Need Winter plans? This Michigan Botanical Garden Among the Most ‘Beautiful’ to Visit this January

Photo by Jason

Article courtesy of R&T Fence 

America’s most ‘beautiful’ botanical gardens to visit this winter revealed in new study – #7 is in Michigan!

• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the seventh most stunning botanical garden in the US to visit this winter.
• 52.43% of the garden’s Tripadvisor reviews include keywords linked to beauty.

• The study analyzed Tripadvisor reviews of all US botanical gardens that host holiday events that continue into January, revealing which ones people find the most beautiful.

New research has revealed the most ‘beautiful’ botanical gardens to visit this winter in the US, with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan, ranking seventh.

Fence contractors at R&T Fence analyzed the number of Tripadvisor reviews that contained positive descriptors, such as ‘stunning’, ‘beautiful’, ‘breathtaking’ and ‘gorgeous’ across over 200 botanical gardens in the US that host holiday events continuing into January. Each botanical garden was ranked based on the percentage of reviews containing these keywords.

The top ten most ‘beautiful’ botanical gardens to visit this winter, based on Tripadvisor reviews

Taking the top spot is Filoli in Woodside, California, with 61.61% of its Tripadvisor reviews containing keywords linked to beauty. In total, the garden has 534 reviews, and 329 contained at least one of these keywords. During winter, the garden holds its Holidays at Filoli event, where it is transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, decorations and themed activities, starting on November 16 and ending on January 11.

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is second, with 60.72% of its 4,425 reviews containing at least one beauty keyword, equal to 2,687 reviews. It hosts an annual A Longwood Christmas event from November 21 to January 11, featuring over half a million lights, festive displays, and fountain shows accompanied by music.

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine, places third, with 55.6% of reviews containing keywords related to beauty. Overall, it has 2,097 reviews, with 1,166 containing keywords. Its Gardens Aglow Christmas event, which starts on November 15 and ends on January 3, features a walk-through display of thousands of LED lights with themed scenes, sculptures and interactive exhibits.

Bellingrath Gardens and Home in Theodore, Alabama, follows, with 475 out of 860 reviews containing keywords related to beauty, equal to 55.23%. This year is the garden’s 30th annual Magic Christmas in Lights event, with light displays and live musical performances starting on November 21 and ending on January 6.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, ranks fifth, with 52.78% of reviews, or 1,738 out of 3,293, containing keywords. Its Lights in Bloom Christmas event begins on December 6 and ends on January 3, featuring over two million lights, including sensory tunnels and lit flowers, as well as offering games and kids’ activities.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida, comes in sixth, with 52.77% of its 1,552 reviews containing at least one keyword, equivalent to 819 reviews. Fairchild’s A Very Merry Garden event kicks off on December 1, with reindeer roaming through the garden, ending on January 4. It also hosts a Night Garden event with lights and music from November 7 until January 11.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is next, with 52.43% of its reviews on Tripadvisor containing keywords linked to beauty. Overall, it has 3,061 reviews, and 1,605 contain keywords. Starting on November 26, the garden holds its Christmas and Holiday Traditions event, honoring cultures and holiday traditions from around the world. Their Enlighten event also starts on November 24 with lights and interactive installations, ending on January 4.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia, is eighth, with 845 out of 1,639 reviews containing keywords, equivalent to 51.56%. The garden’s annual GardenFest of Lights begins on November 17 and ends on January 4, featuring millions of lights, botanical decorations, model trains, and more.

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg, California, takes ninth place, with 49.45% of reviews containing at least one keyword, a total of 673 out of 1,361. From November 28, the garden will host its annual Festival of Lights, with a handmade light show, food, drink, and the opportunity to take a photo with Santa. While this garden is among the most ‘beautiful’ to visit, this Christmas event ends on December 21.

Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois, rounds out the top ten, with 609 out of 1,235 reviews containing keywords linked to beauty, equal to 49.31%. Its Lightscape event begins on November 15, with a 1.3 mile path of illuminated displays, offering both family nights and adults-only cocktail nights until January 4.

Jeff Becka, President of R&T Fence, commented,

“There are many beautiful botanical gardens across the US, and their holiday events are a perfect way to spend some extra time with the family after Christmas before the return to work and school, with this research having revealed the country’s best. California and Florida stand out as great states for a holiday visit to a botanical garden, each appearing twice in the top ten.

“The light shows that many botanical gardens are well worth a visit this season, especially with family, as they offer lots of great activities to keep kids entertained. Or if you are looking for a quieter night, attend an adults-only cocktail night or a plan romantic stroll through the lights with your partner. They have something for everyone, and if you live close to any of the country’s best, or plan on travelling close to one, don’t miss the chance to see it in person over the holidays.

Source:

Tripadvisor.

Methodology:

Tripadvisor reviews for 260 US botanical gardens were analyzed to determine the prevalence of specific keywords relating to beauty. These keywords included, for example, “stunning”, “gorgeous”, “lovely”, “fantastic”, “impressive”, “fabulous” and “breath-taking”.

Botanical gardens were ranked according to the percentage of reviews that contained any of these keywords, with a higher percentage indicating a more ‘beautiful’ garden.

Botanical gardens which do not hold holiday events were filtered out to reveal the most ‘beautiful’ botanical gardens to visit over the holidays.

The top 20 most ‘beautiful’ botanical gardens to visit this winter, based on Tripadvisor reviews