Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden
5
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
About
Reservations are required to visit this garden. The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden in Seal Harbor, Maine was created between 1926 and 1930 by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller and noted garden designer Beatrix Farrand. Set within acres of moss-carpeted woods, the garden is designed to be at floral peak in August. Its unique atmosphere is derived from a combination of Eastern statuary with a border garden in which perennials build the foundation of the flower beds and annuals provide an explosion of color.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
18 within 5 kms
Attractions
68 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
22 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
1
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
10sJohn
Cleveland Heights485 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
This is a private garden that is only open to the public on Thursdays in July, Aug and Sept. You have to reserve a spot on June 1. There is no charge. The garden itself is just wonderful. There is an excellent guide sheet and the flowers are mostly marked so you can tell what you are seeing.
Written September 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaggieDogME
Bangor, ME102 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
The museum and nature trail are a good bet for city dwellers. No charge for the walk. Small charge for very small museum.
Written July 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Review must have been posted by mistake. There is no museum or nature trails at the Abby Rockefeller Garden.
Written July 17, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
WaterwratBleu
Sturbridge, MA40 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
Try to go once a year for the sheer beauty and definitely to take friends who are up. Make your reservations on line well in advance. July and August only. Bring your camera.
Written September 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oldmayor
Portland, ME233 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
After hearing about this garden over the years, we finally visited this week, almost at its peak. Designed by Beatrix Farrand, who worked closely with Mrs. Rockefeller, it is absolutely stunning. The huge, two-tier flower garden is planted for a succession of blooms, has a wide array of plants, and very well well-tended. Other garden "rooms" with sculpture and mosses are also lovely. Serious gardeners will come away with many ides!
The garden is open only one day a week, at specific times in the morning and afternoon and attendance is limited, so the space is not overwhelmed. It is essential to make reservations on-line well in advance.
For the centennial of Acacia National Park, the Rockefeller family is generously making two trails adjacent to the garden available. One short tail goes up to the site of the Eyrie mansion, long-ago demolished, with spectacular views. The other is "Madam's Trail", a woodland trail with amazing rock formations. Well worth the extra time to explore.
The garden is open only one day a week, at specific times in the morning and afternoon and attendance is limited, so the space is not overwhelmed. It is essential to make reservations on-line well in advance.
For the centennial of Acacia National Park, the Rockefeller family is generously making two trails adjacent to the garden available. One short tail goes up to the site of the Eyrie mansion, long-ago demolished, with spectacular views. The other is "Madam's Trail", a woodland trail with amazing rock formations. Well worth the extra time to explore.
Written July 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NervousNerd
Long Island, NY74 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
We were fortunate to get a private tour of the Rockefeller garden, late in the season, when the garden was already starting to close down for the winter (some of the old Korean statues were already boxed). This might have influenced my opinion, but we were more dazzled by the nearby Asticou and Thuya gardens, which were still going strong. But while in this trio of splendid gardens, this is the viola, it's still impressively beautiful, with a lot of fascinating architecture and rich beds of flowers. On the Acadian evidence, I would rate Savage as a genius and Farrand (the designer of the Rockefeller Garden) as very very talented - Mozart v. Haydn. Not bad!
It's only open a few days in the summer, and by reservation only.
It's only open a few days in the summer, and by reservation only.
Written June 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobLucky3565703
Guilderland, NY120 contributions
Sept 2015
This is a secret to most visitors to Acadia NP and Mount Desert Island. While it's not easy to visit, it is worth the effort. It's only open to visitors one day of the week in late July, August and early September. You need to make a reservation well in advance.
Written June 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teacupjunkie3
Woodstock, GA67 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
Gorgeous tranquil garden overlooking the water. .like a postcard! Mostly oriental garden. ..with a rock garden. .
Written October 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
allianne12
Pittsburgh61 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
The secret garden on Mount Desert Island is open to the public one day a week at specified times for about ten weeks a year. The key is that reservations are required to enter. The catch is that reservations cannot be made year round - instead, the gardens begin taking reservations in late May/early June. To be successful, refer to the website and contact the gardens on the first day you possibly can.
The garden itself is breathtaking with the bright light and flowers. I recommend taking the time to wander along all of the side paths of the gardens. For example, if you stroll to the end of the path right at the entry of the garden, there is a quiet spot where you catch a glimpse of Little Long Pond in the distance.
The garden itself is breathtaking with the bright light and flowers. I recommend taking the time to wander along all of the side paths of the gardens. For example, if you stroll to the end of the path right at the entry of the garden, there is a quiet spot where you catch a glimpse of Little Long Pond in the distance.
Written September 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary J
Kennebunk, ME85 contributions
Sept 2015 • Family
This was our second trip and it never fails to inspire me! What a fabulous gift to be able to visit the Rockefeller Gardens -- right on the estate. If you enjoy gorgeously planned and planted gardens, beautiful statuary and amazingly clear pools (how do they DO that?!!!), this place, with it's strong Asian influences, will not disappoint you! It's open, by reservation only, on various Thursdays in the summer -- we caught the last day on September 10. There is no charge and you can spend two hours getting lost in its beauty -- this is a must-see for your bucket list!
Written September 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fifi2016
Boonsboro, MD33 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
We had a fantastic day strolling the gardens. The spectacular Delphiniums were at least 6 feet tall. The Clematis vines trained to grow horizontally were very unique. The staff was friendly and helpful.
Written August 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are you open around September 26,27,28?
Les H
Boynton Beach, FL5 contributions
Garden is open till early september
Chase1021
Bergen County, New Jersey39 contributions
I heard that the gardens are difficult to find. Any suggestions?
MaggieDogME
Bangor, ME102 contributions
The sign just before the turn is clear. Go through downtown Bar Harbor and past Jackson Labs. Not too far after that on your right.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing