The Gorgeous Rhode Island Gardens You'll Want To Visit This Summer

Hooray, Green Animals Topiary Garden is open for the season!

GATG — the 7 acre estate overlooking Narragansett Bay that boasts the oldest topiary garden of its kind in the whole entire country (and more!) — is a breathtaking spot in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

You can tour the stunning grounds (gotta see them in person to truly appreciate) and check out the terrific wraparound porch: It’s a completely charming way to spend an hour or three this month. Tickets are around $25.

Also, thought this was a perfect time to share a fun story about the property that you may NOT be aware of.

Namely, the forgotten Jackie Kennedy Onassis connection…

Okay, so Alice Brayton — the daughter of Thomas E. Brayton, who purchased the property back in 1872 as a summer place for his family — apparently LOVED entertaining. (For the record, in addition to throwing marvelous parties, Miss Brayton worked during the Great Depression to establish an organization in Fall River that supplied needy residents with groceries and clothing. She was also active with the Portsmouth chapter of the Red Cross and wrote several books on her favorite topics, namely gardening and local Rhody history.)

Anywho, it was she who during the 1947-48 season hosted a coming out party for the then Jacqueline Bouvier, the debutante who went on to ultimately become one of the most high profile and highly regarded First Ladies in our country’s history.

So, grab the Kennedy fan girl or boy in your circle and GO.

To get your tix to Green Animals, click here.

As always, if you find yourself there after reading this, please let everyone know your excursion was inspired by Patty J and PattyJ.com.