The Spring Garden opens May 1st at Boerner Botanical Gardens.
Boerner Botanical Gardens are home to formal gardens situated on Boerner Drive in Whitnall Park in the village of Hales Corners, about 15 minutes from Milwaukee.
The Spring Garden at the Boerner Botanical Gardens opens in May, when the fresh blossoms of spring appear.
There is an Education and Visitor Center and a gift shop with regular hours.
A must-visit stop when you visit Boerner is a stroll through Margie’s Garden, a stunning children’s garden that opened in 2022.
The new children’s garden is an enchanted village for kids, featuring an Alphabet Garden, a Numbers Garden, sound makers, playhouses, slides, a giant caterpillar and birds nest to play on, a “Flower Shop” with complimentary postcards, a small stage and seating area, and more.
Another favorite for visitors is the peaceful rock garden and trickling waterfall towards the back of the property.
The rock garden is located due north from the Visitor Center, towards the back.
Visitors can walk through the rose garden and peony garden, as well as variety of annuals and perennials. Plus, there’s a fragrant herb garden, and a daylily path.
THere’s a beautiful gazebo near the entrance that is perfect for resting little legs and taking a snack break.
The gazebo is the perfect place to rest in the shade or have a snack.
Dont’miss the regal shrub mall, historic garden house, elegant gazebo, and expansive arboretum.
And, your kids will love the bog garden walk in the northeast corner of the property.
The stroller-friendly garden bog walk is a highlight for kids and families. Photo: Instagram, @wiscoteque
Events
The gardens offer kid-friendly programming throughout the year including family yoga, nature-inspired crafts like tiny fairy gardens, and workshops, and “Enchanted Evenings in the Gardens.”
They also host events like China Lights, an impressive Chinese lantern festival, in the fall. This event features asian folk-culture performances and beautifully illuminated displays. In addition, they’ve recently hosted a holiday light show called Winter Wonders, offering a one-way route through the gardens with a winter wonderland backdrop.
In the Summer, The Concerts in the Gardens are sponsored by Wimmer Communities, and occur every Thursday. Admission is free, and attendees are welcome to walk through the gardens after 6:00 p.m. at no additional cost.
Zilli Hospitality Group is the exclusive caterer at Boerner Botanical Gardens and typically offer special brunches throughout the year.
Boerner is also a popular spot for weddings, offering a garden setting and designated bridal room.
For other events, the Garden Room is a large, well-lit space for large meetings, luncheons, and events with access to Boerner Hall.
General Info:
Where: Whitnall Park, 9400 Boerner Dr., Hales Corners, WI 53130, United States
When: The gardens are open late April to late September, daily from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Get in free: Though currently suspended, the Gardens used to offer free admission to Milwaukee County residents with proof of residency on the first Tuesday of each month, May through September. Check their website for the most updated information.
Admission Fees:
Adults: (ages 18 & up): $7.00 Milwaukee County Residents / $8.00 non-resident
Seniors: (Milwaukee County Resident, ages 60+): $5.00
Disability: (any age): $5.00
Student: (with ID): $5.00
Junior: (ages 6-17): $5.00 Milwaukee County Residents / $6.00 non-resident
More info:
Phone Number: (414) 525-5650
Website: boernerbotanicalgardens.org
Parking: There is a parking lot with free parking spaces near the gardens in Whitnall Park.
Fun Fact: The Gardens were named for the landscape architect who designed the original five formal gardens, Alfred L. Boerner.
For more information, visit the Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens. The mission of the Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens is to provide a garden setting for learning that nurtures understanding, enjoyment & stewardship of our natural world, while nourishing & preserving the gardens for future generations.
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
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