Thanksgiving Point has a hidden garden that you can visit for free! This small area features a gazebo, an amphitheater, a small waterfall, a few foot bridges, and a grape path. I know it sounds like Ashton Gardens, but this one is much more secluded. For a short, fun, free walk, visit the Hidden Garden at Thanksgiving Point.
There are several places to park to access the Garden, but the best places to enter are near the water tower as the hidden garden is located behind the Butterfly Biosphere. We parked at the far north end of this parking lot and found a path leading west behind the building. This path has arches and is between the Butterfly Biosphere and the Springhill Suites next door. That short path led to a second parking lot that is mainly used for the Brick Canvas exercise facility.
First, find the hidden waterfall. this is a small area through the gate on your immediate left. There are beautiful flowers throughout most of the year, and a small waterfall that comes out right under the parking lot. (Please note: many signs forbid you from taking professional photos without a photography pass.) This small area is remarkably beautiful and hidden so close to the road.
Next, travel under the bridge to the south. Around to the left there is a second path that leads to a pretty gazebo. The walls of the back of the building are covered in ivy and flowers.
Back around to the right is a path that leads under a gable of grapes. The path is short and runs into a dead end, but grapes hang over head throughout the summer.
The path continues past the grapes and comes to the Brick Canvas building. A right turn leads around to an amphitheater. You can continue around the amphitheater to a pollination garden. There are several signs that talk about butterflies and hummingbirds in this section. The flowers in the pollination garden are all geared toward attracting bees, butterflies, and birds.
This whole walk took us only about 20 minutes to explore, though we could have gone much slower and spent more time. The path was nice and shady for most of the distance, and the flowers were beautiful even in July. There are bathrooms, too. This is a perfect date night stroll. You could end up at the small cafe behind the Butterfly Biosphere for a smoothie or other treat, or head to the Ice Age Creamery in the Museum of Ancient Life. We love all of the venues at Thanksgiving Point, but it was fun to have a little hidden gem to explore. To read more about what else to do here, check out our post Everything You Need to Know about Thanksgiving Point.
