15+ Things to do at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens

One of our favorite places to visit in Oldham County is Yew Dell Botanical Gardens in Crestwood.  We think the gardens are still magical in the winter.

This post was written in the summer, so some of the things to do might look a little different in the winter. Nonetheless, read on to see what you can do when you return to visit this spring when everything starts to  bloom and re-open. Yew Dell Botanical Garden’s Winter Hours are Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm and admission is free. Winter hours run until Mid-March.

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. Wilder’s Café, Crestwood Cafe, Red Pepper Deli and many other restaurants are right down the street from the gardens. Grab a cup of coffee, lunch or a treat and find the perfect spot to enjoy it. There are plenty of picnic tables hidden away in shaded areas, benches, rocking chairs or pack a blanket to really spread out. (Hot chocolate would be perfect in the winter!)

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.)

6. Be Your Own Tour Guide – Families can certainly be their own tour guide during the visit. Grab a map at the entrance and make your way around the gardens. There are signs near some areas with QR codes to scan.  Once scanned, you can learn more about the different buildings, trees, plants, history and more.
7. Spot the Pollinators – One of our favorite areas is the Pollinator Meadow located below the castle terrace. This area is full of buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies. Visitors can walk around the pollinators or watch them from above.  If you do go down from the terrace, try to find the old swimming pool window! (These will be back once it’s a little warmer-promise!)

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. 

9. Create Art – If you want to be creative while visiting Yew Dell, you can certainly pick a spot to sketch or draw. Be inspired by the nature around you.  Bring a sketch pad and colored pencils for your children to create some pieces of art.
10. Wide Open Spaces – There are a few greenspaces around the gardens that are perfect for children to run a little. We like to bring bubbles with us to add to the fun. The Garden Maze is also fun for a quick exploration. 
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.  The beautiful mandalas are also wonderful to watch float around.

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.

Bonus: There are two garden kitties. Their pictures are on the wall in the barn.  We always love a good visit from Remington and Helen when we visit. See if you can spot them napping in the gardens.
Yew Dell Botanical Gardens is located at 6220 Old LaGrange Road in Crestwood.