Most Dallas and Fort Worth locals will know and love the beautiful Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, famous for 23 stunning and diverse gardens – notably the historic 1930s Rose Garden and the recently coined most peaceful place in all of Texas, the serene Japanese Garden.
The 120-acre oasis is a colorful tapestry of botany nestled right in the city’s Cultural District and was recently awarded the highest national accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). The gardens are constantly evolving and this fall there’s a new chapter unfolding with the addition of a very special new piece of the tapestry.
After beginning work in late 2024, the venue is officially preparing to open its highly anticipated Baker Martin Family Garden, designed in conjunction with Terra Design Studios (the visionaries behind over 25 celebrated family gardens across the country) to members this November. The amazing $25 million addition is a state-of-the-art leap into nature-based play, designed to completely immerse families in the natural environment.
The design steers away from prohibitive norms, instead inviting every guest to find connection, adapted to their varying needs.
As opposed to your usual playground structures, the garden will be made up of interactive landscapes meant to be explored hands-on.The space will feature a meandering creek, a frog pond, and an elaborate life-cycle play area where kids can crawl through a long snake tunnel and climb a giant spider web.
Plus, there’ll be peaceful pockets for those who want a quiet moment of contemplation.
It’s engaging, educational, a cooling antidote to the screens that so often dominate ours and our children’s lives!
This dedication to education is deeply woven into the garden’s DNA. Beyond its stunning floral displays, the campus is home to the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT)—an international scientific research and learning center dedicated to conservation, sustainability, and minimizing environmental footprints.
If you’re a member of Fort Worth Botanic Garden you’ll get early access to the new opening as of November 15th with the area opening to the general public in March 2027.
What else can you discover at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden?
While the garden is renowned for its award-winning daytime tranquility, for the holiday season, the sprawling grounds are transforming into a glowing wonderland almost nightly through January 3rd.
Taking advantage of this gorgeous natural canvas, Christmas in the Garden is a spectacular illuminated trail. Visitors can jump into festive excitement as they wander through a one-mile path illuminated by over a million twinkling lights. The experience features incredible artistic installations like a towering “Winter Cathedral” and an illuminated Texas Flag. Complete with seasonal bites and drinks at Santa’s Village, it’s a wonderful holiday experience you won’t want to miss at the Botanic Garden.
