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12 Prettiest Botanical Gardens In Florida

June 26, 2021 //  by  Florida Trippers

When you think of exploring the great outdoors in the Sunshine State, you probably think of long, sandy beaches, or the wetlands of Everglades National Park, but did you know that there are many pretty botanical gardens in Florida?

Visiting the botanical gardens in Florida is a wonderful way to unwind and take in some nature, without the crowds at the beaches. You can wander down acres of paths or manicured lawns, listen to the soothing sound of a fountain, or sit in the shade of a beautiful pavilion.

Florida’s climate lends itself to a wide variety of stunning flowers and lush tropical plants. Some plants are native to Florida, while others have been transplanted from places around the world. You’ll be surrounded by bold, colorful blooms no matter the time of year!

Many of these flower gardens in Florida also have habitats for local wildlife, such as butterflies and hummingbirds. You’ll be able to learn all about the different flora and fauna, and the measures taken to preserve them.

Whether you are a nature-lover or just want some peace and quiet, be sure to check out the best botanical gardens in Florida.

Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando

The Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando are one of the biggest botanical gardens in Florida, with almost 50 acres to explore. Located just minutes from downtown Orlando, this urban oasis is right on the banks of Lake Rowena.

The gardens include both temperate and tropical plants, with many flowering trees. If you have a smartphone, you can scan QR codes as you walk to learn more about whichever flower or plant you’re admiring.

The Harry P. Leu Gardens also have delightful special events for all ages. Depending on the time of year, kids can search for dinosaurs or fairy doors hidden among the trees, and adults can enjoy movie nights or concerts.

Bring a bagged lunch to eat on the patio of the welcome center!

Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, Port St. Lucie

The Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens are an excellent visit for those who like things to be neat and orderly. Each garden is categorized by type of plant, such as The Hibiscus Garden, The Bamboo Garden, and The Cactus and Succulent Garden.

You can stroll along paved walkways or the new boardwalk along the river. There are benches throughout on which to rest, but you can also beat the heat inside their pavilion building.

The Friends of Port St. Lucie host fun annual events throughout the year. These include a winter art show featuring local artisans and a Halloween trick-or-treat trek through the garden.

Like many of the botanical gardens in Florida, The Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens are completely run by volunteers, who are happy to chat about the many unique plants. These beautiful gardens are free to visit, but if you feel inspired, you can support them by purchasing a native Florida plant to take home!

Sarasota Garden Club, Sarasota

The botanical gardens within the Sarasota Garden Club are a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Open to the public during daylight hours, the Sarasota Garden Club is located right on Sarasota Bay. Although one of the smaller botanical gardens in Sarasota, they’re still worth visiting!

There are nine individual gardens in which to relax, including a “quiet garden” and a “falling waters garden”. However, if you want something a little more hands-on, or your thumb is feeling particularly green, every Friday morning the Sarasota Garden Club welcomes both members and non-members to work and help maintain the gardens.

The Sarasota Garden Club’s gardens are also a great spot to spend some time before seeing a show at one of the nearby performing arts centers! While you’re in the area, check out other fun things to do in Sarasota .

Key West Garden Club, Key West

The Key West Garden Club at West Martello Tower is truly a hidden gem of Key West and one of the most unique tropical gardens in Florida. It is both a botanical garden and a historic site!

Set right on the shore, Martello Tower is a former Civil War fort that now holds gorgeous tropical flora and fauna. The tower was built in the mid-1800s and used during the Spanish American War, but then fell into ruin after WWII. In 1949 it was named a National Historic Site by the State of Florida.

Discover different “rooms” that house a wide variety of flowers, one of the most popular being their stunning orchids. The vaulted ceilings make for a distinctive setting, with views of the ocean beyond the brick walls.

Botanical gardens in Florida are usually home to a variety of creatures, such as birds, fish, and insects. However, the butterfly garden at The Key West Garden Club is definitely a highlight!

Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens, Punta Gorda

The Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens are some of the newer botanical gardens in Florida. In addition to spectacular plants, they feature a wide variety of sculptures by artists from around the world.

These gardens in Punta Gorda were designed with Florida’s natural ecosystems, such as wetlands and marshlands, in mind. You can walk along the boardwalk and take in the view from the observation deck. Wander around the almost 30 acres of gardens and admire the thoughtful pairing of nature and art.

The Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens are still expanding! They have plans for fun additions including a Welcome Center, a multi-use pavilion, a plant shop, and a cafe. New sculptures will also be added, so if you visit multiple times you’ll be able to see how things grow and change.

Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg

The Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg are one of the most-loved botanical gardens in Florida. Located right in the middle of St. Pete, this hidden gem is a gorgeous spot to escape the city, without having to leave it.

A true staple of St. Pete, these gardens in Central Florida have been around for more than 100 years. The original owner was a plumber, and he drained a shallow lake in order to create his “sunken” garden.

There are thousands of native and exotic plants and animals, and they are considered a “living collection”. Meander down shady paths, gaze down at the koi fish as you cross their pond, and say hi to the flamingos. There have been flamingos on exhibit since the 1950s!

For more info check out these tips for visiting the St. Pete Sunken Gardens .

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are the most well-known botanical gardens in Sarasota. They are comprised of two locations: the Downtown Sarasota Campus and the Historic Spanish Point Campus. Combined, they provide 45 acres to explore, and are some of the prettiest botanical gardens in Florida.

The Downtown Sarasota Campus has eight separate greenhouses- one of which, the Tropical Conservatory, will make you feel like you’ve just stepped into a rainforest. For younger visitors, they also have a Children’s Rainforest Garden, with bridges and rope swings that create the feeling of swinging through the trees.

You can also learn about the native trees of Florida and their unique root systems by visiting the Banyan Grove or the Mangrove Walkway.

The Historic Spanish Point Campus includes historic buildings and a footbridge around the property that offers beautiful views. Even older than the buildings though are the Archaic Shell Ring and the Shell Ridge Midden. These shell mounds are thousands of years old!

As some of the best botanical gardens in Sarasota, both locations of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens have unique collections that make them worth seeing. Just be aware that you will need separate admission tickets for each of them.

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, Williston

Just a 45 minute drive from Gainesville lies one of the most unique botanical gardens in Florida. Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens in Williston was once an abandoned limestone quarry, but is now full of walkways, ponds, and gardens.

The founder of Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, Dr. Raymond Webber, originally bought the property to turn it into a personal fishing pond. He and his team dug, cleaned, and created walls and pathways. When it was time to add some greenery Dr. Raymond took up gardening, and ultimately decided to share his creation with others.

Rock planters full of flowers and plants line the quarry walls, and bridges connect little islands surrounded by bright blue water. Many domestic animals can be found, including Guinevere the swan, and Big Ben the blue catfish. It’s also a pet-friendly garden, as long as pets remain on a leash.

Truly one of the best botanical gardens in Northern Florida, Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens are surrounded by 64 acres of conserved woodlands that can also be explored.

Naples Botanical Garden, Naples

One of the best things to do in Naples is visit the Botanical Garden. The Naples Botanical Garden is one of the biggest botanical gardens in Florida, covering 170 acres of paths, lakes, and gardens.

Many of the gardens within the Naples Botanical Garden are categorized by different places around the world. The Caribbean Garden has fruit trees and a vanilla orchid trellis, as well as cacti and succulents. The Asian Garden includes a lotus pool, magnolia trees, and a Thai pavilion. Meanwhile, the Water Garden is home to beautiful water lilies and a boardwalk.

Wander at your leisure, or if something piques your interest, self-guided audio tours are available.

You can easily spend a whole afternoon at the Naples Botanical Garden. If you get hungry, the Fogg Cafe serves food with local produce, meat, and honey. After your meal, you can relax in a hammock on the lawn or play a round of Bocce ball!

Miami Beach Botanical Garden, Miami Beach

The Miami Beach Botanical Garden manages to pack a lot into just 3 acres. Small though it may be, it’s still one of the best botanical gardens in South Florida. Traffic noise is muted by the dense trees and plants, creating a peaceful, little sanctuary right in Miami Beach.

The different gardens include a Japanese Garden, and a Native Garden full of plants native to Florida, including the corky stem which attracts Florida’s state butterfly, the Zebra Longwing. There’s also an Edible Garden, from which papaya, pineapple, and pomegranates are all actually harvested.

The Miami Beach Botanical Garden aims to be sustainable and works to educate others in sustainability practices. Visit the Garden Center for classes, purchase cuttings and propagations from the garden’s wide variety of plants, or pick up a bag of garden compost soil to help your plants grow.

You can also buy food to feed the fish and turtles within the garden. This is a great activity if you are visiting botanical gardens in Florida with children!

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables

Of all the botanical gardens in Florida, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden may have the most events and activities of them all. As if the vast amount of tropical plants wasn’t enough, there is always something going on to keep you entertained.

Just south of Miami, this expansive tropical garden in Coral Gables spans over 80 acres. With panoramic views from the overlook, palm tree glades, butterfly gardens, a farm, and tropical fruit conservatories, there is a lot to see. So much so that, if you didn’t feel like walking, you could take a guided tram tour.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden also hosts all sorts of events throughout the year, for all ages. There are watercolor and oil painting classes, pet-friendly live music nights, ice cream-making classes, and even an introduction to beekeeping!

McKee Botanical Gardens, Vero Beach

Another of the best botanical gardens in Central Florida is McKee Botanical Gardens. Though under a different name, these botanical gardens have been around since the 1920s, and McKee Botanical Gardens is now a Florida Landmark.

In 1922 Arthur McKee and Waldo Sexton had originally planned to grow citrus trees, but decided that the land was too beautiful to develop. They opened McKee Jungle Gardens, which particularly showcased orchids and water lilies.

However they were forced to close in 1976, and acreage was sold to condo developers. In the 1990s, a group of volunteers was able to save the remaining 18 acres from development, and McKee Botanical Gardens was reborn.

McKee Botanical Garden still has one of the largest collections of water lilies in Florida, along with 10,000 other native and tropical plants. Attempting to keep with the original owners’ vision, it is a “wild place of natural beauty”. To this day it’s still one of the best botanical gardens in Florida.

Whether you are just escaping the city, or looking for something different to do on vacation, visiting one of these botanical gardens in Florida is a great way to spend an hour or an afternoon. We hope you found this list helpful and that you are able to see all of the natural beauty Florida has to offer!

16 Florida Gardens You Can Visit for Endless Landscape Inspiration

These gorgeous gardens in the Sunshine State are worthy of a detour on your next beach trip.

A dreamy Florida vacation typically conjures images of white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water as far as the eye can see. But when it comes to tourist attractions in Florida, the Sunshine State's abundance of beautiful green botanical gardens may be just as alluring. After all, a quiet, relaxing stroll through a garden can be just as restorative as the ocean—and it's most certainly a feast for the eyes.

Today's generation of incredibly talented Floridian landscape designers and conservationists are dedicated to celebrating and protecting Florida's flora and fauna, as seen in gardens from the west coast of the state in Clearwater and Sarasota to Palm Beach and Miami on the east side. Here are 16 famous gardens in Florida, as well as some new discoveries, worthy of a detour from your next beach vacation.

The Kampong

Coconut Grove, Florida

One of five gardens that comprise the National Tropical Botanical Garden , the Kampong is the former estate of horticulturalist and explorer Dr. David Fairchild, who traveled throughout Southeast Asia and other tropical regions in search of exotic plants he could introduce in the United States.

Today, the gardens feature a wide array of tropical fruit cultivars, including more than 50 varieties of mango and flowering trees.

Don't miss: The palm collection includes species native to south Florida, such as the Royal Palm and Southeast Asian varieties like the Talipot.

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden

Coral Gables, Florida

Founded by Col. Robert H. Montgomery in 1938, Fairchild is named for Montgomery's friend and fellow tropical plant conservationist Dr. David Fairchild. Many plants still on display in the garden were collected by Dr. Fairchild, including a large African baobab tree. Another highlight that underscores the garden's conservation efforts: the Lin Lougheed Spiny Forest of Madagascar, which exhibits rare plants from the island country's endangered desert habitat.

Don't miss: The Lisa D. Anness Butterfly Garden exhibits plants (many of which are native to South Florida) that attract and sustain butterflies throughout their life cycles. Butterflies are most abundant here from May-October.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden

Delray Beach, Florida

This Palm Beach County museum features six distinct gardens designed by Hoichi Kurisu and inspired by significant gardens in Japan. Each of the six gardens also references six different periods in history, ranging from the 9th to the 20th century.

Don't miss: One of only three such collections in the world, the museum's collection of bonsai trees have been named a World Bonsai Friendship Federation (WBFF) Cooperation Center.

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

A creation of Chicago-born artist Frederic Clay Bartlett, this 1920s oceanfront estate is dedicated to historic and environmental conservation. The lush grounds uniquely boast five distinct ecosystems, including dunes, maritime forest, and wetlands. Discover a wide range of plantings—from tropical vegetation to arid plantings—as well as a hibiscus garden, and a special treat for orchid lovers awaits in the estate's Orchid Display House.

Don't miss: Example of Bartlett's work, as well as his wife Evelyn's, can be viewed in the main house. Look for wildlife such as migratory birds and even manatees in the canal.

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Gainesville, Florida

Twenty-four distinct gardens, including Florida's largest public display of bamboo and the largest herb garden in the Southeast, comprise the 62-acre Kanapaha Botanical Gardens . In addition to bamboo, the gardens' signature plants include giant Victoria water lilies and Asian snake arums.

Don't miss: The Camellia Show is a two-day festival in early January during which prize-winning camellias of all sizes, shapes, and colors are on display (and some are for sale, as well).

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Jacksonville, Florida

The Cummer Museum was founded in 1961 after the death of Ninah Cummer, who bequeathed her art collections and historic gardens to the museum. Designed by famed landscape architects Thomas Meehan & Sons, Ellen Biddle Shipman, and the Olmstead Brothers, the more-than-100-year-old gardens remain largely intact, thanks to preservation efforts by the museum.

After the riverfront gardens sustained significant damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017, a massive reconstruction effort led by Athens, GA-based landscape architecture firm WLA Studio was completed in June 2019. The firm used historic records from the Cummer family archives—including plant logs, photos, and invoices—to preserve the historic character of the gardens.

Don't miss: The Italian Garden, designed in 1931 by Shipman, displays Cummer's collection of marble garden ornaments.

Bok Tower Gardens

Lake Wales, Florida

Open since 1929, Bok Tower Gardens was developed by publisher and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward W. Bok as a bird sanctuary. The gardens, which feature a combination of native and exotic plants that provide ample food for migrating birds, were designed by landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.

Don't miss: The Singing Tower, a 205-foot Gothic Revival and Art Deco structure, houses a 60-bell carillon. The tower sits at the top of Iron Mountain, one of the highest elevations in Florida, and at the south end of a reflecting pool.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Miami, Florida

Villa Vizcaya , built between 1914 and 1922 by businessman and conservationist James Deering, is set on a 50-acre estate that features approximately 10 acres of formal Italian- and French-style gardens inspired by landscape design from the 17th and 18th centuries. Surrounding manicured spaces such as the maze garden is the native forest that Deering preserved.

Don't miss: The walled Secret Garden and the Theatre Garden both showcase the garden's abundance of architectural structures and antique sculptures.

Naples Botanical Garden

Naples, Florida

This 170-acre living museum , designed by celebrated landscape designers Ellin Goetz , Ted Flato , Raymond Jungles , Herb Schaal , Bob Truskowski and Made Wijaya, is dedicated to the cultivation and preservation of plants that grow between the 26th parallel north and the 26th parallel south. Among the variety of species on display are screw pine trees, orchids, bromeliads, bougainvillea, bamboo, and jackfruit trees.

Don't miss: Designed by landscape architect Bob Truskowski, the Kapnick Caribbean Garden features towering palms, tropical fruits and vegetables, many frangipani species, steel drums for playing, and hammocks for relaxing.

Harry P. Leu Gardens

Orlando, Florida

This 50-acre urban oasis on the grounds of Harry P. Leu's former estate features a mix of tropical and temperate plants ranging from azaleas and magnolias to cycads and bromeliads. Furthermore, art enthusiasts will enjoy permanent and rotating exhibits in the Gardens House Welcome Center.

Don't miss: The extensive collection of camellias features many that were brought to Florida by the Leus from their travels around the world.

Pan's Garden

Palm Beach, Florida

Established by the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach , Pan's Garden seeks to celebrate and promote the growth of native Florida plants and the wildlife they support. Many of the species in the garden, which are incorporated into upland and wetland and designed to display their naturally occurring relationships to each other, are endangered. Pan's Garden also showcases seasonal native species to highlight possibilities for residential landscaping that would support Florida wildlife.

