Update: this original blog post was written on June of 2020 after my first visit to Schnormeier Gardens (which also happened to be during a summer of COVID-19). In 2021 I was able to visit again. I have updated some of the information, and made note of those changes in the post below. The pictures are a mix of both visits.
COVID-19 sure put a damper on travel plans for me. Usually, as a teacher, I spend my summers traveling internationally. However, I was determined to not allow the pandemic to dampen my spirits too much, and I resolved to find little road trips to take around Columbus, Ohio. I have found a lot of amazing sites in and around Columbus. Located just an hour from Columbus in Gambier, Ohio is Schnormeier Gardens. After our trip to the gardens, we visited the Indian Bear winery. If you want to just read about the winery, click here
General Info about Schnormeier Garden
Schnormeier Gardens is the private estate of Ted & Ann Schnormeier, the former of whom greeted us when we arrived. The Gardens are only open a few weekends of the year. Therefore, be sure to check their website for the dates.
Update: While the first time I visited the gardens it was free to the public, starting in 2021 visitors must get tickets in advance from their website. The cost is now $35 per car, which includes entrance for everyone in the vehicle. They sold out very quickly in 2021- so make sure you follow their social media to hear when tickets are available this year.
We found out during our visit that last year, Schnormeier Gardens was having upwards of 4,000 visitors a day. That is a lot of people traipsing across the yard of a private estate! I can attest, that during my visit it was very busy. This year, Erin and I visited along with our friends Kristi and Tricia (their first times to the gardens). We were able to walk around in tranquility, and it was wonderful. Visitors can visit all parts of gardens- including the distinct 9 gardens. There are acres of manicured lawns, ponds, fountains and woods with a hiking path.
Upon arrival, there is a volunteer checking tickets at the parking lot. Located next to the parking lot there is a shelter (and restroom). This is also where we were greeted by the owner, who gave us a map and told us a bit about his home and garden.
Waterfalls Garden
Just a short distance from the entrance is the first garden, the waterfalls garden, aptly named because of the large waterfall that cascades over rocks.
This is also the location of a beautiful Chinese bridge that visitors may cross to get to Swan Island.
There is also a Japanese teahouse located at the waters edge, surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers.
The Waterfalls Garden is near the large lake, which is filled with beautiful lily pads of assorted colors. It is so picturesque, so prepare yourselves to take dozens of pictures when you visit.
Located on the other side of the lake is the home, a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired property completed in 1994. The home is not open to the public, but you can walk all around it, enjoying the gardens and landscaping located right outside their front doors. They are planning on allowing tours in the future. Also located at Schnormeier Gardens there are rental properties (none of which are currently available).
Art in the Gardens
One of my favorite things about Schnormeier Gardens (of which there were many) were the sculptures scattered across the grounds. You could almost make a game of it, trying to find them all. Near the Waterfalls Garden was my favorite, the Little Mermaid, inspired by the sculpture in Copenhagen.
Many of the sculptures are animals, while others are Japanese or Chinese inspired, like the large Buddha pictured below. Others are inspired by other famous works of art, such as Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’.
Stream Garden
Located behind the house is the stream garden, the last of the gardens to be added to the property. Here the feature is an ambling stream of four hundred feet that flows down to the lake; there are several small waterfalls along the way.
Located along the stream there were several benches where visitors can seek respite from the sun.
Serenity Garden
Located in the back of the Schnormeier Gardens property is the Serenity Garden. Here the focal point is the Japanese garden house. This house, built as a meditation room for the late Mrs. Schnormeier, looks out over five ponds, two waterfalls and a Japanese bridge.
In the Japanese garden house there are mats placed on the ground- this is where traditionally one would take tea or meditate.
In the back of these gardens there were hundreds of rare conifers, which with their varying shades of blues and greens are quite stunning.
Hosta Garden
Located in a shady area of the property, the hosta garden features an acre of hostas, placed under a canopy of sassafras trees and surrounded by a 750 foot long rock wall. The garden has a spot with a dozen rocking chairs for guests to relax and take in the serene atmosphere.
Chinese Cup Gardens
On the hillside immediately behind the house of the Schnormeiers are two cup-shaped gardens. Here there are large boulders and many beautiful plants, and keep an eye out for the dragon watching over it all!
At the top of the hill is a Chinese pavillion, constructed in 1998, which is a great spot for sitting and relaxing, or for a wonderful vantage point of the grounds.
Meadow Garden
In the meadow garden, besides the grassy meadows, people can visit any of the four ponds, a variety of plants and this is also where many of the sculptures pictured above are located.
I especially loved this walkway, it was fun crossing the pond on this jagged wooden footpath. More lily pads!
There are more nice shaded areas in this part of the garden, nice for relaxing and taking a break from the beating sun. We were more enthralled with the bridges we found (we definitely seem to have a love of little wooden bridges!)
Woodland Garden
From the meadow garden you can enter the woodland garden, a half-mile walk in the wooded area, passing along a stream and a bridge.
The woodland garden was not exempt from sculptures, though a bit more silly, they were certainly appealing to the kids we passed, who especially loved the archer hidden behind the trees and this pack of wolves.
You can either exit the woods in the back of the property, but we crossed a little stone path and did a loop around.
Quarry Garden
The last part of the garden to visit is the quarry garden, the most recent part of the garden, created in 2008. In it there are over 1,200 tons of limestone, creating the feel of an abandoned quarry.
The plants here are really really lovely, with varying colors and sizes, including some rare trees.
That concludes our time at Schnormeier Gardens. We spent about 3 hours wandering the grounds, it is really magnificent. But since a road trip isn’t complete to be without a delicious drink following it, we headed about 20 minutes away to visit Indian Bear Winery.
Indian Bear Winery
This winery, located in Walhonding, Ohio, seems to be in the middle of nowhere, but it is quite a large building, and on the grounds they also have a lodge, which had quite a few people staying there. Being in the midst of the COVID craziness, they were doing things a bit differently from their normal routine, tastings have to be done at a table instead of at the bar, for example.
We choose to sit outside on their large patio, which has an upper deck, but they do allow inside seating.
We opted to do tastings, which was 4 samples for $6, and they had a lot to choose from- fruit wines, red and white.
I actually preferred the blueberry fruit wine and the Vidal blanc, even though I’m usually a red-wine drinker, and even got a bottle to bring home. The winery also had a pretty good selection of food: sandwiches, salads and several appetizers. We shared a plate of alfredo chips (chips covered in alfredo sauce, blue cheese and green onions) and a charcuterie board. They even allowed us to substitute the meat for more cheese! It was delicious, I’m drooling just looking at these pictures again!
That wraps up our day trip to Schnormeier Gardens, I truly hope you enjoyed reading about it, seeing my pictures and that you get to visit it one day also! If you have any suggestions for great places to visit from Columbus leave a comment. Check out my past blog about Cesar Creek State Park if you are looking for another roadtrip from Columbus idea. Until next time!
-Catching Katie
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