Indiana LogoIndiana Black and White Logo
Favorites
Home
  • Best of Indiana

    Best of Indiana

    • Winter Fun
    • The Twenty in 20 Lists
    • You Voted - See the Winners!

    VIDEOS

    • Katie's Home-State Adventures
  • Things To Do

    Attractions

    • Museums
    • Historic Sites
    • Entertainment
    • Music, Art & Theater
    • Cities & Downtowns
    • Tours
    • Zoos
    • Sacred Places
    • Amusement & Water Parks
    • Casinos & Gaming
    • Spas
    • Themed Trails
    • Roadside Attractions

    Outdoors & Sports

    • State Parks & Gardens
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Farms & Orchards
    • Lakes & Water Sports
    • Hiking & Biking Trails
    • Motorsports & Sports Teams
    • Golf
    • Ziplining
    • Camping
    • Horseback Riding

    Shopping

    • Made in Indiana
    • Antiques & Flea Markets
    • Sweet Treats & Food
    • Home & Gifts
    • Downtown Shopping
    • Outlets & Malls
    • Artisans & Handcrafts
    • Farmers Markets

    Visitor Services

    • Visitor Centers
    • Convention & Visitors Bureaus
    • Chambers of Commerce
    • Associations / Councils

    Agritourism

    • Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
    • Seasonal U-Picks
    • Trails & Tours
    • Farming, Growing & Eating

    On a Budget?

    • Discounts
    • FREE Things to Do
  • Road Trips
  • Winter Fun
  • Events

    Events & Festivals

    • Holiday & Season Celebrations
    • History & Cultural Festivals
    • Fairs & City Festivals
    • Music & Dance
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Theater & Movies
    • Food, Beer & Wine
    • Nature & Outdoors
    • Sports & Competitions
    • Vehicles & Collectors
    • Antiques & Shopping
    • Families & Kids

    On a Budget?

    • FREE Admission
  • Lodging

    Lodging

    • Hotels / Motels
    • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns
    • Campgrounds
    • Cabins
    • Resorts / Lodges
    • Vacation Rentals

    On a Budget?

    • Lodging Discounts
  • Food & Drink

    Food & Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wineries
    • Breweries
    • Food Tours
    • Fresh Markets
    • Distilleries
    • Event Venues

    On a Budget?

    • Discounts
  • Brochures
  • Contests
  • Discounts
  • Blog
  • About Indiana
  • Contact Us
  • Email Subscribe
  • For the Media
  • For Travel Professionals
  • Hoosier HospitalitySafety Promise
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Indiana Insider Blog
  • You Have to See This Tropical Oasis in… Central Indiana?

You Have to See This Tropical Oasis in... Central Indiana?

By Chris Flook on April 27, 2017
Back

conservatory

The Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Garden sits nestled in Indy’s near southside. For those wishing to escape into a tropical oasis, or retreat into the beauty of a formal garden this spring and summer, a trip to Garfield Park should be top on your to-do list.

A view from inside.
A view from inside.

The 10,000 square foot conservatory features hundreds of different tropical plants, offers numerous programs throughout the year, and sells a variety of plants to bring a bit of the tropics home with you.

The Sunken Gardens
Tulips in Bloom at the Sunken Gardens

Garfield Park itself is the oldest city park in Indianapolis (University Park and Military Park are owned by the state) and developed throughout the 19th century. In 1908, Indianapolis hired the German-born landscape architect George Kessler to modernize the landscape. Kessler’s designs culminated with the Sunken Gardens, which were finished in 1916.

George Kessler
George Kessler

Kessler also built the first conservatory in 1915. However, by the 1950s, the conservatory had become so dilapidated that a new structure was built of aluminum and glass, the first of its kind in the United States.

A genuinely tropical oasis.
A genuinely tropical oasis.

After additional renovations in the 1990s, Indy Parks programmed the Conservatory with tropical plants “including palms, orchids, ferns, cacao, vanilla, bananas and coffee.” Bromeliads (pineapple), mahogany trees, and a sacred fig “Bodhi” tree exist as well, interspersed with fantastically colored flowers everywhere one looks.

The Watefall
The Waterfall

The Conservatory generally features a rainforest theme, with a large waterfall, a koi pond, and some resident reptiles and amphibians.

Formal Gardens
Formal Gardens

The formal gardens to the west of the conservatory feature enormous beds of tulips in early spring, and a variety of annuals in late spring, summer, and fall. The fountains sit just below the Conservatory and are arguably, the center of the entire formal garden.

Tropical Flower
Tropical Flower

Garfield Park Conservatory offers activities year round, making it an ideal retreat not just in spring and summer, but also to escape the cold winter months.

From the orchid show.
From the orchid show.

Events Include a Series of Exciting Programs

 

Tropical Flower...one of many.
Tropical Flower…one of many.

The Conservatory also offers a series of spring and summer programs for the whole family, but make sure you register in advance by calling 317.327.7275, or visiting Indy.gov/playindy. For a full list of all programs this year, visit the Indy Parks website for full details.

——

inside1b

The Garfield Conservatory and Sunken Gardens is located at:
2205 Conservatory Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46203

Website
Email
317.327.7183

General Admission: $2/person
Show Admission: $4/person or $10/family

Conservatory Hours
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Sunday: 1 – 5pm

Sunken Gardens Hours
October 15 through April 15: closes at 5pm
April 16 through May 15: closes at 9pm
May 16 through October 14: closes at 10pm

Map

Related Posts

No related posts.

Related Topics

  • Big City Activities
  • Central
  • Family Activities
  • Girlfriend Getaways
  • Indiana
  • Indianapolis
  • Romantic Retreats

Featured Post

Rebuilt & Reinvented: This Small-Town Favorite is an All New Restaurant

Featured Trip Idea

Couples: Top 8 Indiana Getaways

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

Follow Along the Indiana Insider Blog

Get the latest blog posts to your inbox

SAVINGS

DISCOUNTS

Coupons and Special Deals

THINGS TO DO

THINGS TO DO

Plan Your Getaway

Explore VisitIndiana.com
  • Things to Do
  • Lodging
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Trip Ideas
  • Discounts
  • Discounts
  • Best of Indiana
  • Brochures
  • Enter Contests
  • Local Contact Information
  • About Indiana
Other Links
  • About IDDC
  • Contact Us
  • For Media
  • For Travel Professionals
  • For Teachers
  • VisitIndianaGolf.com
  • Film Indiana
Blog Disclosure

This blog reflects the opinions of those writing and commenting and not necessarily the view opinions or endorsements of the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Indiana.

 

FTC Disclosure

Follow Us

Indiana Destination Development Corporation

 

One North Capitol Suite 600, Indianapolis, IN 46204
(800) 677-9800

 

© Copyright 2014-2020

 

Privacy Policy