White River Gardens

You've been to the Indianapolis Zoo, but have you been to its sister park, White River Gardens? It comes with admission to the zoo and is well worth visiting. From a native plant exhibit at the entrance to the butterfly friendly garden, White River Gardens is a serene place filled with nature's beauty. Exhibits change seasonally, so you never know what you'll see.

Best and Worst Times to Go to White River Gardens
Since most of the White River Gardens park is outside, you can expect it to be packed on nice days. On very hot or overcast days, the crowd thins considerably. Mornings are an excellent time to visit. The Indianapolis Zoo website has a calendar featuring projected attendance, and is an excellent way to guess how many people will be touring the White River Gardens.

Must See/Do at White River Gardens
White River Gardens is divided into two main parts, the Hilbert Conservatory and the DeHaan Tiergarten. The Conservatory features several subtropical plants, including the Swiss Cheese Plant (native to Guatemala and southern Mexico), which resembles an elephant ear plant with holes in the leaves. Another must see is the fountains in the Allen W. Clowes Water Garden. The picturesque Efroymson Wedding Garden is popular for outdoor events and should be enjoyed.

Admission to White River Gardens
Admission to White River Gardens is included with admission to the zoo. The cheapest way to get tickets is to buy them from the zoo's website.

Parking and Public Transportation at White River Gardens
White River Gardens shares parking with the Indianapolis Zoo, and that is free for members and $10 for non-members. IndyGo's Route 8 goes by the main entrance every fifteen minutes on weekdays and every half hour on weekends. Check IndyGo.net for more information.

Food Options at White River Gardens
The Flora Cafe offers counter-service dining, and the Gardener's Pride Gift Shop has some snack foods available. The zoo has many additional reasonably priced options, including a must-try Bonsai Dog at Nana's Gourmet Snack Shop.

Insider Tip for White River Gardens
Some of the plants are donated by Indianapolis philanthropists. Talk to the staff--they're very informed about the plants. For example, Solomon's seal was called wa-cki'-the a-ga-'ts'e by the Osage Native Americans, who used it to treat female problems, stomach inflammation, and broken bones.

Author's bio: Becky Oberg is a professional writer who has lived in Indianapolis on and off for almost thirty years. She loves acting, reading, writing, singing, and playing video games.