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One of the very best parts of the holiday season is having the kids home from Ohio University. With Elijah (20) and Elizabeth (18) back in the nest, we are constantly looking for quality family time to reconnect. We have a tradition of visiting the Cleveland Botanical Garden every year, but this Christmastime visit to Frost was exactly the warm, festive outing we needed.
I went with my husband, our daughter Elizabeth and her friend, and our son Elijah and his girlfriend. It was such a fun outing to have the whole family together, and the gardens never disappoint!
The Experience: From Dried Flowers to Tropical Heat
As soon as we arrived, I was blown away by how they transformed the space. We were greeted right at the entrance with uniquely decorated Christmas trees (and there were even more in the room near the cafe!). We absolutely loved the ones that incorporated dried flowers as the decorations and ornaments. It was amazing how gorgeous they looked—they were created by local groups, including garden clubs, and they added such a stunning, natural touch to the holiday decor.
Walking into the glasshouses was an extra treat because it is so warm inside—a perfect break from the Ohio winter.
Elijah loves nature and actually builds his own terrariums with their own self-contained ecosystems (we don’t even have to water them!). He is always looking for plants to put in them, so he was delighted to find some perfect options in the gift shop later. Inside the glasshouse, he was in his element checking out the plants.
It was also so fun to see the tropical birds, tortoises, and lizards that call the garden home. My kids have always taken so many pictures here, even when they were little, because there is so much to enjoy and see in both the desert and rainforest sections.
Photo Ops & Instagram Moments
Speaking of pictures, there are so many photo opps! Elizabeth took about a million photos for Instagram in the tunnel of flowers—it really is the perfect backdrop.
However, I have to give a little advice: Don’t miss out on experiencing the gardens because you are taking so many pictures! It is easy to get caught up behind the lens, but make sure you put the phone down to really soak in the humidity and the smells of the plants.
The “Mom” Review: Why You Should Go
We timed our visit for the late afternoon so we could catch the sunset, which I highly recommend. It made the transition from the lush indoor gardens to the twinkling outdoor lights absolutely breathtaking.
We stayed until dark to see the lights outside in the gardens—something I’ve missed in previous years.
It is a total Christmas light wonderland.
Ages: Perfect for everyone. We saw toddlers loving the lights, but my college-aged kids had a blast too.
Amenities: The cafe is great for a quick bite, and the gift shop is dangerous (in a good way!) if you love plants like Elijah does.
Dates: Frost runs now through January 4, 2026.
Cost: Tickets vary by day, generally around $24-$28 for adults and $15 for kids.
Location: 11030 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
Plan Your Visit!
If you are looking for a way to create unforgettable memories while the kids are home on break, Frost is a must-visit. We are already looking forward to our next trip back!
Have you visited the Cleveland Botanical Garden during the holidays? Let me know your favorite part of the display in the comments!
