Lauritzen Gardens is an urban oasis with 20 distinct themed gardens, each offering a unique experience. There’s something worth seeing every season, but spring and summer are especially resplendent.
Spring at Lauritzen Gardens is a sensory delight. As you stroll along the Spring Flowering Walk, you’ll witness hundreds of thousands of daffodils and inhale the sweet scent of blooming trees and shrubs. Tulips bob in the breeze. A StoryWalk adds an educational twist for younger visitors, making the garden a fun and interactive experience.
The tree peonies in the Peony Garden begin to flourish in late April and extend until early June. Enjoy a seat on a bench or wander a meandering path to soak up the rich colors and intoxicating aroma.
May’s warmth nurtures the Rose Garden, where 2,000 roses bedazzle visitors. While you’re there, visit the armillary sphere sundial adorning the center of the garden. Designed by Nebraska artist Milt Heinrich, it beautifully and accurately measures Central Standard Time.
Beginning in May, the Model Railroad Garden comes alive with G-Scale model trains chugging through miniature landscapes.
For those who prefer real-life action, visiting neighboring Kenefick Park offers a chance to see Union Pacific Railroad’s Centennial No. 6900 and Big Boy 4023, two of the most powerful locomotives ever built.
In summer, pollinators buzz around native plants in Song of the Lark Meadow. Named after a short story by Nebraska author Willa Cather, the garden colors shift as diverse plants bloom and fade. Search for “Startled,” the bronze sculpture of a buck by artist Kent Ullberg, who also created “Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness,” part of a sculpture display at the First National Bank Plaza in downtown Omaha.
Those looking for quiet and cover from the sun find the Garden in the Glen, which has a trickling stream, small waterfalls, and a lush offering of hostas, astilbe, bleeding hearts and Japanese maple.
Woodland Waterfall also features a waterfall, two small ponds, and the charming sculpture “New Friends” – just a boy and his frog. Founders’ Garden has beautiful hostas and ferns. Woodland Trail offers the serenity – and shade – of a century-old forest. Visitors culminate their 2/3-mile hike by drinking in beautiful vistas of the Missouri River Valley.
Spring and summer also see the return of special events. Leashes at Lauritzen invites well-behaved canines to accompany their pet parents for a stroll around the gardens.
A summer concert series, Tempo of Twilight, treats guests to live music on warm evenings.
Watch our events page for special garden tours, temporary exhibitions and more.
So grow on, connect with flowers and experience the delight of your senses this spring and summer at Omaha’s Lauritzen Gardens. Before you leave, stop by the charming 2,000-square-foot gift shop filled with beautiful books, home décor, jewelry and nature-related toys and games to pick up a souvenir. For more spring and summer Omaha fun ideas, visit our seasonal activities page.
