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Botanical Gardens Where Fido can Stop and Smell the Roses

Posted by Billy Francis Suggest an edit

Visiting a botanical garden is even more fun when your four-legged bestie can tag along. After all, what pup doesn’t love wandering winding paths, sniffing fragrant blooms and enjoying fresh air? We’ve unearthed a selection of botanical gardens that welcome leashed dogs to visit. Just be sure to clean up after Fido and avoid letting him dig.

Oregon Garden

Silverton, OR
“Sun’s out, tongue’s out!” Photo by Facebook.com/TheOregonGarden

Oregon Garden welcomes you and your leashed pooch to explore 80 acres of botanical gardens, and four-legged visitors are even permitted inside buildings. The main attraction is a garden devoted to the canine community, which educates the public on regional plants that are toxic to pets and highlights others that can be used in “pawsitive” ways. Don’t forget to stop for a selfie at the statue of Bobbie the Wonder Dog, who traveled more than 2,500 miles on his own to return to his family in Silverton after he was lost in Indiana.

You won’t have to travel as far as Bobbie the Wonder Dog to find a homely place to rest your head. Silverton Inn & Suites is located just down the road from the Oregon Garden.

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Gainesville, FL
“How can I have green thumbs? I don’t have any!” Photo by Mel

At Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, visiting canines are welcomed with a delicious dog treat at the greeting desk. The good times keep rolling once your pup steps outside. Explore 24 major collections from the easy 1.5-mile paved walkway, including the largest herb garden in the Southeast and Florida’s largest stand of bamboo. Be sure to bring along your best friend’s favorite snacks to enjoy at the picnic area. The best time to visit is June through September.

Keep the nature vibes going at this spacious home, which invites four-legged guests to explore the backyard while their owners relax on the screened-in porch.

The Butchart Gardens

Brentwood Bay, BC
Flower power! Photo by Facebook.com/butchartgardens

The Butchart Gardens welcomes more than a million visitors annually. This National Historic Site changes with the seasons, offering guests a different breathtaking experience every time. Wander through a winter wonderland covered in snow; discover blossoming flowers in spring, luscious lawns and bustling crowds in summer; and gaze upon a show of reds and browns during fall. Pause for thought at five canine water fountains conveniently located throughout, and don’t forget to stop by the reception desk to request a tasty treat for Fido. There are also waste bag stations available in case you forget your own.

True fans of flora will be happy to know that there’s a second pet-friendly botanical garden to visit in the area. The Gardens at HCP invites furry friends to check out 20 distinct green spaces, including the largest outdoor Bonsai Garden in Canada. Stay within fetching distance of both at the Quality Inn Waddling Dog.

Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens

Santa Barbara, CA
“I’ve never seen such a fine Calendula officinalis specimen!” Photo by Facebook.com/sbgarden

If you’re spending a weekend in dog-friendly Santa Barbara, you won’t want to miss Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens. There are 11 distinct California ecosystems highlighted in this gorgeous attraction near the Pacific Coast Highway. Hop on the dog-friendly trails that seamlessly transition between swaths of desert, redwoods and meadows, stopping at the garden’s center to see Blaksley Boulder, one of many big rocks deposited in the area by glaciers during prehistoric times. The secluded and idyllic atmosphere is accented by the canyons, creeks and mountains in the distance.

Take the lush garden surroundings home with you by reserving a stay at this quintessential Santa Barbara-style home.

Zilker Botanical Gardens

Austin, TX
"Keep off the grass and wear a leash." Photo by @red_dobe_tres

Located on the south bank of the Colorado River near downtown Austin, Zilker Botanical Gardens showcases a diverse selection of plant life from around the world, including the Hartman Prehistoric Garden and Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden. Leashed pups are welcome on trails, as long as they avoid the water features and don’t leave any mess behind.

After seeing its natural wonders, explore the historical sights of Austin. Then, when Fido’s legs tire, head back to Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt for treats and a grassy relief area.

Myriad Botanical Gardens

Oklahoma City, OK
“Sir, I don’t take bribes, but a belly rub will do.” Photo by Facebook.com/MyriadGardens

Myriad Botanical Gardens is a verdant gem in the heart of Oklahoma City. Dogs are not allowed inside the large domed conservatory known as Crystal Bridge, but are free to wander the outdoor areas on a leash. This green space is used for events and gatherings throughout the year, many of which welcome four-legged explorers. While you and Fido wait for the rest of your pack to emerge from the impressive domes, blow off some steam at Myriad Botanical Gardens Dog Park, located onsite.

The Colcord Hotel is just a block away from Myriad, making it a great choice for horticultural hounds.

South Carolina Botanical Gardens

Clemson, SC
"Is this supposed to teach us a lesson about scratching at the door?" Photo by @awellreadhound

Bring your pooch for a walk alongside streams and gorgeous floral displays at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens. Part of Clemson University, this diverse space encompasses 295 acres of gardens and landscapes that can be viewed on various nature trails. Leashed pups are welcome to join you, as long as they don’t practice their favorite pastime of digging in the flower beds. The only trail that doesn’t allow dogs is the Natural Heritage Garden Trail.

Plan to spend a couple of days in the charming university town and book a stay at the dog-friendly Comfort Inn Clemson, conveniently located within a couple of miles of the botanical gardens.

Mobile Botanical Gardens

Mobile, AL
“This grass is comfier than my dog bed.” Photo by Facebook.com/mobilebotanicalgardensmbg

Plan a spring trip to Mobile Botanical Gardens for a hike with your pup on the pretty trails through Longleaf Pine Treasure Forest. During this season, the pathways are lined with thousands of colorful, native wildflowers. Visitors will find several pet stations throughout the gardens and the forest. After a walk in the woods, make your way around the lake to Langan Park, a well-kept municipal area that’s home to a number of pet-friendly trails and a disc golf course.

Spring scents and fun in the forest will be sure to tire Fido out. Recharge your batteries at Residence Inn by Marriott Mobile. This popular stopover for roadtrippers making their way across Alabama is conveniently located on the I-65 corridor.

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

Oakdale, PA
“I know it’s stylish, but the neckerchief has to go.” Photo by @finnstagram_412

Does Fido want a luscious garden of his own? The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden aims to inspire people to value plants, and perhaps take some of the design ideas home to their own outdoor spaces. Take note of the tulip fields, lily pad-covered ponds and tranquil woodland areas as you walk on the trails with your pooch.

If you want to keep Fido away from the crowds in Steel City, spend a few nights at the Terrace in Carnegie.

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

Fort Bragg, CA
“There’s not mush-room for me to fit!” Photo by Facebook.com/mendocinocoastbotanicalgardens

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens offers visitors the chance to wander with their leashed dogs through formal gardens, coastal bluffs, pine forests and fern-covered canyons. The mild coastal climate ensures that something is always in bloom, no matter the season. You’ll find the “pawfect” opportunity to snap colorful photos of Fido enjoying his time among the flora. Best of all (for Fido), treats and waste bags await canine visitors upon arrival.

Enjoy a cozy stay by the ocean at the Beachcomber Motel and Spa on the Beach. Furry guests are greeted with a welcome treat, a doggie breakfast pack, a bed sheet and towel, and waste bags. Fido can also meet other traveling canines at the on-site dog park.

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