I received media passes to Gilroy Gardens so I can share my thoughts on the theme park. Thoughts are my own. And as always, my Wordless Wednesday posts aren’t exactly wordless. 🙂
Last month, my family and I had the opportunity to visit and enjoy an afternoon at Gilroy Gardens. Even before I was given passes to the theme park, my family has always enjoyed our visits there. That’s why it’s always in our list of places to go to whenever our Saturdays are free.
Gilroy Gardens is a basically a theme park in a garden. The park’s entryway makes you feel like you’re going into a forest, except that it’s so beautiful and it’s not scary. Just like any theme park, they have a Park Map that will help you as you go around. In case you don’t get one when you purchase your tickets, you can simply go to the Welcome Center across the Carousel and get one.
As you enter the main park, past that beautiful wooden walkway, you’ll see an educational kiosk which shows visitors a timeline of the history of the park.
For this visit, we decided to go through the park in a clockwise direction. First few rides we saw were the Illions Supreme Carousel, Strawberry Sundae, Banana Split, and Bulgy The Fish. But the first ride we actually went into was the Pitstop Racer because my son loves cars!
One of our favorite rides in the park is the South County Backroads Garden. We get to ride in a vintage-inspired car (there are 2 lines for 2 different types of vintage cars), be taken around the garden and feel like you’re in the countryside. There are waterfalls, ponds, gas stations, and a tunnel — all with amazing flora and fauna in the background.
Gilroy Gardens also has entertainment and gaming kiosks where you can win a prize if you reach your goal. But even if you don’t win, you’ll still get a consolation prize. And after an afternoon of fun, it’s great to sip on an icee! They also have stands around the park for some snacks and drinks so you’ll never have to worry about getting hungry or thirsty with all your activities!
Our last stop for the day is the Train Station. It isn’t really a stop since we’ll be going around Gilroy Gardens aboard this nice train. They have 2 stations, one on either side of the park, where visitors can board/unboard. While waiting, your little one can dance to some tunes that they’re playing at the station. If you don’t want to wait too long though, I suggest you board the Train on the Redwood Junction. I think fewer people go line up at that station compared to the Coyote Junction.
We left Gilroy Gardens with big smiles on our faces. We enjoyed the kid-friendly rides and all the spectacular sights they have to offer. Maybe you can add it up on your list of places to go to when you’re in the Bay Area!
For pricing and all other information, check out GilroyGardens.org! They have lots of other rides that have not been featured in this post.
I received media passes to Gilroy Gardens so I can share my thoughts on the theme park. Thoughts are my own.
Do you have a Wordless Wednesday post on your blog? Link it up below!
It looks like you had a great weather for a fantastic day. 🙂
Christina Morley recently posted..Picture Perfect Party Linky #54
Those trees in the first pic are amazing! Looks like the whole family had fun!
Olivia recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Future Pop Star #WW
That is a beautiful-looking theme park!
Lauren recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Learning through unschooling
This day looks like it was a bunch of fun! You got some really awesome moments captured…thanks for sharing!
Tiffany recently posted..{Beauty Captured} Day 27
This looks like so much fun! I would love to live in California!
Kay M. recently posted..Reader Appreciation Paypal Giveaway!
Looked like so much fun and seriously loved seeing all the pictures of the different rides you got to go on. Thanks for linking up at the Mommy Blog Hoppers this week!!
Janine Huldie recently posted..Fridge Tales Old School Blogging Style
That place looks wonderful – my kids would love it!! It looks like it’s nice an shady too….so not too hot! Thanks for sharing and linking up with The BOAT!
Amy recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Swimming Graduate x 2
Looks like you had a great time! Gilroy Gardens kind of reminds me of Santa Land in New England or Centreville in Toronto.
It has been awhile since we have been up that way, but does it still smell like garlic in Gilroy?
Danielle Royalegacy recently posted..#MyBlogSpark Old El Paso Twist on Tacos – Review and Giveaway – ends 9/14 US
Sometimes! Especially if your go there during the garlic festival! 🙂
Isis recently posted..Gilroy Gardens: Fun Rides & Amazing Views (Wordless Wednesday Linky)
How fun. That map looks really cool too.
posh recently posted..Back to School, What are the Rewards of a College Education?
I’m from the Bay Area and have never heard of Gilroy Gardens. thanks for the review!
That looks like a fun family park. California has so many nice places to go.
That looks like so much fun. I would love to ride on the train!
Ellen Christian recently posted..Boloco Restaurant and Food Transparency
Love the trees in the first photo. Looks like your family had a wonderful day!
Monica recently posted..Take the Hallmark Get Carded Challenge ~ w/Giveaway
That place looks like so much fun, and you got some great photos!
It looks like a fun time! Hope you enjoyed your day!
My sons always loved theme parks. We went to so many when they were growing up. They are grown now and still love them.
Jennifer Wagner recently posted..Dropped Calls At Home? Try This Solution.
What a perfect day and a great theme park!
Looks like a fun place to go with your kids!
Thanks for dropping by my blog!
Mary Denman recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Dolphins in the Wild
Oh my gosh – my boys would be all over those cars!!! Sounds like you had a blast!
Shannon (The Mommy-Files) recently posted..Talk About It Tuesday – Cruises
Sounds Fun, would love to see the Scenery.
Thanks for the post!
I love this place!! We took our son 2 years ago and we had a blast.
Wow, this theme park looks absolutely amazing! We have a similar theme park here in Virginia – it’s not just a place for entertainment, but beautiful scenery, as well.
i’ve never heard of a theme park inside a garden!! It makes it less dramatic for the kids, in my opinion! i adore the little race car carousel!! i wish we had something like that here 🙁
my daughter would love this place! She’s 2 and everything there looks up her alley!
I had not heard of this theme park until this post seems fun!
this looks like a really neat place to visit!
Very nice place that I would love to visit some day!
I have never heard of Gilroy Gardens family park, looks like a really fun place to visit. I love the little cars the kids were riding on, and it looks like they have games almost like what they have down the boardwalk..I hope you and your family enjoyed themselves. I will have to check them out see if it’s close to us.. 🙂
I am from Ohio, but I know of Gilroy! We love following the Garlic Festival and developed our love of pickled garlic because of this wonderful town 🙂 This park looks like a good time, but sadly, my kids are all grown…glad you had such a great time with your beautiful family!
This place looks like a super fun family day! I used to live near Gilroy, wish I would have gone to visit!
This looks so fun, thank you for the review.
Thanks for the review. I am always looking for new places to visit and I love that Gilroy Gardens is outdoors. Looks like fun!
I would love to go there!