Now that it’s spring, there’s nowhere more gorgeous to visit than a garden full of blooming flowers. Luckily, we have plenty of displays to see all throughout Washington, many of which are hidden gems that are completely free to visit. Check out these 11 serene, picturesque gardens across our state this season for the ultimate place to relax and unwind. Which of the best gardens in Washington are you going to visit first?

1. Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island

Simon Jones/Flickr
Bloedel Reserve, 7571 NE Dolphin Dr, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, USA
Sea Turtle/Flickr
Bloedel Reserve offers a quiet place to relax on Bainbridge Island, just a short ferry ride away from Seattle. The forest garden encompasses 150 acres of natural woodlands, with an award-winning Japanese garden as well as a tranquil reflection pool.

2. Heronswood Garden, Kingston
Angel Sullivan/Google

Heronswood Garden, 7530 NE 288th St, Kingston, WA 98346, USA
Jianhua Duan/Google
Heronswood Garden is an enchanting, world-renowned garden on the north end of the Kitsap Peninsula. While you're walking along their stone walkway, you'll be able to admire an incredible variety of rare and unusual plants and trees.

3. Meerkerk Gardens, Whidbey Island

Meerkerk Gardens/Facebook
Meerkerk Gardens, 3531 Meerkerk Ln, Greenbank, WA 98253, USA
Meerkerk Gardens/Facebook
Meerkerk Gardens is a lovely, dog-friendly park on Whidbey Island with gardens and nature trails. Our state flower, the rhododendron, can be seen everywhere, as well as azaleas, spring bulbs, and more. There is a small admission fee to browse this garden but you'll be glad you paid the visit — it's beautiful here.

4. Chetzemoka Park, Port Townsend

Jeff Hanway/Flickr
Chetzemoka Park, 1000 Jackson St, Port Townsend, WA 98368, USA
Jeff Hanway/Flickr
Chetzemoka Park is a dreamy place to relax between Port Townsend's downtown and Fort Worden. It's complete with a gazebo overlooking the water, a stone pathway lined with vibrant flowers, a small footbridge, and even access down to a beach area where you'll find all kinds of seashells.

5. Lakewold Gardens, Lakewood

Lakewold Gardens, 12317 Gravelly Lake Dr SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, USA
Amanda Driffen Brooke/Google
Lakewold Gardens is a pristine, 10-acre garden open for the public to explore. Some of their highlights include the Boxwood Parterres Garden, which is shaped into ground-level patterns (that look like something out of a maze), as well as a lovely rhododendron collection.

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6. Kubota Garden, Seattle

Kubota Garden, 9817 55th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118, USA
Andy Simonds/Flickr
A hidden gem in Rainier Beach, Kubota is a gorgeous 20-acre Japanese garden that dates all the way back to 1927. It's filled with fragrant flowers, ponds, waterfalls, and even a charming moon bridge. In the spring, you'll be able to spot azaleas and rhododendrons blooming all over.

7. Bellevue Botanical Gardens, Bellevue

Frank Fujimoto/Flickr
Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98005, USA
Frank Fujimoto/Flickr
This floral paradise in Washington is free to attend every day in Bellevue. It features acres of restored wetlands, meadows, and gardens - including the waterwise garden, Japanese garden, alpine rock garden, and a charming display of dahlias in the summertime.

8. Duncan Gardens, Spokane (South Hill)

Flickr/Bjorn
Duncan Garden, Spokane, WA 99203, USA
Bjorn/Flickr
This European, Renaissance-style garden is another one of the most enchanting features in Spokane's Manito Park. It's filled with vibrant symmetrical flowers, in addition to a small, quaint fountain and gazebo at the south end.

9. Evergreen Arboretum And Gardens, Everett

Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens, 145 Alverson Blvd, Everett, WA 98201, USA
James Drake/Google
Free to the public, this hidden gem in Everett is actually home to ten beautifully themed gardens. They're closed for reconstruction temporarily, but they'll be featuring two new benches and plenty of relaxing scenery once they're up and going again.

10. Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, SeaTac

J Brew/Flickr
Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, 13735 24th Ave S, SeaTac, WA 98168, USA
J Brew/Flickr
Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden is a hidden gem only a mile north of the SeaTac airport. Free to visit, it's home to over 10 acres of display gardens, trails, and woodlands. Check out the Seike Japanese Garden or the delightful Sensory Garden for wonderful photo opportunities.

11. Point Defiance Park Rose Garden, Tacoma

Point Defiance Park, Tacoma, WA 98407, USA
Jason Riedy/Flickr
More than an acre of rose gardens are hidden in Point Defiance Park - the oldest of which dates back to 1895. They have a small garden of mini roses, arbors of climbing roses, a wishing well, and even a couple of charming gazebos.

These places are absolutely stunning in the spring in Washington. Where’s your favorite garden in Washington? Do you love visiting the best gardens in Washington? Let us know in the comments.

One of our favorite ways to visit the best gardens in Washington is on a road trip. If you are searching for more road trip ideas in the Evergreen State, check out some of our favorite itineraries. Make sure to also check out our road trip packing list and favorite car-friendly snacks.

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Best Gardens In Washington State

Courtnie Erickson | March 08, 2024

What are some of the best things to do during spring in Washington State?

There is truly nothing quite like the spring in Washington. While you can always visit flower gardens near me, like those mentioned in the article above, there are many other wonderful activities during this beautiful time of the year. Some of our favorite things to do during spring in Washington include:

 

What are some spring hikes in Washington that I should add to my bucket list?

If you love to spend a spring day at some of the best gardens in Washington State, you may also like to explore one of the gorgeous trails around the state. While there are dozens of hikes that we could recommend, a few of our favorites include:

  • Rattlesnake Ledge Trail, North Bend
  • Lake 22 Trail, Granite Falls
  • Marymere Falls Trail, Port Angeles
  • Hall of Mosses, Forks
  • Snow Lakes Trail, Alpine Lakes Wilderness

 

And if you do plan to spend time on a hike this spring, make sure to check out our ultimate hiking packing list so you are prepared for anything on your journey.

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