Don't miss: The garden's entrance features the 1890 bronze sculpture of Pan of Rohallion, for which the garden is named. The Casa Apava wall, a tile wall from the 1920s, was saved from a historic home on South Ocean Boulevard.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Sarasota, Florida

Tucked into 15 acres of lush tropical foliage on the grounds of the former home of Marie and William Selby, this botanical garden is best known for its preservation of epiphytes, nonparasitic plants that grow on other plants such as ferns, bromeliads, air plants, and many species of orchids. Its collection of gardens includes an epiphyte garden, complete with a waterfall and koi pond; a fern garden; a bamboo garden; grove of banyan trees; a bromeliad garden; a butterfly garden; and a children's rainforest garden.

Don't miss: The Selby Garden Shop sells plants, jewelry, and garden accessories in addition to custom orchid arrangements.

Sunken Gardens

St. Petersburg, Florida

For more than 100 years, Sunken Gardens has welcomed visitors to explore its collection of lushly planted tropical and native plants, making it one of Florida's oldest roadside attractions. Tucked in below sea level are cascading waterfalls, a Japanese garden, a cactus garden, and a butterfly garden.

Don't miss: A flock of Chilean flamingos have lived at Sunken Gardens since 1956. Turtles, koi, and exotic birds are among the other wildlife you can observe,

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

Tallahassee, Florida

Planted more than 100 years ago by Alfred B. and Louise Maclay on the grounds of their winter home, this Tallahassee garden attracts both outdoor and botany enthusiasts thanks to nature trails that meander through the massive live oaks; swimming, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard opportunities on Lake Hall; a secret garden, walled garden, and reflecting pool; and hundreds of camellias and azaleas.

Don't miss: The 1909 Maclay House is open for tours during the high blooming season from January through April.

McKee Botanical Garden

Vero Beach, Florida

The McKee Botanical Gardens , which first opened in 1932 as the McKee Jungle Gardens, features 10,000 native and tropical plants along with one of the largest collections of waterlilies in Florida. The gardens also feature several restored historic buildings on the site, including the Hall of Giants and the Spanish Kitchen.

Don't miss: While you're there, stroll the Children's Garden, the Bamboo Pavilion, and catch the annual Waterlily Celebration in June.

Mounts Botanical Garden

West Palm Beach, Florida

The largest public garden in Palm Beach County, Mounts Botanical Garden encompasses 14 acres and 25 distinct garden areas, which range from dry creek beds and pine groves to shade gardens and a verdant children's maze. Each space is intended to inspire and educate Palm Beach residents and visitors about the diverse possibilities for planting gardens in subtropical climates.

Don't miss: Windows on the Floating World is a series of open-gridded walkways over the wetland surfaces designed to create the experience of walking on water.

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THE 10 BEST Florida Gardens

Gardens in florida.

• Nature & Wildlife Areas
• Playgrounds
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• City Center
• Coconut Grove
• Good for Couples
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Big Groups
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Edison and Ford Winter Estates

2. Naples Botanical Garden

3. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

4. Bok Tower Gardens

5. Sunken Gardens

6. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

7. Harry P. Leu Gardens

8. Butterfly Rainforest

9. Flamingo Gardens

10. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

11. Butterfly World

12. Gulf World Marine Park

13. McKee Botanical Garden

14. Florida Botanical Gardens

15. Key West Garden Club

16. Hollis Garden

17. Sarasota Jungle Gardens

18. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

19. Miami Beach Botanical Garden

20. Audubon House & Tropical Gardens

21. Mounts Botanical Garden

22. Fruit & Spice Park

23. West Martello Tower

24. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

25. Ravine Gardens State Park

26. Historic Spanish Point Campus

27. Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

28. Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens

29. Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens

30. Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter

What travelers are saying

14 Best Botanical Gardens in Florida You Must Visit

By: Author Florida Vacation Expert

Posted on Published: May 10, 2022  - Last updated: April 17, 2023

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Home » Uncategorized » 14 Best Botanical Gardens in Florida You Must Visit

Looking for the best botanical gardens in Florida?

Florida is the ultimate destination for nature lovers! Not only do we have incredible beaches, stunning springs, and diverse wildlife, but Florida also offers botanical wonders.

Due to the warm, humid climate, the Sunshine State is also home to a wide variety of gardens that host plants that you won’t find anywhere else. Skip the lines at the theme parks, get out into nature and check out incredible species of trees, flowers, and other plants that thrive in this unique ecosystem instead.

Visit the links we’ve listed below for updated information on each site’s Covid-19 protocols and ADA accessibility. Don’t forget your sunscreen and a pair of comfy walking shoes, and we’d recommend a hat and insect repellant, too.

Remember that afternoon rain shows are common in Florida, particularly during summer months, so keep a poncho or umbrella handy. Keep an eye out for snakes when you hike, particularly if you are traveling with any pets (whistle a tune as you walk to let any sunbathing snakes know that you are coming!).

And be sure to respect the rules of adventuring: don’t touch any plants unless you are specifically invited to by park staff, don’t feed or attempt to interact with any of the wildlife that you encounter, clean up after yourself, and stay hydrated.  

This list isn’t just for tourists! Many of these spots offer robust calendars that are packed with events that locals will love, including summer camps and educational programs for kids.

1. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens – Sarasota

One of the best gardens in Florida for sure.

Enjoy the only botanical garden in the world that dedicates its displays to epiphytes. In case you are not familiar with the term, it refers to orchids, ferns, and other species that make their homes in or on other plants.

Visitors to this 15-acre bayfront oasis will get to see over 4,000 different orchids and more than 8,000 other specimens as they walk through displays dedicated to the rainforest, the desert, and Native Florida. Hop aboard a cute boat named the Magic and explore the breathtaking scenery of Little Sarasota Bay. 

On the 45-minute excursion, guests will learn about maritime history while observing birds, fish, and wildlife in their natural habitat. Don’t miss the butterfly house, where you can see the cloudless sulfur, the giant swallowtail, or the zebra longwing (the Florida state butterfly!).

Round out your visit with a stroll along a stunning bayfront mangrove walkway! If you are planning to be in town for a while, check out the calendar of events, which Is packed with special events and exhibitions.

You can register for a yoga class, a watercolor class, and more. Maria Selby Botanical Gardens is dedicated to protecting natural resources worldwide through recycling, water conservation, integrated pest management, and long-term sustainability.

Website –  https://selby.org/

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens/ Flickr

2. Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens – Jacksonville

Looking for a dog-friendly place to explore with your furry friend? You and your pet can unwind and connect with nature as you explore the many award-winning walking trails found here, all of which are studded with both native and exotic species.

This hidden jewel covers 120 acres with 13 distinct ecosystems and has quite an interesting history. From about 1944 to 1961, several strip mines operated in this are of Jacksonville, which had devastating effects on soil and vegetation. In the early 1970s, as a condition for an EPA grant for the construction of a treatment facility, the City of Jacksonville purchased the property as a passive recreation space and to create a buffer around the industrial area.

These ecosystems continue to recover under the watchful eye and loving care of ecological experts. For a truly unique experience, keep your eyes open for the “miracle fruit” plant near the tea garden. Visitors can sample synsepalum dulcificum, which blocks human taste buds from sensing sour flavors and make everything taste sweeter.

The effects last for about 30 minutes, but the memory will last a lifetime! Take a break at one of the picnic tables provided near the Lake Loop trail and enjoy a relaxing waterfront view or take a timeout to access a cyber yoga session through QR codes posted along the trails.

There are tons of great events listed on the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens calendar, including lectures, guided tours, classes, special brunch events, and more.

Website –  https://www.jacksonvillearboretum.org/

Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens/ Flickr

3. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens – Jacksonville

No photo filters necessary at this incredible spot, which is a must-see for plant lovers and art lovers alike! In her will, Mrs. Ninah Cummer noted her wish to create a “center of beauty and culture” for the benefit of “all of the people”, and the green spaces that she advocated for so passionately truly illustrate her ongoing influence on the city of Jacksonville.

The lush campus is divided into four beautiful gardens, all of which were developed by famous garden and landscape planners. Visitors will discover waterscapes, sculptures, and antique decorations throughout, and grand architecture in the form of arches, pillars, and staircases add to the overall artistic effect of this lovely outdoor space.

After you’ve explored the grounds and taken a ton of stunning photos, you can take a break in the AC at the art museum, which features both permanent and rotating exhibitions.

Website –  https://www.cummermuseum.org/

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens/ Flickr

4. Fruit & Spice Park – Homestead

Had your fill of flowers? Or do you just need a snack?! The Fruit & Spice Park is the culmination of one woman’s vision to create a place that featured the rich agricultural bounty and unique heritage of Florida known as Redland.

More than 50,000 visitors flock to the 37-acre park yearly, where they examine many varieties of fruit trees and are encouraged to take a bite out of any fruit that has recently fallen. In addition to fruit trees, visitors will find veggies and a huge variety of nuts, spices, and herbs.

If you are unsure if what you’ve found is edible, friendly staffers in the park’s Welcome Center are ready to answer questions and share fun facts about the local plants, and guided tours are available.

Want to take a sample home? Arrangements can be made with park management for collecting seeds and harvesting cutting suitable for planting. Check out the calendar, which is packed with adventures, classes, and activities, including summer stargazing and the Redland International Orchid Festival!

Website –  https://redlandfruitandspice.com/

Fruit & Spice Park/ Flickr

5. Bok Tower Gardens – Lake Wales

Possibly the most famous botanical garden site in the Sunshine State, Bok Tower Gardens is a dazzling must-see! Edwin Bok set out to “make the world a bit better or beautiful”, and his vision resulted in a masterpiece. A stunning jewel in the crown of Florida history, this gorgeous spot features the original carillon tower that still sounds its 60 bells around the gardens.

Each of the nine gardens was designed by renowned American landscape planner Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr. and was laid out with the aim of promoting thinking and activity, and nearly 450 volunteers work to keep the grounds pristine and blossoming.

Some gardens host classes or display thought-provoking art installations, so be sure to check out the calendar of events if you are spending a few days in the area. Nature, music, and education are all rolled into one incredible location, and you just might spot a blushing bride or smiling groom on your trip.

Bok Tower Gardens is a hot location for weddings due to the incredible photographic opportunities offered on the stunning grounds. And no trip would be complete without a visit to the Blue Palmetto Café, which features a variety of delicious snacks and entrees, as well as beer and wine.

Website –  https://boktowergardens.org/

Bok Tower Gardens/ Flickr

6. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens – Gainesville

There is so much to see at the 68-acre Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, which are named for the 250-acre lake that sits to the north of the park.

You’ll find something new around every corner as you explore gorgeous walking trails and more than 20 themed gardens, and visitors looking for a peaceful spot can navigate the incredible walking labyrinth. You may not be able to see everything, but make sure you check out the awesome giant lily pads in the water garden, a unique and impressive herb garden, and the largest public bamboo collection in Florida.

Take a break at one of the gazebos or other rest stations found throughout the facility or bring a blanket and a picnic basket to enjoy your lunch on one of the lush lawn areas. True plant lovers won’t want to miss North Central Florida’s premier horticultural event, the Spring Garden Festival.

Make sure you swing by the exceptional gift shop, which offers a diverse array of items ranging from original local art to treasures from the natural world.

Website –  https://kanapaha.org/

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens/ Flickr

7. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens – Miami

Step back in time and explore more than 100 years of Florida history! Back in 1916, master sculptors, muralists, and other artists developed buildings and grounds that provide a truly immersive experience in the natural aesthetic.

This incredible garden celebrates many of the plants that can be found on the grounds, including mangrove forests that feature many endangered plant species and the largest known specimens of eight different species of trees native to the United States.

If you are planning a trip now, be sure to look for the exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Vizcaya’s one-of-a-kind swimming pool grotto, one of the most distinctive spaces in the area. Vizcaya has a long-running relationship with the historic Black Coconut Grove community and is dedicated to sharing the legacy of an area that is changing fast due to gentrification and other factors.

Check out their podcast, “The Rich and Forgotten History of Black Coconut Grove”, a three-episode series that features stories for legacy residents and takes listeners through history, from the 1930s to today. 

Website –  https://vizcaya.org/

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens/ Flickr

8. Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden – Delray Beach

Looking for some tranquility in the middle of your busy Florida trip? You won’t want to miss the Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden!

This incredible location features six different gardens, each designed to promote rest and restoration of the mind and body, and mixes time periods and traditions in an effort to promote peace. The mission at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens to “to engage a diverse audience by presenting Japanese cultural experiences that educate and inspire”, and visitors could not ask for a spot with more variety.

Explore a “dry landscape” garden, the predecessor to today’s modern Zen garden. Stroll through the Shinden garden, adapted to exploration by foot instead of the traditional boat ride.

Be sure to check out the bonsai exhibit, where visitors can take a class and learn to train and trim a tree in a container. Make sure you swing by the Cornell Café, an open-air space that overlo9oks the tranquil gardens and serves delicious Pan-Asian cuisine.

And don’t miss the unparalleled Morikami Museum store, which features unique pieces that will make a statement in your home and serve as wonderful mementos.

Website –  https://morikami.org/

Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden/ Flickr

9. Sunken Gardens – St. Petersburg

Want to experience a true taste of old Florida? Established over 100 years ago, Sunken Gardens is one of the last remaining true Florida roadside attractions, and you won’t want to miss it. St. Pete’s oldest living museum is truly an oasis amid the bustling city, where you can wander paths that take you through a living collection that features some of the oldest tropical plants in the state.

Visitors will see more than 50,000 species of plants and flowers and beautiful, cascading waterfalls. Bird lovers, keep your cameras ready, because Sunken Gardens is also home to a feathery flock of flamingos! Take a guided tour (you can book a scavenger hunt for your group!), or attend a horticultural program.

You may even spot a wedding party! Sunken Gardens is a popular location for weddings due to the beautiful surroundings and opportunities for incredible photos. Know before you go: due to the age of this historic gem, you should be prepared to take some additional care when you visit.

Be sure you stay on the paths and refrain from touching or climbing any of the structures.

Website –  https://www.stpete.org/visitors/sunken_gardens.php

Sunken Gardens – St. Petersburg/ Flickr

10. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park – Tallahassee

Head to the Florida state capitol and check out a masterpiece of floral architecture! Once the winter home of Alfred B. and Louis Maclay, this state park offers something for everyone! Once you are done swimming or kayaking on Lake Hall, you can wander down nature trails that wind through massive live oaks.

Self-guided tours are always available via a brochure that you can grab at the ranger station, and guided group tours are available upon request with three-weeks’ notice.

If you are looking for a family-friendly activity, this might be the perfect time to try your hand at geocaching! It is an inexpensive, high-tech treasure hunt that will teach kids how to use location coordinates and practice their navigational skills.

Enjoy your lunch at a picnic area overlooking Lake Hall, one of the most scenic spots in North Florida. Although it is gorgeous year-round, try to plan your visit for high blooming season, which runs from January through April. There is a variety of fun events held all year, including a Kids Fishing Day in June and Camellia Christmas in December.

Website –  https://www.floridastateparks.org/MaclayGardens

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park/ Flickr

11. McKee Botanical Garden – Vero Beach

The most family-friendly spot on our list is a wild place bursting with natural beauty! McKee Botanical Gardens is a non-profit that supports one of Florida’s most incredible botanical collections! The 18-acre jungle landscape encapsulates a more than 10,000 plants,  is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been recognized by the Garden Conservancy as a preservation project of national significance.

An enchanting Children’s Garden is bursting with opportunities for kids to explore natural Florida, and even features an enchanting pirate ship. Don’t miss “Grand Central”, an incredible art installation by Patrick Dougherty.

The artist and a group of volunteers worked tirelessly for three weeks on scaffolding to bend, weave, and trim willow saplings into a one-of-a-kind sculpture. End your visit at the Garden Café, where you can enjoy a variety of fresh foods. Make sure you save room for a homemade brownie or a yummy jam bar! 

Website –  https://mckeegarden.org/

• See more: Restaurants in Vero Beach you Must Try!

McKee Botanical Garden – Vero Beach/ Flickr

12. Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden – Coral Gables

If your trip to Florida falls between May and October, don’t miss a visit to Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens, it is for sure one of the best botanical gardens in Florida! The Lisa D. Anness Butterfly Garden exhibits a variety of native plants that attract and sustain butterflies throughout their life cycle, and is a must-see for nature enthusiasts and photographers.

The diverse garden features a large African baobab tree collected by the founder, Colonel Robert H. Montgomery, and an exhibition of rare plants from the endangered desert habitat of the island country of Madagascar.

There’s always something exciting happening at the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, so check the calendar of events for after-hours events, classes led by horticultural, artistic, and culinary experts, and even Sunday Dog Dates!

You won’t want to miss the annual plant sale, where you can purchase specimens to turn your garden or home into your very own tropical paradise. Kids can take their very own adventure through the garden on Expedition Discovery, where those who complete their mission receive a one-of-a-kind pin!

Website –  https://fairchildgarden.org/

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden – Coral Gables/ Flickr

13. The Kampong – Coconut Grove, Florida

Visit one of the five gardens that compromises the National Tropical Botanical Trust! Named for the Mala or Javanese word for a “village or cluster of houses”, The Kampong is located on the former estate of famed horticulturalist Dr. David Fairchild, whose plant collections greatly influenced the diets of Americans.

