Boerner Botanical Gardens Review

An amazing place any time of year. I visited the China Light program and thought it was very well done. The gift shop has many artists and thier work is on display and reasonably priced. Definitely stop in and check it out, wonderful gifts.

A lovely and cheap activity! Free for residents first Thursday of the month. It's nice and warm and there's birds and flowers. Cute gift shop too.

Have always loved this place and they have just tried something new so worth it

Came to the China Lights for a corporate event and everything was magical! All the milwaukee county parks workers were bartending and they were all so much fun, we loved talking with them throughout the night! Truly was one of the coolest nights of my life! Would absolutely do this again!

Was there for China Lights. Was a very beautiful park, We would like to go there on a nice summer day.

It was unbelievable and breath taking, will be going again.

Looking for a place to take a nice walk and see some things we usually don't see in our walks around our city parks, we chose to go to Boerner even though we knew it was the end of the season and not everything would be in bloom. Still, it was quite beautiful and interesting to see how they put their beds to sleep and prepare for winter. The disappearing creek was still running and it's a great place to explore on both sides, seeking out where the water comes from and where it goes, walking among some very unusual trees with copper-colored peeling bark. There were very few people there, so it seemed like we mostly had the place all to ourselves. We got to sit on a few pretty benches and just soak up the scenery in peace. I wondered where the bees were, they must have bees nearby to pollinate all these plants, and sure enough, right at the end of our journey, we found the beehives. All in all, a very pleasant late afternoon walk. Highly recommend. It's not the garden at Versailles, but it's definitely a Four Star experience.

On my first visit, I'm a Chicagoan that made the day/night trip to see the Asian Lights art installation. I really enjoyed it and looking forward to seeing the space in the spring time.

Chinese lights are amazing! So much to see. Has a nightly parade at 6:15 pm. There is also a dragon stage with live entertainment. Enjoyed eating at the various outdoor Chinese food vendors. Even has an outdoor bar.

Always a great place to visit that's near the city. Beautiful gardens in the summer, great fall colors in the fall and hills to sled down in the winter.

The China Lights displays were of a higher quality than I anticipated and there were way more displays than I thought there would be. Lots of fun. Don t buy a VIP tickets, It s an extra $10 for things you already get with a regular ticket. Go on Groupon and get it for less.

It was ok the jelly stone light show blows it out the water they didnt have enough lights at all

One of my favorite places. It's a museum of perennials. Anyone who loves to garden will get inspired here.

Beautiful and tranquil. Wonderful to stroll and meditate.

An amazing almost magical place. Get here soon come back often, a wonder of nature in a steel and concrete world.

Music in the park good parking excellent sound quality okay.

Still one of the largest and the gardens in summer are a must see. The park has lots of picnic areas as well. Swing sets for kids or if you're like me, swinging is Awesome.

I really like the botanical gardens. This visit was for the China Lights. We have been there to see the gardens and plants as well and enjoyed both!

Checked out the 2020 trial area. Though late in the season, it was still very nice. Lots of varieties of flowers to see. Also, it wasn't crowded.

It would not surprise me if the angels were sitting on the clouds gazing down in marvel of the most beautiful light display in the world...the China Light exhibit. Weekdays it is much more enjoyable because the attendance is bearable. One can walk in comfort at your own pace and enjoy each lighting display. Weekend nights can be overwhelming with people and if the pay lots are full it is a long long walk to the entrance way. My advise pay the 10 dollars for the premiere parking. It would be nice if they had one night for adults only.

Really enjoyed the rose garden and feeding the koi.

The China lights were excellent. I am going to come back to this next year.

Beautiful and good prices for a fun day as a family

Went to experience China Lights for the first time. Don't waste your money on the VIP option ! I purchased VIP tickets off Groupon. Very clearly it stated you were admitted in at 5, private tour at 5:15, along with complimentary parking. In fact before I decided to buy the VIP option I called and spoke to a live China Lights representative at Boerner Botanical Gardens assuring me that we would receive these upgrades and that I would be able to park in their lot.
What a joke. I had to park in a grassy area (a ways from the lot, otherwise they wanted another $10!) and stand in a very long line only to be admitted at 5:35. No private tour. The VIP seating area for the stage performance was also a joke. Nobody was there to control the crowds so basically anybody could sit there. Despite these irritating setbacks the actual display of lights was amazing. I would give it five stars.
I would never waste my money again on the VIP option however. Don't know if I will visit again. Left a bad taste in my mouth after being lied to...

This is our third year having the pleasure of seeing the China Lights. This year we purchased the VIP package, via groupon. It was worth it for the early admission, plus a different line to enter, as well as being able to park up by the entrance. We were able to enter at 5pm, and seeing the lights in the daylight is unique. Watching them come alive was a treat. We walked around before the crowds got heavy. The show is just amazing, seeing all the handpainted displays. Don't miss the talent of the artists, as they handpaint the ornaments. Afterward, we enjoyed pizza at my favorite pizza place, Ann's Restaurant, just a short drive away.

