Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens

I went here for a birthday party. It’s was so beautiful. Would love to have an event there in the near future.

The conservatory is my favorite place in Baltimore. The architecture is incredible and the variety of plants they have is so amazing. The first time my husband and I went, the guide told us this was one of the best kept secrets of Baltimore, and he wasn’t kidding. In the summer on Wednesdays, the conservatory hosts a small farmer’s market and free yoga. They also have seasonal events and host weddings. It’s free to visit, but they suggest a $ 5 donation; well worth it. Everyone should go at least once, but chances are if you go once, you’ll be back.

I went to the Rawlings Conservatory for the wedding of Ana M. and Justin S. The wedding was beautiful for many reasons, but one of them was the lovely venue, which would have been worth a visit even without an event attached. It was, of course, improved by wedding merriment, the good company and cocktails.
The ceremony and reception took place outdoors, for the most part, on the conservatory grounds, with a full view of the imposingly gorgeous main building. It was a rainy day, but we were well protected under a huge, sturdy, attractive tent. The set-​up felt very natural and elegant, with enough seating and an ample dance floor for a party of about 200 people. The cocktail hour was in the conservatory building, as were the bars and bathrooms, so we all got to explore the space to our hearts’ content. It was pretty spectacular, with several rooms, each devoted to a different variety of plants. (I know nothing about plants, so can’t comment on any of the distinctions, but I assume they were there! Some of the rooms were hotter than others?) The greenery was lush and immensely impressive. It made for a unique backdrop for a party, but would’ve been worth examining more closely under less festive circumstances. (I think everything was labeled and all that, but I was slightly more interested in the happenings of the wedding.)
The staff knew what they were doing, and I’m guessing the Rawlings Conservatory does brisk business renting out for events. The space was truly idyllic – even the rain leant the wedding a certain romance. We all had a great time celebrating the marriage of Ana and Justin – I’d say they’re off to a very auspicious start.

Wonderful gem found at Druid Hill Park! This is the 2^nd oldest palm house in the country, and it really is spectacular. There isn’t really an entrance fee, but there is a suggested $ 5 donation (which you should to keep this place going!) There are several other buildings attached to the main palm house that were later additions. These include different climate areas: Mediterranean, Tropical, and Desert. There’s also a really sweet orchid room on the way to the palm room. The outside garden also has some great specimens, and looks like it would be a great place to have a picnic! There’s plenty of parking: you can park on the Druid Hill Park street right in front of the conservatory for free, and there’s lots of it! Bring the kids and your picnic and come enjoy some plants!

Host Mr. Blake was Awesome!!! We learned sooo much. Bananas are a part of the mothers of millions family. You can rent out the space. It’s just full of beautiful plants. Am I wrong for wishing there were even more!!! Fun time with the #lilbellnation

Nestled between Druid Lake and The Maryland Zoo is the Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens; a haven for those seeking serenity.
We, my girlfriend and I, discovered this lil’ piece of heaven last weekend while on a spontaneous trip to Baltimore. Our timing couldn’t be better as it was the first day of the Spring Flower Display & Art Exhibit 2015.
The staff and volunteers clearly take pride in tending to the vegetation and grounds; everything was well cared for and it showed. Each biome offered a different and contrasting experience — colorful orchids, arid cacti landscapes, lush palms or a babbling waterfall complete with koi pond. We had a delightful time meandering amongst blossoms, taking photos and savoring floral aromas.
My parting advice is to,“stop and smell the roses,” at the Rawlings Conservatory.

A beautiful glass conservatory that’s a worthwhile visit in Baltimore. Great for couples, kids, art students, photographers, groups, and more. They sell succulents and other small plants for a low price.
First opened in 1988, it’s the second-​oldest remaining public glass conservatory in the United States, after the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.
Multiple rooms with multiple climates — dry desert with cacti, tropical rain forest, orchids, and Mediterranean. It’s extremely relaxing here. Art students from the city flock here to paint and draw. The Conservatory put in a lot of thought and effort in in creating and maintaining the different environments. Very lovely, and I’d definitely come back again.

