. "It's the most visited stadium in the world, but people are really focused on getting from the auto gate to their seat. But if you're observant on your way in, you'll see all sorts of fun species."

Dr. Perea affectionately calls his landscaping team the Guardians of Ravine in reference to Chavez Ravine, the historical hilly land on which the stadium sits.

"The landscaping has defined Dodger Stadium since it opened in 1962, really celebrating the landscape that defines this part of Southern California," said Janet Marie Smith, Executive Vice President of Planning & Development with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"There is no other ballpark in America that has a public park that wraps it," said Smith. "Chaz and his landscape team have really worked hard to bring that park like setting into the property."

For more information, go to: https://www.mlb.com/dodgers

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• LOS ANGELES DODGERS

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9 gardens hidden in unexpected places around L.A.

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Did you know L.A. has landscaping rules for gas stations? Yes, gas stations (what could be more ungreen?).

In 1996, city planners rolled out rules requiring at least 5% of a station’s “vehicular use area” to be landscaped “with one 24-inch size tree for each 250 square feet of interior landscaped area or fraction thereof.” (Smaller areas may be allowed if “horticulturally more appropriate.”)

Planning your weekend?

Stay up to date on the best things to do, see and eat in L.A .

I have to admit I’ve seen some inspired mini-gardens and planters brimming with flowers while pumping gas. Bottom line: You can find greened-up spaces where you least expect them. Here are nine places around Los Angeles that are worth rediscovering.

Botanic garden at Dodger Stadium

SuihoEn Japanese Garden (adjacent to the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant)

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Japanese Stone Lantern is a Dodger Stadium Hidden Gem

As one of the more well-known sports venues in North America – and perhaps even more widely – Dodger Stadium has hosted a countless number of people since its opening in April 1962. The Los Angeles Dodgers alone had an official attendance of 176,416,038 at the stadium through the 2022 season. The Los Angeles Angels also played there from 1962-1965, with 3,292,244 fans officially coming through the turnstiles. And there have been many non-baseball events at Dodger Stadium, including concerts and more .

Yet, as familiar as the place is, there is one notable artifact on the grounds that probably not so many know about, even though it stands 10 feet tall, weighs nearly 4,000 pounds, and has been near the stadium since 1966. It’s on the hill behind right field, beyond Parking Lot 6 and past the Union 76 gas station. It’s made of stone and can emit a single light that can be seen on a summer night if one is sitting high enough in the stands.

It is Japanese stone lantern, a gift to former Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley from famous Japanese sportswriter Sotaro Suzuki and his wife Toku, and it serves as the primary focal point of a traditional Japanese garden.

“Who knew?” Robin Plaskoff Horton asked in 2015. “I grew up in Los Angeles, [and] went to many baseball games, but never knew that there was a Japanese garden hidden behind Dodger Stadium.”

Some background is in order.

The Dodgers have long had a relationship with Japan, having played exhibitions and conducted clinics there, in addition to hosting Japanese teams and coaches at their spring training facilities, since the mid-1950s. In 1995, pitcher Hideo Nomo ended a 30-year absence of Japanese players in MLB by signing with the Dodgers and becoming an immediate sensation. In 2008, the Emperor of Japan even gave former Dodger Manager Tommy Lasorda the Order of the Rising Sun Award – the second-highest honor that a foreigner can receive.  

As for Suzuki, he worked closely with O’Malley to coordinate a goodwill tour of Japan by the Dodgers following the 1956 World Series ( Jackie Robinson would make his last appearance in a Dodgers uniform as a player on this tour ), as well as a similar tour ten years later. O’Malley invited Suzuki and his wife to the grand opening of Dodger Stadium on April 9, 1962, and the Japanese couple wanted to do something in return. After getting back to Japan, Suzuki noticed a photograph of a stone lantern, thought it would be an appropriate gift, and got in touch with a famous stone-carving business called Shimizugumi Stone Works to arrange for the construction of a lantern for the Dodgers.

In a letter to O’Malley dated May 19, 1965, Suzuki said , “After thorough investigation and research, I have found a reliable manufacturer of the ‘Toro’ (Stone Lantern) to be dedicated to the Dodger Stadium in memory of our being invited to the Grand Opening on April 9, 1962, which Toku and myself are always thinking one of the greatest honors . . . in our life.”

With an official weight of 3,921 pounds, the lantern was shipped in six sections to Los Angeles during the winter of 1965. O’Malley decided to place it in its current location along with two cherry blossom trees, traditional-style river-rock paths, and pine trees cut in a Japanese style. Suzuki’s goal was to provide a relaxing setting for fans.

