The Hilbert Conservatory features a 65-foot-tall ceiling designed to accommodate large tropical trees.
The garden landscape was master-planned by landscape architect David Rubin.
The facility serves as a living laboratory for the Indianapolis Zoo's sustainability and plant research initiatives.
The design utilizes a sophisticated irrigation system that integrates water from the adjacent riverfront areas.
It hosts an annual butterfly exhibit that features species native to Indiana during late spring and summer months.
White River Gardens is a 3.3-acre botanical attraction integrated into the Indianapolis Zoo campus. It features a 5,000-square-foot glass-enclosed Hilbert Conservatory, which houses diverse plant species and rotating floral displays. The outdoor landscape includes 1.5 acres of specialty gardens organized by theme, such as the shade garden and the canal garden. Water features are central to the design, incorporating fountains, pools, and reflective areas. The site is part of the broader White River State Park corridor in downtown Indianapolis. The gardens are designed to showcase native and ornamental plants adapted to the local Midwestern climate. Educational programming often highlights horticulture and conservation themes throughout the seasons.
The interior of the Hilbert Conservatory, specifically near the central water feature looking up at the glass dome.
Check the Indianapolis Zoo's official calendar for special floral exhibits, as displays rotate significantly throughout the year.
Bring a camera with a macro lens, as the conservatory’s smaller indoor garden details are visually rich.
Combine your visit with a trip to the zoo, as the gardens share the same ticketing and entry point.
Do not attempt to visit without checking the general zoo hours, as the gardens share the same daily operating schedule.
The gardens operate on the same seasonal schedule as the Indianapolis Zoo and may close early for private evening events.
Stay on marked paths to protect delicate plant beds; touching or picking plants is prohibited.