I went for the Winter Solstice Celebration. You were greeted by Friends of Druid Hill Park that took your donations and gave you a quick run down of all the activities. Every thing from bonfires, roasting hotdogs and marshmallows for S’mores, doing a tour the conservatory and hay hides.
A night tour of the conservatory has a romantic feel. With all the different types of poinsettias displayed round for purchase, gave more than enough color and fragrance for the eyes and nose. I normal don’t do flowers but walking though and seeing different types and sizes has made me to change my thinking. They had props of It’s a Wonderful Life from CenterStage on displayed though out the conservatory. It was beyond beautiful a real treat for the eyes.
There was a station is for your winter solstice resolution. You write a single word (a quality or trait you would like be born within yourself) in red on a white piece of paper. Then you tear two holly leaves place on the word you wrote. Twist the paper closed and throw in the Solstice bonfire, As it burn, and if your heart is pure you will see your wish fulfilled.
What is a bonfire without wine? I don’t know as you had your choice of many to select from also including hot chocolate, hot cider, juice, soda, and for the men (women too) different types of beer. Best part it was included in with your donation.
We tried our hand at roasting hotdogs on the stick. Not sure my culinary skills showed though since my hotdog was extra crispy. To the point I will leave that for the hubby to do. Many tried their lucky with the S’mores but the Marshmallow God had his fill with all the marshmallow that fell to their deaths at the bottom of the bonfire. There was plenty of snacks to choose from a veggie tray to fresh fruits that was included with your donation.
I ended my night with the hayride. A little bumpy but you expect to have that experience. Seen some city deer (they don’t run but stare you down) grazing. What I truly like that it was cold and everyone just got closer and tried to think of anything but how cold it was getting.
That was my first Winter Solstice won’t be my last. Friends of Druid Hill Park treat you like family and goes out there way to answer any questions you may have about the plants to other events they are hosting. I was told to come back for the Summer Solstice… I will be on the look out for that date.
Conservatory is a real gem to share with anyone visiting or a weekend date.

I loved seeing up close and personal all the different types of Palms, Orchids, Dessert plants, rainforest… etc. Super cool!

The conservatory’s First Fridays in the Garden was phenomenal. The band Ryze featuring Chandra Lewis killed it! Druid Hill Park is fast becoming one to be reckoned with. Parking was easy, getting out was easy, the crowd was fun and friendly, and the conservatory garden was beautiful. There were vendors but I choose to bring my own spread and wine. (I hope that’s allowed. Lol) Concerts are held the first Friday of every month from 6−8pm through summer. This event will be growing in attendees so get there early to get a great spot. I really enjoyed the energy of the band but the crowd was a little «dry.» Oh well, I’ll still be chair dancing at the next event. Say hey when you see me. Maybe we’ll trade libations.

Absolutely worth a visit! I want to say that this is a hidden gem, but it’s not really hidden at all. The gorgeous structure is right there for all to see. :)
We’ll be back to find out what’s blooming in a couple of months. I imagine this is a great place to visit if you’re looking to walk around even in the cold months.

The Rawlings Conservatory is a little-​known oasis on the edge of Druid Hill park, a place people normally drive past on their way to the Maryland Zoo. I’d bet that the number one comment made about the place is, «I wonder what that glass building is over there.»
Which is a shame. The conservatory is a haven of calm and quiet with its slightly more than four enclosed greenhouses. Plant collections include Mediterranean plants, Tropical specimins, and dramatic dessert plants, as well as a somewhat meager selection of palms and orchids. On the surrounding grounds sit rose gardens, perennial gardens, and herb plots.
A unique point of interest is multi-​faceted bronze-​clad 1890’s sundial, which offers faces for time zones around the world. The old palm house building and pavilions are interesting to photograph, as well.
For a couple of bucks in voluntary donations, you can spend an hour or so enjoying the quiet, the hiss of the misters in the tropical greenhouse, and lush greenery that you might not ordinarily encounter.

The Conservatory is an excellent place to visit on a bright Spring day or even an indoor escape from the rain as well, most of what there is to see is indoors anyway. As a Baltimore landmark it’s a grand cluster of buildings that you see driving on the periphery of Druid Hill Park. It is free with a $ 5 suggested donation per person, and it is well worth the small fee for what you get to experience. There are four or five different regions/​zones that feature clusters of foliage and flowering plants, in general it’s just a very peaceful place to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban Baltimore for an hour or so.
When I visited this past week the volunteer attendant at the front desk was super excited to note that their longtime Agave plant was preparing to bloom, which apparently is a one in a lifetime (for the plant) event. The Conservatory maintains relationships with the UMD Master Gardeners organization and their volunteers have always been able to answer my personal gardening questions and have provided me with guidance in caring for my own planting endeavors. If you’ve enjoyed the National Botanical Gardens in DC you’d appreciate this smaller historical landmark in Baltimore.