O’Malley often visited the garden and had plants and trees from the team’s former spring training home of Vero Beach, Fla., flown in and placed around the lamp. The organization’s groundskeepers maintained the garden for many years. Throughout the 1990’s, local resident Frank Ego made regular weekend visits to the Japanese garden to care for it and help maintain its beauty and importance.

The garden was re-dedicated in 2003, but currently is mostly overgrown due to neglect. With a renewed focus on landscaping surrounding the ballpark, including the maintenance of a formal botanic garden , here’s to hoping that a local Angeleno with horticultural chops gives the garden some renewed care in the spirit of Frank Ego.

“The lantern contains a light, and the light is a symbol of our enduring relationship with the people of Japan and . . . the game of baseball, [which] brings us all together,” former Dodger owner Frank McCourt said in 2009 before the Dodgers hosted Japan’s national team at the World Baseball Classic.

At the same event, the Hall-of-Famer Lasorda remarked, “We are proud of this lantern, [which] will shine long after we’re all gone. It will be here forever as a token of our esteem and appreciation to Japan.”

UPDATE: On March 25, 2024, the Dodgers announced that the stone lantern had been moved to a prominent location at Dodger Stadium’s Top Deck entrance. The lantern will greet hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of annual visitors. With the Dodgers’ recent signings of Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the lantern has been restored as a symbol of the franchise’s longtime connection with Japanese baseball.

Here's what's new at Dodger Stadium for the 2024 Season

A s the 2024 Major League Baseball season unfolds, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been the talk of the sport since the World Series concluded last October.

The new darlings of baseball, the Dodgers dominated the offseason by signing star players Shohei Ohtani , Yoshinobu Yamamoto , and Teoscar Hernandez . They made moves to improve along the margins as well.

As the Dodgers have made improvements to their personnel and product on the field, they have also done so off the field. Especially, when it comes to stadium renovations and fan experiences.

With the eyes of the world---and especially Japan--upon them, the organization has made a wave of new enhancements to the third oldest stadium in MLB , turning it into a vibrant hub that rolls out the red carpet for fans from all corners of the world, especially those that flow from the Land of the Rising Sun .

From cultural tributes to technological innovations and new culinary delights, the Dodgers have something for everyone who walks through the front door of what the organization affectionately calls "Blue Heaven on Earth."

Here's a closer look at what's in store for fans at the majestic, historic, and culturally diverse destination spot:

Japanese Stone Lantern: A Symbol of Friendship and History

March 26 marked a significant moment as the Dodgers unveiled a treasured relic from their past, the Japanese stone lantern gifted in 1965. Positioned prominently on the Top Deck, this eight-foot, 3,921-pound Kasuga-style lantern carries a rich narrative. Presented by Japanese sports columnist Sotaro Suzuki, a member of the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame, the lantern embodies the enduring bond between the Dodgers and Japanese baseball culture. Fans can now admire and capture the essence of this historical artifact, adding a touch of cultural depth to their stadium experience.

Cultural Inclusivity: Welcoming Fans from Across the Globe

Acknowledging the global appeal of the Dodgers, the team has taken steps to ensure a welcoming environment for fans traveling from overseas. Fan Services stations throughout the stadium now offer translator devices, facilitating seamless communication and enhancing the overall fan experience. Additionally, multi-lingual signage adorns fan-facing areas, embracing diversity and inclusivity at Dodger Stadium.

Throughout the year, the stadium has always offered expansive tours of the historical venue, including additional options on game days. Dodger Stadium offers both pregame tours and VIP tours but as a bonus this year, as part of their catering to diverse fan interests and providing insights into the rich history and architecture of Dodger Stadium, they now offer tours in Spanish and Japanese, which run four days per week with two different time slots.

Dodgers 365: Year-Round Engagement Beyond Baseball

In a bid to engage fans year-round, the Dodgers introduced Dodgers 365, a dedicated department focusing on non-baseball event initiatives. Consolidating tours, stadium rentals, and ticketed experiences, Dodgers 365 presents a plethora of opportunities for fans to immerse themselves in the Dodger spirit beyond game days.

Drone Shows and Enhanced Fan Comfort: Elevating the Game-Day Experience

Building on the success of last year's drone shows, the Dodgers have upped the ante with 10 spectacular drone shows scheduled for this season. These Friday post-game displays, featuring themed performances and captivating music, showcase the fusion of technology and entertainment at Dodger Stadium. Additionally, fan comfort has been prioritized with refreshed pavilion seats and the introduction of UberEats for convenient concession orders, minimizing wait times and maximizing enjoyment.