He traveled through Southeast Asia and other tropical regions, looking for exotic plants that he could introduce in the United States, and the garden has grown to feature a wide variety of tropical fruit cultivars, including more than 50 varieties of mango, and unique species like peanut butter fruit and cocoplums.

Don’t miss the palm collection, which includes Southeast Asian varieties like the Talipot. The young explorers in your group will love the whimsical guided tour, which is led by a mythical goddess whose head appears from the roots of a banyan tree. Bring a reusable water bottle, filling stations are available throughout the park! 

Website –  https://ntbg.org/gardens/kampong/

The Kampong – Coconut Grove/ Flickr

14. Harry P. Leu Gardens – Orlando

Experience an incredible 50-acre botanical oasis just minutes from Downtown Orlando ! This lush spot is bursting with beauty regardless of the season, and visitors will find both familiar specimens and unique examples of flowers and trees.

QR codes found on many of the garden signs provide additional information for any guest who wants to learn more. Visit the Arid Garden, which contains a variety of drought-tolerant plants. The Bamboo Collection features nearly 50 species of woody, stemmed grass, some of which reach over 70’ tall!

And you may think you are familiar with bananas, but in addition to the familiar fruit, there are other species grown specifically for their striking foliage. There’s a special garden that contains plants that attract butterflies and moths, and you just might spot a hummingbird!

The herb garden is a unique mix of culinary, medicinal, educational, and ornamental plants, reminiscent of turn-of-the-century kitchen gardens. And make sure you visit Mary Jane’s Rose Garden, named after Mrs. Leu, where over 215 varieties bloom in full color.

Don’t miss a tour of the Leu House Museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Harry P.  Leu was a very successful industrialist, and he and his wife traveled extensively and brought back plants and seeds for their Florida home.

Art lovers will find a variety of rotating exhibits in the Garden House Welcome Center, and a tour around the gardens will reveal many different sculptures hidden through the lovely grounds.

One of the best botanical gardens to visit in Orlando.

Website –  https://www.leugardens.org/

Harry P. Leu Gardens/ Flickr

This list is just the tip of the sand dune when it comes to the amazing variety of natural wonders that Florida has to offer! Have we missed any of your favorite botanical gardens in Florida? Leave a comment and tell us about the must-see places that you’ve discovered on your travels through our stunning state.

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Florida botanical gardens: Spectacular scenery at 21 special sites

By: Author Bonnie Gross

Posted on Last updated: January 16, 2024

In the beginning, it was Florida botanical gardens that enchanted visitors.

People from cooler climates could not get enough of the exotic flowers and trees, lushly green and vibrant with color in the warm sunny days of winter.  As visitors started arriving in Florida by car in the early 20 th Century, attractions sprung up to offer beauty and novelty – for a few bucks.

The earliest roadside attractions in Florida? Botantical gardens, like McKee Botanical Gardens ( 1929 in Vero Beach), St. Petersburg Sunken Gardens ( 1935 ) and Historic Bok Tower Gardens ( 1929 in Lake Wales.)

Thankfully, some things don’t change. Many of these gardens have matured into treasured collections of mature trees, rare plants and splendid landscapes. 

Almost a hundred years later, these gardens are still favorites, and they’ve been joined by new gardens, like the Naples Botanical Gardens (opened in 1993), the Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens (opened in 2017) and the Morikami Japanese Gardens (expanded gardens opened in 2001.)

Traveling in Florida, I’ve tried to visit them all. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve never had a bad time visiting a botanical garden.

A few notes about our garden profiles. I’ve included prices as of January 2023, but these are likely to increase. Many gardens are non-profits that must raise additional funds just to keep their gates open. Tickets aren’t cheap – some are $20 to $25 for adults. Most offer reduced ticket prices for children and seniors. A few are bargains — state parks with nominal charges and one is free.  Some offer coupons and Groupons. Also check for AAA, AARP and military discounts.

Southeast Florida Botanical Gardens

Fairchild tropical gardens, coral gables.

Fairchild is in a class by itself, starting with its 1938 origin: It is named after David Fairchild, one of the most famous plant explorers in history, who worked with Miami citizens including Everglades champion Marjory Stoneman Douglas, to found this 83-acre paradise on land purchased by businessman Robert H. Montgomery.

• What’s special about this garden: Fairchild is full of rare palms, cycads, orchids and bromeliads. It has 125 species of bamboo and some of the most exotic tropical fruits in the world. It is expansive and beautifully designed by famed architect William Lyman Phillips. The gardens have been enhanced by the addition of a few glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly.
• A visitor favorite : The only tropical rainforest in the continental United States, which covers two acres and includes waterfalls and cascades and a misting system to keep rainforest plants happy.  Tied for most popular: An enclosed free-flying butterfly pavilion “Wings of the Tropics.”
• Adult admission : $24.95; $17.95 seniors; $11.95 children 6-17; free for 5 and under.
• Fairchild Tropical Gardens website 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156 (305) 667-1651

Morikami Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach

Why is there a Japanese Garden in suburban Delray Beach? Because at the turn of the century, this land was home to a group of young Japanese farmers who formed an agricultural colony they called Yamato, an ancient name for Japan. It didn’t thrive and most soon left. But George Yamato stayed and when he died in the 1970s, he left the land to Palm Beach County for it to become a living memory to the Yamato Colony.

• What’s special about garden : It’s authentic. Covering 16 acres, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is made up of six distinct landscapes inspired by significant gardens of Japan.  As you stroll the pathways around the lake, you walk through gardens representing more than a thousand years of Japanese culture.
• A visitor favorite : Perhaps the most peculiar garden is the Zen Garden or Karesansui that translates to “dry landscape.” In the 15th and 16th centuries, you’d have discovered such gardens around Zen Buddhist temples where monks found they enhanced meditation. It is comprised of carefully raked stones and sand and large rocks to express nature and the universe.
• Bonus : The Morikami has an excellent museum, gift shop and the pan-Asian food at the Cornell Café is top notch.
• Florida Rambler story on how to enhance your experience visiting Morikami Japanese Gardens .
• Adult Admission: $15 ; $13 seniors, $11 college students; $9 children 6 to 17.
• Morikami Japanese Gardens website 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 561-495-0233

Key West Botanical Gardens, Key West

Founded in 1936 by the federal government as part of the Depression Era recovery efforts, this 15-acre garden located on Stock Island has the charm of a community-supported project. It’s not manicured, trimmed and full of flowers; it feels more like a walk in a nature preserve. 

• What’s special here: With special attention to native plants, you’ll also see plants you would otherwise encounter only on Caribbean islands. As you enter, there is a beautiful view of a fresh water pond with several different kinds of chimes displayed, each with a mallet that lets visitors play music. When those chimes are played, the wild turtles swim over. The two fresh water ponds – rare in the Keys – attract migrating birds and thus this is also a good birding spot.
• A visitor favorite : The garden houses a collection of “Cuban Chugs,” handcrafted boats and rafts that Cuban refugees have used to cross the Florida Straits to seek freedom in Florida.
• Florida Rambler story on Key West Botanical Gardens
• Adult admission: $10 adults; $7 seniors
• Key West Botanical Gardens website 5210 College Road, Key West, FL 33040 (305) 296-1504

Flamingo Gardens, Davie

Flamingo Gardens started with citrus trees, which are still an important part of the gardens, but there are now hundreds of native and exotic trees surrounded by lush gardens with ponds, a stream, and a waterfall. It was founded in 1927 by Floyd Wray, whose historic home on the grounds, full of period items, is an interesting stop.

Two decades ago, Flamingo Gardens began developing a new area of the park, the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary. Over the years, it has added animals so that now it has more than 80 native species of birds and animals, including river otter, eagles, bobcats, tortoises, a black bear and a Florida panther.

• What’s special here : The walk-in aviary is full of native Florida birds, most injured and unable to be released into the wild. It’s amazing to get two feet from a roseate spoonbill, a bird you are usually viewing through binoculars.
• A visitor favorite : The flamingoes, of course. Be sure to buy flamingo food when you buy your entry ticket, because you can hand-feed the flamingoes, whose curved beaks gently scrape your hand to gather food pellets.
• Florida Rambler story on Flamingo Gardens
• Adult admission: $22; $20 if you buy a ticket online Flamingo Gardens website 3750 S. Flamingo Road, Davie, FL 33330 954-47302955

McKee Botanical Gardens, Vero Beach

Before there was Disney, there was McKee Jungle Garden, a magical roadside attraction featuring exotic tropical flowers that drew 100,000 visitors a year in the 1940s. Today, while smaller than originally, it offers spectacular beauty in its vistas, its quirky historic structures and especially its water lilies.

• What’s special here: McKee has one of the biggest outdoor displays of water lilies in the United States, with lilies blooming in lagoons, streams and around waterfalls on paths that wind through the jungly property festooned with orchids. McKee’s collection of waterlilies includes more than 80 varieties with more than 300 potted and 100 free-range plants, including night-blooming and day-blooming varieties.
• A visitor favorite : For me, it’s a tie: 1) I loved the stickwork structure called Grand Central, which is woven out of willow reeds twisting and arching through a grove of royal palms to form rooms and spaces to explore. Internationally acclaimed artist Patrick Dougherty and his son Sam designed and built it with help from volunteers. 2) The Children’s Garden is a delight. When we visited, a graying grandma climbed up the stairs to explore a pirate ship that looks like it is marooned in a tree, explaining to me: “We’re all still kids.”
• Florida Rambler story on McKee Botantical Gardens
• Adult admission: $15 ; seniors and youth (13-17) $13; child $10
• McKee Botanical Gardens website 350 US Highway 1, Vero Beach, FL 32962 772-794-0601

Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead

The Redland area of Homestead is all about growing things and so is this county park. At Fruit and Spice Park, you can see edible foods that don’t grow anywhere else in the United States – from 75 kinds of bananas and 160 types of mango to things you’ve probably never heard of, like black sapote, eggfruit and marula.

• What’s special here: The Fruit and Spice Park, in the preeminent agricultural area of the Redland, is said to be the only garden of its kind in the contiguous United States. That is, in part, because its subtropical climate is found nowhere else in the continental U.S.
• A visitor favorite : The Fruit and Spice Park is fun because it allows you to sample fruits you find ripe and on the ground. We didn’t mind just picking them up, brushing off the sand and taking a bite. (We didn’t even mind the mango skins because we aren’t allergic to them.) You might bring a bottle of water and pocket knife for trimming. You’ll also get to sample a fruit item or two in the visitor center.
• Florida Rambler story on Fruit and Spice Park
• Admission : $10, adults; $3, children six through 11; children five and under and members , free
• Guided Tours: Tours included with your admission are conducted daily at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., weather permitting. The Specialty Tasting Tour is available at 3 p.m. for an additional $15 fee. All tours are first come, first served. It’s suggested you arrive 15 minutes before tour times.
• Fruit and Spice Park website 24801 S.W. 187 Ave. Homestead 305-247-5727

Mounts Botanical Gardens, West Palm Beach

Mounts Botanical Garden is not the biggest or most famous garden in Florida, but it packs a lot in its 14 acres. Because Mounts Botanical Garden began as a demonstration garden, it is full of informative labels and practical tips on how to apply what you see to your own garden.

• What’s special here : There are 25 distinct garden areas, with many paths and benches. Many area residents consider it their hidden gem.
• A visitor favorite : The water garden of aquatic plants and small waterfalls. It’s called Windows on the Floating World.
• Florida Rambler story on Mounts Botanical Gardens
• Adult admission: $15; $12 seniors; $7 for ages 6 to 17; free for children under 6.
• Mounts Botanical Gardens website 531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL (561) 233-1757

The Kampong, National Tropical Botanical Garden,  Miami

The Kampong was the home of David Fairchild — a “plant explorer.” (Imagine Indiana Jones as a botanist.) He is credited with introducing as crops plants that include soybeans, pistachios, mangos, nectarines, bamboo and literally thousands more. This estate with enchanting views of Biscayne Bay was his winter home and eventual retirement home.

• What’s special here : Though only 11 acres, there are beautiful scenes and many exotic fruit, including candle fruit, peanut butter fruit, egg fruit, cocoplums, and over 50 varieties of mango.
• A visitor favorite : We loved the swimming pool, with huge coral stone boulders submerged in it.
• Florida Rambler story on The Kampong National Tropical Garden
• Adult admission: $17; seniors and students $12; visits require reservations because of limited parking
• The Kampong, National Tropical Botanical Garden website 4013 Douglas Road, Miami, FL 33133 (305) 442-7169

Heathcote Botanical Gardens, Fort Pierce

This smaller, lesser known garden has a surprising claim to fame: It’s home to the largest public tropical bonsai garden in the United States. Bonsai garden occupies 10,000 square feet within the five-acre gardens, which also include an orchid house, rainforest, a Japanese garden, butterfly garden, herb garden and children’s garden.

• What’s special here : The bonsai specimens. Each is displayed along a winding path on its own pedestal to create a “Walk Through Bonsai,” where visitors stroll and discover a unique bonsai tree at every turn.
• A visitor favorite : The holiday lights display is a community tradition.
• Adult admission: $10; $8 seniors
• Florida Rambler story on Fort Pierce, including Heathcote Botantical Garden
• Heathcote Botanical Gardens   website 210 Savannah Road, Fort Pierce, FL 772-464-4672 . 

Pan’s Garden, Palm Beach

Covering a mere half-acre of land – less than half a football field – this carefully curated gem is filled with Florida’s native plants. In fact, this Palm Beach island garden is the state’s only all-native botanical garden.

• What’s special here : One of the main reasons to visit is to enjoy and learn more about native plants and the birds, bees, insects and butterflies they sustain and attract.   Signage throughout the garden can help you identify what species of plants you are seeing.
• A visitor favorite: A fountain that features a colorful wall crafted from tiles imported from Portugal. The wall was saved from the Casa Apava estate, which was built in 1918 along what today is a two-mile-long stretch of South Ocean Boulevard dubbed Billionaire’s Row.   
• Florida Rambler story on Pan’s Garden
• Adult admission: Free
• Pan’s Garden website 386 Hibiscus Ave., Palm Beach, FL 832-0731 ext. 113

Southwest Florida Botantical Gardens

Naples Botanical Gardens, Naples

The 170-acre garden is devoted to the plants of the tropics and sub-tropics, presented in nine themed gardens, one more stunning than the next. Visitors often spend several hours following the garden map to see it all.

• What’s special here : The Naples garden has spectacular manicured scenery in its well-groomed gardens, but also a one-mile trail through a wild native-plant landscape around a lake, where you are likely to see wading birds and alligators.
• A visitor favorite : The Naples Garden has an unusual schedule of daily free tours, about which visitors rave. Depending on the time of year, there are several tours a day on different topics. You can sign up when you enter. Here are details of tour offerings .
• Bonus : Folks love the FOGG Café and gift shop.
• Florida Rambler story on Naples Botanical Garden
• Adult admission: $25
• Naples Botanical Gardens website 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL 34112 (239) 643-7275

Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens, Punta Gorda

An ambitious new garden, the Peace River Gardens opened in 2017 on 11 acres of gorgeous waterfront on the south side of the wide Peace River. It has a unique vision – to showcase the natural beauty of the property along with gardens of botanicals, all complementing spectacular sculptures. The garden is still being developed. Over the next decade, it will grow to fill 30 acres with features such as a café, an amphitheater and a museum.

• What’s special here : Sculptures are carefully placed around the grounds, positioned in spectacular eye-catching settings. There are hyper-realistic statues, including one of a woman “floating” on an inner tube in a pool. There’s a dramatic kinetic sculpture that gently moves in the breeze, reflecting the surroundings in its mirror-like finish. There’s a huge metal sculpture set in the mangroves looking like the remains of a giant ancient ship. You don’t need an art degree to enjoy these often whimsical sculptures.
• A visitor favorite : Boardwalks and bridges lead through the mangroves to an area that will be the site of a future museum and to a sweeping view of the Peace River.
• Florida Rambler story on Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens
• Adult admission: $18
• Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Gardens website 5800 Riverside Drive, Punta Gorda FL 941-621-8299

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota

The 15-acre garden in downtown Sarasota is the only botanical garden in the world dedicated to epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, ferns and other tropical plants. (Epiphytes or “air plants” grow on the surface of another plant and get moisture and nutrients from the air, rain or debris accumulating around it.)

