To promote self-learning among visitors and to strengthen the educational function of botanical gardens, this study focused on the interactions of visitors, including where they focused their attention depending on location of interpretive panels and the design of the exhibition space at the Botanical Garden of the National Museum of Natural Science in Taichung, Taiwan. The results of this study show that environmental characteristics, exhibition topics and atmosphere created in the exhibition space are the three main factors affecting the attention of visitors. In terms of visitor circulation and exhibition tour routes, the attractiveness of the entrance and the tour route system design were the factors that most influenced visitor attention. The three major factors affecting visitor attention to interpretative panels were the location of the panels, design of the panels and the environment in which the panels were placed. This study analyzed the design factors that influence the effectiveness of interpretation. Its results are of value as they can be used as reference for the design of exhibition spaces in botanical gardens.