I've been to the gardens 3 times and that's why I'm giving it an overall 3 rating, my experiences were very different.\n\nOriginally, I attended in the spring a couple years ago, during the week, but during the butterfly exhibit.  At this time I think it cost $7 to enter the gardens.  It was a nice visit, calm and beautiful.\n\nMy second visit was during the luminarias (sp?) at Christmas time.  It helps that I had free passes, but this was a great visit as well.  Beautiful to see the gardens as night and wander, quite romantic.  The musical stops were pleasant and the wine samplings excellent.\n\nMy third visit this week disappointed me.  While the Chihuly exhibit is interesting, the crowd it attracts makes it more of a disappointment than a pleasure for me.  Many people there only for the glass who were disrespectful of those pausing to see the plants, being loud, and lots of misbehaving children who would rather be somewhere made for children.  Also, the gardens are now $15 + $3 to see the butterfly exhibit.  That's getting a little crazy.  Make sure you get online and get a coupon.  \n\nOverall, the gardens will always be a place I take my parents when they are in town.  But I'll look for a slower time to attend.