• What’s special here : The orchids! Selby Gardens contain the most diverse living and preserved collection of ephiphytes in the world, with thousands of species represented. The gardens hold a spectacular orchid show every fall.  Orchids bloom every month, with October and November considered the peak season.
• A visitor favorite: Fans of the garden are thrilled with the recent announcement that Patti Smith, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, National Book Award-winning author, and fine artist, will be the artist in residence here in 2023-2024, during which she’ll offer readings and performances during two residencies. The announcement was made April 28, 2022, at a live performance by Smith at the Downtown Sarasota campus of Selby.
• Adult admission: $26
• Marie Selby Botanical Gardens website 1534 Mound St., Sarasota, FL (941) 366-5731

Central Florida Botanical Gardens

Bok Tower and Gardens, Lake Wales

Sitting atop the Lake Wales Ridge on “Mount Iron,” with 298 feet of elevation, Bok Tower Gardens offers hours of activity and a variety of experiences. There is manicured greenery, a historic home, a garden just for kids, trails to wander plus you can hear the music of a 60-bell carillon that is played regularly from just about any place in the garden. You’ll see azaleas, camellias and magnolias in season.

• What’s special here : The Singing Tower Carillon and Reflection Pool, one of only 200 carillons in the United States. The Art Deco structure is made of coquina, Georgia marble and ceramic tile used in a way that marries the landscape with the architecture.
• A visitor favorite : If you have children with you, you’ll be thrilled with the Children’s Garden, where can can sit in a bird’s nest, climb on an oversized black spider’s web, sit atop the head of an indigo snake with pebble scales, try getting water from a hand pump, play harmonic instruments or create a costumed play on a stage. Other visitors will love the tour of El Retiro, a restored historic 20-room home placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
• Florida Rambler story on Bok Tower and Gardens
• Adult admission: $17
• Bok Tower and Gardens website 1153 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, FL 863-676-1408

St. Petersburg Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg

Starting in 1911, George Turner Sr., a plumber and avid gardener, drained a lake in a sinkhole and used the rich soil to plant fruit trees, flowering bushes and Royal Palm trees. Visitors began paying him a nickel to see it.

The ticket price has gone up, but many of the original plants and trees are still there. In 1999, the city saved the attraction in downtown St. Petersburg.

• What’s special here : The Sunken Gardens are like a taste of Old Florida. Winding trails offer exquisite vistas past manmade waterfalls, over arched bridges with views of koi ponds and orchids – just the sort of scenery that delighted its visitors 100 years ago.
• A visitor favorite : There is a flock of flamingoes and colorful parrots and macaws.
• Florida Rambler story on finding Old St. Petersburg, which includes information on the Sunken Garden
• Adult admission: $15 (check for a Groupon)
• St Petersburg Sunken Gardens website 1825 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33704 (727) 551-3102

Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando

This 50-acre botanical garden could be the most beautiful place in Orlando. With towering mature trees giving shade and Lake Rowena providing a beautiful backdrop, the gardens unveil beauty at every turn – and there are many turns in the winding walkways.

• What’s special here : The garden has an Old Florida feel and contains the Leu House Museum, a restored 19th Century home listed on the National Register of Historic Places that has been owned by only four families.
• A visitor favorite : The garden features a verdant tropical stream, lush with fascinating specimens, all of which are carefully labeled.
• Florida Rambler story on visiting Winter Park, which includes information on the Harry P. Leu Gardens
• Adult admission: $15; check the website for monthly free days
• Harry P. Leu Gardens website 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando, FL 32803 (407) 246-2620

Northern Florida Botanical Gardens

Ravine Gardens State Park, Palatka

From January to March, Ravine Gardens State Park has close to 100,000 flowering trees and shrubs that draw visitors from around the region. The gardens are the product of the Depression-era jobs program, the Civil Works Administration. It was hugely popular then; it ranked in the top 10 tourist destinations in the state

• What’s special here : Year round, visitors can admire the unusual landscape. A spring bubbles up here and forms Whitewater Branch, which flows into the St. Johns River. Over centuries, the stream has cut deep ravines into the land. There is a paved 1.8-mile road through the 146-acre park, with many picnic sites and a playground along the way.
• A visitor favorite: Don’t miss the administration building and the log concession building. Constructed of cypress logs and knees in 1935, they are considered regionally significant as examples of American Rustic Architecture.
• Florida Rambler story on Ravine Gardens State Park
• Adult admission: $5 per vehicle
• Ravine Gardens State Park website 1600 Twigg St., Palatka, FL (386) 329-3721

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Gainesville

This 68-acre garden has 24 major collections you view from a 1.5 mile paved walkway.

• What’s special here : Kanapahaha has the largest public display of bamboos in Florida (the sound of the wind in the large bamboo forests is other-worldly) and the largest herb garden in the Southeast.
• A visitor favorite : The Giant Victoria Water Lilies can reach six feet in diameter during their brief growing season (late summer to fall.) The lilies die when the weather turns cold.
• Adult admission: $10
• Kanapaha Botanical Gardens website Summer House, 4700 SW 58th Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608 (352) 372-4981

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, Palm Coast

The small garden in this state park has ancient spreading oak trees, a meandering waterway fed by a clear spring, plantings of roses and azaleas, a gazebo and numerous photo-worthy scenes.

• What’s special here: The gardens, trails and Matanzas River waterfront have been maintained as beautiful gardens for more than 80 years. It started with a Owen Young, founder of RCA Corporation and eventually chairman of General Electric.
• A visitor favorite : The garden is especially beautiful in spring when the azaleas are in bloom.
• A Florida Rambler story on Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
• Admission : $5 per vehicle
• Washington Oaks Gardens State Park website 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd., Palm Coast, FL 32137 (386) 446-6780

Eden Gardens State Park, Santa Rosa Beach

Eden Gardens State Park preserves a stately 1897 white mansion with columns and a big wrap-around porch. The mansion is surrounded by magnificent trees and grassy expanses with fountains and sculptures. The grounds spread over 163 acres on the waterfront overlooking Tucker Bayou at the eastern corner of Choctawhatchee Bay.

• What’s special here : Peak bloom for azaleas and camellias is January to March. There are 100 varieties of camellias here and both native and non-native azaleas.
• A visitor favorite : As you stroll the beautiful grounds, you’ll think it is just the place to have a wedding. Lots of people have had that realization and there is a magnificent 600 year old live oak that is named the Wedding Tree because countless people have said their vows here.
• A Florida Rambler story on Eden Gardens State Park
• Adult admission: $4 per vehicle
• Eden Gardens State Park website 181 Eden Gardens Road, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 850-267-8320

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

The gardens and museum are a package deal — they’re designed so you go in and out of the museum into the gardens. We loved the museum — even those with only a casual interest in art will find something to like here. There is also an excellent interactive area for children plus a café that gets great reviews.

The gardens have spectacular views of the wide St. Johns River. There are three distinctly different gardens — an English garden, an Italian garden, and a garden designed by the Olmstead brothers (famous for designing Central Park, the grounds of the US Capitol and nearby Memorial Park, among many other things.)

The manicured gardens are not enormous but even in summer, they were full of color and interest. These gardens were begging to be photographed. 

• A visitor favorite : An enormous sprawling live oak tree that is 200+ years old is a centerpiece in the garden.  
• A Florida Rambler story on the historic neighborhood around the Cummer Museum and Gardens
• Adult admission : $20. There are several opportunities every month for free admission .
• Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens website 829 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32204 (904) 356-6857

Florida botanical gardens FAQ

When can I see blooming flowers in Florida gardens? At most gardens, something is in bloom year round. In Central Florida and Northern Florida, gardens are especially beautiful January to March, when camellias and azaleas blossom. (Call ahead if peak bloom is important to you; it varies yearly depending on the weather.)

What’s the most beautiful botanical garden in Florida? That’s a matter of opinion, of course. But Selby Gardens in Sarasota is the only Florida garden to make Fodor’s lists of the 12 most beautiful gardens in the American South. Personally, I think Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Coral Gables might be #1 in Florida.

All articles on FloridaRambler.com are original, produced exclusively for our readers and protected by U.S. Copyright law. Any use or re-publication without written permission is against the law.

This page contains affiliate links from which Florida Rambler may earn a sall commission when a purchase is made. This revenue supports our mission to produce quality stories about Florida at no cost to you.

The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida.

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Thursday 1st of September 2022

lovely place to go ! thanks for sharing such a wonderful place with us ...your post made my day .. SIMPLY BEAUTIFULLLLL. https://oneearthhotels.com/haridwarh.aspx

Wednesday 24th of August 2022

Thank you so much for your wonderful information re our lovely state. Enjoy your emails so very much.

15 Stunning Botanical Gardens in Florida

Botanical gardens in Florida offer a beautiful and peaceful retreat from everyday life. They provide a shady sanctuary on hot Florida days and introduce visitors to Florida’s native plants as well as exotic plant species from around the world.  

As a nature lover and advocate of landscaping with native plants, I love visiting gardens in Florida. Some of my favorite trips include a visit to a local botanical garden, whether it’s a small local spot that I happen upon by accident or one of the more famous attractions with extensive, manicured floral displays. Even Florida zoos and theme parks in Orlando and Tampa show off their horticultural skills with beautiful gardens.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the most amazing botanical gardens in Florida, highlight what makes each one special, and show you how you can visit these Florida gardens, too.

1. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens , Miami

With a subtropical climate, Miami provides the perfect location for tropical plants from around the world to grow and thrive. Fairchild Tropical Gardens opened its 83 acres to the public in 1938. Named after Dr. David Fairchild, the gardens quickly became a place for Dr. Fairchild, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and others to grow and exhibit exotic plants as well as educate the public about these plants’ important uses.

Today, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens has more than 40 buildings and exhibits to explore, including artwork and sculptures. Favorites among visitors are the Rare Plant House, the Wings of the Tropics exhibit, and the Orchid Odyssey. Fairchild also hosts special events, such as dog dates when well-behaved dogs are welcome to the gardens, concerts, classes, and yoga. It has been named the Best Botanical Garden in North America by USA Today.

2. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens , Sarasota

Located in Sarasota, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens provides two beautiful locations for visitors to explore – the 15 acre downtown campus and the 30 acre location at historic Spanish Point. Founded in 1973, the downtown campus was bequeathed by local gardener, Marie Selby. Since then, these gardens have placed a significant focus on botany, historical preservation, and education.

The downtown campus is the only botanical garden in the world dedicated to the display and study of epiphytic orchids, ferns, bromeliads, and other tropical plants. In 2020, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens adopted the campus at Spanish Point. The archaeological record here indicates human habitation at the site dating back at least 5,000 years.

When visiting this garden, be sure to make enough time to visit both locations which are only 10 miles apart. The downtown campus hugs Sarasota Bay and Hudson Bayou. It features a rainforest garden, native Florida garden, palm grove, display garden, the Selby House, and the Payne Mansion. Historic Spanish Point overlooks Little Sarasota Bay. Besides the gardens and plant displays, several historic buildings showcase early life in Florida .

3. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens , Gainesville

Gainesville, Florida may be best known for the University of Florida, but it’s also home to the 68-acre Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. Comprising 24 collections, a visit to Kanapaha Gardens can include seeing all the collections along the 1.5 mile path that winds among the gardens. The Garden has the largest public display of bamboo in Florida and the largest herb garden in the Southeast United States. Collections are organized in different ways, some taxonomically while others demonstrate principles of ecology or natural selection.

Kanapaha holds a number of special events, such as a Spring Garden Festival, Fall Plant Sale, and Moonlight Walks. Some of the most popular spots, though, are the ponds with the giant Victoria water lilies and their signature plant, the Chinese royal bamboo. Visit during the summer for the best color. The garden also welcomes picnics and dogs.

4. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens , Jacksonville

The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is located in the historic Riverside area of Jacksonville. It was originally the private residences of the Cummer family and now encompasses the museum and 2.5 acres of riverfront gardens. The private residences were deemed unfit to be museums and were destroyed in the 1960s. A new museum building was constructed of pink Georgia brick and highlighted with Indiana limestone and granite steps. The museum houses Ninah Cummer’s extensive art collection as well as a Tudor-style room where many of their private furnishings are on display.

The gardens highlight Ninah Cummer’s wish for “a center of beauty of culture”. Four main areas showcase different garden designs.

The Olmstead Garden was nearly lost during the demolition of the 1960s. Cummer Museum purchased the property in 1992 with a full restoration completed in 2013.

The English Garden was the first formal garden commissioned by the Cummers after construction of their home in 1903. It features a cypress-beamed pergola overlooking the St. Johns River, wisteria, and azaleas.

The Italian Garden stands as the jewel in the Cummer Gardens crown. It was created in 1931 to house Ninah’s large collection of Italian marble garden sculptures and features two reflection pools.

Completed in 2013, the Sculpture Garden has four permanent displays and offers one temporary exhibit each year.

5. Bok Tower Gardens , Lake Wales

Bok Tower Gardens has brought beauty and nature to the public since 1929. The dream began in 1921 while Edward Bok visited his winter retreat near Lake Wales. The beauty of the area stunned him so much he decided to leave a legacy of this beauty.

Edward Bok purchased 60 acres on one of the tallest hills in Florida and commissioned famed landscape architect Frederick Olmstead, Jr. to design and create the gardens. They officially opened in 1929 with the subtropical gardens, reflection pool, and Singing Tower with 60-bell carillon. A Mediterranean-style mansion was added in the 1930s.

Since opening, Bok Tower Gardens has entertained more than 23 million visitors. It was one of the first roadside attractions in Florida along with Silver Springs to the north in Ocala. Today the gardens host a number of events, including yoga classes, discovery sessions, free admission days, and events that showcase various plants. These gardens feature a visitor center, the singing tower, gift shop, café, and several miles of nature trails and paths to explore. 

6. Henry P. Leu Botanical Gardens, Orlando

Leu Gardens is 50 acres of tropical and semi-tropical botanical gardens minutes from downtown Orlando. It’s one of the best attractions in Orlando besides theme parks .

The gardens are the work of Harry P. Leu and his wife, Mary Jane. They traveled the world for many years, bringing back exotic plants from their travels for their gardens. The Leus also specialized in camellias, and the gardens house nearly every known variety.

Leu Gardens includes Leu House Museum, Harry and Mary Jane’s home until 1961 and Orlando’s social center. The house has been restored to it’s original splendor, including period furnishings and decor. The gardens are divided into several smaller gardens, each with a mission to improve guests understanding of and appreciation for the many plants on the property.

Though the Camellia Garden is a big attraction, other gardens to stroll through include Rose Garden, Herb Garden, and Butterfly Garden. In all, thirteen distinct areas delight the senses and provide a beautiful and peaceful oasis in the heart of Orlando.

7. McKee Botanical Gardens, Vero Beach

McKee Botanical Gardens is one of the most diverse botanical gardens in Florida. And one of the most popular. Eighteen acres with more than 10,000 plants delight children and adults alike.

The historic gardens began in 1922 as an 80-acre development project. After seeing the grounds, however, the developers deemed the land too beautiful in its native state to destroy with development. McKee Jungle Gardens was born. Eventually, however, development did happen and reduced the gardens to its present-day 18 acres. The land lay dormant until the 1990s when a fund-raising campaign raised the money necessary to save the land from becoming a shopping center. Volunteers cleared and reclaimed the land.

Today McKee Botanical Gardens sits on the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds are an oasis for nature lovers and feature special exhibits alongside architectural treasures such as The Hall of Giants and the Spanish Kitchen. These botanical gardens are also home to one of the largest collections of water lilies in Florida. The gardens host a number of classes and workshops each year, including yoga classes, art workshops, and lectures.

8. Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens began as a pioneering Japanese farming community in 1904. Named Yamato, the community never achieved the hoped-for success. Morikami opened in 1977 as an arts and culture center for the Japanese community in South Florida.

The original building of the museum complex is modeled after a Japanese villa. A ring of exhibit rooms surrounds an open-air courtyard and includes an exhibit of the Yamato Colony. The main museum building three exhibition galleries, a 225-seat theater, an authentic tea house with viewing gallery, classrooms, a museum store, the Cornell Cafe and lakeside terraces for a panoramic view while dining. The collections house more than 7,000 Japanese art objects and artifacts.

Sixteen acres surrounding the museum buildings feature Japanese gardens with strolling paths, resting areas, our world-class bonsai collection and lakes teeming with koi and other wildlife. An additional 200 acres provide ample space for visitors to experience nature via trails, pine forests, and picnic areas. The gardens have been designed to reflect different periods in Japanese garden design. Though modeled after separate time periods from the 8th to the 20th century, the gardens flow together seamlessly.

9. Naples Botanical Garden, Naples

Naples Botanical Garden is a 170 acre garden wonderland in Southwest Florida . It features plants from around the world in nine themed gardens. In 2017, Naples Botanical Garden received the prestigious Award for Garden Excellence from the American Public Gardens Association. It is the youngest garden to have received the award; these gardens were only established in 1993.

Visitors to this garden enjoy spaces such as the water garden, the native plant garden, and a nature trail around a lake. Other photo-worthy gardens include the orchid garden and Caribbean garden. Many special events throughout the year also provide fun and educational ways to experience Naples Botanical Garden, such as W.O.N.D.E.R. monthly themes and activities and free sensory-friendly Saturdays for families with autism spectrum disorder or other sensory processing needs.

