Kentucky is full of places that will completely catch you off guard. There is a magnificent castle tucked away in the bucolic Bluegrass countryside. There are benevolent giants hiding in a children’s playground. And there’s a stunning waterfront botanical garden nestled in the heart of Kentucky’s largest city. Allow us to introduce you to Waterfront Botanical Gardens.

Waterfront Botanical Gardens is proof that out of ruin can come great beauty. It sits atop the former Ohio Street Dump near the intersection of Frankfort Avenue and River Road in Louisville's historic Butchertown neighborhood.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens
For decades, the Ohio Street Dump frequently caught fire, smoldering for days on end, with rodents running rampant the area. Then it sat abandoned, until the early 2010s, when plans for a botanical garden in Louisville began to come together.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens
In 2019, the Graeser Family Education Center and Mary Lee Duthie Garden at the Waterfront Botanical Gardens opened.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens
Development on a Japanese Garden is currently underway, which you can learn more about here.
This 23-acre botanical garden is a literal breath of fresh air; a hidden oasis in Louisville's buzzing metropolis. Native plants, beautiful wildflowers, and pollinators abound.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens
Water features around the park connect land and water, fostering a deep appreciation for the wondrous natural world.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens

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The ambient sound of waterfalls will fill you with a sense of peace and tranquility, even in the midst of Kentucky's largest city.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens
The Beargrass Creek Pathway is a dreamy labyrinth that's designed to let visitors slow down and take in the surroundings.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens
The 1,720-foot walkway features three bridges over a waterfall and is also ADA accessible.
When you stop and slow down, you'll see some of Mother Nature's smallest, quietest wonders.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens/Facebook
The whole purpose of the gardens is to foster a love and appreciation for the beautiful, natural world -- and that's e exactly what's happening here.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens/Facebook
The garden hosts a full calendar of community classes, children's camps, and events, providing a serene setting for these programs.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens/Facebook
In just a few short years, Waterfront Botanical Gardens has become a fixture in its community. It's such an uplifting, beautiful, and inspiring place to be -- but of course, the same can also be said about the Bluegrass State.
Waterfront Botanical Gardens

Did you know about this new botanical garden in Kentucky? Isn’t it divine? Waterfront Botanical Gardens is open Wednesday-Sunday, and admission is free. Visit the garden’s website to learn more.

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Waterfront Botanical Gardens, 1435 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206, USA