<!--StartFragment-->

Since the sun finally decided to stop being a bratty teenage girl and grace us with its presence this past Friday I found it fitting to get out and enjoy the on-again weather. My initial plan was to travel around the zoo, but hitting snooze on my alarm clock after the late night out before deemed to be necessary and killed my arrangements. Since the zoo takes a good two to three hours (not including the train ride and carousel) I decided that I’d need to save it for another day. I was determined to get out and do something and not pass up the perfect weather, so I got on the computer and did a quick search of Milwaukee parks and stumbled upon a gem.

Secluded among winding pathways lined with dense forest lies a place Milwaukee area residents and visitors alike may not be familiar with. Boerner Botanical Gardens is truly a piece of Eden. 

Located in Hales Corners (about a 20-minute drive from downtown) this Milwaukee park is a must see. From the moment I stepped out of the car to the moment I sadly departed, I was in awe. This beautiful place was so pleasant and breathtaking. Everyone from the staff to the spectators including myself were extremely happy. But then again, why wouldn’t we be? Being surrounded by the sight and smell of wild flowers, viburnums, delphiniums and massive rose gardens will leave anyone feeling cheerful and in the best of spirits.

Boerner Botanical Gardens is home to hundreds of varieties of flowers as well as artfully pruned shrubbery and stone statues. The koi pond seemed an area of interest to other visitors as well as the rock garden and a wooden bridge that snaked around an area of the landscape. Different areas of the massive garden are used as hosts to weekend weddings and other events during the summer as well.

If you have the time, and the weather keeps playing nice, I strongly recommend visiting this place. It is a sight of pure perfection.