Tech-Savvy Solutions: QR Codes, Culinary Delights , Specialty Offerings and Unique Flavors

Embracing sustainability and convenience, Dodger Stadium has integrated QR codes in premium seating areas, allowing fans to access menus directly from their smartphones. This eco-friendly approach reduces paper usage while streamlining the dining experience. Speaking of dining, the stadium boasts a tantalizing array of new food items, ranging from traditional favorites to innovative delights. From the indulgent Fried PBB&J to the savory Pulled Pork Mac n' Cheese, the exotic Original Takoyaki, delicious Tiger Milk Boba, Birria Burger, Loaded Carne Asada Potato, Chicken Katsu Sando, Miso Ginger Salad, Kurobuta Pork Sausage, Fried Pickles, Korean Fried Bucket, and the new Home Plate Sampler, featuring veggie spring rolls, veggie tempura, veggie gyoza, and teriyaki chicken skewers.

The array of new food choices means there's something for everyone and allows fans to embark on a culinary journey from across the globe while simultaneously cheering on their beloved Boys in Blue.

The Dodgers have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on stadium upgrades, fan experiences, and renovations. The newly remodeled Centerfield Plaza is a haven for both young and old alike. In every upgrade and improvement, the team has made sure to incorporate the rich history of the franchise and celebrate its achievements.

As beautiful as the upgrades and renovations are, there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Traffic and transportation to and from the stadium is still a work in progress, and several fans have taken to social media to complain about the condition of the restrooms behind the outfield bleachers. Outdated escalators and elevators have also been a point of consternation among fans .

The press box, located on the suite level behind home plate, is in desperate need of repair and upgrades. It's one of the smallest and most outdated in all of baseball. Following the signings of Ohtani and Yamamoto this offseason, an influx of media members from across the globe has descended upon Dodger Stadium, forcing the press to squeeze together shoulder-to-shoulder in extremely tight spaces.

Additionally, with the increased rain in Los Angeles this year, weather-related damage and leaks have been revealed in the 62-year-old stadium that still requires repairs in certain parts.

These are all easy fixes of course. As welcome and inclusive the organization has been towards the players and fans, they can continue to do the same for everyone entering Dodger Stadium by making upgrades that more properly accommodate fans, media, and employees.

None of this takes away from the improvements, upgrades, and renovations the organization has made to other parts of the stadium. As the Dodgers continue to embrace tradition, innovation, and inclusivity, Dodger Stadium transforms into more than a venue—it becomes a dynamic tapestry of history, culture, and unparalleled fan experiences.

Whether witnessing the grandeur of a drone show, exploring the stadium's architectural marvels during a guided tour, or savoring the diverse flavors of its culinary offerings, fans will continue to immerse themselves in the timeless magic that is Dodgers' baseball.

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Botanical Garden

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Ten Acres of Enchantment

Open year-round, the 10-acre New Orleans Botanical Garden contains more than 2,000 varieties of plants from around the world. The seeds for the Garden were planted in 1936, when the City Park Rose Garden opened. The Botanical Garden was funded by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which created New Orleans’ first public classical garden. Today, it is one of the few remaining examples of public garden design from the WPA and displays the Art Deco influences of three renowned talents of the era: Architect Richard Koch, landscape architect William Wiedorn, and sculptor Enrique Alférez.

Courtesy of The Helis Foundation, Louisiana residents receive free admission on Wednesdays. Residents should show their Louisiana ID to the cashier in the Oscar J. Tolmas Visitor Center.

Enter at Oscar J. Tolmas Visitor Center 5 Victory Avenue New Orleans, LA 70124

Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun: 10am–4:30pm Friday + Saturday: 10am–4pm Last entry 30 minutes before close

Adults: $12 Children 3–12: $6 Children Under 3: Free Free admission Wednesdays for LA residents (with valid ID)

504-483-9402

Restrooms on Site

Food & Drink on Site

Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden

The Helis Foundation Enrique Alférez Sculpture Garden celebrates the history, influence, and work of Mexican American New Orleans artist Enrique Alférez (1901–1999). The garden is 8,000 sq. ft. and features 15 sculptures set within sweeping footpaths surrounded by greenery and oak trees. The Sculpture Garden is accessible during normal Garden hours and is included with admission.

