5063. Go to the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison

Another thing I wanted to do in Madison was go to the Botanical Gardens. I've heard many wonderful things about them and flowers are always pretty to look at. I originally penciled this in for Saturday night because they were open late (8 pm during summer). Our plans changed and we headed here first thing in the morning.

The line to get in was quite long.. until we realized that was the line to pay to go see the butterfly exhibit. Olbrich Botanical Gardens are free unless you want to see the special exhibit such as the butterfly exhibit. The butterflies were $8 a person. I've seen enough butterfly gardens in Costa Rica. We decided to skip the butterflies and headed to straight to the gardens. Note: There was an additional wait inside once you paid to actually get in the butterfly exhibit.

There are numerous gardens spread over 16 acres. I think we may have hit them all. It wasn't signed very good and the paths kind of zig-zag you this way and that way.

In the sensory garden we could touch and smell the plants. If you rubbed the leaves, they gave off a scent (pineapple, popcorn, etc).

The sensitive plant would close up if you touched it.

Across the bridge was the Thai pavilion and gardens. It was very serene. There many sculptures, especially of elephants, in this garden as well.

After about an hour, I had enough wandering through the gardens and looking at flowers. We did see an awful lot of flowers and shrubs.

I did enjoy the botanical gardens and would go back. There is plenty to see for people of all ages. Take some time to check out the gardens when you are in Madison.