On your recommendation, I visited today! I was looking for a place that interests me that I could take the kiddos to visit until I have to pick the oldest up from the bus stop!

It was delightful. Beautiful surroundings, interesting plants. We went away with a few different Coreopsis and some cute winecup plants.

There were tadpoles in the aquatic plant basins that my kids got a huge kick out of. I had to stop my toddler from manhandling a monarch larvae that was extremely ready to pupate. Ultimately, the staff there came to the rescue by encouraging my kids to play with their little garden gnome figurine town, so I could keep looking.

We had lunch there in the shade before leaving. We'll definitely be back. Did you mention there is the added bonus of a winery next door? That's how I can get my husband excited about visiting a native plant nursery an hour plus away. Thanks for the recommendation!

So glad you loved it too! I'm even more delighted your kiddos had fun.

Should've mentioned the winery. Loudon County has several...

@Your article was excellent Jill. Wish I could have join the group!

I know... we need to do things on weekends, too! :-)

Anytime you want to make a swing up that way, post in the MAG forum and see if anybody wants to meet up.