Maine has one of the best botanical gardens in U.S., per USA TODAY. How to go this spring
USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards just released its spring award winners, and a botanical garden in Boothbay ranked among the best in the country.
The annual 10BEST awards highlight the best in travel, food and lifestyle, and winners are chosen by a public voting poll after being nominated by industry experts. In the best of spring awards, highlighting the season's top attractions in a variety of categories, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens placed tenth in the botanical garden ranking.
Here's what to know about the top botanical garden in Maine.
With over 300 acres of gardens and natural spaces to explore, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the largest botanical garden in all of New England.
Gardens include the butterfly house, the dahlia and iris garden, Fairy House Village, a meditation garden and a children's garden complete with a play cottage, a treehouse and multiple attractions inspired by children's books by Maine authors.
Beyond the many beautiful gardens, this spring attraction also has art exhibits, special events, a cafe and miles of walking trails full of troll sculptures.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens will open for the season on Thursday, May 1 and remain open through Sunday, Oct. 19. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last admission at 4 p.m.
Tickets to the Botanical Gardens can either be bought online or in person, though in person tickets cost more money. Online ticket prices are $24 for adults, $20 for seniors or veterans, $15 for students and $10 for children ages 3-17.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens recommends bringing sun protection, bug spray, water, comfortable shoes and a camera for the best possible experience.
The gardens are located at 105 Botanical Gardens Dr. in Boothbay, Maine.
Maine attractions: The oldest lighthouse in Maine is over 200 years old. Here's where it is
Here is USA TODAY's full list of the top 10 botanical gardens in the country:
Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden - Cincinnati, Ohio
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden - Coral Gables, Florida
Tucson Botanical Gardens - Tucson, Arizona
Lauritzen Gardens - Omaha, Nebraska
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - Sarasota, Florida
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sarah P. Duke Gardens - Durham, North Carolina
Botanica, The Wichita Gardens - Wichita, Kansas
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens - Boothbay, Maine
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens one of most beautiful in US. How to go
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