Created during the Great Depression, this spacious showcase of more than 2,500 native and exotic species of plants in 109 acres of attractive gardens and natural settings is the oldest botanical garden in Texas. Its highlights include the Texas Rose Garden, 3,500 roses that bloom in late April and October; a serene, 7-acre Japanese Garden, which features waterfalls, a teahouse and meditation space, and colorful koi-stocked ponds; and a 10,000-square-foot conservatory of exotic plants and tropical trees from around the world. You can drive through roads in the gardens and park at several of the individual sites. Allow a couple of hours here, though it would be all too easy to while away an entire afternoon.