Review: Imaginary Worlds

Once Upon a Time … the journey into “Imaginary Worlds” at Atlanta Botanical Garden begins with a storybook cover hinting at the wonder within. Larger-than-life living plant sculptures (steel forms covered in soil-andsphagnum moss and planted with thousands of meticulously groomed plants) will impress children and adults of all ages.

Finding the 14 sculptures scattered throughout the garden makes for a fun adventure, with or without the attractions map. My 6-year-old daughter “ooohed” and “aahhhed” with every discovery, especially at the Earth Goddess, one of the permanent figures from the original exhibition in 2013-14.

My 9-year-old son, solidly in the concrete-operational stage of cognitive development, still enjoyed the visit despite having outgrown magical thinking tendencies. Older children may enjoy other aspects of the exhibit – reading about the nearly 6-month process of installing the sculptures, identifying plants or taking photographs.

Because “Imaginary Worlds” is embedded throughout the garden, guests will be able to take in other attractions as well. Highlights include several of Dale Chihuly’s ornate glass sculptures on permanent exhibit and the Children’s Garden where children can play in the new treehouse area with climbing nets and a slide or cool off on the splash pad (don’t forget a change of clothes!).

Know Before You Go: Plan on a couple of hours to see and do everything. Parts of the garden are well shaded with an abundance of benches. Indoor areas like the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory also provide welcome relief from Atlanta’s hot subtropical summer.

Outside food is not permitted, but there are multiple dining options, from the full-service Longleaf Restaurant to the Quick Café and Snack Bar (frozen treats are big sellers). Get an early start when temperatures are lower and crowds are smaller. Strollers are permitted but a few of the shortcut walkways do include stairs.

– Megan Benoit Ratcliff

Larger-than-life, topiary-like whimsical plant sculptures come back to the Garden including a giant frog, camel, dragon and more. Adults, $21.95; ages 3-12, $15.95; ages 2 and younger, free.

Also at Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville location: 1911 Sweetbay Dr., Gainesville. 404-888-4760.