Join ANFT Certified Guide Angie Stegall for this soothing 2-hour exploration into our Orchid Conservatory. Experience a unique setting and discover a quiet path to unplug, slow down, and reconnect with yourself and the natural world around you.
Forest Bathing (also known as the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku) invites you to explore the natural world using your five senses. This is not a hike or naturalist walk; it’s a meditative, guided wander in nature that benefits participants as a wellness practice.
As we encourage you to explore and enjoy our Conservatory this February, we are offering classes on two dates at different times. Space is limited to preserve the serenity of this setting, so register soon!
Dates and Times
- Afternoon: Friday, February 21st at 4-6 PM
- Morning: Saturday, February 22nd at 8-10 AM
Tickets
Members save 15%! Remember to sign in with your membership-associated email address to receive your member discount. (Note: After you have added your ticket to your cart, you should see your membership discount deducted from the ticket total at checkout.)
Start your morning with creativity and connection at Coffee + Crafts, held at Daniel Stowe Conservancy every third Sunday of the month. Each session features a hands-on craft project, guided by instructors, with materials provided—no prior experience needed.
Enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee, latte, or tea from our coffee shop as you craft, relax, and mingle with fellow participants in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. It’s the perfect way to spark your creativity and begin your day on a bright, inspired note.
Class locations will vary by season and we encourage you to arrive a bit early to get your coffee order in!
*Ticket purchase includes 1 non-alcoholic beverage from our coffee shop, class admission, instruction, and materials (unless otherwise noted)
**Refund Policy: Full refunds are available for cancellations made up to 48 hours before the start of the program. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the class are non-refundable.
***Due to the nature of the projects, Coffee + Crafts is best suited for ages 16 and up.
2026 Class Schedule:
February 15 - Punch Needle Embroidery - Big Leaf Cafe in Garden Pavilion
Learn the basics of punch needle embroidery while creating a textured, modern design. Participants will practice simple techniques and gain the skills (and materials) to continue at home.
March 15 - Spring Embossed Banners - Big Leaf Cafe in Garden Pavilion
Design and assemble a decorative spring banner by creating embossed shapes. This hands-on project blends texture, pattern, and seasonal imagery for a unique piece of home décor.
April 19 - Fairy House - Trailhead Store Porch
Build a whimsical fairy house using natural materials and creative embellishments. Participants will design their own miniature structure inspired by spring and imagination.
May 17 - Hammered Flower Totes - Trailhead Store Picnic Area
Use fresh flowers and natural pigments to create botanical prints on fabric tote bags. This process transfers plant shapes and color directly onto the fabric, resulting in a one-of-a-kind, nature-inspired design.
June 21 - Bleach Tie Dye - Trailhead Store Picnic Area
Experiment with bleach techniques to create bold, high-contrast designs on dark fabric. Participants are welcome to bring one clothing item to dye; two cotton handkerchiefs are included with registration for practice and take-home pieces.
July 19 - Seed Paper Making - Trailhead Store Picnic Area
Turn discarded book pages into handmade seed paper. Participants will learn the papermaking process while embedding seeds, creating eco-friendly paper that can be planted to grow flowers or herbs.
August 16 - Fall Felting: Needle Felting Workshop - Trailhead Store Porch
Learn the basics of needle felting while creating autumn-themed elements like acorns and leaves. Finished pieces can be assembled into a festive garland perfect for seasonal decorating.
September 20 - Natural Grapevine Wreaths - Trailhead Store Porch
Create a classic wreath using natural grapevine bases and seasonal accents. Participants will design a wreath that can be customized for year-round or seasonal display.
October 18 - Nature Fire Starters - Trailhead Store Picnic Area
Craft functional fire starters using natural materials such as pinecones, dried botanicals, and wax. These make great additions to camping gear, fire pits, or thoughtful handmade gifts.
November 15 - Sequin Tree Decor - Big Leaf Cafe in Garden Pavilion
Create a sparkling tabletop Christmas tree using sequins, pins, and foam forms. This detailed craft encourages patience and creativity and results in a festive holiday decoration.
