Walking up to the Dow Gardens visitor center entrance we were greeted with a garden of tulips and a very large origami bird. The variety of colors on the tulips were vibrant.
Upon entering we were greeted by a couple of smiling faces behind the counter. We were asked if we had an annual pass or if we needed a day-pass. We opted for the day-pass at $10 per adult, as we don’t live in the area. If we lived in the area the $20 annual adult pass would have been our option.
As we enter into the garden area from the visitor center, one can’t help but notice the quietness and stillness. Although we are only a short distance from a freeway and town, you would never know it.
The day was an overcast day, however, with all the rain that has been in the area lately the green colors were a brighter, more vibrant green than they had been. Upon reading the signs we went to the right to follow the path over to the Canopy Walk in the Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens.
Along the path there were small white signs with the wedding announcement on them placed along the path to the lawn area (known as Wedding Peninsula) where the wedding was to take place. There was a stream that flowed behind where the couple was to say their vows and a cinder bridge that reflected it’s three arches into the stream. The bits of purple in the trees nicely contrasted all the green grass and trees.
Sitting in the lawn was a six-paned wood window. It had the bride and groom each in their own panes, the bridesmaids, groomsmen, bride’s parents, and groom’s parents all in their own panes. What a great way to announce them.
Further along the winding walkway we came to a fork in the path and chose to go to the rose garden, which had some small gardens of tulips of a variety of colors. These were grouped according to the kind of tulip it was, there was a fringed tulip ‘labrador’, fringed tulip ‘cummins’, single late tulip ‘queen of night’, and more.
As we continued through the rose garden and tulips we came upon a light blue metal and light tan/gray wood bridge that would take us on a paved path to the Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens where the canopy walk is located. The canopy walk was why we came to the gardens. When you pay for entry into either the Dow Gardens or the Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens, you get entry into both areas.
Upon arriving at the stone patio of the visitors center for Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens there was an origami buffalo with a small origami bird on its back. At the opposite end of the patio the path continued on curved along to the forest where we came upon a small replica house of the Pines home. The Pines, which was the home of Herbert H. and Grace A Dow, is located in the garden area and you can get tours of it. Continuing along the path you go under a portion of the canopy walk. You then have a choice of paths to take. One will take you to the canopy walk entrance, one will take you to the playground and another to the learning center.
The path we took was the one to the canopy walk. This is accessible to all abilities. It has a nice long ramp that leads up to the walkway. There is something different at each end. We went first to the end with the net that you can climb in. I did try that. The next end had an area that went out that had a clear bottom and sides. With my fear of heights, I did not go out on that. The third end you have a wooden pod that is off to the left and the only access is a suspension bridge that is a single foot wide, not 12 inches, but you place one foot in front of the other to cross it. The pod has 2 levels to it, although the lower level is sized more for kids. Opposite that pod, is a pod that anyone can access. Continuing on after the pods you will come to the end and it is a nicely covered lookout area with benches for relaxing and a view over a lake. The view is spectacular and well worth walking out to see.
After going to each of the ends, we exited the canopy walk and followed one of the loops and went around a lake. This loop was sorta paved or at least was very well packed down. There were various paths that went off from this loop that were made of mulch. So, lots of options for walking and photo opportunities.
Although they do sell umbrellas in the visitor centers, don’t forget to take yours with you. There’s not a lot of places for shelter if it starts to rain. We brought one, thankfully because on our way back to our vehicle it started raining.
My overall impression of the Dow Gardens and Whiting Forest with Canopy Walk was that it is well worth the drive and admission fee. If we lived closer we’d get the annual pass instead of the day pass. Plus, a great place for people of all ages and abilities. You can purchase your pass on their website: https://www.dowgardens.org/.