It was a cool Denver Sunday afternoon and I received a text: “How about the Botanic Gardens?” We had plans to get together but we didn’t have a specific plan, I hadn’t been to see the Chihuly Exhibit yet and everyone I know has. I just hadn’t made time so I was thrilled! Parking was easy, the weather was looking cloudy but seemed like it would hold up for at least an hour. We walked through the front doors and the first amazing glass sculpture was just breathtaking. After we walked down the first row that was filled with beautiful late summer flowers and blown glass that was placed as if it was growing in the flower beds, we realized there was a huge wedding so a portion of the gardens was blocked off. We could peek through and see a couple large sculptures. As we twisted and turned through the rest of the beautiful gardens, I was thinking about how amazing the gardens are no matter what time of year it is, and as we would come out of one section of the gardens there was another breathtaking glass sculptures in the next set of gardens. I felt like I was probably walking through quickly, but I wanted to see the next and the next. I doubled back on a few because they were just so beautiful and was reminded that they would be open later in the evening starting in October so we could go back when they were lit up!

I hadn’t been to the Denver Botanic Gardens in over a year, and discovered the new Science Pyramid was done, the Cafe and patio was rebuilt and looked fantastic. People were relaxing drink and eating and people watching.

There is always something new and exciting to discover at the Botanic Gardens, whether it is the Chihuly Exhibition or the concerts during the summer or even the Blossoms of Lights during the winter holidays. There were at least 10 families getting family photos done with a professional photographer. I thought that was a fabulous idea with the glass everywhere. I have been to Botanic Gardens in other cities and even Palermo, but I think ours is the most beautiful!!

Here are a couple of my favorite sculptures, but there are so many more. Make the time to go to the Denver Botanic Gardens to see the Chihuly Exhibition, it’s more than worth it!