What is a landscape architect? They're not just landscapers or designers for your backyard; they are much more. According to American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), a landscape architect's job is to "analyze, plan, design...they build natural environments." That being said that definition is a little vague.

Yes, it is how we can build and design natural environments, but it is so much more. It is about taking the built and natural environments and combining them with a person's experience from the time that they spot it to the time that they leave that area and move on to the next thing in their lives. Here are ten places that were not just an open land space, but something that a landscape architect designed.

1. Central Park (New York)

Central Park in New York City is one probably one of the most famous parks in the United States today. Designed back in 1858 by Frederick Law Olmsted, it was a designed through a design competition. Another park that Frederick Law Olmsted designed was the Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY.

2. Prospect Park (Brooklyn, NY)

As said above, Prospect park was designed by the infamous Frederick Law Olmsted. Home to many movie settings, Prospect park is more than a walking path. On any given day, you can see magic tricks, college kids studying, dog walking and even food fairs. Prospect park is beautiful all year round, but the best times are spring through fall, when the leaves are changing and flowers are blooming.

3. Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve (Jackson, WY)

Heading over to the West coast, The Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve is one of the first National Parks to achieve Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) platinum status. LEED is something that most landscape architects aspire to gain registration in, as well as have their design become LEED certified. If a design is LEED certified, then that means that the area is very eco-friendly, and the items put into it can easily be recycled and have very little carbon footprint in the end.

4. The Park at Lakeshore East (Chicago, IL)

Heading over to the windy city, Chicago is home to another great park designed by a landscape architect. Right next to the Chicago River and the Michigan Lake, this is a great place to stop and relax; with so much vast space here, you definitely won't feel cramped while staying here.

5.Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Campus (Seattle, WA)

By no means is this a park, but it is a great landscape design. Built from a 12-acre parking lot, this area was designed to be an ecologically sustainable site to help coworkers interact and engage more, not only with others but with nature itself.

6. The Highline (New York City, NY)

The Highline, one of my favorite parks of New York City, built from an old railroad, at 1.5miles, this is home to restaurants, education centers, and even running water. My favorite part was looking through the buildings to see the Hudson river, and eventually the beginnings of New Jersey.

7. Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square, PA)

My all time favorite garden in Pennsylvania is Longwood Gardens. In the 19th Century, a man by the name of Pierre duPont started working on this 19-acre garden, creating it into something that no one would've ever thought possible. Currently Nightscape is going on, which is a light and sound experience, best seen after the sun has gone down. Any time in the year is great, but during Christmas time is my favorite, with all the trees lit up for the special time of the year.

8. Planting Fields Arboretum (Oyster Bay, NY)

I visited this place last year and am already planning my trip back. The history of this park is incredible, and it covers over 400-acres of land. It is $8 per car and only open on weekends after Labor Day.

9. Denver Botanic Garden (Denver, CO)

If I could change one thing about going to Denver, it would be staying here longer! I could've looked at the glass sculptures for hours. The benefit is that if you have Pennsylvania Horticultural Society membership you can get a discount while shopping there!

10. United States Botanic Garden (Washington D.C)

This is one of the very places that I have not been to, but would like to in the future. It is set on the United States Capital grounds, near Garfield Circle. The most recent news is that the famous Corpse Flower bloomed for only three days. Over 130,000 people had visited the Botanic Garden in these three days of blooming!

Parks and gardens are great things. Not only do they help you relax, but they can free you mind and help ignite the process of thought again. They can even act as anti-depressant if needed!