Maine is full of incredible nature, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a garden or other outdoor area that feels as lush and green as the Abby Aldrich Garden in Seal Harbor. It’s truly one of the most hidden gems that Vacationland has to offer. That might be because it’s only open for a portion of the year, but it also might be that it competes with a certain well-known national park in the area. No matter what else draws your attention when you’re in the region, we recommend a side trip to this garden – you won’t regret it! But remember, this is a secret garden. It’s not to be visited all the time and you must be extremely respectful when you do.

The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden is a private garden is located in Seal Harbor.

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Built by landscape architect Beatrix Farrand for Abby Aldrich Rockefeller and John D. Rockefeller, Jr, it’s been around since the 1920s.

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The garden combines Eastern and Western landscapes in a summer season display.

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The garden is gorgeous and full of greenery.

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A trip to China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and the Philippines inspired The Rockefellers to commission the garden at home, the “Eyrie.”

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A visit feels truly like seeing a secret garden.

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The entire area is surrounded by a peach-colored wall with tiles from a demolished section of China’s Forbidden City wall.

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Visitors love the Spirit Path as well as the English-style flower garden.

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The Spirit Path features Korean tombstone structures.

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And no matter where you are, there’s a beautiful view.

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Take some time to meander through…

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…and peak through the many walls with cut-outs.

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But, bear in mind that this is a private garden and it’s not regularly open to the public.

JR P / Flickr If you’d like to visit you’ll need to do so by registering for a time slot for public visits taking place on Thursday, July 13, 2017. The garden will be open for two sessions: 9:00am to 11:30am and 12:30pm to 3:00pm. Click here to learn more about the garden and how to be one of the lucky few that can visit!

Looking for more enchanting places to visit in Maine? Click here for some of our favorites!

JR P / Flickr

If you’d like to visit you’ll need to do so by registering for a time slot for public visits taking place on Thursday, July 13, 2017. The garden will be open for two sessions: 9:00am to 11:30am and 12:30pm to 3:00pm. Click here to learn more about the garden and how to be one of the lucky few that can visit!

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