I was so excited to find out Matthaei Botanical Gardens reopened this summer! The trails have always been open but the conservatory and gardens are open by reservation only.
We made our reservation online and when we arrived someone checked us in at a table set up right outside. They do ask a few screening questions for COVID-19 and require face masks while indoors for everyone ages 2 and up.
It wasn’t crowded and because they were screening people as they come in, each group was pretty spaced out.
We haven’t been to the gardens since early 2020, before things started shutting down for the pandemic. I was a little surprised when Emilia grabbed my hand and lead me right to the fish. She loves to see the koi fish, I was shocked she remembered.
The conservatory displays plants from three different major climates zones from around the world. Each has its own house; tropical house, temperate house and arid house.
When you exit the conservatory, there are several different gardens to explore. We spent most of our time in the Gaffield Children’s Garden.
The children’s garden has a lot of great outdoor activities for kids. Emilia really enjoyed playing in the sand with the beach toys.
“Here, children can build with natural materials in the builder’s garden, wend their way through a maze, discover magical creatures in a fairy and troll knoll, or just get their hands dirty in a digging pit or playing in the mud garden. The garden also features a pollinator and hummingbird garden, a habitats hiking trail, and more.”
Here’s just a few things to know before you visit:
• Reservations are required through their website: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f4aadad22a2fd0-matthaei1
• Masks must be worn inside
• The conservatory and display gardens are open Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
• The outdoor areas at Matthaei and Nichols Arboretum are open daily sunrise to sunset
• Parking at Matthaei is now enforced (parking kiosk)
Address: 1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105