New research has identified the most beautiful botanical gardens in the US, with Filoli in Woodside, California, taking the top spot.
Fence contractors at R&T Fence analysed Tripadvisor reviews across more than 200 botanical gardens, focusing on the share that included positive descriptors such as “stunning”, “beautiful”, “breathtaking” and “gorgeous”. Gardens were ranked by the percentage of reviews containing at least one of these terms.
California and Florida each appear twice in the top ten, highlighting their popularity among visitors seeking visually striking destinations.
Top 10 botanical gardens by beauty
- 1. Filoli, Woodside, California – 61.61% of 534 reviews, with 329 mentioning beauty-related keywords
- 2. Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania – 60.72% of 4,425 reviews, equal to 2,687 reviews
- 3. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine – 55.60% of 2,097 reviews, with 1,166 containing keywords
- 4. Bellingrath Gardens and Home, Theodore, Alabama – 55.23% of 860 reviews, with 475 mentioning keywords
- 5. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, Florida – 52.78% of 3,293 reviews, equal to 1,738 reviews
- 6. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida – 52.77% of 1,552 reviews, or 819 reviews
- 7. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan – 52.43% of 3,061 reviews, with 1,605 containing keywords
- 8. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, Virginia – 51.56% of 1,639 reviews, with 845 mentioning keywords
- 9. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Fort Bragg, California – 49.45% of 1,361 reviews, or 673 reviews
- 10. Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, Illinois – 49.31% of 1,235 reviews, equal to 609 reviews
The rankings are based on the proportion of reviews highlighting beauty rather than total visitor numbers, offering insight into which gardens consistently impress visitors.
Tripadvisor was used as the data source due to its large volume of user-generated reviews.
Standout destinations
Filoli, a historic estate in the Bay Area, is known for its formal English Renaissance-style gardens, seasonal blooms and expansive natural grounds.
Longwood Gardens attracts visitors year-round with its conservatories, fountain displays and meticulously maintained landscapes.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens combines coastal scenery with woodland paths and diverse plant collections.
Industry comment
Jeff Becka, President of R&T Fence, said, “There are many beautiful botanical gardens across the US, and this research has revealed the best. California and Florida stand out as great states to visit a botanical garden, each appearing twice in the top ten.”
He added: “Many of these gardens host events great for families, as they offer lots of great activities to keep kids entertained. Or if you are looking for a quieter visit, perhaps plan a romantic stroll through the garden 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.”
Visitor experience and wider context
Botanical gardens offer spaces for relaxation, education and connection with nature. Many feature rare plants, themed displays, public programmes, sculpture and historic architecture.
Visitors are advised to check seasonal highlights and book in advance, particularly at popular locations such as Longwood Gardens.
The analysis shows how review data can highlight standout attractions based on visitor sentiment. While beauty is subjective, consistent use of descriptive language provides a measurable indicator of appeal.
Research beyond this study has linked exposure to natural environments with reduced stress and improved well-being, although this analysis focused only on aesthetic descriptions.