The Myriad Botanical Gardens is the green heart of downtown Oklahoma City, a 17-acre park that sits right beside the streetcar line and within walking distance of most downtown hotels. Its signature is the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, a long glass tube that holds a rainforest and a desert on the edge of the prairie, with waterfalls, tall palms and orchids. Outside, a lake with a fountain, lawns, shaded paths and a large children's garden make the park a pleasant stop for all ages, and a restaurant on site offers a place to rest. The gardens do more than display plants. They host concerts, festivals, outdoor movies, farmers markets and an ice rink in winter, so a visit often coincides with something fun. The grounds are free to enter, while the conservatory charges admission, which makes the park a flexible stop: you can stroll for ten minutes between meetings or spend half a day with a picnic. The setting, surrounded by downtown towers, gives the garden an urban oasis feel that photographers enjoy.
Visit the conservatory first if the weather is hot, cold or wet, because it is climate-controlled and gives a break from the plains. Inside, the path winds from a humid rainforest zone through a drier desert zone, and a guide or placards explain the plants. Allow about an hour. Then spend time outdoors in the lawns and gardens, which are lovely in spring, when bulbs and flowering trees bloom, and in autumn, when the foliage turns.
The children's garden includes play features and water elements that are very popular on summer days. Bring a change of clothes if your children love splashing. The park has shaded benches, a large lawn for picnics and walking paths that connect to the nearby Scissortail Park via a short walk, so the two make a natural pairing. The streetcar stops beside the gardens, which makes reaching it simple from Bricktown or Midtown.
Check the gardens' calendar for events. Summer concerts, seasonal festivals and holiday displays bring crowds and a festive mood, while a visit on a weekday morning is quiet. Dogs are generally welcome on leash outdoors but not in the conservatory. Photography is allowed throughout, and the conservatory's glass roof gives striking light on sunny days.
The gardens work as a break in a busy sightseeing day. A good sequence is to start with the Memorial or a downtown tour, take a streetcar to the gardens for a conservatory visit and lunch, and then walk on to Scissortail Park or the art museum. Families, couples and solo travelers all find something here, and the price of entry to the grounds makes it one of the best free things to do in the city.
Early evening is a lovely time to visit, when the heat eases and the towers light up around the lawn. Pack a picnic, bring a light blanket and let children run, then ride the streetcar back to your hotel or on to dinner in Bricktown. In winter, the ice rink and holiday lights turn the park into a festive stop. The nearby streetcar stop makes it easy to leave your car at the hotel.
What to expect
The experience
A 17-acre downtown garden with a tropical conservatory, a lake, lawns, a children's garden and a calendar of events.
Best time
Spring and autumn for blooms and comfortable weather; the conservatory works in any season.
How long
One to three hours depending on whether you add the conservatory and a meal.
Tips
Check the event calendar, bring water, and take the streetcar to the stop beside the park.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants a green break in the middle of downtown.
- Families
- Excellent; the children's garden and open lawns are made for families.
- Couples
- A gentle walk and conservatory visit before dinner.
- Pair with
- Scissortail Park or the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
- Time needed
- One to three hours.
Good questions
Is entry to the gardens free?+
The outdoor grounds are free; the Crystal Bridge Conservatory charges admission.
What is the Crystal Bridge?+
A glass conservatory in the gardens with a tropical rainforest area and a desert area.
Are there events?+
Yes. The gardens host concerts, festivals, markets and seasonal events, so check the calendar.
Can I reach it by streetcar?+
Yes. A streetcar stop is beside the gardens.
Is it good for children?+
Yes. The children's garden, lake and lawns suit families.