Historic New Orleans Train Garden

The Historic New Orleans Train Garden is one of the Park’s hidden gems, featuring typical New Orleans home and building architecture made with botanical materials, and replicas of streetcars and trains that wind around the track. The 1,300 feet of track carrying streetcars and trains like those that traveled the city in the late 1800s to the early 1900s, at 1/22 of their actual size, is open during normal Botanical Garden hours. However, trains only operate Saturdays and Sundays, 10am–4:30pm.

Conservatory of the Two Sisters

Originally constructed in the 1930s, the Conservatory has been renovated into a state-of-the-art showcase of plants, featuring two exhibits–Living Fossils and Tropical Rainforest. The Living Fossil exhibit showcases a variety of prehistoric plant life (plants evolved before the development of flowers) from throughout the world. The Tropical Rainforest features an immersive experience and plants from the warm, moist regions of the world, including a tree root exhibit of epiphytes, a waterfall exhibit and cave. The Conservatory is accessible during normal Botanical Garden hours and is included with admission.

Yakumo Nihon Teien Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden provides not only beauty and enjoyment for all visitors but also serves as a natural setting for other Japanese arts such as bonsai, ikebana, and sado (tea ceremony). The Garden provides increased awareness and appreciation of Japanese culture, aesthetics, and love of nature among all people in the New Orleans area. The Garden is named after Lafcadio Hearne/Koizumi Yakumo an exceptional writer who lived in both Matsue and New Orleans. The Japanese Garden and is open during normal Botanical Garden hours and is included with admission.

Upcoming Events

Evenings with enrique, threadhead thursday, thursdays at twilight, magic in the moonlight, book an event, rose garden, pavilion of the two sisters, garden study center.

Stroll the brick walkway from the Pavilion of the Two Sisters to the Garden Study Center and you’ll discover this quaint setting surrounded by colorful rose bushes on the way. Highlights of the Rose Garden include Shriever Fountain featuring “The Water Bearer” by sculpture Enrique Alferez – a picturesque setting for wedding photos and/or ceremonies. The space has capacity for up to 200 seated.

Indoor & Outdoor

Modeled after a classic European orangerie, the Pavillion of the Two Sisters offers one of the most picturesque backdrops for special events in City Park. Floor-to-ceiling, arched doors embedded with windows encapsulate two sides of the Pavilion and provide stunning views of the Botanical Garden’s colorful, landscaped grounds. Additional highlights include two outdoor terraces overlooking the garden and flagstone tile floors ideal for dancing the night away! (Don’t take our word for it: Gambit readers voted the Pavilion of the Two Sisters ‘Best Of’ for a wedding reception in New Orleans.) The Pavilion of the Two Sisters is also ideal for luncheons, dinners, meetings, seminars and corporate events.

Floorplan Catering

The Garden Study Center is an extraordinary example of WPA architecture. Originally known as the old Potting Shed, this beautifully restored structure is one of the original brick buildings in City Park designed by the late architect, Richard Koch. Near the lily pond and the Conservatory, this unique brick structure is reminiscent of an old English cottage, with exquisite details including a slate roof, copper gutters and windows flanked by classic wooden shutters complementing its quiet charm.

Rental Options (photos and info below)

• Garden Study Center (only)
• Garden Study Center & Lath House
• Lath House (only)
• Garden Study Center & Lath House + Conservatory
• Garden Study Center & Lath House + Lily Pond
• Garden Study Center & Lath House + North West Lawn
• Garden Study Center & Lath House + Parterre Garden (Rose Garden)

Photoshoots

The New Orleans Botanical Garden offers a spectacular backdrop to any photo or film shoot — wedding or commercial photography, fashion spreads, family portraits, plant/garden photography, portfolio work and more.

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Moscow parks – leisure, nature and historical

Moscow is the most green megapolis in the world. There are over a hundred parks and green spaces like gardens, squares and boulevards. You will definitely bump into a few of them wherever you go. Whether you are interested in memorial, historic parks, parks of wildlife or you just want to have a calm break from the speedy city life – city parks have something special for everyone.

Moscow leisure parks

The leisure Moscow parks are undoubtedly the most popular and famous with the locals and travelers. Today such parks provide a great number of exciting entertainments for Muscovites and city guests, adults and children.

The Gorky Park

Gorky Park opened in 1928 and was the first holiday park in the Soviet Union with playgrounds, a sports stadium, exhibition halls and attractions for kids. Today it has a fresh, vibrant appearance. The park features bike rental stations, a comfortable business area with Wi-Fi, an outdoor movie theatre and a greenhouse where you can buy fresh greens such as basil and lettuce. To contemplate the sky and the stars, go to the observatory and look through the telescope while listening to fascinating stories from astronomers. Enjoy many sports in the park: volleyball, handball, football or a peaceful jog around the beautiful surroundings.

