Activity Overview
Be surrounded with beautiful blooms and greens at the Rio Grande Botanic Gardens. The displays are grouped into different sections, classified according to the type of environment the plants thrive in.
Things to Do
- Kids are in for a great time at the Children's Fantasy Garden. They will be surrounded with enormous plants, vegetables, watering cans, and ants. The scene inside is fascinating similar to the movie "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids".
- Visit the 4-acre Sasebo Japanese Garden, built in honour of Sasebo, one of Albuquerque's sister cities. Aside from oriental plants, the Japanese garden has a koi pond, waterfalls, and stone lanterns. There are volunteer-led tours of the Japanese garden on Wednesdays and Sundays. Call them for reservations.
- Check their website for the season schedule of the Butterfly Pavilion. Watch butterflies come out from their pupa and see the colourful winged insects fleet around the pavilion.
- Take a tour of the Rio Grande Heritage Farm, complete with an adobe farmhouse, a kitchen garden, orchard, and a vineyard. Check the website for schedule of different activities such as quilting that they offer all-year round.
- The Desert Conservatory features palo verde trees and cactuses. Visit the greenhouse to witness how artificial temperature control allows these plants to survive.
Rio Grande Botanic Gardens Insider Tips
- Come early to avoid the crowd. The Botanic Gardens is in the same area as the Aquarium. If you avail of the Combo tickets, visit the Garden first then finish the tour with a trip to the Aquarium.
- Bringing food inside is allowed in the Botanic Gardens. Pick any any of the many shaded spots to eat your lunch/snacks.
