A Guide to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
We had planned to visit Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in the spring, but we found ourselves itching to explore new places. On the two-hour drive to Vienna, I was taken aback by the giant mansions before entering the gardens.
Despite going during the winter, the botanical gardens had no shortage of people due to the stunning Korean bell garden. Here are the things that you should know when visiting Meadowlark and the Korean Bell Garden in Vienna.
When you should visit
The best time to visit is right when it opens, around 10 am, so you don’t end up in the overflow parking lot. If you want to capture more than the beautiful Korean Bell, consider going between April-October. If you want to have a chance at having the Korean Bell Garden to yourself, it is best to visit between January and March. In April-October, the botanical garden closes at 7 pm instead of 4 pm.
Admission Information
The entrance fees into the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens are effective between March and November but otherwise, it’s free and accepts donations. Besides the general admission fees, you can also pay for professional photos or purchase the group rate.
Paper Maps of the Garden
Since the garden is 95 acres long, it can be easy to lose your way; especially if you plan to see a certain part like the log cabin. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens doesn’t offer paper maps but instead are available to download on their site.
Korean Bell Garden History
The hill where the Korean Bell Garden is today was once empty until the joint effort of NOVA parks and the Korean American Cultural Committee. The Korean Bell Garden invites Koreans and Non-Koreans alike to soak in some of Korea’s cultural history such as King Sejong and his creation of the Korean alphabet.
Did you know that the pagoda was made by hand?
All over the bell garden, you can spot traditional Korean art and even symbols that represent Virginia. You can also spot plaques with in-depth information about the contributors as well as the inspiration behind the project. Dol Hareubangs (large rock structures) are also present and are originally found on Jeju Island.
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