10. Maclay Gardens State Park, Tallahassee

Once a picturesque winter home and gardens, Maclay Gardens is now a stunning state park which features hundreds of camellias and azaleas, a secret garden, a walled garden, a reflection pool, and a beautiful brick walkway.

First planted in 1923 by Alfred B. Maclay, visitors to this state park enjoy two short nature trails as well as Lake Hall for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. And while those activities are fun, they can be found at many parks in Florida. Go to Mackay Gardens for the gardens! The camellias and azaleas really show off early in the year. January through April usually marks the peak blooming season.

The historic Maclay house also offers beautiful opportunities to see how the Maclays lived at their winter retreat and the flowers and plants they surrounded themselves with. Special events at the park include Tour of Gardens in May, Kids Fishing Day in June, Scarecrows, Moon Over Maclay – Jazz in the Gardens, and Camellia Christmas in December.

11. Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg

Compared to many other botanical gardens on this list, Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg is small. Miniscule even. However, don’t let its four acre size fool you. This botanical garden in Florida explodes with floral delights around every corner. Sunken Gardens is one of Florida’s original roadside attractions and one of the oldest in the United States.

This attraction began in the 1920s as a gardening oasis for a local plumber and his wife. George Turner drained a six acre sinkhole-turned-lake. The gardens’ location down into the earth and the rich soil left from the lake bottom created the ideal conditions to raise exotic tropical plants, many of which still grow in the gardens today.

Concrete paths meander among more than 50,000 plants and past features such as a babbling brook with gentle waterfalls and the koi pond. Koi aren’t the only animals here though.

A flock of flamingos has been on exhibit since 1956. Two original flamingos, George and Lucy, were joined by twenty young birds in 2016. Caged parrots can also be found throughout the gardens, the last remaining residents from the gardens’ zoo-like days. Visitors, however, come for the botanical beauty. One of Florida’s largest collections of royal palm trees can be found here. As well as the beautiful rainbow eucalyptus.

12. Mounts Botanical Gardens, West Palm Beach

The O’Keefe Rain Garden, planted in a natural depression, helps contain the abundance of summer rain waters and acts as a sponge, filtering that water as it goes back to the Earth. Like many Florida gardens, Mounts also features a Florida natives garden, an herb garden, and an edible garden. For the children, Mounts Botanical Gardens offers the Children’s Maze, a maze created from fragrant shrubs hedges.

These gardens open for many special events each year, such as Sean Kenney’s Nature POP! and Dog Days in the Garden. Several clubs and associations meet at the gardens and hold events there as well. Mounts also has an extensive library and classrooms where more learning and educational opportunities take place. Weddings, of course, also take place in this beautiful setting.

13. Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo

One of my favorite botanical gardens in Florida is this one. Located in Largo, Florida Botanical Gardens spreads across 150 acres providing free access to anyone who visits. Several distinct gardens and native habitats provide plants and information for plant lovers of all kinds.

The gem of Florida Botanical Gardens is the Wedding Garden. An arbor and formal garden dominate the space which is used for weddings, special events, photo shoots, and musical performances. Each corner displays a unique garden – the rose garden, the topiary garden, the English cottage garden, and the jazz garden. Love-inspired quotes stamped in the concrete walkways serve to further show off the Wedding Garden’s purpose of bringing love into everyone’s life.

The herb garden and the native plant garden educate visitors about plants that serve an important function in Florida and our lives. For children, the butterfly garden delights with a plethora of colored flowers, musical instruments, and winged visitors. The Florida Botanical Gardens holds many special events throughout the year, such as art workshops, native plant workshops, and the very popular Holiday Lights in the Garden.

14. Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, Key West

This stunning botanical garden in Key West is the only frost-free, subtropical, native plant botanical garden in the continental United States. Founded by the federal government in 1936, the mission of Key West Tropical Forest has always been to protect and conserve this fragile tropical ecosystem. While other botanical gardens showcase exotic flora and fauna, this one focuses solely on native plants and animals on more than 15 acres.

Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Gardens participates in the Champion Trees program, a program designed to recognize the largest of native trees in the United States. The Forest is home to several such trees, including Saffron Plum, Florida “Black Olive”, and Cuban Lignum Vitae. Another interesting feature of this garden is its Cuban Chug exhibit which showcases the many floating devices immigrants have used to cross the Florida Straits seeking freedom.

Throughout Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Gardens, paved paths, boardwalks, and bridges cross curated collections of native plants and trees. The facility offers wide, ADA-compliant pathways and is a great place for families to spend a couple of hours, even Fido as dogs are welcome , too.

15. Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, Spring Hill

Nature Coast Botanical Gardens is a 4.5 acre property which houses a nursery on one acre and the botanical gardens on the remaining 3.5 acres. This botanical garden in Florida began as a project of the Spring Hill Garden Club at nearby Lake House.

Nature Coast is unique in that it’s run and maintained entirely by volunteers and club members. Volunteers choose a themed garden to work in and are responsible for the healthy of their gardens. Upgrades to the gardens and equipment are paid for by donations and proceeds from plant sales, events, and the sale of memorable bricks.

The botanical garden has 22 themed gardens, including an Asian garden, butterfly garden, desert garden, and native plant habitat. Paved and unpaved paths wind through the many themed gardens and among the plants. Benches throughout invite visitors to sit and enjoy the scenery. Visitors are welcome 7 days a week while plant sales happen every Monday and Saturday.

Closing: Botanical Gardens in Florida

When life calls for beauty and some time spent in nature, it’s time to visit one of the botanical gardens in Florida. Filled with native plants, exotic beauties, and amazing wildlife, a trip to a beautiful garden is a great way to spend quiet time with alone or with family and introduce kids to nature around them. Many of these are also free, providing a budget-friendly activity that everyone can enjoy. Looking for more of Florida’s natural beauty? Check out Florida’s most iconic hikes .

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Hi there! I'm Cristina, and I'm the creative mind behind Wander Florida. I'm a native Floridian (a real one, not an "I've been here so long I might as well be a native"). I was born in Miami and except for a short time as a young child when we lived in North Carolina, I've always lived in Florida.

I'm an introverted book-lover who generally prefers nature and animals to people so you won't often find me at theme parks or crowded beaches. And that's why I don't write about those things. Instead, I share hiking adventures, kayaking adventures, Florida history and historic sites, and small towns. And because we could all use a luxurious place to rest, I plan to share more upscale hotels, spas, and wellness resorts in the future.

Right now, we live in Dunedin, Florida which is in the Tampa Bay area. I take almost all of my own photographs and videos. You'll find those here and on my YouTube channel of the same name. Most of our travel is currently centered around day trips from the Tampa Bay area because we have senior, special-needs animals, and they deserve our time and love while they're here.

Thank you for stopping by and reading. I appreciate your time and am grateful you've chosen to give Wander Florida a bit of your day.

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Thank you for such a great list, these look stunning! I love going to botanical gardens.

I love visiting Botanical Gardens when I travel. They are so peaceful ad beautiful! Thanks for sharing this post 🙂

Botanical gardens are so relaxing, I would love to take my kids to the gardens of Florida.

I love wandering through gardens. Definitely want to visit all 13 of these botanical gardens in Florida. Thinking a road trip is in my future. So pretty!

Botanical gardens are such a gem when visiting somewhere. Thank you for this detailed list! I’m obsessed with the giant-looking lily pads haha.

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the Complete Guide To 7 Florida Gardens You Must See

“They Unpaved The Parking Lot And Put In A Paradise” -Christopher Woods in “Garden Lust- A Botanical Tour of the World’s Best New Gardens” – entry on Naples Fl Botanical Garden

If you are in Florida or planning a visit, here are seven public gardens displaying the region’s natural beauty enhanced by human imagination. Prominent American landscape architects, whom we normally associate with temperate climate gardens worked here.

They produced innovative venues that we enjoy today and which provide valuable conservation and preservation. If you need a quiet walk in beautiful surroundings try any of these. Two of these gardens are not primarily viewed for their natural features but for museums. I am including them because they are in locations relatively convenient to the others and primarily because visitors should not overlook the garden features of the sites.

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden

Why You Would Like To See This Garden

Fairchild is the only truly tropical garden in North America. We have many locations in which you can visit beautiful tropical plantings in conservatories. I am thinking now of spending winter days in the splendid glasshouses of Longwood Garden in SE Pennsylvania. They are a rare treat in blustery weather and a proof that spring will come!

However, there is nowhere else to see a garden quite like this one- genuine tropical landscapes in their natural settings. Additionally, in an environment in which we read, almost daily, about the loss of tropical habitat, we are happy to have this unique spot. There are varied environments, lush and green and then dry, but filled with sleek or strange life forms.

We expected flowering trees, vines, water features, and orchids. Additionally, we were charmed by the lagoons and deep vistas designed by William Lyman Phillips, who trained in the famous Olmstead system. He built this garden during America’s greatest economic insecurity by using workers in federal programs. Amazingly, it got done. The output is magic.

Here is a more expanded description . Location; 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables FL 53156 -Tel; 305-667-1651

Plan Your Visit

This information is per our visit please check the garden webpage .

Open days and hours; 9-5:30 daily x Christmas

Admission prices: Adult; $25.00, ages 0-5 $0.00, 6-17 $12.00, 65+ $18, Student $12.00.

Food and Accessibility: There are two restaurants and a gift shop with some snacks and coffee. You may picnic. The garden offers disabled parking, loaner wheelchairs, a tram service, some seating, and drinking water are located throughout the garden.

The Kampong

The Kampong, also located on Biscayne Bay, was the home of David Fairchild an American explorer who discovered plants around the world. He had as much influence on what Americans eat today as anyone. The Kampong is the Malay word for a village and is a small garden that makes a great added visit when you see Fairchild. It is considered a hidden gem that even many Miamians do not know.

It is one of our oldest botanical research centers and is known for its selection of Cycads (plants that the dinosaurs saw) palms and flowering trees. Do not miss the 50-ton giant baobab tree.

Location; 4013 South Douglas Road, Coconut Grove Fl, Tel 305-442-7169

Garden Website:

Open; Monday-Saturday 9:30-4:30

Admissions: Adult; $20.00, Senior; $15.00, Age 4-12; $5.00, under 4; $0.00

Naples Botanical Garden

Opened in 2009- and encompassing 170 acres this garden is big, new, and ambitious. If you go-go early, there is a lot to see. This is an impressive undertaking and should not be missed if you can make it. It is the youngest garden in history to receive the award for excellence from the American Public Garden Association. It was made on land, once a junkyard, shopping center, and home to invasive species. Joni Mitchell should be pleased!

The point of this garden is Latitude. Specifically, 26 N and 26 S. These are the tropics and a little bit of the subtropics which is its SW Florida location. Plants are collected from throughout the world as long as they are within that latitude. You will visit the gardens of Asia, Brazil, the Caribbean and of course Florida. There are also 90 acres of wilderness preserve and native habitat.

We live about 15 minutes from this garden and for all its neighbors, it is a place for garden walks, recreation, and inspiration.

Location: 4820 Bayshore Drive. Naples FL 34112

Garden Website

Open Times: 8-5 Daily, 8-8 Wednesdays through March 25.

Admission Prices: Adults $19.95, Children 4-14 $9.95

Food and Accessibility: There is a restaurant, water stations in the garden. There are motorized chairs.

Marie Selby Gardens

Sarasota fl, art, and nature on the bayfront in john and mabel ringling’s home town.

Selby Garden is a lush tropical place located exactly waterfront on Sarasota Bay. It is convenient to the charming historic downtown and the arts area that John Ringling started for Floridians. This 15-acre botanical garden, 40 years old is relatively small in the world of botanical gardens. Despite this fact, it is considered the world’s most diverse collection of Epiphytes. Source

What’s an Ephiphyte and why do we care? Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants and are not parasites. These would include ferns, most bromeliads, and 70% of all orchids. This makes them mostly small plants. Surprisingly, the gigantic banyan tree is a fig that starts its life as an epiphyte! They are fascinating large trees that grow their own groves and you will see them here. (If you like them there is a famous one in Lahaina, Hawaii’s historic Whaling town. )

What You Will See

This means that this specialized garden will actually show you a wide variety of garden areas. This includes bromeliads, a carp pond, a banyan grove, a bamboo grove, a butterfly house, and a children’s rain garden.

How to See the Garden

Because Selby Garden is near to Sarasota’s downtown and the famous St Armand’s Key, with excellent shopping and dining, you can combine your day here with other pleasures. St Armands Circle is a small park surrounded by restaurants, boutiques, and salons. This area of matured trees includes the Venetian statuary collected in Italy by John Ringling.

Who Was Marie Selby?

Marie and Bill Selby were committed to philanthropy in general, Sarasota specifically, and loved to garden. She left the property for the “enjoyment of the public.” The trustees of the garden took advice from the University of Florida and The New York Botanical Garden and the decision to specialize in epiphytes evolved.

Location: 900 Palm Ave. South, 940-366-5731 This information is per our visit, please see the website

Hours: The garden is open daily 10-5, except Christmas day.

Admission: Costs: Adult: $25.00, children 4-17; $15.00

Accessibility: there is disabled parking and wheelchairs are available.

The Ringling Museum Complex

This complex encompasses the 66-acre estate of John and Mable Ringling of circus fame. He had a great interest in the art, culture, and history of Italy, especially Venice.

Why You Would Like To See This Estate

John Ringling, an American entrepreneur truly understood the value of entertainment in American life. Born into a poor family of German immigrants he eventually owned 30 businesses. He and Mable enjoyed the “good life”. Their definition of the good life was not just parties on the bay with an orchestra in a boat. They also appreciated art and culture with a big A and a big C! It is all here, as they say.

You can come just for the art collection. This place is the State Museum of Florida and we are so lucky to have it. You can get close, with small crowds, to the Old Masters. See Rubens, van Dyck, Titian, Gainsborough and El Greco.

Here Is A List Of The Sights

• Ca’d’Zan Mansion’
• Circus Museum
• Historic Asolo Theatre
• Art Library’
• Bayfront Gardens

The Gardens

This is a large garden which you can walk or travel through by tram. The Ringlings were avid collectors and not just works on canvas. They wanted exotic shade trees along the bay and they included them.

Garden Elements

Mable’s Rose Garden; at 27,225 sq. ft. this is a considerable collection of roses. Built-in 1913, it was later damaged and restored. It is now a collection recognized by Rosarians.

The Secret Garden: This is the burial place of the Ringlings.

Exotic Tree Collection: They wanted shade trees and they got them. There are hundreds of trees on site. The Ringling uses Treekeeper Software to identify them. I was able to access it using this link. If you go try it.

The Courtyard: A Renaissance Garden; Art and nature together, can it get better? Overlooked by David, symbolic of both Florence and Sarasota are bronze statues throughout the lawn area. John and Mable intended them for this spot. They ordered them from the renowned Chiurazzi foundry.

The plantings were planned as well. The palms, thought to be Cuban Royal palms are about 100 years old. The pine trees are the same types as chosen by the founders and the bougainvillea have been in their enormous pots for about 20 years.

Location: 5401 Bayshore Road, Sarasota FL 34345 Tel

Hours: 10-5 and Thursdays to 8 pm. The Grounds are open from 9:30-5:30 Open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years

Admission: Adults $25.00, Senior: $23.00, Age 6-17 $5.00, Under 5 $0.00 There are some free docent tours which are excellent, check the times. There are also additional guided tours at an additional charge. We have never, not found them valuable.

Dining and Accessibility: There are three dining opportunities as well as picnic spaces. The space is large and the buildings are old. Having said that the Ringling has a number of options. Wheelchairs are welcome, a few are available. There is regular tram service and healthcare aid is offered free admission.

Bok Tower Garden

One Of The Most Remarkable Experiences In Florida

“Make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you lived in it” -Edward Bok

Edward Bok, (1863-1930) won a Pulitzer Prize and edited Ladies Home Journal. He grew up in Brooklyn NY in an immigrant family so poor that he washed windows as a child and collected scraps of coal from the street to keep warm.

When he saw Iron Mountain, a sandhill, 295 feet above sea level, in central Florida he recognized a treasure. He hired Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. to create the garden of his dreams. Prior to this job, Olmstead worked on Biltmore, the White House, The Jefferson Memorial, and the National Cathedral among others.

They created this garden vision from several hundred acres using native and exotic species. The goal was a contemplative spot and they got it. Because they designed it to feed migratory birds you can today see 126 species of birds on your visit;

What You Will Find Here

A day spent here will be a full one: This is a sanctuary

The Garden: Follow hilly walkways surrounded by palms, oaks, ferns, and pines. They set off flowering shrubs. Springtime offers Camellias, Azaleas, and Magnolias. There is a children’s garden, a pollinator garden, and a rare plant collection. The whole family can come but note that there is a lot of walking.

