Beat the heat in these urban paradises Summer is in full swing, which means there?s no better time to play outdoors. But even diehard city lovers sometimes tire of the incessant urban annoyances in the summer months: the long commutes, the endless pavement, and the oppressive heat.
Luckily, nearly every major city in the United States features a botanical garden: a place dedicated to the cultivation and display of plants and nature. Step under the shady foliage of a local garden and your summer worries melt away, replaced with a plant-inspired serenity.
And these days, botanical gardens offer so much more than just plants. From evening concerts to sculpture gardens to international art exhibitions, botanical gardens are at the heart of city culture. Some even boast stunning fountain displays or children?s gardens that will entertain even the tiniest among us. For all the design- and architecture-obsessed urbanites out there looking for something to do this summer, consider a botanical garden. We?ve rounded up 11 of the best, right here.

Photo by Jonathan Ley, courtesy of the Portland Japanese Garden
The Flat Garden and Pavilion of the Portland Japanese Garden.

Portland Japanese Garden
Located in Portland?s Washington Park, this 5.5-acre Japanese Garden features five different gardening styles: a strolling pond, tea garden, sand and stone garden, flat garden, and natural garden. It?s a serene and picturesque atmosphere, considered to be...