Denver Botanic Gardens is a 24-acre urban garden at York Street in central Denver, Colorado, combining living plant collections with art and science exhibitions.
This guide was updated in July 2026. The adult ticket price of $18.25 already bundles in a $2 exhibit fee, a detail many third-party booking sites leave off their headline price. The current standout show is Jaume Plensa: A New Humanism, on view until 7 September 2026, and it won’t appear in older guides because it only opened this spring. You can book your ticket in advance through Viator to skip the ticket queue.
Quick facts about Denver Botanic Gardens
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1007 York Street, Denver, CO 80206 |
| Summer hours | 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily (10 May – 7 Sept) |
| Adult admission | $18.25 (includes $2 exhibit fee) |
| Senior (65+) & military admission | $14.50 |
| Child (3–15) & student admission | $12.00 |
| Children 2 and under | Free |
| Nearest transit | RTD routes #24 and #10 |
| Typical visit duration | 2–3 hours |
Why book Denver Botanic Gardens tickets?
- 🏛️ Iconic architecture: The Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory is a Denver Landmark built from cast-in-place concrete.
- 🎟️ One ticket, everything included: General admission covers the outdoor gardens, the Freyer – Newman Center galleries and the current Plensa exhibition.
- 🌿 Fifty distinct gardens: A single 24-acre site spans Japanese, alpine, water and steppe-themed collections.
- 📜 Free entry for young children: Kids aged 2 and under always get in free, and children 3–15 visit free on select Second Saturdays.
- 💰 Skip the ticket line: Advance booking gets you straight past the gate on busy weekends.
Denver Botanic Gardens opening hours
Hours change with the seasons, and the times listed are the last entry times. The grounds clear one hour later.
| Season | Dates | Hours (last entry) |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | 12 Jan – 31 March | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| Spring | 1 April – 9 May | 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| Summer | 10 May – 7 Sept | 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
| Autumn | 8 – 30 Sept | 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| Winter | 1 Oct – 18 Nov | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| Holiday | 19 Nov – 31 Dec | 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. |
The Gardens close on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. On top of this, York Street occasionally closes early, sometimes as early as 1 p.m., to host a private event or concert. Always check the official site before a summer visit, since these dates are added throughout the year.
Denver Botanic Gardens ticket prices
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Members | Free |
| Adults | $18.25* |
| Seniors (65+) & military (with ID) | $14.50* |
| Children (3–15) & students (with ID) | $12.00 |
| Children 2 and under | Free |
*Includes a $2 exhibit fee.
Prices are the same whether you buy online or at the gate, but online booking guarantees entry on busy days. Children aged 3–15 get free general admission on Second Saturdays this summer, on 13 June, 11 July and 8 August, when accompanied by an adult. If you’re planning to see several Denver attractions, CityPASS bundles Denver Botanic Gardens admission with other sights at a discount. Book in advance through Viator to save time at the entrance.
How to get to Denver Botanic Gardens
By car, the Gardens sit in the Cheesman Park neighbourhood, at the corner of York and Josephine streets, a short drive from downtown Denver. By public transport, take RTD route #24 to York and Josephine streets, or RTD route #10 to 12th Avenue, both of which stop close to the main entrance. On foot or by bike, the Gardens are a comfortable walk from Cheesman Park and Congress Park, and bike racks are provided at the York Street entrance.
Parking at Denver Botanic Gardens
Limited free parking is available in the on-site parking complex between York and Josephine streets during opening hours, though it fills quickly on weekends and during exhibitions. Overnight parking isn’t allowed, and RVs can’t use the complex due to weight restrictions. Vans should park on the top deck because of height limits. If the complex is full, street parking is available around Cheesman Park and Congress Park where posted, though residential permit restrictions apply on some streets.
How long to spend at Denver Botanic Gardens
Most first-time visitors need two to three hours to see the main gardens, the conservatory and the current exhibition at a relaxed pace. Keen photographers or garden enthusiasts often stay closer to half a day, especially in peak bloom from June to September.
