photo by
KT Merry
Travel
25 Lush Secret Gardens, Glasshouses & Greenhouses
We’re on a nonstop tour of all venues lush, green, ivy-draped, glass-housed and garden party ready. From historic estates in the English countryside to Jamaican sugar mills to the rolling hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, come...
We’re on a nonstop tour of all venues lush, green, ivy-draped, glass-housed and garden party ready. From historic estates in the English countryside to Jamaican sugar mills to the rolling hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, come along as we explore the best greenhouses, gardens and more. Be sure to keep the secret gardens on the DL though -- we wouldn't to spoil the fun.
Reporter: Alyssa Brown | Venue: Ballyfin
Reporter: Alyssa Brown | Venue: Ballyfin
Take a wander through San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, past the botanic gardens and you’re sure to stumble across one of the most magnificent wooden conservatories in the country. The space can be rented for events and weddings, or simply enjoyed on an afternoon stroll.
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Idyllic gardens pile over the edge of Lake Como at this luxurious Italian resort. Dotted throughout the verdant lawns and lush walled gardens are stately sculptures and scenery so gorgeous you’ll be pinching yourself.
Ballyfin Demesne is easily the most luxurious estate you’ll find in Ireland’s rolling countryside. The luxury getaway offers 20 lavishly decorated guest rooms overlooking endless acres of parkland, a lake and ancient woods, grottoes, gardens, gardens, and more gardens.
Chicago’s century-old conservatory campus maintains extensive outdoor gardens, a desert house filled with cacti and succulents, a huge room filled with palms, a lush fern-filled space, a Persian pool overflowing with lily pads, and a show house of flowers. Designed by Jens Jensen in 1906, Garfield Park Conservatory is a fantastic local jewel that also offers space for private events within.
Greenville Country Club is the place to head to if you’re looking to host a wedding in beautifully maintained Delaware gardens. This little spot in Wilmington features an historic estate and terraces surrounded by lots of rolling lawns and greenery.
New Orleans may be known for its beautiful architecture and knack for throwing the best parties, but the tropical flora and abundance of overgrowth make this town come to life in all seasons. Check out Longue Vue House and Gardens if you’re looking for a stately garden wedding venue that’ll wow even the locals.
The Irish countryside is best explored via hidden luxury estates such as this one. Longueville House dates back to 1720 and offers 25 acre cider apple orchard, walled gardens and a beautifully restored greenhouse. Whether you’re in it for a weekend getaway or a destination wedding, this spot is one you should add to your greenery-seeking radar.
Michigan’s stunner of a conservatory venue, Planterra is located in West Bloomfield. The glass-walled and glass-ceilinged space houses exotic botanicals and peeks right out to the stars above. Events here are hosted from early fall through early summer.
One of the nation’s oldest and largest Victorian greenhouses, Phipps Conservatory dates back to 1893 and is filled to the brim with tropical palms, statues, and a plethora of flowers. Set in the heart of Pittsburg’s Oakland neighborhood, the greenhouse is surrounded by botanical gardens and a tropical forest conservatory.
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Animal lovers listen up: The Santa Barbara Zoo is home to six venues including lush gardens and stunning photo ops. Overlooking California's mountains and the ocean, event day activities at this tropical oasis include everything from feeding the giraffes to having a cocktail train ride around the zoo’s grounds.
Seattle’s Volunteer Park Conservatory offers not only a beautiful destination for a long walk through the gardens, but a unique spot for an intimate wedding ceremony as well. Check it out if you’re looking for something that needs absolutely no additional décor.
Rolling hills, orchards, the Blue Ridge Mountains and acres upon acres of trees create the backdrop for this Virginia nursery and venue. The Market at Grelen is home to a lovely little plant-filled greenhouse, stone terraces, lots of lawns and a clear-span tent overlooking the orchards.
This 200 year old Irish estate is nothing short of magical with ten guest suites, maintained grounds, stables, walled gardens with a restored glasshouse, and a private lake. The 90 acre property's main building is the classically restored Georgian house but we have eyes on the glasshouse for intimate events from dinner parties to elopements. Once you've had your fun in the glasshouse, head to the onsite wine cellar to end the night.
If you've been to the Amalfi Coast or maybe just dreamed about going, Villa Treville is most likely on your radar. Perched on the cliffs of Positano, the five-star villa is a secret garden built into the coastline. The terrace gardens are brimming with vines and climbing florals backed by Tyrrhenian Sea views.
Event Planner: NKT Events
Event Planner: NKT Events
The vine-draped ruin of an old sugar mill, Haiku Mill is one of Hawaii’s most adored historic relics. Set on the North Shore of Maui, the meandering grounds boast citrus trees, mango groves and a bevy of native fruits, plants and trees that can be toured three days a week. It’s also the kind of place that’s known to put on a heck of a party.
Texas Hill Country sets the scene for this two-story greenhouse that’s full of lush, tropical greenery. The Greenhouse at Driftwood offers space for events both indoors and out, with ample space to pop a tent up outside and embrace that fresh Hill Country air.
This beloved rooftop greenhouse restaurant at The LINE Hotel in Los Angeles is an oasis of green in the heart of the city. The restaurant is led by two-star Michelin Chef, Josiah Citrin who has designed a California inspired menu of land and sea. From weekend brunching with friends to full buyouts for parties, Openaire's glasshouse setting never disappoints.
The green rolling hills of Herefordshire make way for this stately historic mansion and its stunning grounds. Dewsall Court offers a glass conservatory where your guests can wine and dine while gazing out to the gardens.
Imagine hosting your soiree in a Spanish secret garden surrounded by towering living walls and twinkling lights overhead. San Juan Capistrano’s Francisco Gardens is perfectly primped for an elegant garden party of up to 200 guests.
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The North Carolina Arboretum of Asheville is home to 65 acres of cultivated gardens within 434 acres of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The botanically diverse region offers some of the most beautiful plant-life in the US and has event opportunities fitting of such a spectacular setting.
East Hampton’s extensive collection of outdoor sculpture gardens opens itself up to just a handful of events a year. The rest of the time, taking a wander around the lush, verdant grounds of LongHouse Reserve might mean stumbling across a de Kooning, a Chihuly, or an installation by Yoko Ono.
This sugar mill and plantation in Jamaica’s Montego Bay is lush, lush, lush. Tropical gardens and ancient trees, a trellis dripping in greenery, the original sugar mill, fountains, and more gardens surround the 300 year old mansion.
Tucked away in Upstate New York’s Finger Lakes region, Sonnenberg Gardens includes Japanese gardens, roses and perennials galore, an aviary complex and an early 20th century greenhouse. Visitors to the historic gardens and mansion are encouraged, and events at this venue are pretty dope.
Fields of flowers, towering trees and the Smoky Mountains set the scenery for The Lily Barn in Tennessee. This spot is great for any event that embraces the great outdoors and bevvy of blooming flowers.
Manchester’s Historic Shady Lane in Pennsylvania dates back to 1770 and a walk around the grounds feels rooted in history. On site, you’ll find a greenhouse with stone and glass walls that can easily be set up as an event space.
