When my husband's grandparents contacted us several weeks ago, letting us know that they'd be coming to Salisbury for a few days to catch up and visit, we were thrilled. They live in Tennessee, and we only see them once a year. They asked us to plan their weekend, which meant that I would essentially be putting together an itinerary for their trip. I'm a planner and was excited for the challenge of finding an activity that they would enjoy, and that my kids would also be able to handle.

North Carolina is just a beautiful state, with a myriad of places to go, things to see and do. The Charlotte area in particular, is saturated with educational experiences, architectural delights, fabulous eats, cultural wonders, and so much more. I knew that one of our usual go to places with the kids might not be Ted and Velma's cup of tea. They are in their early eighties, and while they're very active, an attraction filled with children was probably not going to be of interest.

Ted and Velma have a lot in common with me, and one of those things is a love of nature- particularly gorgeous flowers and trees. I talked with my husband about treating them to a day at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, which is located just south of Charlotte, in Belmont, NC. 

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden’s mission is to create an inspiring, unforgettable garden experience that instills a love of nature and its beauty.

Mother's Day at The Garden

We wound up picking the perfect weekend to visit DSBG. They were hosting fun Mother's Day activities all weekend long, including a Wine Walk. Mothers were admitted free all weekend and were also given a beautiful Coleus plant to take home.  

We arrived at the garden early- around 9:30 am, just after they opened their doors at 9 am. The staff was incredibly friendly, and make our visit all the more enjoyable. Upon entering, we purchased our tickets at the desk, were given a map, and from there, we made a pit stop so everyone could use the restrooms, which were lovely!

The perfect way to enjoy Mother's Day Weekend!

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is nearly 400 acres of beautiful gardens, meadows, and wetlands. There are currently 20 open gardens and attractions within the garden, and there are 20 more planned gardens for future development. The land for the gardens was given in 1991. DSBG is a popular spot for wedding receptions, special events, and is located almost directly on Lake Wylie, in Belmont, NC.

Stunning plants, flowers, and water features at every turn!

We didn't waste any time making our way through the gardens. We enjoyed walking through the beautiful Scroll Garden, Azalea Garden, Conifer Garden, Crape Myrtle Grove, and more! Two of the biggest highlights of the day for me was the gorgeous Orchid House, and the giant Magnolia Tree with the biggest Magnolia flowers I have ever seen! They were stunning!

Throughout the day, we enjoyed live music from area musicians, as well as lots of children's crafts, which were at no additional charge. There were food vendors throughout, local vendors with handmade gifts for sale, and food trucks to enjoy!

I wondered if the kids would be bored at the garden, but they had a ball! They loved walking under the arched water feature (B wound up soaked!), and enjoyed playing in the Children's Garden, as well.

Here are some of my favorite photos from our day at the garden...

Strikingly lovely Clematis

Happy-faced violas

 Natural archway in the Orchid House

The gift shop was just lovely! There were plants for sale, as well as all sorts of gifts, including home decor, jewelry, children's toys, and more. The garden gift shop also had a wine bar, as well as food and beverages available for purchase. I was happy for the opportunity to purchase cold bottled water- it sure was hot the day we visited! The gifts were also reasonably priced. I gave each of the kids $5.00 so they could choose a special treat from the shop, especially since they walked around for hours without complaint. They were both able to find something they enjoyed without going over their limit.

Treat Yourself to an Unforgettable Experience at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Our day at the garden wasn't sponsored in any way. We were truly happy to become patrons and enjoy at the garden and all that it has to offer at our leisure. If you haven't explored this NC gem, do yourself a favor and add it to your summer bucket list. It's a wonderful place to celebrate an anniversary or special occasion, or to explore with the kids on a summer day!

Be sure to visit dsbg.org and check out all of the wonderful upcoming activities for the summer. You won't want to miss the Pollinator's Paradise as they begin to come forth this month & all summer long!

For more information about DSBG, visit their website. Tickets are available to purchase online before 4 pm, daily. Children under 2 are admitted free.

Connect with Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden on Facebook.

Have you ever visited Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden? If so, I'd love to hear about it in the comments!