Zaryadye Park

Opened in September 2017, Zaryadye is the youngest on our list. Located just a few minutes away from Red Square, it includes various activities like the floating bridge with its thin V-form extension, an ice cave, also concert hall and an amphitheater. The entire territory of the park was divided into four zones of Russia: forest, steppe, tundra, and the floodplains.

Neskuchny Sad

By walking along the Moskva River’s bank from the Gorky Park towards Vorobievy Gory (Sparrow Hills) you’ll reach Neskuchny Sad («Not Boring» garden), a wonderful place in the Moscow center, one of Moscow’s oldest parks, charming slice of wildlife. The park mostly consists of pristine forest, dotted with old summer pavilions, ponds and quaint little stone bridges. There are a lot of opportunities for different activities lots of children playground, a ping-pong and chess clubs, football fields and tennis courts, horse riding, tree climbing and having rest in one of the nice cafes.

Museon Park

Hermitage Garden

Hermitage Garden has always been known as an amusement, entertainment center with theatres, shows, cafes, summer pavilions, pergolas since 1830. Shalyapin, Sobinov, Nezhdanova – great Russian opera singers starred on the garden stage. Famous Russian composer Rakhmaninov conducted the orchestra. Sara Bernar, Maria Yermolova, outstanding actresses, played in the open air performances. Tolstoy and Lenin had a stroll in the garden. So lots of celebrities from different epoques liked it a lot and spent their time in Hermitage Garden. You can find here three theatres in the garden: Hermitage, Sphere and New Opera. During winter an ice rink works here and in summer a musical stage is assembled to host jazz and brass band festivals.

In Sokolniki Park visitors can play billiard, chess or draughts, table tennis, as well as go cycling, roller blading and swimming in the summer and ice skating or skiing in winter. Each season is highlighted by special memorable and bright events, for example, Summer Jazz Festival or Baby Fest (for future mums), open air beach disco parties, Ice Cream Day, International Clown Festival and many other shows and exhibitions. The park has an observatory, kids center and a co-working zone with free Wi-Fi which is really nice for spending high quality work time there.

Moscow nature parks

The nature parks are national reserves with the amazing forestry and incredible variety of animals and plants there. The breath of wildlife and the chance to be closer to the virgin nature excites both children and grownups. Hundreds of different species of animals can be found in Moscow nature parks. The richest woodlands with old and even ancient trees, like a 200 years pine-tree in the Elk Island National Nature Park, are the point of passionate interest for visitors.

Aptekarsky Ogorod

Aptekarsky Ogorod (Apothecary Garden)

Aptekarsky Ogorod (Apothecary Garden) is one of the oldest gardens in Moscow. It was founded in the XVIII century by Peter the First (great Russian emperor). A larch that he planted himself still grows in the garden, so it’s more than 250 years old. At the time of its foundation, it was a garden with herbs and medicinal plants and was used as an educational center for doctors. Today there are the orangery with its tropical palms, the carp pond, and the immense trees that dot the landscape and turn wonderful golden shades in the autumn. Several restaurants and cafes work here making it a very nice spot for relaxation no matter what season it is. You can book a special tour or join the guided excursion group.

Losiny Ostrov

Losiny Ostrov (Elk Island Park)

Losiny Ostrov (Elk Island Park) is located at the north of Moscow. It covers 22 km from the west to the east and 10 km from the north to the south and it’s one of the most beautiful national parks in Moscow. Two rivers, Yausa and Pechorka begin here. You can find lots of fields, ponds, meadows, streams in the park as well as elks. Here you can enjoy guided tours, available in English. You can choose a guided tour about flora and fauna of the area, you’ll learn why elks are there, which animals are their neighbors. Or enjoy another excursion, which is totally devoted to historical past of ancient tribes once lived there, you’ll know about old Russian mythology, rituals and traditions.

Serebyany Bor

Serebyany Bor (Silver Forest)

Serebyany Bor (Silver Forest) is a famous pine forest in the west of Moscow. The park has 230 forms of plant life, and is also home to watersports complex, providing a lot of activities for visitors. The layout of Serebryany Bor is unusual, as it is located on an artificial island between a meander in the Moscow River and a channel. There is an artificial lake, the Deep Gulf and picturesque Bezdonnoe (Bottomless) Lake in the depths of the forest. Serebryany Bor’s beaches are the cleanest in the city and very popular among Muscovites. On weekends it is difficult to find a free spot here, especially because a whole range of services are offered to visitors, from simple deckchairs to catamaran and yacht rides. Driving is prohibited on the territory of the island so be ready to use trolleybus to reach the entrance.