December 20 - Door Mat Painting - Big Leaf Cafe in Garden Pavilion
Design and paint a personalized door mat using stencils and durable outdoor paint. Participants can choose patterns, phrases, or designs to create a welcoming and functional home accent.
Valentine's Day Vino in the Village
In love with love? Join us on Saturday, February 14 from 4 - 6 p.m.!
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an early-evening escape in nature. Vino in the Village invites you to sip and stroll and savor in the romantic setting of the Village at Stowe as golden hour settles in. It's the perfect pairing with your evening dinner reservations, or as the kickoff to a Galentine's girls-night-out!
Sample your way through three tasting stations featuring a curated selection of hand-chosen wine from Tryon Distributing, Charlotte's premier distributor of fine wine. Live music from JazzGroupProject sets the mood, creating the coziest atmosphere to savor flavors and tunes. JazzGroupProject plays great American jazz standards including swing, Latin, blues and ragtime, featuring a special love songs tracklist for Valentine's Day.
Pre-registration is required. Adults must be 21+ to register.
Join us in raising a toast to love!
Members save 15% on tickets! Sign in with your membership-associated email address to receive your discount.
Immerse yourself in the tropics on this adult-friendly field trip to the William H. Williamson Conservatory at Daniel Stowe! Wander beneath lush canopies, get up close with extraordinary tropical plants and uncover the clever adaptations that make rainforest life possible!
Designed as fun continuing education for grown-ups, this guided experience blends curiosity, conversation and discovery at a relaxed pace. While suitable for curious learners ages 12 and up, this field trip is tailored for adults who want to introduce learning back into their routine, and deepen their appreciation of the tropics in an immersive setting.
Ticket includes admission to the Gardens at Stowe. Members save 15% on tickets! Please sign in with your membership-associated email address when registering to receive your discount.
Step inside the William H. Williamson Conservatory for a guided tour of this tropical greenhouse led by a member of Stowe's Horticulture team! This in-depth experience offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Conservatory’s past, present, and future: from our evolving plant collections to the care, research and planning that shape this special space. Learn how our approach to the Conservatory has adapted to bring it new life, hear firsthand stories from those who steward the space and gain insider insight into what’s ahead for this iconic part of Stowe. This tour is perfect for experienced tropical plant hobbyists and curious newcomers alike.
Members save 15% on tickets! Please sign in with your membership-associated email address to secure your discount.
See our Conservatory in a whole new light during An Evening in the Tropics. This Friday evening experience offers guests exclusive access to the Conservatory after hours, with market lighting adding warmth to the atmosphere as it gets dark. Explore at your own pace or join an informal Q&A with a member of our Horticulture team to learn about unique displays, seasonal highlights and ongoing Conservatory updates.
Make an evening of your visit before your dinner plans! Enjoy the brand new Great Hall lounge, featuring live music with a tropical twist from Jonah Bacon, a pop-up plein air art gallery painted in our Conservatory by the Gaston County Art Guild, and a cash bar with unique specialty cocktails to match the tropical vibe!
Your ticket gets you access to the after-hours Conservatory, live music, and the Great Hall lounge for a cozy evening. Beverages will be available for purchase at our bar. Light snacks will be provided. Artwork may be marked for sale at the discretion of the artist-- take home a piece of the tropics!
Members save 15% on tickets! Log in with your membership-associated email address to secure your discount at checkout.
There is no flower that cannot bloom with the right knowledge and resources, even the fickle orchid! We invite you to enroll in an introductory lesson with a member of our Horticulture team to learn what makes orchids tick!
Orchids may have a reputation as daunting plants to care for, but with the tips and tricks you'll discover in Orchid 101, you'll leave feeling ready to jump right into the world of specialized plant care! Learn about subjects like the proper potting medium, when and why we fertilize, how to repot a root-bound orchid and more! You'll walk away with loads of knowledge and a plant in-hand.
Students will join us in the new pop-up classroom in our Great Hall; plus, kick back before or after your class in our tropical lounge and grab a drink at the lounge bar! Your ticket includes admission to the garden.
Members save 15%! Remember to sign in with your membership-associated email address to secure your discount.
