Buffalo Botanical Gardens: Everything You Need To Know

In Buffalo, New York, you can find some incredible things to do. But if you want to see some plants outdoors growing naturally throughout western New York, head to one spot. Visit the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.

You find peace when visiting this magical place on the southern tip of Buffalo near Lackawanna.

About Erie County Botanical Gardens

The nursery opened to the public in the 1900s before the city hosted the popular Pan-American Expo. You find the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens inside a glass structure.

Today it is one of few Victorian-era conservatories that has survived worldwide. Still, one notable thing is not to visit the place in summer to escape the heat. Instead, you find different indoor plants, from cacti and tropical to other species.

You can enjoy an amazing walk in this showie greenhouses to see fruits and pineapples growing. You can easily escape the winter cold.

Things To Know Before Going To Buffalo Botanical Gardens

The Buffalo Botanical Gardens Society has created one magnificent historic place. The gardens are open for visitors all year round, offering an indoor greenhouse with surrounding grounds. There is also a lot of free parking available. The greenhouses interconnect with each other with displays and exhibits for young and old.

Hours and Days of Operation

The conservatory opens from Monday to Sunday at 10 am and closes at 4 pm. The special closing hours are as follows:

• March 4- Closed 10 am-4 pm, Open 6 pm-9:30 pm for the Orchids After Dark

• March 6- Open 10 am-3 pm 

• March 24-25 – Closed

• September 23- Closed

• November 15-17- Closed  

• Thanksgiving Day, November 24- Closed 

• December 24- Open 10 am-12 pm  

• December 25- Closed  

• December 31- Open 10 am-12 pm  

Admission and Tickets

For visitors, e-tickets are recommended, and costs as follow:

• $14.00 Adults

• $12.50 Seniors (62+) & Students (13+ with ID)

• $7.50 Kids 3-12

• Kids 2 and under are free but must have a ticket

• Members are free but must have a ticket

Parking

You find parking lots near the greenhouse, and on South Park, Ring Road is free to use. Furthermore, you can find accessible parking directly behind the greenhouse near the rear entrance.

Photography Policy

If you have an e-ticket, you can take photos of the plants or even selfies to capture your memories. Yet, stands and tripods are not allowed, and you must inquire with the conservatory for professional shoots.

Pets

Only service animals are allowed, but not pets. The ADA defines a service animal as a dog trained to perform tasks that benefit people with disabilities. But your pets can walk around the surrounding park on a leash.

Group Tours

You can take guided tours to see the exotic horticulture treasures in this national historic site. It is a natural world wonder with fantastic architecture. It is also a gathering place for groups led by experienced staff.

Still, only adult groups are allowed, with a min of 15 and a max of 80 people. The rate per person is $17. Yet, there are discounts for groups larger than 30, and you need to reserve a booking.

Things To See Inside Buffalo Botanical Gardens

In total, there are 12 greenhouses found throughout the botanical gardens in three large domed rooms. The other greenhouses you find connected with them. Each greenhouse provides different things to see at the Buffalo Botanical.

The Indoor Gardens

Palm Dome

One of the great rooms is the Palm Dome, where you can enter and exit. It is known for the display of giant palm trees. It is a fabulous tourist destination with light-filled spaces and ceilings made of glass. The self-guided tours start here, moving counter-clockwise, and end here again.

From here, it flows into two areas filled with other unique features to explore.

Asian Rainforest

Here you find the redesigned waterfall surrounded by a bamboo collection with other treasures from southeast Asia. There is a tea house with a moon gate and a beautiful selection of bonsai and orchids. You can view the koi pond as well.

Cacti and Succulents Gardens

The greenhouse has collections from the American desert, from agave to giant cacti. Some highlights are lithops, sansevierias, and euphorbias in the African desert.

Aquatic Gardens

The gathering place has a peaceful pond with koi and flows warm water features surrounded by some native to southeast Asia vegetation.

Begonia Gardens

View the begonias with their vibrant colors and textured leaves. In the building, you can find a unique begonia dating back a century with rotational seasonal exhibits.

Wegmans Family Gardens

Here children will be delighted to discover and dig for seeds and even build a castle. It features a water space where they can smell flowers and touch fuzzy vegetation.

Panama Cloud Forest

The place will connect people with epiphytes in a native habitat living in a rainforest. You see exotic orchids to tillandsia varieties never seen before.

Florida Everglades

Here you learn how important it is to maintain the wetlands and see water filtration systems at work. There is also a honey bee observation hide to see.

Orchid Gardens

See common to unusual species of orchids growing in this greenhouse to see them in full bloom. Furthermore, you can also find Tropical, Ivy, Carnivorous Plants & Medicinal Garden

The Outdoor Garden Sanctuaries

Front Entrance Gardens March through October

Visitors are greeted when approaching the main entrance with spring bulbs, tropical vegetation, and masterful collections from annuals and shrubs to perennials.

Peace Gardens March through October

The Honorary International Peace Garden offers a sanctuary where you can find peace and harmony with nature. Here you can honor a special person by planting a tree, dedicating benches, pavers, and more. Furthermore, it is an ideal place for a wedding.

Healing Gardens March through October

Find spiritual healing here to enjoy meditation to reflect on your life.

Outdoor Children’s Garden June through October

Here children can stimulate their senses with the hands-on approach that includes herbs, a colorful butterfly display with cascading water features, and much more.

Native Gardens May through October 

If you want to see the native plants in the area, this is the place to learn what you can grow in your garden.

Patio Garden All seasons

See greenery blooms in the warmer months with interesting shapes, and in the winter, view the foliage of different trees to shrubs.

Arboretum All seasons

Explore the tree highlights from the dawn redwood, katsura, European beech, and many other species.

Gift Shops

At the gift shop, you find unique selections of presents from local artists that will connect you with nature. You can find educational toys to gardening books to suit everyone’s design needs. Buy jewelry that is one of a kind as the inventory keeps changing.

The Arcangel Gallery

The art gallery is dedicated to Brent D. Arcangel by his parents, that grew up in Western New York. He believed in giving back to life every day, and his life ended tragically in a car accident. If you want to find calmness and beauty, visit the gallery, which will bring you peace.