Botanichesky Sad

Greenhouse of Botanical Garden

Main Botanical Garden of The Russian Academy of Sciences is the largest and most famous is Moscow. The garden is a real museum of nature with a very rich (more than 18000 types) collection of plants. The park was founded in 1945 at the place of the 17th century Apothecaries’ Gardens. The garden’s collection is turned into botanical expositions, made with use of modern receptions of landscape architecture. Here you can see a tree nursery, a shadow garden, hothouse complex, collection of flowers, a rosary, exposition of coastal plants, garden of continuous blossoming, Japanese garden and expositions of cultural plants and natural flora plants. The biggest part of Garden is the Tree nursery occupying the space of 75 hectares. About 2 thousand wood plants grow here. Another big exposition of the Garden is nature Flora, divided into six botanic-geographical collections: European part of Russia, Caucuses, Central Asia, Siberia and Far East. Pride of the Main Botanical Garden is the collection of tropical, coastal and water plants, which is considered as the best in Europe. The Japanese garden, a great model of Japanese landscape gardening art has a 13-level stone pagoda of the 18th century, stone Japanese lamps, ponds, falls and streams, tea lodges and more than 100 species of the most character Japan plants. It is especially decorative in spring, during Oriental cherry blossoming and in fall, when foliage blazes in crimson colors.

Moscow historic parks

Historic nature parks and estates once were the mansions of the Moscow aristocracy. At that far times the estates were outside the Moscow city limits, but after the city expansion and urbanization, they became easily accessible.

Kolomenskoye

Kolomenskoye Museum and Park

The chief attraction of the park is undoubtedly the stone Church of the Ascension of the Lord. It was constructed in 1532 by order of Tsar Vasily III to commemorate the birth of his son and heir, Ivan the Terrible. But there is a lot more to see in the park: the pretty Church of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan – with its bright azure domes and plenty of gold. Further into the park there is a charming Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist, built by Ivan the Terrible to mark his coronation.

Kuskovo Park

Kuskovo Park is one of the oldest country estates in Moscow. It was given to General Sheremetev by Peter the Great in 1715, but was left to fall into neglect before being plundered by Napoleon’s troops in 1812. Nowadays the estate has been restored to its former glory and is a good example of Russian 18th Century imperial architecture. The palace is a fine and rare example of wooden neoclassicism. It was completed in 1775, and the rich interiors remain unchanged since 1779. It includes a room hung with exclusive exquisite Flemish tapestries, an abundance of silk wallpaper and an impressive collection of 18th century European and Russian paintings. The palace looks onto the lake, which is surrounded by smaller pavilions: pretty Italian, Dutch and Swiss Cottages, Blank’s Hermitage and the old Orangery, where the State Ceramics Museum is located now, an extensive and absorbing collection of porcelain from the 18th century to the present day. On the other side of the lake is a large wood popular with local cyclists and joggers.

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Central Botanical Garden

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Home » Travel Guides » United States » Idaho (ID) » 15 Best Things to Do in Moscow (Idaho)

15 Best Things to Do in Moscow (Idaho)

In a landscape of fertile rolling hills on the Idaho-Washington boundary, Moscow is the county seat of Latah County and the home of the University of Idaho, founded in the early 1890s.

The city has a cozy downtown with historic brick buildings from the turn of the 20th century and lots of community events, like a weekly farmers’ market spring through fall, and a bustling artwalk in June.

As you would expect, the University of Idaho plays an important role in the city’s cultural, social and sporting life, and many of the attractions in this list are connected to this institution in some way.

The surrounding Palouse landscape of rambling hills decked with wheat fields, can be explored on two paved rail trails, heading out east and west of the city.

1. University of Idaho Arboretum & Botanical Garden

The loveliest feature of the university campus’ verdant grounds is the UI Arboretum & Botanical Garden.

You’ll find it in 63 acres, just south of the President’s Residence and the university’s golf course, with undulating Palouse hills in the background.

Open to the public with free admission, the arboretum was laid out on a former hayfield in the early-1980s, although its origins go back way before, to the early 20th century.

In fact you can check out the site of the first arboretum, planted in the 1910s with majestic specimen trees, including a giant sequoia, on the north side of the President’s Residence.

As for the “new” arboretum, this counts more than 17,000 plants from over 2,400 taxa, mostly organized into geographical regions, including Europe, Asia and Eastern and Western North America.

