Boerner Botanical Gardens Review

The gardens are beautiful all the time, but they host some magical events that make it better.

Perfect place to take whole family to see China light show.

The China lights exhibit was impressive to walk through. I would love to come back during the spring to see the rest of the gardens

Nice place to spend an afternoon, if you like plants & flowers

Just OK cause I was too small and little disappointing

Gorgeous flowers and wonderful architecture. Definitely a nice place to relax and enjoy the spring weather.

The garden is great, the staff was rude at the ticket booth and made it a huge hassle to take the family.

We went for their 1st Christmas lights spectacular. Really enjoyed myself

Small (compared to Chicago or
Madison) but pleasant and peaceful with an herb garden, a rose garden and a few other sections. Perfect for a quick walk with the family on Saturday morning. It also hosts a few different art and music events.

Bought tickets online for China lights and then sent driving around the park to shuttle lots until we were finally told to leave and try a different night. Frustrating because there was a lot with many open spots but young attendant wouldn't allow us in to park.

Went for China Lights. It was very crowded. We got there at 5 when it opened on a Saturday, they didn't have all the lots open yet and were turning cars away. We left and came back about an hour and a half later and found parking. Once in, it was extremely crowded but there lights were really cool.

Concerts in the garden sponsored by Wimmer communities every Thursday night during the summer are fantastic. Something you don't want to miss

Definitely worth going to the gardens to see the China lights! They are all so different

Wow, love all the colors, got some ideas for my own garden

Went for the magnificent China Lights. I'm sure the park is different during the rest of the year, but the buildings and the open spaces are just a nice place to spend time.

Stopped here for China Lights and had an amazing time. Large outdoor venue, with some beautiful arrangements.

Perfect for plant geeks and nature-starved city dwellers alike.

SO BEAUTIFUL. Obviously a very caring staff takes care of this place and plans amazing activities.

China Lights was beautiful and how refreshing to have an event that can enjoyed by the young or old! This is almost a nonexistant thing!

I do have one sad complaint. They had no wheelchairs for the elderly/disabled visitors during their 2019 event. This was our 3rd visit in 4 years. We were told all their wheelchairs were stolen after the first year so they decided not to provide any type of free or rental service for the handicap or elderly.

Frankly, I feel with all the success and profit that is made at this event Boerner Botanical Gardens should rethink their logistics and take some extra time and contract a third party company to provide wheelchair rentals.

During our walk through the lights I saw quite a few elderly people with or without walkers struggling. Take note without these wheelchairs it is very difficult to take a elderly person through.

Step it up Boerners I do understand that you lost your wheelchairs through theft but I don't understand the lack of effort to provide for your visitors. All business should have wheelchairs on site!

Perfect for the kids couples fun activities to see and the lighting was great. Definitely worth the money :)

Wonderful outing for the wife and I. Really pretty, scored major points at home.

Very quiet and relaxing with a stroller was no problem at all

Awesome display of culture and amazing use of space during winter!

Always a good place to go in a lazy afternoon.. ride bikes or take a stroll..

China Lights was a bright and colorful attraction. Enjoyed the displays, food, and shows.

Saw China Lights here again. Great place. Have to check out in summer.

Very beautiful, worth every minute spent there. Conference room is large and food is very tasty!

Perhaps the most beautiful park in Wisconsin. Acres of manicured and wild terrain. Nature walk over an elevated wooden walkway through a natural bog.
Some of the most superb species of exotic and native plants, trees and flowers.
One of my favorite places in the state! See it for yourself.

Wasn't that interested in going to view the China Lights but very well done. I'm glad we went. Extremely colorful and fun displays. Coordination of parking could have been better but it didnt take away from the dispays.

Was wonderful..first time there, not too many bugs thanks to cooler weather. Displays and shows were all good.

Went to the gardens for China Lights. They were amazing. Be prepared for a long walk for the kids.

Such a great place to visit.
The gardens are lovely. From culinary garden to English to a bog walk, it all delights the senses.

Lovely, nice gift shop, China Lights are amazing, and crowded .

Very nice place to walk outdoors for children to play and for the whole family

I visited 10/13 for China Lights. Event was stunning, but parking was extremely, poorly organized. Since weather stoped many from participating earlier in the week, an overflow crowd should have been expected on what turned out to be a perfect evening for an outdoor event.
Lot attendants were left standing in front of barriers marked "lot full", but could give no guidance to direct event goers on how to proceed, even though they had walkie talkies which could have been used to let drivers know where to go. The only reply to where is the next lot was "keep moving, your holding up traffic".
One hour later, once a spot was found, and finding the display well worth the aggravation, I was thankful I was not alone returning to the car in complete darkness, in an unfamiliar area. Any concern for safety was not taken into consideration. I would not recommend anyone doing this alone.

The China Lights was beautiful. Easy for a wheelchair to maneuver and just the right length. We had a great time!

A beautiful place, their summer concerts are wonderful.

Wonderful display of Chinese lights. We enjoyed the wall and the shows. Great time and the kids loved all of the lights.

Went for the Chinese Lantern event and it was awesome. We circled through twice and went during the week because it can get busy during the weekend. During non events its a wonderful and beautiful place to visit as well.

Nice relaxing place to go with an old friend to talk! We spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon in the sun! It was pretty, sort of. I think our weather was hindering some growth! No regrets!

A beautiful set of gardens that delight young and old.

Attended China Lights. Very pleased with displays, staff polite, parked close in. Displays upgraded from last visit. Thank you to local sponsors. Would attend again.

Great gardens. China Lights was amazing. Catch it in 2017 if they bring it back.

Nice place to go if you like flowers in the summer or various other events the rest of the year.

We (my wife and I) come back for this show every year, as it is so beautiful! A good reason to stop at Kopp's for a cheeseburger and cones prior to the show! :)

Great flower beds, trees and all sorts of perennials to enjoy looking at as you walk around these awesome gardens. $6.50 to get in is reasonable.

A well kept, beautiful garden, filled with blooming perennials.

China lights was cool. Busy... poorly planned for traffic patterns.

You get better and better every year with the organization for the China Lights! Well done!

Planning a wedding! Beautiful but $$$$ Will have to save up to make this happen!

Couldnt find.more.than.tulips durng this time. But its pretty peaceful and excellent pleasure.to the eyes

The display was Fantastic, the logistics (getting to & from) were horrid! Plan on waiting an hour, each way, for free shuttle bus.

Saw China Lights was fantastic but be prepared to wait to get in. Wear comfortable walking shoes and warm clothing

Boerner's China Lights was beyond Magical! They had everything well thought out & well planned for all. From the parking to the shuttle buses, the exhibit itself, to the food & beverage caets. And the light display itself was beautiful beyond words! Every few yards brought another spectacular light show! From Chinese villages to Panda trees to sea turtles, from dolphins to a time tunnel, and the lovely wishing tree! And the walk on the suspended wooden bridge with lanterns above you was like you had been transported back to China itself! Add to all this the wonderful food you can purchase at the end of your journey from Zilli's Catering...just the perfect end to the entire experience! HURRY THOUGH! You have only tonight & Sunday evening to enjoy this amazing festival of lights before it's gone until next year!

Great areas to explore the plants of WI and walk and drive and bike.

First time visiting the gardens and told staff sitting at front desk, she automatically charged me for 4 adults. I then looked at the sign and told her it s 2 adults and 2 senior citizens, she looked at me and said well you didn t tell me that. I wasn t reimbursed. Horrible customer service.