The Singing Tower: you can attend carillon concerts near the tower. It is an art deco, neo-gothic tower with remarkable natural decorations and the front door of your dreams! As you walk up the path you see the tower reflected in the large, adjacent pool. It is another treat, You buy little bags of treats from a machine and feed the carp. They see your hand move and almost leave the water.

Pinewood Estate: This is a historic 1930’s house in a garden setting of 7.5 acres. It is an attractive place to tour and they offer a charming Christmas tour with music.

Hiking Trail: 3.5 Miles

The Viewshed: in 2007 the trustees implemented a plan to preserve the extraordinary views. The plan was so complete that it has its own name, “the Viewshed. Orange groves have an easement but the view can never change.

When they said they were building a sanctuary-they meant it!

Location: 1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, FL 33853

Opening Hours: The attraction is open 365 days per year. The hours change seasonally. Check the website .

Admission: Adults; $15.00, Child; 5-12 $5, Dogs $5.

Food and Accessibility: The garden offers, mobility vehicles, wheelchairs, and strollers. There is a pleasant cafe with garden views.

Edison Ford Winter Estate

Where The Garden Is The Secret

The plot of land that Thomas Edison, impulsively bought in 1885 is best known for scientific history. He made his first visit to Florida, spotted this land along the broad Collusalatchee River, and pictured spending his winters here. At this time he didn’t even know Mina Miller who became an important figure in the life and development of Fort Myers.

He built a home and a working laboratory here. He was joined by his successful former employee, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone. Together they created a hotbed of invention working in the laboratory on cool winter days.

Here is what you are likely to see here and why you might like this garden.

• Historic homes. This is not Miami, expect simple buildings, cleverly laid out in a time before airconditioning to remain cool on the river. In the early days, Fort Myers had a little bit of a wild west ambiance. Cattle on their way to Cuba were driven down McGregor Boulevard beside the houses. The Edisons planted tall palms to dress the place up and keep the cattle out of the flowers!

There is a swimming pool with a tea garden. Who would think of that today?

• Science Exhibits: There are interesting objects and inventions on display. Thomas’ final small office/lab is on display. This was built by Mina for him after Henry Ford took the original lab to Dearborn to display. If you appreciate science or want the children exposed to some interesting ideas this is a great place to visit.
• Some Great old cars.
• The long fishing pier where the moored their boat is gone. You can, however, walk along the waterside and stroll to a nearby fish house and return to the estate.

Thomas and Mina loved to garden. She was the daughter of Lewis Miller, the founder of the Chautauqua movement, and like him a great improver. She founded garden clubs in every neighborhood in the town. They became interested in tropical plants. These gardens contain 1700 plants, from 400 species and originating in 6 countries.

Some Garden Features to Look For

• The Banyan grove. The huge trees are intertwined and Edison’s lifesized statue stands before them.
• The Garden Shop. A good variety of plants is offered daily, and the estate runs lectures and activities including two garden festivals each year. Check the website before you go. There is a handy list of “what’s in bloom” so you won’t miss something interesting.
• Mina Edison’s moonlight garden. She hired prominent designer Ellen Biddle Shipman to design one of her characteristic, reflecting pool gardens for this site in 1929. Shipman designed over 600 gardens in the US. Only two are known to be in Florida. The other is at the Cummer Museum and Gardens in Jacksonville. I have a more expanded piece on this historic Garden on this site. Mina Edison’s Moonlight Garden . I hope it gives you ideas. The garden had that effect on me!

This is the website

Location: 2350 McGregor Boulevard Fort Myers Florida 33901 Tel 239-334-7419

Opening Hours: 9-5:30, exhibit and garden center.

Food and Accessibility: There is ice cream in a small shop. No meals are offered but there is a riverside fish house a very short walk on a paved path and you may return after lunch. There are paved walkways and motorized wheelchairs may be used. Non-motorized wheelchairs are offered as available.

I hope this information is helpful. If you are interested in repeat visits to any of these gardens, memberships are available.

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6 Great Gardens to Visit in Florida

From Coral Gables to Sarasota: orchids, azaleas, bromeliads (and butterflies).

By Geraldine Fabrikant

Although many tourists flock to Florida for its glorious palette of white beaches, blue-gray waters and yellow sun, the state is also home to lush and exotic gardens in every shade of green. Some were the dream of horticulturists obsessed with collecting plants from around the world that would flourish in their new home. Others were established by immigrants grateful for the opportunities the United States had afforded them and eager to leave a legacy in their adopted country. Still more gardens were the creations of wealthy transplants who, while wintering in Florida, sought to recreate the gardens they loved elsewhere. With enormous resources they hired some of the nation’s landscape architects to design gardens that are as dazzling as any in the country. Here are six of Florida’s most enticing green oases.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

An orchid lover’s delight: bucket orchids, sabralia orchids and miniature orchids, a rainbow of colors in their petals. The 15-acre garden, on Sarasota Bay, was established in 1971 as the only botanical garden in the world focused solely on the study of epiphytes, which include many orchid species. (There are 25,000 known types of orchids in the world of which the vast majority are epiphytes: plants that grow on other plants rather than in the soil so that they are closer to the sun.)

This garden was once the property of Marie and William Selby (he made his fortune with the Selby Oil and Gas Company, which merged with Texaco in 1948). After Marie Selby died in 1971, leaving the property to the city, a board of directors consulted with experts from New York Botanical Garden and the University of Florida and chose to make the garden distinctive by focusing on epiphytes.

Beyond the profusion of yellow, purple, orange and white orchids, the garden offers a collection of bromeliads from pineapples to Spanish moss; a stunning collection of palm trees, from the Puerto Rican Hat Palm to the Haitian Zombie Palm; and a mangrove walkway that borders Sarasota Bay.

Selby, taking a page from the New York Botanical Garden, has begun mounting an annual exhibition of art inspired by flowers. Last year it was Marc Chagall’s work that led Selby to replant parts of its gardens with salvia and date palms, evocative of the south of France where the artist did some of his loveliest work. This month , four of Andy Warhol’s silk screens of flowers will form the centerpiece of the Selby exhibit “Warhol: Flowers in the Factory.”

900 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, Fla., selby.org . Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Christmas.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

The land for Delray Beach’s Morikami Garden was the gift of the Japanese immigrant George Morikami, a successful farmer who in the mid-1970s donated 200 acres to Palm Beach County. That land now features six discrete gardens created by the designer Hoichu Kurisu, whose credits include the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Ill. His vision in Florida was inspired by gardens in Japan; each of Morikami’s six gardens reflects a style from a different epoch, beginning with the 9th century.

In Mr. Kurisu’s words, which are featured on the park’s website, the intention is for visitors “to lay aside the chaos of a troubled world.” He has accomplished that with the use of small lakes and paths that wind among pine forests, bamboo groves and rock arrangements throughout the gardens.

The gardens at Morikami are informed as much by religion as by plant life.

With its two landscaped islands joined by a bridge, Morikami’s Shinden Garden was inspired by the gardens that were adapted for the estates of Japanese nobles from Chinese garden design. The Shinden style was popular from the 9th to the 12th century.

The park’s Paradise Garden has paths for strolling the perimeters of its two small lakes in a style that recalls gardens that appealed to the new Samurai class of the 13th century.

In Morikami’s Early Rock Garden, rocks are set vertically and spaced to suggest a waterfall — an arrangement that reflects the rise of Zen and its asceticism.

Karesansui Late Garden features rocks that are artfully placed on expanses of gravel. That style — karesansui means dry landscape — was meant to serve as an aid to meditation from within a temple.

400 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, Fla., morikami.org . Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on major holidays.

Naples Botanical Garden

What do towering bamboos, crepe myrtle, jack fruit banyan trees, orange bromeliads and bougainvillea have in common? They all thrive in ecosystems between the 26th parallel north and the 26th parallel south. Specifically, at the Naples Botanical Gardens, where the landscape designers include the Miami-based Raymond Jungles, known for his exuberant tropical gardens.

Next to the cool, elegant Lea Asian Garden with a replica of a Javanese temple ruin is the rollicking Kapnick Brazilian Garden: Mr. Jungles’s tribute to his mentor, the celebrated Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, who died in 1994. ( Marx was honored during the closing ceremony at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.) The centerpiece of the Brazilian garden is a mosaic by Marx; bromeliads in pink, purple, yellow and orange mirror his colors.

The Caribbean Kapnick Garden, designed by Bob Truskowski, has a laid-back vibe: Among the lush mango and banana trees are hammocks, a cottage and a bocce court that help transport you to island time. The Scott Florida Garden is notable for its bougainvillea and a date palm with a triple trunk. Last year the Naples Botanical Gardens, which opened in 2009, became the youngest to win the Garden of Excellence award from the American Public Gardens Association.

4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples, Fla., naplesgarden.org . Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Tuesday, when it opens at 8 a.m.

Bok Tower Gardens

A Dutch immigrant proud of his success in the United States as publisher of Ladies’ Home Journal and 1921 Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Americanization of Edward Bok,” Mr. Bok’s American Foundation bought roughly 53 acres in the early 1920s to create a bird sanctuary, then added a carillon tower and gardens. Over the years the property, which opened in 1929, has grown to 300 acres. Its 205-foot-high neo-Gothic Singing Tower dominates the park. Made partially from local stone, the tower houses a 60-bell carillon that is played twice daily.

Mr. Bok’s passion for color is evident in the 50 Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.-designed acres that are the core of Bok Tower Gardens. Filled with azaleas, camellias and magnolia, they are particularly lovely in February and March when they are in bloom.

Because Bok is farther north than the gardens around Miami and Sarasota, it is cool enough at night for these plants to survive. As a result, the look and feel of Bok is far less tropical than many other gardens in Florida.

But these are not the only pleasures of Bok. There also are the Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden and the Edible Garden and Outdoor Kitchen for cooking demonstrations. The Edible Garden is surrounded by peach trees, pomegranate shrubs, fig trees, passion fruit vines and banana trees.

The gardens also include acres of palms, oaks and wildflowers that give a visitor a sense of the diversity of Florida’s plant life.

To ensure that suburban development does not mar the vistas from Bok, the park has been purchasing adjacent land in recent years.

1151 Tower Boulevard, Lake Wales, Fla., boktowergardens.org. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. all year.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

The glories of great French and Italian gardens have been recreated at Miami’s Vizcaya, once the home of the International Harvester executive James Deering.

Vizcaya’s grounds were the brainchild of Diego Suarez, the landscape architect who began his career in the early 1900s collaborating with Arthur Acton, the English expatriate and art collector, to help restore La Pietra, the Acton villa near Florence. Suarez became enamored of the elaborate stone work, statuary, fountains with soaring sprays and rills that gave Italian gardens of the 18th century both elegance and fantastical whimsy.

Vizcaya’s grounds were built on fill that had once been a mangrove swamp, now held back by a retaining wall. On level land Suarez created French-style parterres: formal gardens of neatly trimmed plant beds that are laid out in symmetrical patterns with paths for walking.

The Fountain Garden includes a plaza with a fountain from the Italian town of Sutri, which once provided water for its residents. Amid the strangler figs and oaks dripping with Spanish moss, Suarez added a two-story “Secret Garden,” as it is now known, where succulents and cactus flowers bloom in pots built into the stucco walls.

3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami. vizcaya.org . Open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day except Tuesday. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Fairchild, in Coral Gables, has a vast collection of tropical plants that were initially gathered from around the world by David Fairchild, a well-known plant collector. When his friend Robert Montgomery, a retired accountant and also a plant enthusiast, opened the 83-acre park in 1938, it was named for Mr. Fairchild. The garden includes the stunning Lin Lougheed Spiny Forest of Madagascar, named for the art collector and donor. Because Fairchild is at the same latitude as that country, it is able to nurture the spiny octopus trees, swollen baobabs, cactuses and desert roses found on the world’s fourth largest island.

Fairchild also has a butterfly conservatory, housed in the Paul and Swanee DiMare Science Village, which includes a metamorphosis laboratory where visitors can watch butterflies emerge from their chrysalises. Twice daily the staff releases butterflies into the conservatory; visitors may find several sitting quietly on their arms. Fairchild’s William F. Whitman Tropical Fruit Pavilion, named for a rare fruit collector and garden benefactor, offers everything from jackfruit vines to miracle fruit. It also boasts mangosteens, a favorite of David Fairchild’s, according to Carl Lewis, the garden’s director. The fruit’s appeal was not lost on Rudyard Kipling, who wrote in 1902: “You’ll know what my riddle means/ When you’ve eaten mangosteens.”

10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, Fla., fairchildgarden.org . Open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day except Christmas.

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• Botanical Gardens in Florida

BOTANICAL GARDENS IN FLORIDA

By   Mike Miller  Updated August 23, 2023

Florida’s mild to tropical climate makes it ideal for growing a large variety of plants.  The huge population explosion in recent Sunshine State history makes the best botanical gardens even more attractive. 

Many of them are old and established and some are on the National Register of Historic Places.

They are peaceful oases that provide refuge and quiet in the increasingly urban environment of Florida.  Many of them have educational programs that will help you plan your own home garden.

OUR FAVORITE BOTANICAL GARDENS IN FLORIDA

Here are some of our favorites:

Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, Fort Lauderdale Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, Williston Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Jacksonville Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo Leu Gardens, Orlando Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach Naples Botanical Garden, Naples Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, Palm Coast

SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE TO LEARN MORE

Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Boulevard Lake Wales, Florida 33853.  Tel: 863-676-1408

Bok Tower Gardens was dedicated on February 1, 1929, by the president of the United States, Calvin Coolidge. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Landmark.

Its most famous landmark is the beautiful tower and its 60-bell carillon that plays periodically and enhances your visit.

Bok Tower Gardens has become a popular site for weddings, in addition to being one of the major Florida tourist attractions. 

The architecture of the tower with its carvings and mosaics is worth the visit alone and would make this one of the most popular Florida tourist attractions even without the beautiful gardens.

Read More About Bok Tower Gardens

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens 900 N Birch Rd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.  Tel: 954-563-5393 https://www.bonnethouse.org/

A visit to this estate is a unique experience.  Bonnet House is a 35-acre estate on the heavily developed Fort Lauderdale Beach oceanfront.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The main house is full of furniture and art from the personal collections of the families who lived on this 35-acre estate over the years.  The grounds include one of the few remaining native barrier island habitats in South Florida. 

5 different ecosystems can be found on the property, and complementing the natural flora is a desert garden composed of arid plants, a hibiscus garden, and a main courtyard planted with tropical vegetation. 

There are many orchids in this garden.  Various blooming specimens are rotated throughout the Orchid Display House. 

Bonnet house is a haven for migratory birds, and occasionally even manatees will come into the estate’s Boathouse Canal.

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens 4990 NE 180th Avenue Williston, FL 32696. Tel: 352-529-0055 https://cedarlakeswoodsandgarden.com/

This attraction began as a 110 year old abandoned limestone quarry.  It is still somewhat of a secret garden since it started out as a private hobby venture.

Over a 27 year period, Dr. Raymond Webber and staff transformed what was almost a swamp into a series of different islands with pools, waterfalls, gazebos, pavilions and bridges.

He also took up gardening as his hobby and created one of the most unusual botanical gardens in Florida.  Dr. Webber donated the entire 20 acre botanical garden and 64 acre surrounding woodlands to Conservation Florida in order to protect them in the future.

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens 829 Riverside Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32204. Tel: 904-356-6857 https://www.cummermuseum.org/

These gardens were bequeathed to the museum by Nina Cummer.  They were designed by several famous landscape architects including the Olmstead Brothers.

The gardens are more than 100 years old and are located on the shore of the St. Johns River.  The gardens include many rare species of plants and are sheltered by a canopy of ancient live oak trees.

The formal garden has fountains, arbors, reflecting pools and many sculptures arranged around the garden grounds.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden 10901 Old Cutler Road Coral Gables, Florida 33156.  Tel: 305-667-1651 https://www.fairchildgarden.org/

This 83-acre garden is considered to be one of the world’s best tropical gardens.  It has extensive collections of rare tropical plants and has the largest collection of palms in the United States. 

You will become immersed in tropical beauty as you walk along the many paths and enjoy the displays. 

It is much more than a tourist attraction.  It is one of the leading conservation and educational facilities in the world.  

Fairchild is heavily supported by the community with over 45,000 members and 1,200 volunteers who work in the gardens. 

Among many things you will see are orchids.  Fairchild is the home of the American Orchid Society.

Leu Gardens 1920 N Forest Avenue Orlando, FL 32803. Tel: 407-246-2620 https://www.leugardens.org/

Harry P. Leu Gardens is north of downtown Orlando on 50 acres of some of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Florida. 

It has been a popular attraction since 1961 and was the home of the Leu family.  They donated it to the City and the gardens have been expanded since then. 

The property is divided into more than a dozen specialty gardens connected by sidewalks, so you can enjoy self-guided tours. 

The variety of plants is amazing and includes bananas, bromeliads, birds of paradise, cactus, bamboo, herbs, citrus and vegetables. 

They have a particular focus on Florida native plants.  No irrigation is used; all plants are sustained by natural rainfall. 

