Learn and Grow at the Lovely and Lush Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha!
As I have “acquired years and wisdom” (read between the lines), I have discovered that “tiptoeing through the tulips” is actually very beneficial for my well-being on multiple levels. I now LOVE gardens, particularly botanical gardens! Not only do they encourage me to get my steps in, the flowers, foliage, and trees enhance my mental health and feed my soul. The artwork inspires me. Listening to the birds sing and watching butterflies flit around calms and fascinates me. And I always learn something new. In short, spending time in a garden just makes me doggone happy. Maybe you can relate! 😁
My local botanical garden is Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha. I have been so pleased to see it start from scratch and grow into a very beautiful and impressive place. Lauritzen Gardens is always growing and enhancing their gorgeous gardens, their learning opportunities, and their special exhibits and events. I, like many others, have come to adore this place. If you do nothing else, please check out their website immediately below. 🫶🧐⬇️
Lauritzen Gardens Website
My Lauritzen Gardens Video - Photos Taken August 21, 2024 (Not Official Gardens Video) ⬇️⬇️⬇️
The Visitor and Education Center
The entrance building is beautiful and houses large and small classrooms and event spaces, art displays, a cafe that serves great homemade food, a fun gift shop, large and clean restrooms, and wonderful staff and volunteers. Not only that, it is connected to a large and lovely two-area conservatory (currently closed for enhancements) that feeds your soul when you are so sick of snow and sub-zero temperatures that you just want to get away to a different climate for a bit. It is a respite on so many levels with water features, tropical plants and flowers, and a coffee shop. The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory is expected to be open again in November - just in time for winter weather. 👏
The Fun Gift Shop!
There are more than 20 gorgeous themed gardens available at Lauritzen Gardens. A few personal favorites of mine are the Japanese Garden, the Arboretum and Oberman Bird Sanctuary, the Japanese Garden/Park, the Lithuanian Sculpture Garden, the Robert H. storm Family Rose Garden, the Garden in the Glen, and the English Perennial Border. There is really no garden I don’t revel in here. The Model Railroad Garden is a delight for everyone, but especially children.
The Tram
There is a tram that runs hourly in the summer and every half-hour on summer weekends, although the schedule does sometimes change due to weather and events. It is a very convenient way to get around the garden and especially way to the back (to the Founder’s Garden). It makes periodic stops and you can hop on and hop off at the designated stops as you like and ride a later tram. There is a fee and the rate depends on whether or not you have a membership to the gardens. See the two photos below for a bit more info. ⬇️
Learning Opportunities!
If you enjoy learning, Lauritzen Gardens offers a wide variety of classes for both little kids and big kids. I love taking classes there! Previous classes I have taken include sound meditation, wreath-making, origami, watercolor painting, and digital photography. Click below to view the class options for adults. ⬇️
Lauritzen Gardens also has classes for families and kids, as well as kids’ camps. See the link below. ⬇️
Special Exhibits and Events
For the latest Program and Events Guide, click below. ⬇️ Note: There will b a new guide coming out for classes starting in October and beyond.
Special events are especially fun! For example, Lauritzen has a summer outdoor concert series that is free for members. There are different festivals such as the Japanese Ambience Festival in the Fall, a holiday poinsettia display, amazing Lego exhibits activities for kids, art displays and shows, a European auto show, and a wicked plants display (around Halloween) to name just a few. See below for more information. ⬇️
And one more time…There is always a full calendar of events taking place. Check out August’s calendar! ⬇️
New Gardens and Facilities
There are some exciting new gardens and facilities in the works right now. Sofia’s Play Garden is under construction just behind the Visitor Center. The last time I checked out the banners describing the new garden, there were ten new features for young visitors and those young at heart. I can’t wait to see it completed! The Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory is currently being enhanced and updated, and a new building is being constructed roughly across from the daffodil garden with more visitor facilities and indoor growing areas. It just keeps getting better and better!!! 👏👏👏
And because I live within an easy drive from Lauritzen Gardens and I love photography, I literally have thousands of photos from this beautiful place. I will restrain myself and only show you a reasonable amount. 😉 Enjoy and be sure to check out Lauritzen Gardens in person for yourself!
