Garden in the Woods - Framingham, Massachusetts

W G.

The Garden in the Woods is a hidden treasure, tucked away in the forest, offering a truly immersive natural experience. From the moment you step onto the trails, you’re surrounded by the beauty of the landscape, which feels thoughtfully preserved yet wild and untamed. One of the highlights is the creative playground made entirely from natural materials, which blends seamlessly into the environment. It’s a delightful space that invites exploration and play, making it perfect for families with children.

The trails themselves are well-maintained and lead you through a variety of ecosystems, from dense woodlands to open meadows. Each turn reveals something new and beautiful, whether it’s a quiet pond, a field of wildflowers, or a secluded bench where you can sit and soak in the serenity.

I visited on a weekday and found it wonderfully peaceful, with few other visitors, allowing me to fully appreciate the tranquility and connection to nature. The lack of crowds makes it an ideal spot for those seeking a quiet retreat. If you’re looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle, The Garden in the Woods is the perfect destination.

Gaye P.

This 45 acre well maintained nature preserve is well worth the drive. It closed October 15 for the season and will open again in April. It has a beautiful visitors center with all kinds of interesting things to purchase. The trails are gravel and are wide and flat, good for everyone to walk. It is beautiful with woods, a lily pond with turtles and frogs, a swamp area, a stream with small waterfalls and a new walking bridge. Many kinds of plants and trees, all marked for your information. A wonderful day trip and easy to get to. The loop is just over a mile and easy walking.

Lonnie M.

This is one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon and it did not disappoint. We had a guided tour by Nancy. She knew her plants and shared the history of the Native Plant Trust which was interesting. The foresight of the group of women who founded it in 1900 put in motion an organization that has been protecting and restoring the native landscape of New England for 124 years.

The best story Nancy told was why bears eat skunk cabbage in the spring. Visit the Garden in the Woods to learn why.

Michelle F.

🌱 Hi highly recommend this place if you're looking for a beautiful short nature getaway, expecially in the spring and fall and if you love local plant life! I went last month in may for my birthday and had a lovely time getting to see all the local flowers in bloom 🌸 The staff was just so sweet and helpful and was happy to chat about the place and give us tips on what trails to take. There's lots of different habitats set up showing off the local plant life to appreciate. I definitely want to come back with a sketchbook to really appreciate the sanctuary more! Make sure to reserve your tickets online in advance and I hope you have a lovely time too 🌼❤️

Syrah M.

Fantastic place to visit for a short walk. The path is wide and well made- more like walking on a dirt road (as opposed to many hiking trails in New England full of rocks and roots). Wow there were way more flowers than I expected to see on a mid-September day.

Parking lot and restrooms not available due to Covid-19. We parked on a public road and walked in - it was easy & a short walk, this was a weekday however and I imagine parking is probably more of a challenge on weekends.

We found a clean restroom available at a nearby Shaw’s grocery store (go to the 2nd floor).

Highly recommend checking out Nzuko for a delicious meal or snack after a walk at Garden in the Woods!

Arpan D.

Calm, peaceful and a wonderful place to hang out. Beautiful greenery with decent walking trails. Be sure to visit if you want a relaxing park with some good photo spots. I've loved my walk every time here. One of my favorite weekend spots!

Olivia G. (.

I visited Garden in the Woods for the first time in April. Although not much was in bloom, it was still a very lovely experience. I loved seeing all the little turtles in the pond, and all the plants, tree’s and flowers that were in season. All the trails were well kept, and it was very clean. One of the trails that goes off the main path over the little spring was so peaceful. We just set on the tiny bridge over the spring and listened to the water trickle. The gift shop was very cute and the employee’s were kind and informative. I am definitely going to visit again soon.

Ian H.

A beautiful 1 mile loop with a few side trails featuring native New England plants. $18 a person very much worth it