15+ Things to do at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens
Wander the peaceful paths of Yew Dell Botanical Gardens in Crestwood-where every turn feels like stepping into a hidden pocket of beauty.
Yew Dell Botanical Gardens has been beautifully refreshed, with thoughtful features and renovations that make the experience even more inviting and inspiring to explore.
We love visiting Yew Dell all year long, but in the spring it truly comes alive. Starting in April, you can enjoy Fabulous Fridays that now include a Farmers Market. These are held on the last Friday of the month, April-September 4-8pm. With free entry, there’s no reason not to enjoy the gardens and support the new Farmers Market.
Besides admiring the beauty of the plants, flowers and trees all around Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, there are several other ways to spend your time during your visit. We wanted to share some of the ways we like to spend our time.
1. Fairy Garden – Of course this would be #1 on our list. These tiny fairy houses are so unique and fun to look at for all ages. You’ll find yourself noticing the tiniest of details with each house. Look up in the trees, you’ll see more fairy hideouts. (The houses are put away during the winter, but this area is still whimsical!)
2. Picnic – Our family likes to picnic or have a treat while we our visiting. Martha Lee’s Cafe offers small bites to enjoy while visiting the gardens. There are plenty of tables near the cafe or choose a picnic table hidden away in shaded areas, benches, rocking chairs or pack a blanket to really spread out.
3. Scavenger Hunts – There are two different scavenger hunts for children to enjoy. Ask for the laminated sheets in the barn. The hunts aren’t overwhelming, and the items are all in the same areas. Children find it exciting to find each picture and discover new things that they might not have noticed before. (These might not be available during the winter, but easy to DIY!)
4. Children’s Playscapes – Located near the entrance to the gardens, is an area designed for children to make some outdoor music. We like to start and end at this area. Run through a bamboo tunnel or knock on a xylophone. Picnic tables are close by if you want to take a break here too.
5. Photography – You’ll find it hard not to snap a photo while visiting the gardens. Whether you get a shot of your children running through the rows of trees in the Secret Garden or the tulips in bloom by the castle, you can spend quite a while capturing the beauty around the gardens. Let your kids become the photographer. Let them use your phone or grab one of your old digital cameras and let them take the shots! (Take a winter photo and come back during the other seasons to compare the scenery during the year.)
8. Hike – We enjoy hiking the Yew Dell trails in the cooler months (especially fall). The trail is 1.5 miles and winds through the woods. There are a few areas to catch small streams of water and waterfalls when it’s not so dry out. Can you find the hidden trolls along the trails?
11. Take a Walk – If you are looking to get a little exercise in a beautiful setting, Yew Dell is perfect. Most of the paths are paved and are stroller friendly. Some of the paths are mulched, but still very easy to maneuver. (There are designated days that Yew Dell allows dogs on the grounds. Be sure to check their website for details before bringing along your dog for the walk.)12. Read – The gardens offer a peaceful, quiet atmosphere perfect for reading. Pack a book and find a spot to read. We like to get to the gardens early and get our summer reading in for the day. The rocking chairs by the castle or patio by the event area are some favorite spots.
13. Look Up – I can thank my daughter for this idea. Pack a blanket and find a spot in the trees to gaze at the leaves, clouds or wildlife. It’s great to hear your child’s imagination about the cloud shapes or their excitement when they see a pretty bird or mischievous squirrel.
14. Water Features – There are two small pools with ever changing plants surrounding them. We usually find at least one frog and several tadpoles in the pools. You might even spot some fish! The beautiful mandalas are also wonderful to watch float around. Don’t forget the small pond near the hiking trails and the new fountains near the castle.
15. Shop – There is a great gift shop with very unique garden inspired items. Check out the children’s section with books, games and other fun things for the little ones. Local honey is sold when in season along with other local artisan pieces. (Shop online or call for more details on shopping hours in the winter.)
16. Be Inspired – Perhaps you want to take a go at creating your own garden at home. Yew Dell has starter plants for sale and has plant sales scheduled during the year. The gardens are always changing with the season, so visit often to continue being inspired. (Make plans for the Spring!)
17. Admire the Architecture, Sculptures and Carvings – The history behind some of the structures and artwork throughout the garden is very interesting. Many of them were hand-built by the original owner, Theodore Klein. New sculptures are placed throughout the grounds too and are always popping up.
18. Explore Buildings – The buildings are not always open. When they are, we love the greenhouses and of course, the castle.
19. Programs & Events – Another aspect of Yew Dell that we are looking forward to returning are the great programs and events that they plan throughout the year. Children in the Dell is a family favorite as well as Boo Dell. There are great adults only programs too, that we hope will return soon. A membership offers free admission or a reduced admission to some of the programs and events held at Yew Dell.
20. Volunteer – Want to give back to this great gem in Oldham County and visit more often? Inquire about volunteering at Yew Dell.
