Photo Gallery: Dow Gardens, Midland

July 19, 2021 · by Jonathan Katje · in Arts and Entertainment

Some places in Michigan are just so beautiful that photos fail to do them justice. We recently had the chance to finally visit Dow Gardens in Midland, and it is definitely one of those places. Today we will attempt to showcase this 110-acre botanical garden with photos from our visit as well as a list of highlights for your future visit. As with any of our photo galleries, the hope is that the pictures do enough to make others want to visit!

Dow Gardens date back to 1899 when they were started by Herbert Dow (founder of Dow Chemical Company) on just eight acres. Several generations of the Dow family have continued to maintain and enhance the Gardens, and in 2004 they were opened to the public. The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation now operates this beautiful site, which host more than 300,000 visitors each year. Below is a look at some of our favorite things to see on our visit – we walked about five miles while were there and tried to see as much as possible.

Whiting Forest – one of the most popular attractions at Dow Gardens is Whiting Forest, with its wooded trails, playground, ponds and streams, and the nation’s longest canopy walk. This 1,400-foot long walkway is accessible to all ages and abilities and has three arms that each end in a viewing platform. Kids will love playing on the playground, climbing the cargo netting on the canopy walk, and looking down through the glass floor of the orchard viewing platform.

Rose Garden – We stopped to look at all of the different types and colors of roses in this beautiful garden on our way to Whiting Forest. Donations can be made to help purchase new roses and honor loved ones.

Alden Dow House and Studio – This unique and scenic house dates back to the 1930s and was both the home and studio of Alden Dow. The son of Herbert Dow, Alden was an architect who gained national acclaim. Open for tours, this home frequently makes lists of the best historic homes.

The Pines (Herbert H. Dow home) – The Dow family home is located in the gardens’ southwest corner and is also open for tours. “As a National Historic Landmark, The Pines welcomes visitors for guided tours and special events. The home, which is still filled with the Dow family’s furnishings, provides an intimate look into their life.”

Sculptures – There are many sculptures mixed in throughout the gardens, how many of them will you find when you visit?

Bridges – One thing we loved about Dow Gardens was how water was part of nearly each area. Many different bridges cross the streams that wind through the gardens, each one unique in its own way.

Garden of Glass (2021 art exhibit) – “Experience the stunning glass gardens of Craig Mitchell Smith! The Lansing, Michigan, artist has been creating floral forms in kiln-fired glass since 2006 using revolutionary techniques that have poised him as one of the most innovative kiln glass artists in America.” An added treat for visitors this year is that this wonderful art exhibit is mixed into the Dow Gardens landscape.