In the middle of Davis County is a little oasis. There's something to love for everyone, whether you're an outdoors enthusiast or not. Spend the day there, a couple of hours, or just 15 to 20 minutes. It doesn't matter how much time you have or what your plans are for the night, this is a fun place to escape and spend time together.

Location: 920 South 50 West, Kaysville (parking lot entrance is on the west side of the street)
Hours: Ponds and Trails are open from Sunrise to Sunset
Price: Free

Fun Things to Do at the USU Botanical Gardens

For years, we lived just minutes away from this amazing location and didn't even know it! Ok, that's a lie, I knew it existed because I could see the sign and the land from the freeway, but I wasn't aware of everything that it had to offer. I’m lucky because for four years my office was located in the middle of the Kaysville Ponds area and now I’m just across the street in the Extension building.

One of the things that I love about this area is how close it is to home but how peaceful and secluded it feels. There is a trail near us that is a nature preserve and it's one of my favorite places to go walking for this same reason. Having one more place to escape to and enjoy nature is exciting!

I love the benches that are scattered throughout the gardens, along the trails and around the ponds. They are perfect for sitting for as long as you would like to enjoy quiet conversation and each other's company. We love walking and talking, but sometimes it's nice to have a place to sit and not be distracted by people watching opportunities. If you want, you can walk the trails in either direction and stop on one of the benches to chat halfway through. Or you can walk just a few hundred feet down from the parking lot and find a nice place to sit without having to trek too far.

Some things to check out while you are at the botanical gardens include the 9/11 memorial, the information area just north of the parking lot, and the great things growing in the many gardens. I also recommend downloading the Date Your Mate Adventure Guide for the Botanical Gardens. This guide was put together by USU Extension and provides a guide to the gardens along with date tips and suggestions and some conversation starters to help you make the most of your date night.

If you've ever been to the USU Botanical Gardens, what are your favorite things to do?