Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve
Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve
Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Fernwood’s mission is to enrich people's lives by awakening and deepening their appreciation of nature. Public gardens like Fernwood are more important than ever in providing a safe haven of tranquility and natural beauty. We invite you to explore and enjoy Fernwood's vast 105 acres of gardens and natural areas. Fernwood protects at least 10 ecosystems and is a birder’s paradise. Visitors may enjoy natural areas with miles of walking and hiking trails, a reconstructed prairie, an arboretum, and cultivated public gardens that include an herb garden, Japanese garden, perennial border, rain garden, railway garden, nature adventure garden, hardy fern collection, and other special collections and gardens.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
112 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
20
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
0
mittenmo
3 contributions
Jul 2022
Enjoyed our self-guided tour and lunch at this local garden. Make time for a visit if you are near Niles.
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lillian i
3 contributions
Oct 2021
My son held is wedding here and it was very unique. The people are very helpful with providing connections with other aspects of wedding needs.
Written October 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marjieP
Niles, MI213 contributions
Mar 2021
There is so much to see and do SAFELY at Fernwood Botanical Gardens! If you're not a member, buy a membership. It's inexpensive for so much PLUS you have reciprocity in many gardens throughout the states. There a Frog Pond. There's a hiking path, formal gardens, a prairie, herb gardens, statuary and sculpture throughout the acreage, water wheel, creeks, nature center, and an education center. The education center has a window wall through which you can view birds feeding, flying, squirrels, etc. PLUS a library, seating area for reading, and a huge meeting room. Fernwood is also an excellent place for weddings, large gatherings with social distancing and masks during COVID times. On Saturdays, 8-10 AM members can walk their dogs, sit at a fire pit. OMG I forgot: There's a RailRoad Garden with trestles, waterfalls, creeks, replicas of local landmarks including Notre Dame , Buchanan Pears Mill, the wonderful old depot in Niles, drawbridge. $ HO gauge trains have tracks that weave in and out of 'mountains'. It's just a good Place to BE, summer and winter ( Cross Country Skiing in Winter !) another oops: the Children's Garden : a mobile huge Elephant sculpture, Giant Daffodil Sculpture, a Captain's prow with a slide, hopscotch, sand box , etc. et. I better stop.. Go see for yourself. I'd say to stay the day, but if you only want to go for an hour... do that.
Written March 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
applegirl57
Detroit, MI716 contributions
Nov 2019
We visited Fernwood from our mid-week getaway in New Buffalo (about a 30 minute drive) and we were so glad we did. It was all decked out in harvest season/Thanksgiving glory. Plenty of walking paths. Inside, some interesting art exhibits. Also the wildlife exhibit/curation was very interesting and educational. Great for bird watchers. Plenty to do and see. We enjoyed walking on the paths a lot, and there was much more we could have done. A place that people in the area hopefully return to again and again. Highly recommend.
Written December 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Svensota
Wilmette, IL257 contributions
Sep 2018
Not exactly the Chicago Botanical Garden but a sweet place to go and enjoy nature. I'm partial to the natural sculpture of a 1000 twigs, and the choo-choo trains. There are a number of pleasant trails as well as gardens. The
little cafe in the welcome center is excellent (order the carrot cake).
little cafe in the welcome center is excellent (order the carrot cake).
Written November 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
derekp13
Berrien County, MI8 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
Its a nice place but man, Fernwood! Lower your prices!
I has nice walking trails and lots of flowers but its like 9 dollars a person
so it's not a place that you would want to go to very often when we have
so many nice free places.
I really hope FERNWOOD reads this, you have lost a lot of business by your high prices!
I has nice walking trails and lots of flowers but its like 9 dollars a person
so it's not a place that you would want to go to very often when we have
so many nice free places.
I really hope FERNWOOD reads this, you have lost a lot of business by your high prices!
Written January 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anita F
Toledo, OH43 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
In the category of Botanical Gardens, this one was just ok. There were several trails, dotted with a few sculptures. While there were some interesting things to see, such as the fern sculpture and the raililway garden, the park was not as well kept as many others I have been to. I suppose I wouldn't have been disappointed, had I not had to pay $8 to get in. There are many parks which are free of charge, whith well kept trails and interesting things to see. I would recommmend checking it out if you are in the area. Just do not judge all botanical gardens based upon this one.
Written October 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carrie-n-Kevin
Chicago, IL106 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Fernwood. The trails were lovely, and we enjoyed so much of what we saw there. We spent a few hours here (about 4), walking around and eating lunch. The trails toward the back were quite beautiful, and if you are up for a long walk, you could keep going on the trails for much longer than we did. We LOVED the birdwatching area in the nature center. We were able to see a number of species at any one viewing, including a raccoon that enjoyed the food just as much!
Written June 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gldave
Tennessee155 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
This garden is a quiet retreat along the St. Joseph river between Niles, MI and Berrien Springs, MI.
It has a nice visitors center and a childrens garden with a garden railroad. Paths with handicap access as well as more rustic hiking trails.
It has a nice visitors center and a childrens garden with a garden railroad. Paths with handicap access as well as more rustic hiking trails.
Written August 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HattieOxford
Oxford, MI30 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
This is the perfect place for all ages. There are beautiful gardens, lovely trails and many activities for children. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Check out the website for multiple special events also.
Written June 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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