Spring is here and during this season of the year, we usually will go for a mini Spring vacation either to some park nearby or a tour to some beautiful gardens where flowers are blooming welcoming the spring season.

The home and garden shows week in Richmond has just ended last week and we took the girls out to a tour at some historical homes and took a brisk walk in their gardens the weekend before. We had an interesting time and the girls truly enjoyed the time touring the houses.

If you enjoy gardens and nature like we do, you may want to visit Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center in Orange, Texas.

Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center nestled within 252 acres in the heart of Orange, Texas. It is a program founded by the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation more than 60 years ago, whose only mission is to improve and enrich the quality of life in Southeast Texas and encourage and assist education.

The Botanical Gardens contain more than 300 plant species in five formal “rooms” as well as four sculpture “rooms.” Adjacent to the Botanical Gardens is a bird blind which allows visitors to observe nesting birds in Shangri La’s heronry. The Nature Center includes a hands-on exhibit called the Nature Discovery Center, a laboratory, and three outdoor classrooms located deep in the cypress swamp. The Orientation Center includes an Exhibit Hall, Discovery Theater, Children’s Garden, Exhibition Greenhouses, Café, and Garden Store.

I’m impressed that Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is the first project in Texas and the 50th project in the world to earn the U.S. Green Building Council’s Platinum certification for LEED®-NC, which verifies the design and construction of Shangri La reached the highest green building and performance measures.

There is also a cafe that offers a variety of delectable soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts to satisfy the appetites of visitors and members of Shangri La. Its hour of operations is from Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

Tickets is available for purchase at the entrance of Shangri La. Admission is free for toddler under three with parent guardian. Well, here is the deal. For as little as $40 a year to become a member, you will enjoy a free, unlimited general admission, discounts, and special members-only events.

For more information on Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature, visit their visit at www.shangrilagardens.org. You can find informations such as tours, hours of operation, general rules, parking information and maps. So, start planning your tour now and remember to enjoy yourself with your family.