Eye-candy for botanists and admirers of nature, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden prides itself on its beautiful plantations, exotic flowers, and manicured hedges. You'll find an incredible variety of tropical plants, as well as features like small waterfalls to help set the scene. Beyond creating visually stunning experiences, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden also endeavors to create awareness among visitors about horticulture and the environment through its several educational tours. Plant lover or not, head here to soak in the lovely atmosphere or simply for a breath of fresh air.
Website: dmbotanicalgarden.com
Phone: (515) 323-6290
Open now
- Fri 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
909 Robert D. Ray Dr Des Moines, IA 50309 ·792.28 mi
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Amenities
- Family friendly
Reviews
tripadvisor
I visited the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden on a Friday morning. There were no crowds and there was plentiful (free) parking. Admission is reasonable and they offer senior discounts. There is a QR code right inside the main dome that provides a map but the displays and trails are well-marked. The plants and grounds were well-maintained and there were warning signs for the areas that were intentionally natural warning about the potential for poison ivy. (I appreciated that, although I didn't see any.) The gardens offer inside spaces (multi-level dome, meeting, and education rooms) and outside spaces (themed). The on-site restaurants were not open but the gift shop offered reasonably priced souviners to help me remember my visit (in addition to some fabulous photos). I would definitely visit here again and would recommend it to visitors. If I lived in the area, I would also join as a member and visit often across the seasons.
MoreThis garden does not cover a very large area, but it is packed with interesting and beautiful plants. Don't miss the rooms off to the sides of the main dome, because they have some great exhibits. We were there in water lily season, so the outdoor water gardens were full of colorful lilies. We had a leisurely visit, which took us about 1 1/2 hours.
MoreWent to Dome for the Holidays on November 30, 2025, and couldn't get our membership discount to apply on pre-purchased tickets online. We were told we'd have to purchase tickets at full price since they couldn't sell them at the door. No one offered assistance with trying to apply the discount online. Terrible, terrible experience. Thankfully, we left and had a wonderful time at Jolly Holiday Lights instead. Definitely won't be renewing the membership at the Botanical Garden.
MoreThe Des Moines Botanical Gardens are absolutely beautiful, with both indoor and outdoor areas to explore. We were surprised we spent 1.5 hours there with young kids — we thought they’d get bored, but the nature playground at the back kept them happily occupied the whole time. The staff were very friendly, parking was easy, and the gift shop was cute. A lovely spot for families or anyone who enjoys nature!
MoreVery nice naturalized gardens, including indoor tropical and desert areas, and outdoor gardens with water features and small play area for children.
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