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Meadowlark Botanical Gardens family visit guide
Quick answer
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is a park or outdoor outing in Vienna, VA for all ages. Free admission applies only to the listed ages.
A paid 95-acre botanical garden walk with paved paths, lakes, seasonal plants, Visitor Center restrooms, and two free first-come wheelchairs. Outdoor toys, outside food, and pets are not allowed inside the fenced garden.
- Hours
- Jan-Mar 10 AM-4 PM, Apr-Oct 10 AM-7 PM, Nov-Dec 10 AM-4 PM, Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
- Admission
- Ages 5 and under free, Ages 6-17 $5, Ages 18-59 $9, Ages 60 and older $5
- Bathrooms
- Restrooms inside the Visitor Center
- Parking
- Dedicated onsite lot, About 120 to 160 marked spaces estimated from Google Maps in July 2026, Estimated capacity: 120–160 spaces (dedicated marked garden visitor lot)
- Reservations
- No reservation for ordinary admission, Weekday group rates for 10 or more require advance reservation, Download or scan the garden map
- Stroller friendly
- Yes
- Good for
- All ages · Vienna, VA
- Address
- 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA 22182
- Phone
- 703-255-3631
- Planning note
- The garden is open 10 AM to 4 PM January through March and November through December, and 10 AM to 7 PM April through October. It closes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
What works by age
- Ages 1 to 3 Moderate energy
Wide paths and frequent garden stops make a stroller friendly walk possible with short bursts of exploring.
- Ages 4 to 6 Moderate energy
Children can search for colors, insects, water, and changing plants along the paths.
- Ages 7 to 10 Moderate energy
Older children can choose the route and photograph or sketch what they notice.
Will this work for your family?
- Best for
- A slower outdoor outing when the family wants a beautiful walk with bathrooms and clear paths.
- Choose something else when
- Choose a playground when the kids need sustained climbing, running, or loud active play.
- Arrival plan
- Use the map before arrival or scan its QR code at the Visitor Center, then choose one garden area instead of trying to cover all 95 acres.
- Sibling fit
- A stroller, a simple scavenger list, and child chosen stops help different ages share the walk.
Do this: Five Things Garden Hunt
Estimated duration: 60 to 90 minutes
- Let each child choose one color or shape to look for.
- Stop at water, flowers, or a shaded bench and compare what everyone found.
- Choose one favorite view for a photo, then take the shortest comfortable path back.
Bring: Walking shoes, Sun protection, A stroller for younger children, A downloaded garden map
Easy exit: Turn toward the visitor center after the next shaded stop, then wrap up for lunch or the next errand.
Quick parent answers
Is Meadowlark Botanical Gardens a playground?
No. Outdoor toys and balls are not permitted inside the fenced garden. Use it as a walking and nature outing.
Does it work with a stroller or wheelchair?
The official page describes paved trails in its visitor review and offers two wheelchairs free on a first-come basis. A short route is easier than trying to cover the full 95 acres.
Can families bring food into Meadowlark?
Outside food and drinks are not permitted inside the gated garden. A first-come picnic area sits outside the fence by the Lilac Pavilion.
Are pets allowed?
Pets are not permitted inside the fenced garden except on specific dog days. Dogs are allowed on the perimeter trail outside the fence.
Before you go
Hours and admission
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is open 10 AM to 4 PM from January through March and November through December, and 10 AM to 7 PM from April through October. It closes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Daytime admission is free through age 5, $5 for ages 6 through 17, $9 for ages 18 through 59, and $5 for ages 60 and older.
What families can do
This is a 95-acre ornamental and native plant garden for a slower outdoor walk, not a playground. Families can choose a short paved route around seasonal gardens, water, and shaded stops. Bikes, scooters, skates, skateboards, outdoor toys, and balls are not permitted inside the fenced garden.
Restrooms, mobility, and the map
Garden restrooms are inside the Visitor Center. Two wheelchairs are available free on a first-come basis. Paper maps are no longer provided, so download the official map before the visit or scan its QR code when you arrive.
Food and pet rules
Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the gated garden. A first-come picnic area sits outside the fence by the Lilac Pavilion, and groups larger than 10 may not gather there. Pets are not allowed inside the fence except on specific dog days; dogs may use the perimeter trail outside it.
Parking and group boundary
The garden has a dedicated visitor lot. NOVA Parks does not publish its capacity; a July 2026 Google Maps satellite estimate found about 120 to 160 marked spaces. Ordinary admission needs no reservation. Weekday group rates for 10 or more require advance booking, with longer notice for staff-led visits than self-guided groups.
What parents are saying
Use Meadowlark for a calm family walk, not a playground trip; main paved paths and two free first-come wheelchairs help with mobility, but the garden covers 95 acres, so choose a short loop. Eat at the picnic area outside the fence because outside food and drinks are not allowed in the gated garden.
Parent questions
What are Meadowlark Botanical Gardens' hours?
The garden is open 10 AM to 4 PM January through March and November through December, and 10 AM to 7 PM April through October. It closes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
How much is Meadowlark Botanical Gardens?
Ages 5 and younger enter free. Admission is $5 for ages 6 through 17, $9 for ages 18 through 59, and $5 for ages 60 and older.
Does Meadowlark Botanical Gardens have restrooms?
Yes. The restrooms are inside the Visitor Center.
Is Meadowlark Botanical Gardens stroller or wheelchair friendly?
The garden has paved paths, and two wheelchairs are available free on a first-come basis. The property spans 95 acres, so families may prefer a shorter loop.
Can families bring food?
Not inside the gated garden. Use the first-come picnic area outside the fence by the Lilac Pavilion.
Are dogs allowed?
Pets are not allowed inside the fenced garden except on specific dog days. Dogs may use the perimeter trail outside the fence.
How many parking spaces are available?
NOVA Parks does not publish a count. A July 2026 Google Maps satellite estimate found about 120 to 160 marked spaces in the dedicated visitor lot.