LIST: Public gardens to visit in Central Pennsylvania this spring

Amber Charnoff
·1 min read

(WHTM) – Spring is here officially which means it’s the perfect time to visit one of Central Pennsylvania’s public gardens. From big-name gardens such as Hershey Gardens to smaller community gardens that are free to the public, there are plenty of places to stop and smell the roses.

Dauphin County

Hershey Gardens

  • 170 Hotel Rd, Hershey, PA 17033

  • Hershey Gardens has a vast collection of flowers and plants that visitors can enjoy, a butterfly room and a children’s garden for younger visitors.

Harrisburg Sunken Garden

  • 1210 N Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17102

  • A smaller garden overlooking the Susquehanna River

Five Senses Garden

  • Capital Area Greenbelt, Harrisburg, PA 17111

  • Started in 1996, the Five Senses Garden is free to visit and also offers free tours by appointment

Lancaster County

Louise Arnold Tanger Arboretum

  • 230 N President Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603

  • Designed by Gustaf Malmbord of Manheim, the Louise Arnold Tanger Arboretum is free for the public to enjoy. It contains many plants including an American Conifer Society (ACS) Reference Garden.

Conestoga House and Gardens

  • 1608 Marietta Ave Lancaster, PA 17603

  • 7.8 acres with 5,000 tropical and sub-tropical plants. Adult (10+) single-day admission is $10.

Perry County

Little Buffalo State Park Butterfly Garden

  • Newport, PA 17074

York County

John C. Rudy Park

  • 400 Mundis Race Road, York PA  17406

  • The Penn State Master Gardeners have a display garden in the park which is open to the public. Group tours can be arranged.

In addition to these gardens in Central Pennsylvania, Longwood Gardens is an hour and a half drive from Harrisburg. Longwood Gardens has almost 200 acres of flowers and plants to explore.

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