Free, but you should give a donation.
I went on a family trip and everyone enjoyed the conservatory from 3 year old to the elders. We went during the holiday poinsettia display where there were various types of poinsettias, very rare ones you will never see otherwise. The desert plants were a huge favorite, awesome humongous agave! My family has lived near Baltimore all our lives, this was a treat.

How can you not love the 2^nd oldest glass house in the country.
Do not miss this jewel (and yes, the neighborhood is safe).

A photographers dream come true. My buddy and I recently visited the Botanic gardens to enjoy a beautiful Saturday morning of fragrant flowers and to get a few shots for my blog. Well we stayed about 2 hours and had such a wonderful time enjoying this treasure that many people zoom past everyday. My friend who is a up and coming photographer, Dhark (which is a play on his name) told me he had never been here in his life. I told him shame on you! All Baltimoreans need to visit and enjoy this labor of love that is mostly run by volunteers at least once. The greenhouses are small in comparison to the D.C. Botanical garden, but hey then again over in the Capitol they do everything big.
Once inside there is a cute cottage style vestibule and the aroma in here is heavenly. Please note it is free to enter, but a small $ 5 donation would be appreciated! There are 4 different areas I think I may be short a room but either way each room has it own climate. I find this place very serene and a perfect spot for a date. Fellas Its very unconventional but a lady would be impressed if you took her here for great conversation and a nice stroll.
So there you have it I’ve gave you something to do on a beautiful Saturday and saved your love life at the same time all free of charge.

This place is REALLY, REALLY COOL! Even the local hood rats must think so– across the street is a rather questionable ‘hood, yet not one of the planes of glass on these multiple greenhouses has been shot out! THAT is Baltimore R-​E-​S-​P-​E-​C-​T!!!
Small, but PACKED of cool things. Fee– 5 dollars per person DONATION– you could be a total a-​hole and not pay at all, but– you would really, really suck as a human being to do so.
3 greenhouse areas with different environments like desert, tropical, etc.; an orchid room; 2 entry-​way type rooms that have nice exhibits; lots of really, really cool plants.
Peaceful, like being in a private garden away from the world. Saw several artist types sketching.
I’ve driven by it many, many times– so glad we finally stopped in! THIS is what Baltimore should be like! It’s a reminder of when Baltimore was a real city and people, (aside from waterfront yuppies) WANTED to live here.

This place is fantastic. Free for you cheap dicks, but we were happy to pay the suggested $ 5 per visitor.
It’s certainly not huge, and you can’t spend all day there, but it is definitely worth it.
I enjoyed the desert attractions the most. Giant plants like you’ve never seen before, or at least around these parts.
I also enjoyed the «palm tree area». It has a proper name, but I can not recall it at this time.
They also have a variety of Orchids, in the aptly named «Orchid Room». Beautiful shit. I am not even close to a dude who enjoys flowers, but Orchids are the exception. Totally amazing!

Just came back from going today. Really pretty and perfect in winter, actually. It’s nice and warm and it helps you forget that it’s crazy cold outside. Lots of different flowers to see with friendly employees eager to answer questions. There are multiple rooms in what is essentially a giant greenhouse. In warmer seasons, there are gardens outside, as well.
It was a little tricky to find, what with Google Maps and my GPS thinking it’s Swann Drive and the website saying Swan Drive. Basically, pretend like you’re going to the zoo and you’ll see signs for it.
Check out the pictures to see some of what we saw. A great place to go for a date. Free parking and essentially free entry ($ 2 donation please).
I can’t wait to go back in the spring!

I cannot help but Unilocal this wonderfully-​restored, Victorian-​era conservatory and greenhouse complex in Baltimore’s historic and underrated Druid Hill Park neighborhood. The orchid room ALONE is worth the cost of admission. Wait! It’s free! (although donations are highly recommended here). The Mediterranean and Desert Rooms are dry, sweet-​smelling, and neat, the 1888 Palm Room soars to the glass-​covered sky with greeny fronds, and the Tropical Room is steamy and wet, perfect for the flourishing plants that inhabit its humid spaces.
They also do weddings and special events, they have outdoor gardens and seating areas, and they host spring and holiday flower shows. I supposed that people in the city know about this, but outside visitors often pass on it in favor of the Inner Harbor. Too bad! They are missing out.