9 Botanical Gardens That Are More Beautiful at Night

 Though we love cozy decor and hot chocolate as much as the next person, the arrival of cooler weather and shorter days can be bittersweet. However, these brilliant displays of color, light, and (indoor) blooms offer the antidote for the impending winter blahs. Plan your travel accordingly.

1  PITTSBURGH: PHIPPS CONSERVATORY

 Topiary penguins, reindeer, and bears frolic among a tunnel of lights and dramatic winter blooms at the annual "Winter Flower Show and Light Garden: Days of Snow and Nights Aglow," starting November 25. You'll definitely want to go more than once, especially for the Garden Railroad, which has interactive features for kids (and grown-up kids) to enjoy.

3  BOYLSTON, MASSACHUSETTS: TOWER HILL BOTANIC GARDEN

 The brilliant autumn leaves may have gone by the time "Winter Reimagined" rolls around on November 25, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy gorgeous color. At night, the gardens and conservatories come alive with glittering light displays and decorated trees.

4  RICHMOND: LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN

 At the much-celebrated "Dominion GardenFest of Lights" (which starts November 25), you can feast your eyes on over half a million lights, adorable mini trains, and other lovely botanical decorations. This year's theme is "Living Color," which is sure to be an impressive spectacle.

5  DENVER: DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS

 This annual extravaganza "Blossoms of Light" starts on November 25, bringing forth exciting modern and classic light displays. We think a walk among the Romantic Gardens sounds like the ideal way to spend a chilly evening.

6  BOOTHBAY, MAINE: COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS

 "Gardens Aglow" doesn't just bring a dazzling new perspective to the beautiful grounds of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. It also is the largest light show in Maine, when it starts on November 18.

6  ATLANTA: ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN

 Millions of energy-efficient LED lights sparkle at the annual "Garden Lights" (which start on November 12). This year brings a new Walk of Flames and an expanded Tunnel of Light, in addition to such sights as a Radiant Rainforest, Glittering Galaxy, and Orchestral Orbs. Color us intrigued.

7  ST. LOUIS: MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN

 Lush winter evergreens and a million dazzling lights makes magic at "Garden Glow," a yearly event that starts on November 19. We're willing to bet that this incredible setting will be the backdrop to many engagements this season.

8  KENNETT SQUARE, PENNSYLVANIA: LONGWOOD GARDENS

 Longwood Gardens should be on the bucket list for anyone that loves plants and blooms. "A Longwood Christmas," starting November 24, gives you even more of a reason to head to Pennsylvania. There are over 6,000 seasonal plants fill the horticulture showcase, a lavishly decorated 18-foot Fraser fir in the music room, dramatically-lit outdoor scenes, and colorful dancing fountains.

9  ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA: NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM

 A magic quilt of lights is one of the many must-sees at "Winter Lights," an annual event that illuminates evenings starting November 18. The twinkling lights (which total nearly 500,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs) give a new perspective to the nationally-revered gardens.