(Travel)

The Zoe Report’s 2026 Readers' Choice: Best Botanical Gardens

They go beyond greenery.

by Angela Melero

Consider this your invitation to stop and smell the roses, literally. The nominees for The Zoe Report’s Readers’ Choice Awards Best Botanical Gardens celebrate spaces where nature, design, and serenity intertwine. From the storybook landscapes of The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens to the iconic expanses of New York Botanical Garden and the tranquil beauty of Portland Japanese Garden, these destinations are living works of art ... perfect for your next mindful escape.

Have questions? Read the official Readers’ Choice rules.

TZR’s readers have spoken, and their favorite Botanical Gardens of 2026 are:

1. Filoli Historic House & Garden

Woodside, CA

What TZR readers love about Filoli Historic House & Garden:

  • Every season brings a dynamic palette! I 💚 visiting year-round to witness the color shifts in the orchards.
  • The head-sized hydrangea blooms are truly astounding. An ever-changing floral feast for the eyes and the spirit!
  • The juxtaposition of formal grounds against the Santa Cruz mountains is sublime. A great perk for this community!

2. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Coral Gables, FL

What TZR readers love about Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden:

  • A total tropical fairy tale! This serene spot is a “must do” for anyone visiting Coral Gables.
  • High art meets the tropics. So colorful, like a lush extension of Art Basel itself.
  • Every enchanting inch is steeped in history. The knowledgeable volunteers make exploring this rare botanical treasure so memorable.

3. Desert Botanical Garden

Phoenix, AZ

What TZR readers love about Desert Botanical Garden:

  • Sculptural cacti in every shape and size! Easily the most beautiful, diverse greenery in all of Arizona!
  • LOVE how this defies “traditional” expectations with a singular, vibrant celebration of desert-adapted plants.
  • Not your typical flower beds. These striking native displays are a gorgeous tribute to Phoenix’s unique terrain.

4. Butchart Gardens

Victoria, BC

Photos courtesy of Brooklyn Bontanic Garden/Michael Stewart, Chicago Botanic Garden/Jeff Carrion, Desert Botanical Garde, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Filoli Historic House & Garden/Albert Dros, New York Botanical Garden, Portland Japanese Garden/Mike Centioli