Atlanta Botanical Garden

1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA

Address:	1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
Phone:	+1 404-876-5859
Site:	atlantabg.org
Rating:	4.6
Working:	Closed 9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

Eileen Fishman

Im a member of the ABG. We love it and come frequently. Its become a lot more commercial in recent years and the introduction of Lintons has taken it to a new level. I understand this although it does change the entire "tone" of the gardens. This review relates more specifically to the Holiday lights program. Wed seen all the work it took to set it up - beginning months ago - and therefore understand charging even members a fee. I also understand if this is a significant revenue generator. However, its then important to ensure that the experience is wonderful for those who attend. The displays - light all around and poinsettia (primarily) in the orchid house - have improved year after year. Theyre really wonderful and are now at the level of other botanical gardens around the country. Theyre well-planned and quite impressive. The crowds / parking - its inappropriate to sell SEVERAL THOUSAND TICKETS for the event per night. The gardens have been expanded and the addition of the parking lot several years ago was quite helpful but THAT VOLUME OF VISITORS cannot be properly handled/accommodated (nor do I believe it good for the gardens as there is a lot of off the path meandering and trampling). Way way way too crowded - to the point that I maintain that theres a safety issue. Parking (and trying to leave) was a nightmare. Staffing - the "permanent" staff (and volunteers maybe) at the entrance are professional and relatively effective. However, the parking staff and especially the staff at the Lintons cafe (outside booth) are - for lack of a better word - HORRIBLE. Where are the supervisors? The young men in the cafe hold your credit card (had to ask for it to be returned), are slow and do not have customer-oriented attitudes. (Also, $10 for a glass of wine served in a plastic cup is reprehensible - especially when a sauvignon blanc is served when a chardonnay is ordered - and then the staff ARGUE about it and dont replace the wrongly poured item.) Also, there is not enough staff out in the gardens to answer questions, direct, etc. during such a well-attended event. (As a matter of fact, the night we were there, I didnt see ANY garden staff "wandering".) I am not sure what the right answer to all of this is. This is a year weve had terrible rain at the holidays so on an evening when the weather is "cooperating," the "show" is bound to be even more crowded, but the crowds and the service rendered what should have been an excellent evening out as somewhat unenjoyable.

Sarah Stephens

The garden is beautiful. But the staff is rude, and a membership ends up costing more than you would think. They do not tell you, for example, that they book tickets for special events through ticketmaster. This is the case even if you buy a ticket in person, at the garden, and at the their own booth. The ticketmaster fee is $3.55, adding $7.10 to a two person outing. I am a student, and an extra $7 makes a difference. Also, the advertising for Garden Lights was misleading. The information page states "Dinner available for purchase at The Café at Lintons in the Garden" and "Roast smores over a toasty fire;" this leads me to believe that if you want dinner, you can eat at the restaurant (which it stands to reason you would pay for separately), but that the smores are included as part of the Garden Lights experience. They are not. A kit for two smores was $5, a 6oz cup of cider was $2, and there was a full alcohol bar. I was surprised at this, since it was a holiday celebration (vs. something like Valentines Day) - I dont associate hard alcohol with family-friendly events. By the end of the evening, a $14/person non-peak night outing ended up being a $21/person outing. And that was without the parking, since I used public parking in the area instead of paying the $10 for their parking garage. I guess if you are wealthy something like that doesnt matter. And perhaps since the garden is in a wealthy part of town, I should not be surprised that they cater to wealthy people. But I wish I had not purchased a membership, and I will not do so ever again.

Joel Fedell

What a great space just outside the heart of Atlanta! We found this gem after we finished a morning over at the Georgia Aquarium. What attracted me to the garden was Chihuly in the Garden was going on. I just love Chihuly and just glass sculptures in general. You start by driving up this long driveway that has trees on both sides of you. You take your ticket and proceed to the parking garage. Once in we purchased our tickets, got a map, and headed out into the gardens. Youre in the middle of Atlanta but it feels and sounds so peaceful. You really dont hear a lot of traffic noise or feel like you are in the city. The gardens sprawl out and provide you with plenty of places to sit and enjoy the gardens. The Chihuly exhibit had 20 pieces of his work scattered around and worked into the gardens. His beautiful pieces felt as though they have always been there. They did a nice job incorporating the two elements. Towards the center of the garden is a restaurant as well as a smaller cafe out back. We did stop there for a bite to eat as well as a well needed drink break. Once again I had chicken salad with celery in it. Is that a southern thing? Anyway it was good and hit the spot. They do appear to be adding onto the gardens a little further away over by the greenhouse but I dont recall what they said it was nor when it was expected to open. It was all around a nice way to enjoy some outside activities...stroll through nature and the gardens and enjoy a nice early June day.

Dana Chue

My boyfriend and I went for our birthdays in May and it was wondeful. He decided to get a membership so we can go anytime. Well we went back again and the garden was still lovely. We enjoyed our stroll and looked around at things we missed the first time. After that we went into the gift shop right outside. It was cute and had a lot nice things. I said I wanted to get him something since he was always getting me things so he pick out nice smelling incense and I pick out a candle. We then procceded to the counter and he said he got a 10% discount since he was a donating member. She scanned his card and I pulled out the cash to pay. She was like oh he has to pay. I was like um ok its cash but she didnt want to take it so I just handed him the money. WTF! She then asked him are you sure this is your membership and asked him his named and asked him what the name on the membership was. And after that she tired to lecture him telling him how the discount was only for the privileged. That made me so angry it was only freaking $12 and two things! Oh my God! We are so abusing this 10% discount! I am never going into that awful store again!!!

Nancy Mc

Bought a membership to be able to go during the different seasons. If youre going to go more than once it is worth it to buy a multi visit parking pass it is far cheaper, get it in the gift shop. They recently completely renovated the childrens Gardens and I take my granddaughter once a week now because the playground there is spectacular. Ive never seen anything like it. We go during the day during the week while the crowds are low. They did such a good job on it. Definitely not crazy about the food selection. There is only one place to eat and it is either super expensive or if you order from the snack bar Cafe there really are few affordable kid-friendly options, and there are only a few pre-assigned and marked tables you are allowed to sit at. No gluten free or low carb options. But I was able to get a latte so that made me happy! Thats my only gripe with the place. I really miss the outdoor seating area they used to have with the sun in my belly Cafe. Its not kid friendly for eating so be prepared. But that one little thing wont keep me away, I adore the Botanical Gardens!