There are so many areas to explore on foot – some of our favorites were the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, Thain Family Forest, the Reflecting Pool – but there’s also a tram that circles the expansive, 250-acre grounds, and makes nine stops. Of course, what kid doesn’t enjoy a “ride” like that? We adults appreciate the narration which explained each themed garden, and also gave us an appreciation of this facility’s history and mission.

Thankfully, there are indoor facilities at the Botanical Garden offering some respite from the cold weather, including the popular Enid Haupt Conservatory, known for the holiday train show. In the Children’s Adventure Garden, the Discovery Center offers several hands-on exhibits for kids to discover the differences between tropical and temperate plants. My hard-to-impress teenage son was awestruck by the immense “tree cookie” on display, a horizontal 266-ring slice from a giant California sequoia.