Butterfly Rainforest

If you like butterflies, the Butterfly Rainforest, in Gainesville, Florida, is the place to go.  This 6400 square foot enclosure is part of the Florida Museum of Natural History.  It houses gorgeous tropical plants, birds, and over 1,000 butterflies.  There's also a butterfly hatchery, for those who are interested in seeing the life cycle of a butterfly.  Visitors walking through the rainforest will see waterfalls, ponds containing koi and turtles, and plenty of feeding stations for the birds and butterflies.

  
Admission is $10.50 for adults and $6.00 for children.  The rainforest is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Biltmore Estate Gardens

If you are ever in Asheville, North Carolina, the Biltmore Estate Gardens are something you definitely want to visit!  The estate sits on 8,000 acres of beautifully manicured grounds, and includes a four-acre walled garden, and Italian garden with statues and a pool, a spring garden, an azalea garden, a bass pond, and woodland trails.

The chateau is quite a masterpiece.  This former residence of George Vanderbilt was completed in 1895 and has 250 rooms!  Visitors will see vintage clothing, furniture, and beautiful artwork.

The estate is open from the end of March to the beginning of November. Hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily.  Admission for adults is $44.00.  Kids are free with adult admission.  The price of admission includes a self guided tour through the mansion and the grounds.

Airlie Gardens

Airlie Gardens, located in Wilmington, North Carolina, was founded in 1901 and covers 67 acres.  There is a Spring Garden which features azaleas in the spring, a Camellia Garden, which features camellias in the fall, and a Rain Garden  which features magnolias in the summer.  There are also beautiful statues and fountains on the grounds.  One thing you won't want to miss, is a giant 467 year old oak tree, lovingly named, "Airlie Oak."

The garden is open March through December, daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Admission for adults is $9.00.  Admission for children is $3.00.