Nestled between the monumental Devon Tower and Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, the Myriad Botanical Gardens & Crystal Bridge Conservatory will transport you to a lush paradise amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown. This 15-acre garden features indoor and outdoor areas bursting with color from ever-blooming flowers and plants, as well as winding pathways that beckon visitors to explore the verdant grounds.
Myriad Botanical Gardens, which originally opened in 1988, provides a gathering place for friends, a playground for children and a spot to relax and enjoy the day. Whether you’re looking for a fun festival, a tranquil destination to unwind while hopping between the attractions of downtown, or even a place to bring your furry friend, the Myriad Botanical Gardens have a myriad of possibilities!
Outdoor Spaces
The outdoor areas found within the Myriad Botanical Gardens are free and open to the public year-round. On hot summer days, children flock to Thunder Fountain, a water feature with cascading water streams that flow across a brightly colored mosaic tiled area. Don your swimsuit, stand under the water sculpture and experience raining water and cool mist from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Another favorite spot for families is the amazingly fun and imaginative Children’s Garden, located on the southwest corner of the botanical gardens. This enclosed zone offers spongy play areas, playground toys and a learning vegetable garden. Even very young children can enjoy the tiled floor that rewards curious feet with musical sounds when stepped on.
Take a stroll on the numerous paved walking paths, many of which are handicap accessible, and listen to the serene sounds of rippling water while marveling at the surrounding plant life. The theme of water is apparent throughout the outdoor gardens. Beginning from the northeast corner of the gardens, visitors will find a large water fountain built to resemble an outcropping in the Ozark Mountains of Oklahoma’s northeast Green Country. This cascading waterfall gradually turns into a flowing stream that twists and turns its way through the gardens before returning to the centrally located lake beneath the Crystal Bridge.
Crystal Bridge Conservatory
The crowning jewel of the Myriad Botanical Gardens is the Crystal Bridge Conservatory, a tube-shaped bridge that leads into a tropical paradise measuring 224 feet long, 70 feet in diameter and covered by translucent panes of glass.
After a complete two-year renovation, the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory re-opened in 2022 and welcomes visitors to come rediscover the gardens in a whole new way.
One step into this 16,000 square foot, climate controlled display area and you’ll have a hard time believing that you’re not standing in the middle of an Amazon jungle. Marvel at the beauty of the main cascading waterfall as it plunges down two levels and sprinkles nearby plants with droplets of water.
There are two distinct climates inside the Crystal Bridge Conservatory: the tropical wet zone located on the south end and the tropical dry zone on the north end. The wet zone is watered daily, while the dry zone is watered from April to September, mimicking the conditions the plants would receive in their natural environment. The temperature is also controlled inside the tube, ranging anywhere from 60 to 95 degrees in the summer to 62-78 degrees in the winter. The northern third of the conservatory is planted with cacti and succulents from deserts around the world and watered sparingly. The southern two thirds are planted with tropical rainforest plants that are watered daily.
Even the most travelled visitors are sure to see something new, as the Crystal Bridge features over 500 species of plants representing every continent except Antarctica.
The first floor features a pathway lined with a reflecting pool, as well as a Cloud Portal Sculpture that beautifully frames the cascading waterfall. Two terraces and a gallery on the second level offer guests a dramatic view of the tropics below, but the sensory skywalk on the third level offers an unparalleled look below along extended platforms in the conservatory.
Festivals & Events
Thanks to its central location and extensive grounds, the Myriad Botanical Gardens hosts events all year long. Kick off the year at the Lunar New Year Celebration in January and celebrate blooming buds at the Oklahoma City Flower & Garden Festival each May.
Bring the entire family out in the fall for the extremely popular Pumpkinville and Downtown in December’s ice skating rink each winter.
Whether you’re looking for an afternoon of exploration, a leisurely stroll through the park or an exciting event, visit the Myriad Botanical Gardens & Crystal Bridge Conservatory in Oklahoma City. This delightful oasis is waiting to whisk you away on a charming adventure through rainforests, traditional gardens, children’s play areas and so much more.
