Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, Kahului, Hawaii

While considerably more modest than many of the other botanical gardens on this list, Maui Nui Botanical Gardens wins my heart every time. A registered nonprofit organization, the garden focuses on environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and community ties. It features native Hawaiian plants and plants from other Polynesian islands. Its calendar of events includes some truly one-of-a-kind workshops. Have you ever heard of Breadfruit Day before? A visit here is a unique way to get off the Maui tourist trail and meet the locals.

Dallas Arboretum And Botanical Garden, Dallas, Texas

If you love going all out for the holidays, the displays and exhibits at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will blow you away. The garden is especially famous for its Halloween displays, featuring 100,000 pumpkins in an incredible Pumpkin Village. But if you can’t make it for a special holiday event, don’t fret. The garden is a fantastic year-round destination — and it frequently hosts cooking classes and demonstrations. Kids will love the children’s garden and its 20-foot-high waterfall.