Denver Botanic Gardens accessibility
Most indoor and outdoor gardens, including restrooms and classrooms, are wheelchair accessible, with paved pathways throughout the site. The historic Waring House is not accessible for wheelchairs or other mobility devices, due to its age. Free manual wheelchairs and strollers are available at the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis, though motorised scooters are not offered. Accessible parking, sensory-friendly resources and a hearing loop system in the Sturm Family Auditorium are also available for visitors who need them.
What to see inside Denver Botanic Gardens
Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory. This Denver Landmark, built from cast-in-place concrete in 1966, houses hundreds of species of tropical plants under a domed roof of diamond-shaped panels. Warm, humid air makes it a favourite stop on cooler days.
Shofu-en Japanese Garden. A traditional stroll garden in the north-west corner, featuring around 130 pines shaped to mimic Japanese black pines. Stone lanterns and koi ponds add to the sense of calm.
Rock Alpine Garden. More than 2,300 plant species from around the world grow across roughly twenty micro-habitats, from mountain peaks to high desert. It’s especially popular with Colorado gardeners.
Monet Pool and the water gardens. The Gardens’ largest pond is filled with hardy and tropical waterlilies, Victoria waterlilies and cannas, with peak bloom from June through September.
Freyer – Newman Center. The ground floor, home to the Helen Fowler Library and Copper Door coffee shop, is free to enter. The second floor, included with general admission, holds the art galleries currently showing Jaume Plensa’s work, plus a cinema in the Sturm Family Auditorium.
Mordecai Children’s Garden. A three-acre play space on top of the parking structure, open March through October, with hands-on nature play included in general admission.
Science Pyramid. A shaded indoor exhibit near the Four Towers Pool exploring the science behind the Gardens’ steppe-climate research.
Practical visitor tips for Denver Botanic Gardens
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visit on a free Second Saturday | Children aged 3–15 get free general admission on 13 June, 11 July and 8 August, with an adult. |
| Check for early closures first | The Gardens sometimes close as early as 1 p.m. for private events; check the early closures page before a summer visit. |
| Time it for peak waterlilies | The Monet Pool’s waterlilies bloom most fully from June through September. |
| Book tickets in advance | Advance booking is recommended for weekends, since the Plensa exhibition draws extra crowds. |
| Bundle with CityPASS | If you’re visiting several Denver attractions, CityPASS can save up to 42% on combined admission. |
Denver Botanic Gardens FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the summer opening hours? | 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily from 10 May to 7 September, with the grounds clearing an hour after last entry. |
| Do I need to book tickets in advance? | It isn’t required, but advance booking is recommended, especially on weekends. |
| Is the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory included in the ticket? | Yes, it’s included with general admission. |
| Is Denver Botanic Gardens wheelchair accessible? | Most of the site is accessible, though the historic Waring House is not. |
| How does York Street differ from Chatfield Farms? | York Street is the compact urban garden with the conservatory and art galleries; Chatfield Farms is a working farm and preserve in Littleton. |
Things to do near Denver Botanic Gardens
Cheesman Park borders the Gardens directly and makes an easy walk after your visit, with mountain views on clear days.
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is a short drive away in City Park, with dinosaur fossils and a planetarium.
Denver Zoo is also in City Park, a few minutes’ drive from the Gardens, and home to over 3,000 animals.
The Molly Brown House Museum offers a short drive to a preserved Victorian home once owned by the Titanic survivor.
Congress Park lies just south of the Gardens, a pleasant walk with tennis courts and a public pool.
What to visit tomorrow
Chatfield Farms, the Gardens’ sister site in Littleton, is about a 30-minute drive away and swaps the urban setting for a 750-acre working farm and preserve.
Hudson Gardens & Event Center in Littleton, roughly 30 minutes from York Street, offers themed display gardens along the South Platte River.
Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins is about 90 minutes north, a smaller municipal botanic garden with a butterfly house.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail is around two hours west, the highest botanic garden in North America, with high-altitude alpine plantings.
Kendrick Lake Gardens in Lakewood is a free, 20-minute drive away, a smaller lakeside garden popular for its rose collection.
