This place is closed please remove it. I searched and searched for it and it does not exist.
Kelly G.
07/26/2018 -CLOSED temporarily due to Hurricane Harvey damage. Traveling back to South Carolina we were eager to check out the gardens based on positive reviews here. Called ahead and was informed they were still closed due to Harvey . They are actively working on repairs and I am told they hope to reopen in September 2018. Giving 5 stars based on the great customer service of them still maintaining phone lines so we don't waste time driving there to find them closed. We look forward to checking them out in the future!
Ted J.
This is a must-see tour if you're ever in Florida. My sister took me out here and we almost took the boat ride. There's just too much rain for the boat ride so they didn't run it that day. But there are beautiful gardens to see and if you're a writer you can walk in here sit down with your pad and be inspired to create a great work just by spending a moment here.
Scott P.
Made my third visit to the Gardens this morning. They were exquisite, as usual. While the July heat was stifling, even at 9:30 in the morning, I managed a good hour and a half visit before I had to seek air conditioning. The Gardens were not crowded today, so I had most of the place to myself, which was great as I had many uninterrupted moments of silence to sit and take in the lushness of the plants. As for wildlife, I spied cardinals, egrets, herons, turtles, spiders, and many lovely and colorful dragonflies. Unfortunately, I spotted no gators sunning themselves in the Heronry Blind today. They also offer a boat tour of adjacent Adams Bayou. But I was so hot and fearful of getting a sunburn - even through my copiously applied sunscreen - I gave it a miss. I'm dying to take the boat ride, but it'll have to wait until I return in late October. This is one of my favorite places in Texas. I highly recommend it. I'll definitely return.
Tammie S.
I can't speak highly enough of this place. Every single person on site was both friendly and knowledgeable. It's a week later and my kids are still talking about this place, from the outpost tour of Adams bayou to the actual gardens to the various animals they saw to the movie, we all had an amazing time. We spent about 3 hours there. And for only $27, it was WELL worth it. Love this place and plan to visit it again the next time we are in town!! Oh, and the cafe has great food - pizza, salad, and sandwiches. Much higher quality than I expected!
Phyllis R.
We accidentally found this wonderful botanical garden. Very impressed with the history behind the garden, the maintenance and the variety of plants and design. We only wish the gift store didn't have a larger selection. We also wished we had gone to tour Lutcher Starks' home.
Kat R.
If you're visiting in Orange or the SETX area, add this spot to your list of places to visit. Throughout summer 2016 they are offering free admission to the public! The gardens are breath-takingly beautiful, throughout the year they have various events for families and children, like butterfly releases, "Big Bugs", one time the bloom of a corpse flower, and the Christmas light strolls. On any given day, you'll be able to sit and bird-watch, see lots of turtles, even alligators in the bayou from the bird blind. The volunteers are the kindest people ever! I've gone plenty of times and every time, every staff member has been extremely friendly and helpful. Don't forget to bring a water and hydrate yourself - or stop at the cafe - SETX weather is HOT and HUMID!
D T.
Very beautiful Gardens. Well kept & clean. Butterfly greenhouse was wonderful. Nice friendly staff & volunteers. Huge wooden bug art exhibit! Great for kids & field trips.
Brenna G.
I moved to this area from central Tx. I thought that I had seen the best botanical gardens until I entered Shangri la! The staff is amazing, it's community oriented, kid friendly, but most importantly it's STUNNING! I was floored by the artistic design, the gorgeous paths, lakes, bird watching spots galore! This place is a gardens lovers heaven! We love it so much that we have a membership! My son asks to go all the time, and has become interested in gardening. That's how inspiring and impressive Shangri la is!
Jill L.
Boy was it hot today in the gardens, but the staff was energetic, friendly, and willing to share information on this great place. Thanks guys! We'll be back when it's cooler for the boat ride.
Amazing place! Highly recommend the boat ride that is about an hour long. The gardens are so well designed and taken care of. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, especially the volunteers. I have been to a lot of famous botanical gardens and this place is definitely one of the best.
Sylvie K.
This is a little slice of heaven. This is what Orange would look like hundreds of years ago.
Scott B.
What a surprise. Waaayyyyy more than I expected from Orange, Tx. Grew up in the area & haven't been back for many years. This place is one of the nicer botanical gardens i've ever been too! Blows away anything in Dallas-Ft worth area. Not very big but very professionally maintained and designed. Skip the typical high dollar gift shop and cafe (grab a chili cheese dog from Weinerschnitzel instead!). And stick with visiting in October or November when it's cooler, not during the summer. $6 adult fee includes an 8 minute educational movie. Didn't do the boat ride (marsh tour) for another $6. Worth a stop for some peace & quiet. Not very kid friendly. Check it out!
Tricia T.
Well worth going to. Part of the "Stark" empire in Orange. Boat trip, manned by seniors, is fun and informative. Gardens are still rather young, but I am sure would be especially lovely in spring when the irises are in bloom. Highlight was seeing the egrets nesting, an unexpected bonus of leaving the gardens to themselves for 50 years after Lutcher Stark gave up on them after an ice storm killed all his planting.
Brittani T.
