Twice a week, my friends and I have a tradition of heading downtown to the Botanical Gardens.
We even bought memberships there so that we don’t have to pay admission each time we go.
We pack a lunch and spend a few hours there enjoying the foliage and beautiful flowers that they grow inside the large domed building. They even have several birds that nest inside year-round and it is nice to hear them singing as well. I have to say my favorite part of going to the gardens is the fact that we can do this year round even when it is cold and icy outside. It is a nice break from staring out at the frozen surroundings and when we are inside the botanical gardens dome we feel like we are in the tropics instead. They have a very powerful HVAC system and humidifier which maintains the right atmosphere for growing the beautiful plants they have there. When you step inside it is like you went on vacation and in some ways I think I would like to live there during the winter. It is like a tropical rainforest in there and it just makes a person feel better to be surrounded by the warmth and moisture. Of course, during the summer I don’t appreciate that atmosphere nearly as much because it is hot and muggy outside as well. During that time we tend to spend our hours out in outside gardens relaxing in the shade instead of indoors. No matter the time of year the botanical gardens is a great place to hang out, read a book, or visit with friends. I highly recommend checking out these type of places in your area if you ever need a break from reality and want to feel like you are on vacation while you are still at home.