By Barbara Arnstein
Yay, Spring has finally arrived! Actually, it’s a preview of Spring, beginning on the first day of Spring, March 20, indoors at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, that features over 20,000 bulbs. The Spring Flower Exhibit’s countless beautiful blossoms include everyone’s bright-colored springtime favorites such as hyacinths, daffodils and tulips. The exhibit will continue until April 13, 2026, inside the conservatory. Fun fact: it is one of only two large Victorian conservatories with a tri-dome design (based on the Crystal Palace & Kew Gardens Palm House) left in this country.
“Botanical Bunny Days”
There is much more happening this season at the gardens, which celebrated their 125th anniversary last year. During the “Botanical Bunny Days” in March and April, kids can have their pictures taken with the big bunny and can participate in a scavenger hunt to find surprises hidden around the conservatory. Face painting will be available for an extra cost. There are several arts and crafts classes and workshops, involving weaving, journaling, learning how to make beaded plants, paper quilling and more.
“Unwind Wednesdays”
On “Unwind Wednesdays”, admission is lower and the hours are longer. Beginning on March 25th, and continuing on April 22, July 22, August 26, September 23, October 28, November 25 and December 23, the Wednesdays feature admission prices of just ten dollars and hours that extend to 8pm. For more information about these day, go to: info@buffalogardens.com
Botanical Bash, May 1
On May 1st, from 6-10pm, this year’s Botanical Bash, the Gardens’ annual fund-raising cocktail party will have a Kentucky Derby theme. Ticket-buyers will enjoy a catered meal, music and entertainment, and the chance to bid on various items. Regular tickets are $150, and VIP tickets are $175, and include access to the new Rose Room, with exclusive seating. This year, the funds raised will go towards adding four new beehives and bee colonies, more beekeeping equipment and supplies. Will you contribute to bees, or not to bees? That is the question! (Which is kind of what Hamlet says in the most famous part of Shakespeare’s most famous play, “Hamlet”.)
Wonderful Butterfly Experience, May 16-July 19
The wonderful Butterfly Experience, which will be available from May 16-July 19, 2026, is available each day during the regular hours of 10am-4pm. It features hundreds of live butterflies within the Tropical Orchard greenhouse. According to the Gardens’ Marketing Manager, Shaunna Mooney, there will be ten to fifteen different species of butterflies there at any given time. Visitors (who must move slowly and carefully, and not touch them) will have a golden opportunity to enjoy the beauty of so many butterflies all in one place, and photograph them. The butterflies, all of which are native to the continental United States, include swallowtails, monarchs, painted ladies, red admirals and many more. As Amanda Johnston, Director of Learning and Interpretation commented, “Guests have the opportunity to get up close and personal with our butterflies”. This year, for the first time, visitors can also enjoy the experience of seeing butterflies released, on May 23, June 6, 13, 20, 27, and on July 11 and 18, from 9-10am, for a separate ticket price.
The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens are located at 2655 South Park Avenue in Buffalo’s beautiful South Park. They are included on the list of sites those with an Arts Access pass can visit for free. Transportation is available, but reservations for it must be made two weeks in advance. For more information about this pass, go to artsaccess@asiwny.org or call (716) 833-3004 (extension 514). For more information about the Gardens, go to buffalogardens.com or call (716) 827-1584. Hours: every day from 10am-4pm.