What better way to welcome spring than by visiting one of these gorgeous botanical gardens in Knoxville TN? These carefully curated beds are filled with a wide variety of flowers, trees, and shrubs that come together in a glorious spread of rainbow colors.
These Knoxville gardens are great spots for snapping a few family photos, basking in nature, or enjoying a peaceful picnic lunch. A lovely stroll through one of these local gardens is truly one of the most peaceful outdoor adventures in the city.
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Gardens in Knoxville TN
1. UT Gardens
2518 Jacob Dr, Knoxville
FREE Admission
(865) 974-7324
UT Gardens has several different paths for guests to meander, including a completely adorable boardwalk that winds through a section of the garden. They also host a variety of events including the extremely popular Art in the Garden.
For this adorable summer event, local artists create pieces based on a centralized theme. The pieces are displayed in the garden all season long and are auctioned off at the end of the summer. All proceeds go toward maintaining the garden.
The gardens also offer field trips, workshops, gardening classes, and a unique horticulture therapy program.
2. Racheff House and Gardens
1943 Tennessee Avenue, Knoxville
FREE Admission
865-522-6210
This historic home boasts 3.5 acre worth of stunning garden beds featuring a wide variety of seasonal flowers, trees, and shrubs. There are also multiple fish ponds and an adorable Japanese tea house.
3. Knoxville Botanical Gardens
2743 Wimpole Ave B, Knoxville
FREE Admission
(865) 862-8717
This is Knoxville’s largest and most popular garden. This location emphasizes native plants and boasts a variety of themed garden areas. There are also cute photo props sprinkled throughout the grounds.
In addition to gorgeous flowers, the gardens host a wide variety of educational programs and festivals throughout the year. Most of the activities are family-friendly including the weekly Story Thyme event for preschoolers, seasonal tree walks, plant sales, herbal make-and-take classes, and more.
4. Borderland Tees Butterfly Garden
818 Sevier Ave, Knoxville
FREE Admission
(865) 363-4302
This quirky butterfly garden is owned by the Borderland Tees t-shirt shop. The garden is being grown to help conservation efforts, especially for the monarch butterfly. Respectful guests are welcome to visit the garden and take amateur photos and videos.
5. Baxter Gardens
3901 Sam Cooper Ln, Knoxville
FREE Admission
Only open to the public for 1 month a year, this sprawling private garden is actually FREE to view. The estate features a variety of quirky additions including a fairy garden, an Asian-themed hedge maze, an adorable pond where you can walk across floating stepping stones, and more.
Respectful guests are welcomed in April each year. Because this garden is only open for a limited time it tends to get busy. There is also no spot to eat, so it’s best to plan your visit around meals.
6. Crescent Bend
2728 Kingston Pike, Knoxville
$7/adults, FREE/12 and under
(865) 637-3163
Crescent Bend is a stunning historic mansion with expansive tulip gardens that bloom in early spring. Unfortunately, the garden is temporarily closed. Keep an eye on the website to see when they re-open.
Botanical Gardens Near Knoxville TN
Though these gardens are a little bit further away, they are truly stunning and totally worth the drive.
Between the gardens and surrounding activities, they offer enough adventure to plan a full-day trip around your visit.
Cheekwoood Estate and Gardens
1200 Forrest Park Dr, Nashville
$25/Adults, $18/17 and under (includes mansion tour)
(615) 356-8000
The sprawling estate of Cheekwoood Gardens makes an excellent spring day trip from Knoxville. The admission price also includes a self-guided tour of the historic mansion, art galleries, and sculpture trail.
After your visit, you can stop by downtown Nashville for a little sightseeing and hot chicken.
Biltmore Estate
1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC
Admission Starts at $89
(800) 411-3812
If you’ve never been to Biltmore, calling it a mansion is an understatement. It’s more like a castle straight out of a fairytale.
Spring is one of the best times to visit this exquisite mountain estate because the gardens are in full glorious bloom.
Admission prices vary based on the package you choose. You can pick from garden-only tours, house and garden tours, add-on meal packages, add-on art gallery tours, and more!
Okay, let’s be honest. This is a pretty pricey place. But, it’s one of those bucket list items that every southerner should do at least once.
Did we miss one of your favorite gardens in Knoxville TN? Please send us the details so we can add it to the list.
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Erica has lived in East TN for over 9 years. She enjoys exploring this gorgeous region with her husband and 3 lively children. As a former teacher turned homeschool mom, she loves finding fun and affordable activities the entire family will love, especially if they cultivate a love for learning!