On the south end are exquisite display gardens for xerophytes, ornamental willows, irises and heather, as well as a butterfly garden, magical in summer.

2. Latah Trail

Twelve miles long, this paved trail will take you east from Moscow all the way to the neighboring city of Troy.

The Latah Trail was completed in 2008 and is on the course of a dismantled BNSF railroad line that junctioned at Arrow, some 30 miles to the southeast.

The path is ten feet wide, allowing plenty of space for walkers and cyclists in summer, and snowshoers and cross-country skiers after snowfall in winter.

As this is a rail trail there are no difficult slopes but you’ll be guaranteed breathtaking panoramas of the Palouse, with tilled slopes interspersed with sweeps of coniferous forest.

In Moscow the Latah Trail merges seamlessly with the Paradise Path, in turn connecting with the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail, which we’ll talk about below.

3. Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center

The Appaloosa, identified by its colorful spotted coat, is a horse breed synonymous with the Palouse region, so it’s fitting that there should be a museum for it, right on the Idaho-Washington state line.

The museum shines a light on a variety of topics, like the history of spotted horses in art and literature, Appaloosas’ various coat patterns, and the importance of Appaloosas to the native Nez Perce people.

Display cases are loaded with interesting objects, from saddles to black and white photography and Native American artifacts. There’s also a hands-on area to keep children engaged, as well as a theater and an extensive library.

4. Moscow Farmers’ Market

Taking place on Saturdays, 9 am to 1 pm, May through October, Moscow Farmers’ Market is now well into its fifth decade.

Right on Main Street, this is a celebration of the Moscow area’s farmers, artisans and musicians, giving them an opportunity to connect with the city’s residents and visitors.

For shoppers interested in food provenance the market is a chance to find out where your produce comes from and pick up tips about storage and preparation.

There’s a wide range of vendors for vegetables, fruit, plants, flowers, local grass-fed meat, pastries, honey, jams, cosmetics, home decorations, hand-forged knives and much more.

The market has live music most weeks, as well as freshly prepared food, from tacos to samosas.

5. Bill Chipman Palouse Trail

Following the right of way of the old Union Pacific Railroad, the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail runs west from Moscow, crossing the state line and taking you to Pullman, Washington.

Pullman is the home of the flagship campus for Washington State University, the second-largest institution of higher education in the state.

Seven miles long, the trail, paved all the way, carries you through bucolic Palouse scenery, parallel to State Route 270.

There’s a shallow gradient, and you’ll come across rest areas and interpretive signs along the route. And while the landscapes are gorgeous, the trail also has an important practical use as a commuter route for cyclists between the two university campuses.

6. Prichard Art Gallery

This outreach facility for the University of Idaho is located in downtown Moscow, and moved to its current location on Main Street in 1986.

The Prichard Art Gallery has a lively schedule of exhibitions, events and educational programming, receiving upwards of 17,000 visitors a year.

You can check out the creativity of members of the Idaho College of Art and Architecture, as well as temporary exhibits for local, regional, national and international artists in a whole spectrum of media.

The exhibits rotate at short intervals, so there’s always something fresh to see, while the gift shop sells unique pieces by artists and craftspeople from the area.

7. McConnell Mansion

On leafy Adams Street, a couple of blocks east of Main Street, stands the palatial W. J. McConnell House.

In a Stick/Eastlake style, this elegant residence was built in 1886 for William J. McConnell (1839-1925), who served as Governor of Idaho from 1893 to 1897, after previously representing the young state as one of its first United States Senators.

The mansion is the headquarters of the Latah County Historical Society, and you can take a look around a series of themed period rooms, featuring authentic furnishings and appliances.

The society also puts on fascinating exhibits and learning events, often in partnership with the University of Idaho and always well worth attending.

8. Colter’s Creek Winery

The rolling country south of Moscow has everything you need to make great wine, and in 2016 the Lewis-Clark Valley gained official AVA (American Viticultural Area) designation.

Colter’s Creek has a storefront and tasting room in Moscow, growing its grapes on the sunny slopes where the Potlatch flows into the Clearwater River.

Planted between the 1980s and 2010s these vineyards produce a wide variety of grapes, running the gamut from Riesling to Cabernet Sauvignon, for local handcrafted wines that have earned widespread acclaim.

The stylish Moscow tasting room is in Main Street’s Hattabaugh building, constructed in 1890, and has a choice of estate wines on tap. Wine tasting classes take place regularly, to help you tell a Sangiovese from a Tempranillo.

9. Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre

On the National Register of Historic Places, this fine old Spanish Revival cinema has a history going back to 1926, and was founded as a vaudeville stage and silent movie house.

The current tiled facade, in a pared-down Art Deco style, has been in place since 1949, and up to the late-1980s this was downtown Moscow’s main movie theater.

Since 2000, the venue has belonged to the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, which carried out thorough renovations in the 2010s. Come for classic, independent and foreign films, as well as a variety of community stage performances and other events.

10. Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center

Summers in Moscow wouldn’t be the same without this public outdoor pool, splash pad and water park, open June through September.

If you want to get your laps in, the Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center has a 25-yard, six-lane pool.

Meanwhile parents can bring children to the extensive play area, which features a toddler-friendly slide, tumble buckets, interactive equipment, slides for bigger kids and a small lazy river.

The center also has picnic tables, barbecues, lounge chairs and free Wi-Fi, as well as a full-service concession area, though you’re free to bring your own food.

11. Idaho Vandals

The 16,000-seater multipurpose arena, Kibbie Dome is home field for several of the University of Idaho’s sports teams, all called the Idaho Vandals.

So depending on the time of year you can catch pulsating football, basketball (men and women), soccer (women), tennis and indoor track and field at this venue.

The Kibbie Dome was completed in 1971 as an open-air stadium, and was given its barrel-vaulted roof in 1975.

The football team competes in the Big Sky Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), returning in 2016 after 20 years bouncing around the Big West, Sun Belt and Western Athletic Conferences.

The Vandals’ golden age came between 1985 and 1995 when it reached the I-AA playoffs in ten out of 11 seasons.

If you’re wondering about the name, “Vandals”, it goes back more than a century, when UI’s feared basketball team played defense with such ferocity that they were dubbed the Vandals by the famous coach Hec Edmundson (1886-1964).

12. Ghormley Park

Bordered on the south side by Paradise Creek, Ghormley Park is the favorite destination for family fun and outdoor recreation in summer.

The park covers just over ten acres, a large section of which is in the shade of tall, mature trees.

This is where you’ll find the picnic shelter, fitted with BBQ grills, as well as a children’s playground.

Elsewhere there are amenities for baseball/softball, basketball and horseshoes. You can use the Paradise Trail, which traces the creek and connects a number of green spaces in Moscow, to get onto the Latah Trail on the east side of the city and the Bill Chipman Trail in the west.

13. Palouse Ice Rink

You can hit the ice at this popular local rink on the southeast side of town. Resembling an aircraft hangar, the Palouse Ice Rink has a temporary look about it, and when we wrote this article was making strides raising money for a permanent complex.

There are regular public skate sessions early in the day, after school and in the evening, and skate rental is reasonably priced.

Also on the schedule are casual stick-n-puck sessions, pick-up hockey, drop-in late-night curling, league curling, Palouse Adult League Hockey and much more. Check the calendar for learn-to-skate sessions.

14. Moscow Artwalk

Beginning back in 2004, the Moscow Artwalk is a landmark on the Palouse calendar. On one Friday evening in June, more than 60 businesses and 100 artists around downtown participate in a vibrant cultural and artistic event.

Moscow Artwalk brings exhibitions of a wide variety, as well as live demonstrations by artists, workshops, live music, dance performances and food vendors, on Main Street and its intersecting streets.

You can take in this cultural feast on a self-guided trail, and there’s a passport system, with six stamps making you eligible for a prize draw. And if you miss something, many of the participating businesses also have Saturday hours.

15. Fondo on the Palouse

The foundation responsible for the Latah Trail organizes this cycling event, normally staged on the last Saturday in June.

Fondo on the Palouse takes you out into the beautiful rolling Palouse landscape on a variety of group bike rides, all setting off from Moscow.

The Family Fondo is a 15-mile route from Moscow to Troy. If you want something longer but want to stay away from road traffic, there’s a 50-mile ride along the Latah and Bill Chipman Palouse Trails.

And finally the grand Moscow Fondo is a 100-mile tour of the region, passing through Troy, Deary, Princeton and Potlatch, crossing the state line to Pullman and Colfax, WA, before returning to Moscow.

15 Best Things to Do in Moscow (Idaho):

• University of Idaho Arboretum & Botanical Garden
• Latah Trail
• Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center
• Moscow Farmers' Market
• Bill Chipman Palouse Trail
• Prichard Art Gallery
• McConnell Mansion
• Colter's Creek Winery
• Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre
• Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center
• Idaho Vandals
• Ghormley Park
• Palouse Ice Rink
• Moscow Artwalk
• Fondo on the Palouse