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US: Richmond, VA – Mother’s Day Fun or Just Stop and Smell the Roses at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is an oasis on a driving trip – 82 magnificent acres which started life as Powhatanhuntinggrounds and was at one time owned by patriot Patrick Henry.
In 1884, Lewis Ginter, who was orphaned at 17 and later became a millionaire from tobacco and real estate, developed a Wheel Club House here for Richmond bicyclists (now Bloemendaal House). His niece, Grace Arents, developed the gardens, and her original design is still here.
There are more kinds of gardens than we ever knew existed: four seasons, healing, Asian, rose, wetland, azalea and a community kitchen one where they grow food for the hungry. The children’s garden offers up a tree house and an activity center; there’s sidewalk chalk, hula hooping, digging and watering opportunities. They love the Kids Quest treasure hunt. For walkers, there’s a “walk on the wild side” and a bird trail, and as if all that wasn’t enough, there’s a lush indoor conservatory with exotic plants from around the world.
Featured Events:
A Million Blooms
Until Thursday, June 1, 2017 
A Million Blooms is included with Garden admission. A parade of blooms unfurls as the weather warms: daffodils, tulips, peonies, roses and more.
Butterflies LIVE!
Until Sunday, October 15, 2017
Experience the wonderful world of butterflies! Butterflies LIVE! is an indoor exhibit in the Conservatory and is geared for all ages. Get up close and personal as hundreds of tropical butterflies feed, flutter and take flight all around you. Explore their origins, preferred habitats and life cycles.
Mother’s Day Weekend
May 12, 13 & 14, 2017
Regular Garden admission
A three-day weekend with many opportunities to honor and spend time with mom. Enjoy the popular Butterflies LIVE! exhibit, shopping and dining:
- The long weekend kicks off Friday, May 12 with National Public Gardens Day.
- On Saturday, May 13, create the experience your mom would like. Stretch out on quilts in the Louise Cochrane Rose Garden and read favorite books. Explore woodland walks searching for fairies. Get down and dirty with digging activities. Help weave a Maypole, try the hula hoop and chase bubbles! (10 am – 4 pm)
- Sunday, May 14 is the popular Mother’s Day concert with Glenroy Bailey & Co. (1 – 4pm). Food available for purchase in front of Bloemendaal House. Guests are also welcome to bring blankets or lawn chairs but no outside food or beverage. Activities in the Children’s Garden include “make-and-takes” for mom (10am – 4pm)
Location: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave, Richmond, VA 23228
Hours: Daily 9am – 5pm
Tel: 804-262-9887
lewisginter.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitrichmondva.com
Canada: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia – Cat Covered in Monarch Butterflies
This gorgeous cat covered with monarch butterflies sits in front of the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design. It was created by Lorlee Cunliffe.
US, FL Free Day for Re-named Museum In Florida
I-95 Exit 68: The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium has just been re-named so it is having a party on June 7th when admission will be free all day. The building may look small, but it is hugely interactive, so travelers of all ages will enjoy playing here. You can feel the density of solids, see how guitar strings vibrate, try out the frozen shadows room (loved that!), learn to write in hieroglyphics or check out Dr. Saul Rotter’s butterfly collection.
Adults were all lined up playing the wall of brain teasers (balance nails, color match) and little ones were in the microscope room. If you’ve ever wanted to see one, there’s a mammoth tusk and a 3,000-year-old child mummy.
The planetarium offers 5 daily shows, and in the aquarium you can find genetically altered fish which fluoresce under UV light in the presence of toxins in the water. There’s Subway for lunch. Outside there’s an interactive garden with echo tubes, whisper dishes, mini-golf and a butterfly area.
Location: 4801 Dreher Trail N. in Dreher Park, Palm Beach, FL
Hours: M-F 10-5, Sat 10-6, Sun 12-6
Free Day: June 7
Tel: 561-832-1988
www.sfsm.org or www.sfsciencecenter.org