Glenwood Gardens is worth a visit on its own, but the real draw for families is the 12-acre Highfield Discovery Garden tucked inside it. Seven themed gardens, a 25-foot treehouse, an outdoor train, live animals, fossil digging, and a full music garden — it’s a lot of park for $7.
Frog & Toad’s Garden
One of the first things kids zero in on is the pond in Frog & Toad’s Garden, where frogs, fish, turtles, and other wildlife are easy to spot among the lily pads. The Discovery Tree — a 25-foot treehouse and play structure with a carved face — anchors the space and draws climbers of every age.
Larger and Smaller Than Life
The garden plays with scale throughout. Oversized mushrooms and full-size treehouses make kids feel small; kid-sized houses make them feel big. It’s a simple concept that lands well with younger kids who want to run the whole place.
The Trolley Garden
Train-obsessed kids will want to plant themselves in the Trolley Garden, where an outdoor train runs along tracks built on tree-branch bridges and tree-trunk tunnels. The trains pass above adult head height in some spots and within reach of kids in others, which makes for a good show.
Garden Workshop
Near the Garden Workshop is an interactive water play area — useful on warm days. Inside, there’s a nature center where kids can meet live animals, including snakes, toads and a turtle. There’s also a coloring station, nature books and puzzles. Educational programs run on all open days and are included with admission.
Fairy Gardens
Several fairy gardens are scattered through the property, including Rapunzel’s garden. They’re small but detailed, and younger kids tend to spend more time on them than you’d expect.
Fossil Digging and Scavenger Hunts
The fossil dig area lets kids uncover 450-million-year-old fossils found in the Cincinnati area — an easy hands-on science moment. Scavenger hunts are available throughout the garden, with materials in colorful mailboxes at various spots.
Music Garden
The Music Garden is laid out in the shape of a treble clef, with five interactive stations featuring large outdoor instruments — drums, chimes, bells — and an accessible stage for free play. A misting caterpillar marks the entrance and is worth seeking out on hot days. The stage works for both self-directed play and sensory-friendly activities.
Plan Your Visit
Admission is $7 per person; children under 2 are free. A season pass covering four people is $65, with additional family members available to add for $9 each. Passholders get members-only access on the first Monday of every month during the Blooming Season, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
During the Blooming Season (April through October), the garden is open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. It’s closed Mondays. During the Cool Season (November through March), hours are Wednesday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4:30 p.m. The garden is closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Ohio EBT/SNAP cardholders receive free admission for up to four people per visit. Show your card with a valid ID at the Cotswold Visitor Centre.
Dogs are not permitted inside the garden, though you can bring them on Glenwood Gardens’ walking trails. Food is permitted in the patio seating area near the entrance. Highfield Discovery Garden is located at 10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45215. For more, visit the official Great Parks page.
