Fodor's Expert Review Olbrich Botanical Gardens

On Madison's far-east side, this garden has been acclaimed by Horticulture Magazine as being among North America's top ten. What sets the 16-acre garden of roses, herbs, and rocks apart is its authentic Thai pavilion, the only example in the continental United States and a gift from Thailand's government in 2001. It is surrounded by native plantings. Tropical plants and flowers, plus a rushing waterfall and free-flying birds, thrive in the gardens' year-round glass-pyramid conservatory heated to between 65°F and 95°F.