First time there really great event "China Lights"!

Came here for the China Lights event. Great location for the event!

Saw China Lights for the first time - enjoyed it very much!

The Mothers Day Brunch, while pricy, was gorgeous and beautifully done. Elegant and delicious food, well trained staff - just a lovely experience.

Beautiful gardens, one of my favorite times of year to come is when the botanical gardens host the China lights during the fall, wonderful displays and is very popular so they get very crowded, there are also different shows that they do during China lights that are a must see, if you are looking for something to do in fall definitely go to the china lights

One of my favorite places in the city. Always so clean and well maintained. Has very appealing look.

Such beautiful gardens. Perfect for a sunny afternoon out.

We went to China light, it's very nice. Advise, put something heavy, its gonna be cold.

Went for the china lights and was not disappointed it was very pretty and a great time!

Beautiful place. The roses and peonies are the highlights of the garden.

I saw the Christmas lights, they were worth the trip to see. The botanical gardens are always a good time for me, it is peaceful, beautiful and smells good. Very calming to walk through.

Chinese lights - a great show don't miss the live shows.

A garden of Eden, a respite from the city's din. Find your moments of awe. We are members and friends of the Boerner.

Great deal on China Lights with Groupon. Vendors were nice and food smelled great. Lanterns and displays were great. Came on a somewhat drizzle raining night, which was nice as crowds were down and got to fully enjoy lights and sights. Pictures turn out beautifully. Navagation is VERY tricky and ensuring you don't miss anything is a little difficult. We only came at night...might be cool to come before dusk to see lanterns with daylight then nightfall as another visitor mentioned. Would come again. It was nice with the rain as it was mostly adults on the pathways so you aren't dodging strollers. I suggest coming during challenging weather as you can really be at peace while enjoying the China Lights.

China lights has spectacular displays. Convenient parking and shuttle to entrance. A little crowded but moves along steadily. Food is ok

It wasn't as big as I thought it was but given the cold weather we endured while looking at the lights festival, it was big enough. The festival itself was beautiful and engaging. My kids loved the play area! Heck me too! Unfortunately we didn't stay for the parade but look forward to possibly making it an annual family trip.

Most beautiful place and a very elegant holiday display and light show.

Parking was a pain, so were the food prices for amount. Waste of time and money.

Went for China Nights on a Friday -- very beautiful displays, but very crowded. Overall, had a great time and even the porta pots were clean!

A few reviews say this was yucky... I say it was magical. I went with my girlfriend and we had a blast! The lights came alive as the darkness settled. We used our imagination and walked hand in hand. Way way better than sitting on the sofa. Bad reviews here come from those who find rain clouds on sunny days. Go early, highly recommended !!!

Parking filled up really fast for the China Lights exhibit, so we had to walk about a mile from the park, but the exhibit was really pretty and fun.

Very nice, went for the China lights which is affective through the entire month of october. This year is different then last year, there is a panda theme, 2 performance stage area, 2 food court places which we seen to late, one food court area was better then the other and actually had Asian dishes so be sure to walk around to locate the one with the better selection. As far as food goes, there is traditional like beef hot dogs, nachos, brats, popcorn, beverages, liquor on one side and the other side has, the Asian food, beverages, liquior and other stuff like gift shops stands.

Beautiful went there and made some gorgeous drone shots

Wonderful! I wished I been able to stay longer with a good book.

Totally depends on what you go for and when you go.

Was there for the China Lights event this past fall. It was a very enjoyable event with beautiful hand made and painted lantern displays as well as some very fun entertainment and great food vendors. This was an event that could be enjoyed by the whole family or a couple on a date night.

Love this place, though attending China lights- absolute mess. There was no signage for parking, no staff members directing traffic, a complete free for all. Once we finally called and got to the entrance we were told it was so busy we should come back in a few hours. We left and made two more attempts to attend only to experience the same situation. We ended up not being able to see the china lights. Awful.

Went here for brunch on Father's Day, we had reservations for 5. We got seated and was told our waiter would be with us in a minute, 30 minutes later we had to go find a manager to get service. After that we still had to wait another 10 minutes. Now we eat, all the food was cold and way to salty. The only thing that was edible was the omelet. They even messed up on our bill when it was time for us to leave, and they weren't that busy. I don't know how anyone can rate this brunch 5 stars, 200 dollars waisted, save yourself some money and go get better food at Dennys. I will never go here again!

First time here. Will be back. Fantastic place! You need to visit soon!

This place is loaded with unique plants and flowers. Everything is labeled well so that was very helpful. Even watched a monarch lay an egg on some milkweed. Unbelievable!!

Amazing!!! CHINA LIGHTS ARE A MUST SEE!!! My whole family enjoyed it. Just beautiful, pure beautiful