Head to Garden in the Woods in Massachusetts for a Springtime Wonderland

Without going far, family travelers in Boston and surrounding towns can step into a serene woodland environment, where the forest floor is carpeted in wildflowers. Garden in the Woods, in Framingham, Massachusetts, is a botanical garden dedicated to native plants, showcasing them on 45 acres of open forest, ravines, ridges and wetlands.

The landscape was formed and sculpted by retreating glaciers, and its variety makes it an ideal location for showcasing New England wildflowers in native habitats that vary from sandy ridges to brooks and ponds. All these habitats are connected by a winding path beginning in a serene woodland carpeted in the spring by swaths of vibrant blue-violet phlox. This low-growing plant blooms so densely it seems to turn the forest floor blue.

The main path winds through the garden, past most of its main features; about a mile long, the path takes about 1.5 hours if you stop to read signs and admire some of the rarer flowers close up. Benches provide stopping places to sit while the children look for frogs in the pond or play on the log features in the Family Activity Area. Be sure kids look for the stegosaurus sculpture created from a giant rock left by glaciers.

As you tour the gardens, see if kids can guess how some flowers got their common names, such as Dutchman’s Breeches, Lady Slippers or Jack-in-the Pulpit.

Along with the lily pond, special features include a rock garden, bog, swamp, pool of native cala lilies, Laurel Ridge, and a limestone outcrop devoted to a garden of cactus and native plants that thrive in dry, poor soil.

For a longer walk, follow one of the loop trails (about 10 minutes each) that leads through a beech grove and along a lively brook. Visit the Idea Garden to see examples of sustainable native lawn alternatives that attract pollinators, need less upkeep, and eliminate pesticide and fertilizer use.

Before visiting Garden in the Woods, check the Native Plant Highlights Board to see what’s in bloom (wild flowers are ephemeral, so can change dramatically from week to week). You can also download a garden map.

Children’s Tours geared toward 8–12-year-olds are led by Teacher Naturalists on one Saturday each month. In 2025, these are held on April 26, May 24, June 21, July 19, Aug.16 and Aug. 30. Reservations are not necessary.

If you’re traveling from a distance or want to visit several attractions in Central Massachusetts, a conveniently located choice for budget-friendly lodging is Aloft Framingham. Bright contemporary rooms sleeping four people begin well under $200 a night. For family-friendly dining, with an outdoor terrace and play feature for kids, choose the lively German-style beer hall and garden at Jack’s Abbey.