Five Senses Gardens, Harrisburg

About Five Senses Gardens

Five Senses Gardens on the Capital Area Greenbelt in Harrisburg offers visitors a sensory experience designed to engage sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch through carefully cultivated garden areas. Visitors walk through distinct garden zones featuring varieties of plants chosen to attract butterflies and stimulate natural sensations. The gardens function as peaceful spaces where people experience an intense personal connection with nature. Some visitors use the grounds for significant life events, including vow exchanges and as places to scatter ashes of loved ones. The site has weathered environmental challenges since its establishment in 1996, maintained by volunteers and groundskeepers who work to preserve the gardens. Penn State Master Gardeners from the Dauphin County Extension currently care for the grounds with community volunteer support. The gardens open daily from sunrise to sunset, and guided tours are available by appointment, making the space accessible to visitors seeking therapeutic outdoor experiences.