Some of their vegetable harvest goes to local food banks, and some is used in cooking classes that are held on the property in the Garden House.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 900 S Palm Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236.  Tel: 941-366-5731 https://selby.org/

This small botanical garden is only 15 acres, with 9 acres of display gardens.  It is unique, however, as the only botanical garden in the entire world that is dedicated to epiphytes.

That’s the name for any plant that grows on the surface of another plant. 

At Marie Selby the focus is on orchids and bromeliads. 

The gardens feature more than 20,000 living plants including 5,500 orchids, 3,500 bromeliads, and 1,600 other plants. 

There are also banyans, bamboo, live oaks, palms, mangoes, succulents, wildflowers, cycads, a butterfly garden and a scent garden. 

There is also an interactive children’s rainforest garden.

The gardens are located on the former estate of Marie and William Selby of the Texaco Oil Company.  

Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens 4000 Morikami Park Road Delray Beach, Florida 33446.  Tel: 561-495-0233 https://morikami.org/

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens has Japanese cultural exhibits that educate and inspire visitors. 

The history of this attraction has its roots in Yamato Colony, a small community of Japanese pioneers in 1904 near Boca Raton and Delray Beach. 

The museum building is modeled after a Japanese villa and has exhibition rooms surrounding an open courtyard with a dry garden of gravel, pebbles, and small boulders. 

The building also has a 225-seat theater and an authentic tea house and a café.  The 16-acre grounds around the museum include Japanese gardens with walking paths, rest areas, and a large bonsai collection. 

The entire park contains 200 acres and has nature trails, pine forests, and picnic areas.  It is a great place to learn about Japanese culture and bonsai plants.

Naples Botanical Garden 4820 Bayshore Drive Naples, FL 34112.  Tel: 239-643-7275 https://www.naplesgarden.org/ 

This unique garden calls itself the “Gardens with Latitude”.  That’s because they focus on collections and habitats of plants that primarily exist between 26 latitude North and 26 latitude South. 

The garden features plants from all over the world that grow within this zone.  The exhibits are arranged in several different gardens that include Asian Garden, Brazilian Garden, Caribbean Garden, Children’s Garden, Florida Garden, and Water Garden. 

The Chabraja Visitor Center contains Kathryn’s Garden, Irma’s Garden (chosen for captivating colors), and LaGrippe Orchid Garden. 

There is also a 90-acre nature preserve with several native Florida habitats where you can see eagles, otters, tree frogs, and gopher tortoises in their natural setting.

Sunken Gardens 1825 4th Street N St. Petersburg, FL 33704.  Tel: 727-551-3102 http://www.stpete.org/attractions/sunken_gardens/index.php

Sunken Gardens is a century old botanical garden in the middle of busy urban St. Petersburg. 

You will enjoy winding paths surrounded by exotic plants from all regions of the world.  You can also sign up for garden tours, horticultural programs, special events and field trips. 

Your tour will take you past cascading waterfalls, demonstration gardens, and more than 50,000 tropical plants and flowers. 

Some recent special events included Frogs and Toads, Colorful Caladiums, and Easy-Care Natives and Wildflowers.

When you check into the gardens you will be provided a map that gives you details on the various plants. Parking is free.

Florida Botanical Gardens 12520 Ulmerton Rd Largo, FL 33774. Tel: 727-582-2100

This garden has 100 acres of diverse natural resources including many types of flora and fauna.  The surroundings have been created to showcase environmentally sound gardening techniques.

These demonstration gardens include the Butterfly, Cactus/Succulent, Cottage, Herb, Majeed Discovery, McKay Creek Plaza, Native Plant, Palm, Rose, Topiary, Tropical Courtyard, and more. 

There is also a vinery that showcased various temperate and tropical vines, and a boardwalk through protected wetlands.  This botanical garden has become a popular wedding destination.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park 6400 North Oceanshore Blvd Palm Coast, FL 32137

This unique state park is on State Road A1A in the historic hammock area on the barrier island near the modern city of Palm Coast. 

The park has thankfully preserved 425 acres of great coastal scenery and natural areas.

The main feature of the park is its coastal scrub community that displays ancient live oaks, magnolia and hickory trees.  Located along the Matanzas River on its west side, the park has wonderful views of the tidal marshes.

Within the hammock, 20 acres of formal gardens give you a wonderful place to gaze or relax.

OTHER GARDENS AND NATURAL AREAS TO VISIT

Alfred B. MaClay Gardens, Tallahassee Flamingo Gardens, Davie Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Gainesville McKee Botanical Garden, Vero Beach Mead Botanical Garden, Winter Park Mounts Botanical Garden, West Palm Beach Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, Port St. Lucie Vizcaya Museum Gardens, Coconut Grove (Miami)

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8 Beautiful Gardens To Visit In Florida

Melody Pittman

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Aside from beaches and theme parks, Florida has so many beautiful gardens to visit that I’m forever discovering incredible new ones. In the state’s year-round favorable temperatures, flowers and trees thrive, making it an ideal place for impressive gardens. Being a travel writer, I’ve seen a lot of amazing attractions. I’m constantly wowed by and attracted to botanical gardens, so I visit many of them. Here are eight of the most beautiful I’ve encountered in Florida.

1. Naples Botanical Garden, Naples

Winding trails with surprises at each turn are what you’ll encounter at the Naples Botanical Garden . You’ll be in awe of the waterfall, nestled in a secluded part of the park laden with bromeliads, and the eye-catching blooms around it. The park is easy to walk through, too.

You’re in for a real treat at the Kapnick Caribbean Garden, which you’ll smell long before you arrive. The alluring aroma of the frangipani is intoxicating — a little piece of wonderland. You’ll also see tropical fruits and vegetables here. This part of the botanical garden is why the Naples Botanical Garden is my favorite, and the unusual themed gardens, including the Brazilian and Asian Gardens, truly set this place apart.

Don’t miss the stellar gift shop full of home goods, glassware, gourmet foods, and plants you can take home and grow.

Pro Tip: On Sunday and Tuesday mornings, the Naples Botanical Garden allows visitors to bring along their four-legged friends.

2. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales

The peaceful Bok Tower Gardens is best known for its 205-foot-tall tower of carillon bells played by a live carillonneur. But these simple, elegant, and highly enjoyable gardens offer much more. Fulfilling namesake Edward Bok’s lovely vision for the space, there are quiet places throughout the 250-acre property for sitting and reflecting or meditating. A cart sits at the front of the gardens with the seasonal flowers you will see in bloom on that particular day. I found that it helped me to identify the blooms I was seeing.

The space is also a bird sanctuary and is home to Pinewood Estate, an elegant 20-room Mediterranean mansion — even more reason to explore this peaceful place. At Christmastime, the mansion and grounds are dressed in holiday decor. It is spectacular!

The Bok Tower Gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., one of the world’s most famous landscape architects. Olmsted also worked on design projects at the National Mall, the Jefferson Memorial, and the White House grounds.

Pro Tip: Enjoy a tasty chicken blueberry salad or turkey and smoked gouda sandwich at the Blue Palmetto Cafe, the on-site restaurant.

3. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota

Featuring tropical plants aplenty, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens , the former home of Marie Selby and her husband, William, is a lesser-known 15-acre Florida garden gem you won’t want to miss. I was blown away by the orchid collection at Marie Selby, with more than 6,000 picturesque beauties on display. The bromeliad gardens are rich and stately, while the living plant collection is one of the world’s best. Don’t miss Banyan Grove, great for stunning photo ops.

This garden should take about 2 hours to walk through; an audio tour is available. Be sure to save time for the butterfly garden, which has helped to reestablish the native population, and the koi pond, possibly the most picturesque spot on the grounds.

Pro Tip: Have lunch at the Selby House Cafe, where the tropical chicken salad and Catalan tuna bowl are both delicious choices. Save room for a lemon rosemary bar.

4. McKee Botanical Garden, Vero Beach

Waldo E. Sexton, an eccentric and artsy Vero Beach native, created the beautiful McKee Botanical Garden , a subtropical paradise on Florida’s Treasure Coast. It is filled with native Florida plants and trees and a few rare exotics. Living part-time in Boquete, Panama, I was shocked to see shampoo ginger plants at McKee. These go for big bucks to nail salons in cities around the world.

You’ll adore the water lily ponds and be impressed by the Hall of Giants, built around an enormous table made of a single slab of tropical wood. The outdoor Spanish Kitchen is an architectural marvel, too.

McKee is 18 acres and manageable for anyone to get around. The temporary art exhibits are worth exploring, and there are beautiful statues and artwork throughout the property. Keep your eyes open for hidden treasures. McKee is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pro Tip: On customer appreciation days, admission only costs $1.

5. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Gainesville

Within the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens are 26 different gardens. This gorgeous 62-acre attraction sits on a lake and is home to the most incredible bamboo forest I’ve seen in Florida. You simply must take a photo in the bamboo garden, Florida’s most extensive public collection and the perfect background for a social media profile picture.

Kanapaha is another great place to see picture-perfect water lilies and lotus flowers. Other gardens feature conifers, roses, butterflies, azaleas, ginger, container plants, herbs, hummingbirds, and much more. Don’t miss the labyrinth, a unique feature of the property.

This is definitely one of Florida’s best and most beautiful gardens.

6. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, Tallahassee

Oodles of delicate, colorful, beautiful camellias and azaleas canvas the 1,176-acre Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park . Come in late fall to see them blooming beneath the live oak canopy and along the brick-lined walkways.

Maclay, a cotton plantation-turned-vineyard-turned-quail-hunting estate, is a botanical and architectural masterpiece. It is also a Florida state park that offers fishing, kayaking, and swimming. It contains multiple historic sites and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The park is home to a 1909 house that you can tour, as well as other points of interest, including a fantastic reflecting pool (with great photo ops!) and the many secret gardens of the Maclay winter home.

7. Cummer Museum Of Art & Gardens, Jacksonville

Set on the stunning Saint Johns River in Jacksonville , the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens offers beautiful views of Fuller Warren Bridge, impressive formal gardens, and a stellar art museum all rolled into one. It is the largest fine arts venue in Florida, but the gardens are my favorite part. Containing rare horticultural pieces, they are adorned by sculptures, fountains, arbors, and reflective pools.

The English Garden is my favorite, a rarity in Florida. Delicate blooms peek out from beneath the canopy of live oak trees. It is a mesmerizing sight and one that is as pretty as a famous painting. However, the jewel of Cummer Gardens is the Italian Garden, where you will find two gorgeous reflecting pools and Italian marble garden ornaments.

Pro Tip: You can experience an interactive garden tour from the comfort of your home by going to the Cummer Museum’s website.

8. Miami Beach Botanical Garden, Miami Beach

Miami Beach Botanical Garden is an urban green space filled with incredible plants and trees, all carefully labeled. This 2.6-acre garden is very walkable and absolutely free — a great way to spend an hour in nature. You’ll be amazed at the giant milkweed, a beautiful plant I immediately wanted to take home and plant in my own yard.

The gardens here feature native, edible, and Japanese plants, with koi ponds and fountains dotting the landscape. There are at least 100 types of palm trees, too. Expect to see kapok, silk floss, and banyan trees; crepe myrtles; magnolias; frangipani flowers; and lots of bamboo. The Japanese bridge is an excellent spot for pictures.

Pro Tip: A few blocks away is Miami’s famous Lincoln Road open-air pedestrian mall, perfect for shopping, dining, and people-watching.

As a college-age Southern girl, I was in the Indian River Garden Club of Vero Beach. In Central and Southern Florida, garden clubs were all the rage. It was a treat when we took annual field trips to see private gardens. If you currently live in Florida or are contemplating moving there, be sure to look up the local garden clubs — they perform many civic duties and contribute much to the state’s beautification.

Melody and her daughter Taylor run both Wherever I May Roam and Travel The South travel blogs. She is a digital influencer, freelances for both print and online publications, and hosts an annual travel conference, Southern Travelers Explore. Melody has been traveling her entire adult life and has visited 49 states and 49 countries. She loves cruising, small towns, historical sights, and National Parks.

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12 Gorgeous Gardens to Visit in Florida

Explore these blossoming oases on your next trip to the sunshine state.

With its warm climate and generous sunshine, Florida is primed for botanical beauty. From coastal habitats to rolling inland countryside, these gardens let you escape the crowds and reconnect with nature. Even better, many include a little something extra, whether it's art, architecture or a flock of flamingos.

Southeast Florida

1. vizcaya museum & gardens (miami).

Built by one of early 20th-century America's richest men,  Vizcaya  is nothing if not extravagant. The grounds evoke a Mediterranean villa, with parterres, fountains, shell-lined grottos and sculptures, the latter of porous coral for that authentic, weathered look.

The mansion faces the bay (wealthy guests would arrive by boat), where a stone barge decked with obelisks and mermaids serves as an elaborate breakwater. Don't skip the house. Besides the palatial rooms, there's a glass-domed courtyard enclosed by loggias and overflowing with greenery.

Cost:  $18 for adults (buy tickets online before you go)

Address/phone:  3251 South Miami Avenue; 305-250-9133

Hours:  9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. ( 5 p.m. for the house), Thursday–Monday

2. Flamingo Gardens (Davie)

It can be hard to give proper attention to the scenery at  Flamingo Gardens  with the free-roaming peacocks doing their best to upstage the flora. But the setting — a preserved oak hammock where trees drip Spanish moss and orchids — is a slice of pure Old Florida that's home to botanical gardens and Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary. The arboretum boasts 15 champion trees (the largest of their species) and specialized gardens for crotons, bromeliads, hummingbirds and butterflies.

A free tram tour takes you into the farther reaches of the 60-acre sanctuary, among the wetlands and tropical fruit trees. There are also exhibits with native animal, including alligators, otters, a free-flight aviary and, of course, flamingos.

Cost:  $21.95

Address/phone:  3750 South Flamingo Road; 954-473-2955

Hours:  9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. daily

3. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (Miami)

Lakes and lush flora cover the 83 acres of this  South Florida garden  famous for its biodiversity. Discover unique ecosystems, including the rainforest and the spiny thickets of Madagascar. Admire exotic flowers alongside Chihuly sculptures in the conservatories.

Before you visit, be sure to check the calendar. The garden hosts events throughout the year, from exhibits, like the life-size dinosaurs in the Jurassic Garden, to the annual International Mango Festival in July, when you can taste the garden's favorite fruit in recipes curated by local chefs. Summer is also when the world's largest water lilies bloom.

Cost:  $24.95 for adults 64 and under; $17.95 for adults 65 and up

Address/phone:  10901 Old Cutler Road; 305-667-1651

Hours:  10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily

4. The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory (Key West)

For most visitors, the appeal of  this popular Key West attraction  isn't the showy blossoms but the hundreds of butterflies that flit erratically throughout the conservatory. Yet the insects’ tropical buffet is equally enchanting. West Indian jasmine, yellow elder, lantanas and more complement the vivid green foliage. Flowers are everywhere, hanging in pots, from trees and on the walls. Waterfalls, butterfly-shaped benches and over 20 species of birds, including two flamingos named Rhett and Scarlett, complete the scene.

Cost:  $15 for adults 64 and under; $12 for adults 65 and up

Address/phone:  1316 Duval Street; 305-296-2988

Hours:  9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily

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5. Society of the Four Arts (Palm Beach)

The four arts of this Palm Beach society are music, art, drama and literature, but  horticulture gets its due in the brilliant gardens  covering the 10-acre campus.

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Explore the Sculpture Garden and its 20 artworks before venturing into the nine intimate garden rooms. They were designed in 1938 to inspire gardeners, though anyone can appreciate the romance of wrought-iron gates, a fern-covered wishing well or purple queen's wreath drooping over a Spanish doorway. Bring your camera.

Cost:  Free

Address/phone:  100 Four Arts Plaza; 561-655-7226

Hours:  10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily

6. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens (Delray Beach)

Less floral, more stone and water, the  Morikami gardens  are an unexpected find in Delray Beach. Designed for tranquility, they showcase the diversity of Japanese gardens across 10 centuries.

Begin at the Wisdom Ring, a giant stone lantern, and cross the bridges to the islands as you slowly loop your way around the lake. Your journey takes you past bonsai, bamboo, a pagoda, several Buddhist statues and a Zen garden, where raked gravel and rocks reveal delicate patterns.

Address/phone:  4000 Morikami Park Road; 561-495-0233

Hours:  10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday

7. Naples Botanical Garden (Naples)

Sprawling across 170 acres, the  Naples Botanical Garden  grows plants from around the world in creatively themed sections. It's hard to decide which is the prettiest.

The central lily-strewn Water Garden evokes a Monet painting. The Lea Asian Garden has temple ruins, groves of lychee and starfruit, and a Thai pavilion overlooking a lotus pond. In the Brazilian Garden, a multicolored mosaic crowns a waterfall framed by orange bromeliads. But the orchids, delicate and fragrant year-round, steal the show.

