Public Gardens Listing: ABQ BioPark's Rio Grande Botanic Garden (Albuquerque, NM)
While balcony container gardeners enjoy their small-space urban gardens, sometimes a few container plants on an apartment balcony above a busy street just isn’t peaceful enough. Balcony gardeners might not be able to have a peaceful, large garden, but there are public gardens and arboretums near every major city. Don’t just fawn over pictures of luxurious gardens, get out there and enjoy a day at a public garden! You may even bring some gardening inspiration home to your own balcony container garden.
If you live in or are visiting the Albuquerque, N.M., area, why not visit the ABQ BioPark's Rio Grande Botanic Garden?
- The ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden is an environmental museum made up of four separate facilities, the Albuquerque Aquarium, Rio Grande Zoo, Tingley Beach and the Rio Grande Botanic Garden connected by a railroad.
- The Rio Grande Botanic Garden is 36 acres and includes a 10,000-square-foot glass conservatories. Several flower shows, including the Bulbs in Bloom and the Orchid Show, are held in the Mediterranean conservatory.
- The Botanic Garden has many garden exhibits, including Old World Walled Gardens, Mediterranean Conservatory, Desert Conservatory, Camino de Colores, Rio Grande Heritage Farm, Sasebo Japanese Garden, Curandera Garden, PNM Butterfly Pavilion, Railroad Garden, Children's Fantasy Garden, Dragonfly Sanctuary Pond and Cottonwood Gallery.
- Check the ABQ BioPark's website to see what plants are in bloom during your visit.
- Japanese Garden Tours, Story Time at the Garden, and music and crafts at Heritage Farm are just some of the activities available at the Botanic Garden. Visit the Rio Grande Botanic Garden at night for concerts, guided moonlight hikes and night walks. The River of Lights Christmas celebration and Cider Festival are just several of the yearly activities at the BioPark.
- You can rent indoor and outdoor venues at the Zoo, Aquarium and Botanic Garden for daytime and evening events, such as weddings, receptions, birthdays, parties, etc.
ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden Quick Info
http://www.cabq.gov/culturalservices/biopark/garden
505-768-2000
2601 Central NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104
Admission $12.50 ($5.50 for seniors, $4 for children 3 to12), cheaper for New Mexico residents, more for garden and zoo combo tickets
9-5 daily. Extended summer hours: Open until 6 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and summer holidays (Memorial Day, July 4 and Labora Day) from June to August. Closed New Years Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
