Night Blooms is here! Every Wednesday through Sunday night from now until September 26th, the Huntsville Botanical Garden will be open for a special illuminated experience featuring colorful handmade lanterns and thousands of lights throughout the garden. The special one-mile walking journey displays plant and wildlife vignettes that are integrated into the natural garden surroundings for an experience like no other!
I knew my family would want to go as soon as possible, so we secured tickets for opening week. We arrived at 7pm when the doors open, though it is important to note that at high summer, it is still quite light out at 7pm. The installations look best and are brightest in the complete dark of night, so take note of sunset time when planning your trip if you want to view the entire path in the dark. Our family was able to experience entering the garden during daylight and then witnessing the change to twilight and then complete darkness, which ended up being very neat, but the lanterns were hands-down more stunning in the dark.
The Night Blooms path is completely paved and can accommodate strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs. We took a stroller that easily navigated the path, and we saw several wagons full of children as well. Our family remembered comfortable shoes but forgot bug spray, which would have come in handy, as this is summer in the south! The actual Night Blooms displays are larger than life and are so beautiful to see in person. At the halfway point we found concessions as well as restrooms. The night that we were there, the garden was offering Chick-fil-A, shaved ice, cupcakes, kettle corn, and an assortment of beverages including beer and wine. The area was setup with several picnic tables for resting and eating, and while there were a number of groups all enjoying concessions and walking the path, it never felt crowded.
Most of the Night Blooms displays are for viewing only, however there are two interactive sections that were a hit with our kids: the illuminated swings, and our very favorite, the glowing tiles for jumping. The tiles lit up and blinked as shoes stepped on each one, and we spent a good amount of time with both of our children jumping along the tile path over and over. The garden provides docents along the way to answer questions and help guide, and we were encouraged to enjoy at our leisure and stay as long as we wanted, which was so nice!
The garden was implementing its usual procedure for events, including parking attendants directing drivers in the parking lot. Entry was through the main garden gate and then the Eloise McDonald Propst Guest Center. Tickets for Night Blooms can be purchased at the gate, or are discounted if pre-purchased online or at the Garden’s front desk. Prices fluctuate according to peak and non-peak days, and there is a special member rate. Tip: to get the very best deal, become a garden member and come to Night Blooms on a Wednesday or Thursday! We loved doing this as a family outing, but it would make a lovely date night as well.
California native Mande Klein is wife to a super scientist husband, and mama to two young boys. She is a former elementary school teacher of almost ten years and holds a masters degree in education from UC Santa Barbara. Mande blogs at Klein dot Co about everything from baking pie and crafting with kids to scuba diving with sharks. Her loves include coffee, cocktails, yoga, and books.