All the old ladies that work here are so sweet, and the gardens themselves can't be beat! Don't go when it's 94 degrees outside though, pick a cooler month like October.
This place is closed please remove it. I searched and searched for it and it does not exist.
07/26/2018 -CLOSED temporarily due to Hurricane Harvey damage. Traveling back to South Carolina we were eager to check out the gardens based on positive reviews here. Called ahead and was informed they were still closed due to Harvey . They are actively working on repairs and I am told they hope to reopen in September 2018. Giving 5 stars based on the great customer service of them still maintaining phone lines so we don't waste time driving there to find them closed. We look forward to checking them out in the future!
This is a must-see tour if you're ever in Florida. My sister took me out here and we almost took the boat ride. There's just too much rain for the boat ride so they didn't run it that day. But there are beautiful gardens to see and if you're a writer you can walk in here sit down with your pad and be inspired to create a great work just by spending a moment here.
Made my third visit to the Gardens this morning. They were exquisite, as usual. While the July heat was stifling, even at 9:30 in the morning, I managed a good hour and a half visit before I had to seek air conditioning. The Gardens were not crowded today, so I had most of the place to myself, which was great as I had many uninterrupted moments of silence to sit and take in the lushness of the plants. As for wildlife, I spied cardinals, egrets, herons, turtles, spiders, and many lovely and colorful dragonflies. Unfortunately, I spotted no gators sunning themselves in the Heronry Blind today. They also offer a boat tour of adjacent Adams Bayou. But I was so hot and fearful of getting a sunburn - even through my copiously applied sunscreen - I gave it a miss. I'm dying to take the boat ride, but it'll have to wait until I return in late October. This is one of my favorite places in Texas. I highly recommend it. I'll definitely return.
I can't speak highly enough of this place. Every single person on site was both friendly and knowledgeable. It's a week later and my kids are still talking about this place, from the outpost tour of Adams bayou to the actual gardens to the various animals they saw to the movie, we all had an amazing time. We spent about 3 hours there. And for only $27, it was WELL worth it. Love this place and plan to visit it again the next time we are in town!! Oh, and the cafe has great food - pizza, salad, and sandwiches. Much higher quality than I expected!
We accidentally found this wonderful botanical garden. Very impressed with the history behind the garden, the maintenance and the variety of plants and design. We only wish the gift store didn't have a larger selection. We also wished we had gone to tour Lutcher Starks' home.
If you're visiting in Orange or the SETX area, add this spot to your list of places to visit. Throughout summer 2016 they are offering free admission to the public! The gardens are breath-takingly beautiful, throughout the year they have various events for families and children, like butterfly releases, "Big Bugs", one time the bloom of a corpse flower, and the Christmas light strolls. On any given day, you'll be able to sit and bird-watch, see lots of turtles, even alligators in the bayou from the bird blind. The volunteers are the kindest people ever! I've gone plenty of times and every time, every staff member has been extremely friendly and helpful. Don't forget to bring a water and hydrate yourself - or stop at the cafe - SETX weather is HOT and HUMID!
Very beautiful Gardens. Well kept & clean. Butterfly greenhouse was wonderful. Nice friendly staff & volunteers. Huge wooden bug art exhibit! Great for kids & field trips.
I moved to this area from central Tx. I thought that I had seen the best botanical gardens until I entered Shangri la! The staff is amazing, it's community oriented, kid friendly, but most importantly it's STUNNING! I was floored by the artistic design, the gorgeous paths, lakes, bird watching spots galore! This place is a gardens lovers heaven! We love it so much that we have a membership! My son asks to go all the time, and has become interested in gardening. That's how inspiring and impressive Shangri la is!
Boy was it hot today in the gardens, but the staff was energetic, friendly, and willing to share information on this great place. Thanks guys! We'll be back when it's cooler for the boat ride.
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing place! Highly recommend the boat ride that is about an hour long. The gardens are so well designed and taken care of. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, especially the volunteers. I have been to a lot of famous botanical gardens and this place is definitely one of the best.
This is a little slice of heaven. This is what Orange would look like hundreds of years ago.
What a surprise. Waaayyyyy more than I expected from Orange, Tx. Grew up in the area & haven't been back for many years. This place is one of the nicer botanical gardens i've ever been too! Blows away anything in Dallas-Ft worth area. Not very big but very professionally maintained and designed. Skip the typical high dollar gift shop and cafe (grab a chili cheese dog from Weinerschnitzel instead!). And stick with visiting in October or November when it's cooler, not during the summer. $6 adult fee includes an 8 minute educational movie. Didn't do the boat ride (marsh tour) for another $6. Worth a stop for some peace & quiet. Not very kid friendly. Check it out!
Well worth going to. Part of the "Stark" empire in Orange. Boat trip, manned by seniors, is fun and informative. Gardens are still rather young, but I am sure would be especially lovely in spring when the irises are in bloom. Highlight was seeing the egrets nesting, an unexpected bonus of leaving the gardens to themselves for 50 years after Lutcher Stark gave up on them after an ice storm killed all his planting.
All the old ladies that work here are so sweet, and the gardens themselves can't be beat! Don't go when it's 94 degrees outside though, pick a cooler month like October.