Have you ever heard that putting a plant in a larger pot will make it grow faster? Or assumed that wilting always means a plant needs more water? Many common beliefs about houseplants sound convincing, but they aren't always true, and the proposed remedies from old wives' tales can sometimes do more harm than good.
In this course hosted by a member of Stowe's own Horticulture team, we'll explore and debunk some of the most widespread houseplant myths, covering topics like watering, fertilizing, light requirements, add-ins and other frequently misunderstood aspects of plant care. Gain practical insight into what your plants actually need to thrive.
We'll come prepared with a lineup of familiar myths to unpack, but participants are also encouraged to bring their own questions and curiosities. Join us for a deepdive into the truths behind houseplant care and leave with a more confident approach to keeping your plants healthy! For some hands-on learning, you'll cut and propagate a plant from Stowe's growing center to take home and help flourish!
Participants will be comfortable in our Great Hall pop-up classroom. While you're here, grab a drink at our tropical bar!
Members save 15%! Log in with your membership-associated email address to secure your discount.
Have you ever wanted to show off your green thumb, meet fellow plant-lovers and be a real part of Stowe? Put your favorite plant in the spotlight at Best In Grow!
This indoor plant show is a community-centered celebration of indoor plants held in the Great Hall as part of Trip to the Tropics! Guests are invited to bring one unique indoor plant, tropical or otherwise, to be entered into a friendly competition judged by Stowe staff and Horticulturalists. Think about plants that are rare, quirky, unique in size or color, or simply beloved by those who care for it! All styles and skill levels are welcome.
Participants will enter into one of two categories: Novice Grower or Expert Grower.
- Those without formal training or experience in horticulture, casual hobbyists or simply looking to mingle and learn with others at the event should enter the Novice category.
- Those with experience working in horticulture, longstanding members of gardening groups or contributors to community gardening projects, members of plant societies or certified Master Gardeners should enter the Expert category.
Three standout plants from each category will receive one-of-a-kind Stowe ribbons, and the Best In Grow winner will take home a one-year Family membership to Stowe, plus a free houseplant to add to their collection!
While the judges deliberate, enjoy the tropical lounge atmosphere and unwind with a specialty tropical cocktail from our cash bar. Mix and mingle with your community, visit our Conservatory after-hours to see stunning new plant displays and enjoy an evening with nature's best friends.
Event Schedule:
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2-4 p.m.: Plant drop-off and setup. Please bring your plant to the Great Hall and speak with a member of Stowe staff. We will perfectly place your plant and secure an informational card with your name. Feel free to browse our garden and gift shop until 4!
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4 p.m.: Plant entry cut-off and judging begins. Grab a glass and have fun!
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5 p.m.: Winners announced and prizes awarded!
This event is free for members! We request that even members pre-register: when you sign in with your membership-associated email address, you will see the price for members reduced to $0.00.
Please register if you plan to enter a houseplant into the competition by selecting the Attendee Entering Houseplant or Member Entering Houseplant ticket option! Please fill out this registration form (it's quick, we promise!) to register your name, category, and optionally the type of plant you will be bringing.
Those who will not be entering a plant but wish to view the show are more than welcome, and may register using the Attendee or Member ticket options.
All plants will return home with their grower by the end of the event (unless you wish to donate an indoor plant to our lobby!)
Come to compete, come to admire, or just come to soak in the tropical atmosphere and celebrate unique plants and the people who love them!
Get a true taste of the tropics at our Muddy River Rum Tasting, set in the tropical lounge of the Great Hall. Enjoy complimentary rum samples hosted by the expert team from Muddy River Distillery who will guide you through the flavors, techniques, and stories behind their locally crafted spirits. When it comes to tropical sips, you can't beat rum!
After sampling, you're welcome to extend the experience by purchasing a handcrafted cocktail from our cash bar, featuring Muddy River rum in a perfectly mixed recipe. Wine and beer will also be available for purchase. Relax in a lounge styled with tropical décor, then wander into the William H. Williamson Conservatory to explore curated plant vignettes that bring the spirit of the tropics to life! As golden hour hits, the Conservatory will be lit with soft hues, bringing warmth into the wintertime.
Members save 15% on tickets! Sign in with your membership-associated email address to secure your discount.