A New England winter is long and cold, and sometimes it feels like warm weather and green leaves will never arrive. It may not be the same as a trip to a Caribbean beach but a visit to an indoor greenhouse will give you a chance to enjoy warmth, lush greenery and beautiful flowers (even fruit). Surround yourself with plants and flowers and take heart that better weather is on its way.
If the kids are coming, be sure to check the website for rules regarding strollers. It's also important to make sure the children understand that the plants can be admired but must not be touched (some plants may cause an allergic reaction or discomfort) or picked. Most of these gardens have plants available for sale if you see a variety you particularly like.
Thanks to our sponsor Inventor Academy! The support of our sponsors allows us to continue to offer Macaroni KID Acton-Lexington at no cost to you!
Lyman Estate Greenhouses
185 Lyman St
Waltham MA
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 4 PM, the Lyman Estate Greenhouses specialize in orchids, exotic plants, citrus, camellias and herbs. Admission is free.
Wellesley College Greenhouses
106 Central St
Wellesley MA
The Greenhouses are currently closed for renovation and will hopefully re-open in Summer 2022. The greenhouses contain three different zones (desert, tropic and warm temperature) and areas focused on specific plants, such as begonias.
Roger William Park's Botanical Center
1000 Elmwood Ave
Providence RI
Open year-round, the Botanical Center features four greenhouses with a wide variety of plants. It's normally open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 AM to 4 PM.
Tower Hill Botanic Garden
11 French Dr
Boylston MA
Indoor gardens include the Limonaia, which features plants that need to winter in a sub-tropical environment, and the Orangerie, a cool temperate house with a glass roof that lets in abundant light. If you want to brave the cold, the outdoor Winter Garden is sheltered and features plants with winter beauty and fountains.
Franklin Park Zoo's Tropical Forest
1 Franklin Park Rd
Dorchester MA
The Zoo's indoor Tropical Forest is filled with lush greenery and waterfalls... and exotic animals! See lemurs, gorillas, hippos, snakes, crocodiles and much more and enjoy the warm tropical environment.
The Butterfly Place
120 Tyngsboro Rd
Westford MA
Walk along a winding pathway through a small conservatory filled with plants and beautiful butterflies.
Macaroni Kid Acton-Concord-Bedford-Lexington is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun events and information for local families.
We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more. We proudly serve thousands of families in Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Maynard and other surrounding communities.
Subscribe today to receive our email newsletter every Thursday!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Advertise with us to connect with thousands of local families!
