Foster Botanical Garden

Foster Botanical Garden at 180 North Vineyard Boulevard, on the edge of Chinatown in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii, is a roughly 14-acre urban garden and the oldest of the city's botanical gardens. The site was developed in the 1850s by German botanist William Hillebrand and was later gifted to the city by Mary Foster. It holds a collection of rare and exceptional tropical trees, many of which are designated Exceptional Trees by the state, and it is organized into themed areas including an orchid garden, a palm collection, a prehistoric glen with cycads and ferns, an economic garden of useful plants, and a butterfly garden. Visitors walk shaded paths past giant tree trunks, flowering trees and a Japanese-style pond area, and the tall canopy gives a surprisingly quiet setting a short distance from the downtown towers. The best vantage points are the shaded paths beneath the large trees, and the orchid garden is a favorite photo subject. A typical visit takes one to two hours. Free docent tours run at 10:30 AM on set days, so visitors should confirm by phone at 808-768-7135. The garden is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and is closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Morning is the best time, with cooler air and light crowds, while midday can feel humid. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for Hawaii residents and $1 for children 6 to 12, with those under 5 free, and a $25 annual family pass is offered. The garden is a ten-minute walk from Chinatown and is served by TheBus routes on Vineyard Boulevard.