Outdoor Gardens,
Lobby + Gift Shop
April - September
10 am – 6 pm daily
October - March
10 am – 4 pm daily
Bolz Conservatory
Closed March 11 - June 14 for Planned Maintenance
Schumacher Library
Permanently Closed
Sat, Feb 17, 2024 10:00 am
–
4:00 pm
Olbrich's Annual Open House
Kick off 2024 with a free, fun-filled day of activities at Olbrich Gardens, including FeLion Studios’ community iron pour, Pour’n Yer Heart Out! Learn more about what's coming at the Gardens this year!
Everyone/All Ages
At Olbrich
FREE - Drop-in activities, live performances, self-guide greenhouse tours, demonstrations & snacks!
Food & Beverage offered for sale.
Pour'n Yer Heart Out
Enjoy the hottest event in town - FeLion Studios' annual community iron pour on Olbrich's Great Lawn!
Iron Pour anticipated 1-3 p.m.
Community Workshops
Carve or sculpt your own iron masterpiece at one of FeLion’s community workshops hosted at Olbrich Gardens before the big pour. Advanced registration required.
Cast Iron Clay Molding Workshops
Friday, January 26, 4-8 p.m. - Register
Saturday, January 27, 1-5 p.m. - Register
Scratch Tile Workshops
Wednesday, January 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m. - Register
Thursday, February 1, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Register
Take-home DIY Scratch Tiles
Starting Thursday, January 4, purchase a blank scratch tile at Olbrich Gardens or online to work on at home on your own! Tiles are available for pick up in the Gardens' lobby area, daily 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tips and tricks sheet provided. Return your tile to the Gardens by February 12 to be prepped for the pour.
$50 per tile + tax
Watch your artwork come to life as the fiery furnace pours liquid iron into your mold during Olbrich's Open House!
Visit FeLion Studios for more information!
Orchid Escape Exhibit
Featuring live music
Stroll through our Orchid Escape exhibit in the tropical Bolz Conservatory, featuring 1,000 of orchids. This year’s theme, Rise of the Angiosperms, invites guests to explore the fossil record and imagine life on earth over 70 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period.
Enjoy live music throughout the day in the conservatory by indie folk musician, Jorge Vallentine!
Drop-in Activities
Create a masterpiece - family friendly drop-in activities offered in the Frautschi Family Learning Center.
Stretch those fingers and exercise your origami skills at the spring show craftacular - make one, take one – paper stars! Your star creations will become part of the décor for Olbrich’s celestial themed Spring Flower Show in March.
Dig deeper with presentations on Olbrich’s Garden Scouts program, orchid potting and how we create the Thai Garden’s tropical look!
Refreshments
Purchase savory sandwiches and sweet treats from Bloom Bake Shop and warm beverages from Crescendo's mobile coffee cart.
Greenhouse tours
Take a self-guided tour through Olbrich's collection greenhouses and chat with our tropical plant experts.
PARKING
The public parking lot surrounding Olbrich Botanical Gardens offers 210 spaces including (12) fully accessible parking spaces near the main building entrance.
With other community events happening in the surrounding area simultaneously with the Gardens' open house, parking lots may fill up quickly, so having an alternative plan before arriving is the best strategy!
Check out the alternate parking option map ahead of time!
Olbrich Park - Public Parking Lots & Street Parking Options
- 350 parking spaces (street and parking lots) within 0.3 miles of the Gardens
- 115 spaces within a half mile, still within Olbrich Park
Skip the parking scramble!
- Ride share - pile your friends and family in one car when visiting the Gardens.
- Take a bus - on weekends Route7 will bring you close to the Gardens - approximately a 6 minute walk
- Utilize the Capital City Bike Trail to bike to the Gardens or for easy access when walking from alternative parking options.
In 2024, during the Gardens’ larger events Park Rangers will be onsite to help organize parking and assist our visitors. Be sure to thank our Park Rangers for supporting the Gardens!
Questions or concerns regarding parking you would like heard by the entities that have the ability to improve or expand public parking options send an email to:
Olbrich’s staff will direct this feedback to the change makers!
You Might Be Interested In
Fri, Jun 14, 2024 4:00 pm
Summer Breeze
Grab a beverage and take a stroll in the Gardens with your sweetheart, play a game of bocce ball or cornhole with your pals, or start a dance party on the Great Lawn. From fantastic local food cart fare, to giant lawn games, to local music, there’s something for EVERYONE at Summer Breeze!
Everyone/All Ages
At Olbrich
Wed, Jul 17, 2024 10:00 am
Blooming Butterflies
Blooming Butterflies features up to 19 different species of free flying butterflies in the tropical Bolz Conservatory. Visitors make connections with these fluttering friends while learning about the butterfly life cycle. Two chrysalis cases provide opportunities to possibly witness a butterfly emerge from a chrysalis!
Everyone/All Ages
At Olbrich