Address/phone:  4820 Bayshore Drive; 239-643-7275

Hours:  9 a.m.–2 p.m. daily (June–September); 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily (October–May)

8. Edison and Ford Winter Estates (Fort Myers)

The grounds of the neighboring  winter retreats of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford  are steeped in history. Visitors can enjoy not only 19th-century buildings, like Edison's botanic laboratory, but also hundreds of flowers, shrubs and trees, many originally planted by the two inventors.

Highlights include the formal Moonlight Garden, a 1920s swimming pool fringed by banana plants, and a massive maze of a banyan tree at the entrance. During the holidays, go after sunset, to see the gardens sparkle with thousands of lights.

Cost:  $25 for a self-guided adult tour ($20 for Holiday Nights self-guided tours)

Address/phone:  2350 McGregor Boulevard; 239-334-7419

Hours:  9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily

9. Sunken Gardens (St. Petersburg)

Unlike the estates built by the rich and famous,  Sunken Gardens  was dreamed up in the early 1900s by a plumber with a green thumb. On the rich soil of a former lake, he added dense tropical plantings, several birds, a souvenir shop and more, eventually charging people for entrance.

The kitsch is mostly gone, but the magic of feeling like you've found a secret oasis remains. The collection, now owned by the city of St. Petersburg, has grown to more than 50,000 plants in a kaleidoscope of colors. Winding paths curve past coconut palms, bougainvillea, parrots and a pond with flamingos.

Cost:  $12 for adults 61 and under; $10 for adults 62 and up

Address/phone:  1825 4th Street North; 727-551-3102

Hours : 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Saturday; 12–4:30 p.m. Sunday

Central Florida

10. bok tower gardens (lake wales).

Built on one of the highest points in Florida,  Bok Tower Gardens’  most famous feature is a 60-bell carillon with intricate carvings of herons, cranes, jellyfish and other Florida wildlife. The neo-Gothic tower reflects perfectly in the pool below — the classic photo — and overlooks gardens designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.

Spring is the gardens’ best season, beginning with camellias in January and culminating in late March and April with thousands of azaleas. Other must-sees include a whimsical children's garden and the Mediterranean-style Pinewood Estate, with its grotto, moon gate fountain and expansive views.

Cost:  $15 for adults

Address/phone : 1151 Tower Boulevard; 863-676-1408

Hours:  8 a.m.–6 p.m. daily

11. Hollis Garden (Lakeland)

Just a few steps from downtown Lakeland,  Hollis Garden  looks more like the backyard of a European castle than a free city park. Neoclassical architecture pairs nicely with the flower beds and boxwoods. Urns, fountains and statuary add the right touch of stateliness. Baroque music plays in the background from hidden speakers.

The garden makes the most of its 1.2 acres, descending in terraces toward Lake Mirror so that nearly every vantage point comes with sweeping vistas. Some 20,000 flowers are changed out seasonally, meaning you're guaranteed a color show whenever you go.

Address/phone:  614 East Orange Street; 863-834-2280

Hours:  10 a.m.–6 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday (April–August), 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday–Thursday, and 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday–Saturday (September–March)

North Florida

12. cummer museum of art & gardens (jacksonville).

Facing the St. Johns River, the  Cummer Museum  opens onto graceful formal gardens. To the south is the English Garden, where wisteria drapes a curving pergola and parallel brick walkways border annual flower beds. To the north, the Olmsted Garden features a rubble wall and staircase facing broad, floral lawns. The Italian Garden, meanwhile, celebrates water — in its triple-tiered fountain, reflecting pools and even the arched gloriette, creating green windows to the river.

The best time to visit is early March, when the azaleas, camellias, delphinium, wisteria and foxglove bloom in concert.

Cost:  $10 for adults

Address/phone:  829 Riverside Avenue; 904-356-6857

Hours:  11 a.m.–9 p.m., Tuesday and Friday; 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

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14 Best Botanical Gardens in Florida To Visit

One of the great joys of living in Florida is that you get access to dip into the ocean, have lunch beside beautiful lakes , explore castles , and taste an exorbitant amount of diversity in the context of gardens and art. 

Not limited to that, the beautiful fishing piers , U-pick’s own oranges from the orange groves , and the small charming Christmas towns are worth exploring in Florida. But this time I’m taking you around the botanical gardens in Florida that encourage fun outdoor activities with your family all throughout the day.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay any extra penny, but I’ll get a small commission that encourages me to deliver more helpful content for you.

If you want to reconnect with nature and plants then these places are sure to bring happiness and a wide smile to your face! You’re extremely fortunate to live in Florida ! Have you explored zoos in Florida with your kids, yet? So, let me take you around Florida.

Table of Contents

Best botanical gardens in florida.

Florida’s climate is blessed to bloom flowers and tropical plants that are native to Florida. I’ll take you around the flower garden in Florida that guarantees peace, serenity, and positive energy.

Let’s check out some gorgeous botanical gardens in Florida.

Botanical Gardens in Sarasota

1. Marie Selby Botanical Garden

• Admission Fee: $8 (members), $16 (adults, non-members)
• Address: 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
• Opening Time: Every day – 10 am – 5 pm

For visitors, Sarasota has a beautiful 45-acre of the bay front sanctuary of green space named Marie Selby Botanical Garden. It sits on two locations – Selby Garden at Downtown Sarasota Campus (15 acres) and Historic Spanish Point at Osprey (30 acres). Combined, it is lush green and pretty botanical gardens in Florida.

Once you step into Downtown Sarasota Bay Campus you’ll see it is an under glass botanical garden featuring more than 20,000 colorful and exotic plants. The campus also features a fern garden, a mangrove walkway, a butterfly garden, an epiphyte garden, a bromeliad garden, and species of more than 6,000 orchids.

Selby Gardens in Sarasota, Florida is mostly dedicated to education, historical preservation, botany, and the environment. If you’re bringing your child, then step into the tropical jungle where you will see a 16’ waterfall, swinging bridge, adventurous trails, and also an amphitheater.

• To experience Florida’s kind garden, take the Jungle Walk tour. Check out their series of the rotating exhibition here
• To enter The Children’s Rainforest Garden, a child needs a parental supervision
• The annual orchid show happens in February and March
• From Selby Garden get a customized orchid piece of jewelry 
• Historic Spanish Point offers tram and walking tour

2. Sarasota Garden Club

• Admission: Free
• Address: 1131 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
• Opening Time: Monday to Friday – 9 am – 1 pm

Break free from the urban frenzy by coming to Sarasota Garden Club, one of the most wonderful botanical gardens to visit in Florida. The picturesque garden sits on 12-acre land between Alderman Streets, South Osprey Avenues, and Boulevard Wood. You’ll also see a fountain, do not forget to click a picture with it!

I would like to tell you that Sarasota Garden Club is nothing majestic but a peaceful place. The bamboo groves, bird sanctuary, shoji fencing, a Japanese garden-style theme, sculpture at the edge of the pond, and blue roofing tiles are all so refreshing to see. This garden is a serene retreat for family people.

Tip: If you’re in search of a “Falling waters garden”, come to Sarasota Garden Club

Botanical Gardens in Orlando, Florida

3. Harry P. Leu Gardens 

• Admission: $15/ adult
• Address: 1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando, FL 32803, USA
• Opening: Every day – 9 am – 5 pm

Harry P. Leu Gardens, nestled in Orlando, Florida, is a horticultural gem cherished by locals and visitors alike. Sprawling across 50 acres, it’s a sanctuary of botanical diversity and tranquility. Established in the 1930s by Harry P. Leu and his wife Mary Jane, the gardens have evolved into a picturesque oasis, showcasing flora from around the globe.

Visitors are greeted by a kaleidoscope of colors and fragrances as they wander through themed gardens, including the butterfly garden, rose garden, and tropical stream garden. Towering oak trees draped in Spanish moss provide a serene backdrop, while vibrant blooms captivate the senses.

One of the highlights is the Leu House Museum, a historic home dating back to the 19th century, offering a glimpse into Florida’s past and the Leu family’s legacy. Educational programs, workshops, and guided tours enhance the visitor experience, providing insights into gardening techniques, conservation efforts, and the importance of biodiversity.

Throughout the year, the gardens host various events, from plant sales to seasonal festivals, attracting botany enthusiasts and nature lovers of all ages. Whether strolling along winding pathways or seeking inspiration for their own gardens, visitors to Harry P. Leu Gardens are sure to find beauty and tranquility in every corner.

• Come to this garden in Winters
• There are QR codes against each flower, once you scan with your smartphone you’ll know all the details
• Concerts or movies are played sometimes, keep an eye out for such events

Also Read: Orange Picking in Orlando: 8 U-Pick Orange Groves in Orlando

4. Discovery Gardens, Tavares

• Admission: $5
• Address: 1951 Woodlea Rd, Tavares, FL 32778, USA
• Opening: Monday – Friday – 9 am – 4 pm

Invite your friends to get on a day trip from Orlando to Tavares to see the Discovery Garden, a beautiful botanical garden in Central Florida. The designed landscape will surely uplift your spirits and vision toward gardening. If you have a big front yard, you can steal ideas on how to decorate the plants on the ground.

Or, if you stay in a small apartment, you can steal ideas to decorate your cozy balconies with plants. Discovery Garden is a nearly 2+ acre site sheltering native plants, ponds, and various aquatic ecosystems. The garden is mostly designed to educate children about plants.

• Come on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to see the Master Gardener Volunteers taking care of the soil
• It is run by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Botanical Garden in Tampa, Florida

5. University of South Florida Botanical Garden

• Admission: $25/ adult
• Address: 12210 USF Pine Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
• Opening: 9 am – 4 pm

When you think of Tampa, what does come to your mind? Cuban cigar? Let me take you to a real place through undeveloped woods along the shore of Lake Behnke. University of South Florida Botanical Gardens is home to more than 3,000 plants attracting visitors to relax and inhale more oxygen.

This peaceful setting and lush green garden with colorful flowers make a wonderful place for the family to spend the afternoon here. In addition to this, parents love to attend their children at beekeeping workshops. USF Botanical Garden is a 16-acre beautiful botanical garden in Tampa. 

• Plant festivals and other events attract visitors from all over the world as it is home to unusual and rare plants
• Plants are used for ongoing research in medical botany

Vero Beach Botanical Garden, Florida

6. McKee Botanical Garden

• Admission: $15
• Address: 350US-1, Vero Beach, FL 32962, USA
• Opening: 10 am – 5 pm

If you dream of replacing “city life hustle and bustle” with a word like “serene” and “tranquil”, or “lush green”, McKee Botanical Garden is the place in Vero Beach. This spectacular beauty and home to exotic tropical flowers is the best botanical garden in South Florida. Initially , it was opened by Arthur Mckee and Waldo Sexton in 1922.

Now, it is home to 80 varied types of waterlilies, night-blooming and day-blooming flowers, free-range plants, potted plants and so many more. It is an 18-acre jungle landscape supporting some exotic Florida fauna. Recently, McKee Garden opened a Children’s Garden where you should bring your kid.

Additionally, it has been registered by the Garden Conservancy as a preservation project of national significance. Once you’re here you should explore The Hall of Giants, The Stone Bridge, The waterfalls, the Stickwork structure, and the Cypress tree trunk. In a word, the McKee Garden is a beautiful place to taste wild beauty!

Port St Lucie Botanical Garden, Florida

7. Port St. Luice Botanical Garden

• Address: 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952, USA
• Opening: Wednesday – Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, On Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm

Do you wonder about walking through a stunning neat botanical garden in Florida? Welcome to a gorgeous oasis of greenery, Port St. Luice botanical garden which sits on 20 acres of land on the west side of Westmoreland Boulevard and the banks of the North Fork of St. Luice River.

Like other gardens in Florida, it offers botanical beauty with 17 Garden Rooms like The Hibiscus Garden, The Cactus, The Bamboo Garden, Succulent Garden, and more. The gardens are surrounded by a wetland, mangroves on the banks, and the river. The site boasts a fountain, a gift shop, and a special place for weddings.

The interesting part of the Port St. Luice botanical garden is it is operated by a non-profit organization called Friends . They conduct events throughout the year featuring local artworks and educational programs. Additionally, the celebration of the Botanical Halloween event, an Arbor Day Celebration, and monthly meetings are full of fun!

• There are benches throughout the park, so you can sit and rest
• The Orchid Room, and Butterfly garden host many children’s programs and live entertainment programs
• There are many events where you can learn about gardening. The interesting one is cooking with the food from the garden

Botanical Gardens Jacksonville, Florida

8. Cummer Museum of Art & Garden

• Address: 829 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204, USA
• Opening: 11 am – 9 pm

Cummer Museum of Art & Garden is a historic garden sitting on the shores of the St. Johns River. It aims in engaging and inspiring through education and gardening programs. Formally it was a residential compound of the Michigan Lumber Baron Brothers and their wives. After the death of Ninah Cummer, the house was turned into a museum.

For 100 years now, it is home to live oaks, native vegetation, and a large scale of naturalistic plantings. The English-style garden with a long wisteria-covered pergola, a fountain, and an extensive design, pool, is the best place to visit if you’re coming to this botanical garden in Florida with children.

Tip: Mixed Herbaceous under the shade of the Cummer Oak, a semi-circular exhedra evocative of Villa Gamberaia, and two reflecting pools is Italian garden style, so visit here to see how it looks

9. Jacksonville Arboretum & Garden

• Address: 1445 Millcoe Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225, USA
• Opening: 8 am – 5 pm

You’ll be extremely fortunate to find Jacksonville Arboretum & Garden , an impressive array of gardens and green space full of woodland trails, and a beautiful lake to sit and relax. Also, this is one of the pet-friendly botanical gardens in Florida that welcomes you and your pet to see the native and exotic plants.

It sits 10 minutes away from the Downtown area of Arlington, hence a great spot to visit in the afternoon and enjoy time exploring. The Arboretum is around 130 acres with 7 different trails to explore, so, decide which trail you want to explore before coming here.

Taking a photo with the loblolly bay tree is a must if you’re coming here. I would recommend coming to Lake Loop Trail and sitting beside the water enjoying the air around you. 

• It is suggested to donate $3 per person to enter
• There are wooden bridges
• Be careful if you’re going to the tea garden as there is a plant called Synsepalum dulcificum.

Botanical Garden in Miami, Florida

10. Vizcaya Museum & Garden

• Address: 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129, USA
• Opening: Wednesday through Monday from 9. 30 am – 4.30 pm

The greatest of photographs cannot capture the beauty of the Vizcaya Garden. The mesmerizing geometric patterns, the organized walks, and the aesthetic European classic architecture while the sun falls on it are unique. You can feel the Mediterranean vibe influenced by Tuscan Italian Renaissance models with signature Miami flair.

Initially, Vizcaya Museum & Garden is popularly known as Villa Vizcaya, a villa of James Deering, a businessman. Presently, it is a sprawling formal garden designed by Diego Suarez. Also, his design of The Casino pavilion offers a dramatic view of the garden. You’ll find rare kind orchids. I bet you’ll love this Italian-French garden concept!

• Click a picture of a maze garden
• Must visit the Secret Garden and the Theatre garden

Botanical garden in Gainesville, Florida

11. Kanapaha Botanical Garden

• Admission: $10
• Address: Summer House, 4700 SW 58 th Dr, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
• Opening: Open only on Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday from 9 am – 5 pm

Kanapaha Botanical Garden in Gainesville is one of the well-known botanical gardens in Northern Florida sitting over 62 acres. It comprises 24 major collections of gardens. Here you’ll find some signature plants like Asian snake arums, Victoria water lilies, and bamboo gardens (Wong Chuk).

I love exploring the hummingbird herb, rock gardens, butterfly garden, the arboretum, a vinery, labyrinth, and hardwood forest. Also, Kanapaha Botanical Garden is one of the largest herb gardens in the Southeast United States. Also, this area has a lot of benches and gazebos to sit and enjoy the liberal green space.

• The Annual Spring Garden Festival features premier horticultural events, educational programs, and more
• The Camellia Show in January is a nice program to take part in
• In September, the garden looks colorful
• If you want to experience live music and events, participate in the Moonlight Walk event. You can bring your dog too.

Botanical Garden in Key West, Florida

12. Key West Garden Club

• Address: 1100 Atlantic BLVD, Key West, FL 33040, USA
• Opening: Every day – 9.30 am -5 pm

Key West Garden Club is one of the pretty tropical gardens sitting on the West Martello Tower attracting visitors from all over the world. The garden keeps a good balance between history and nature resulting in an award-winning historic site. It was so much in use during Spanish American War and the Civil War era.

Key West Garden Club is divided into a series of zones like waterfall garden, prehistoric garden, orchid area, cactus garden, perfume garden, butterfly garden, waterfall garden, and more. You should click a picture with orchids, it looks so beautiful. Also, the vaulted ceilings and brick walls look like you’re in Victorian-era colleges.

You can also check out the Key West tropical forest & botanical garden in Key West too.

Botanical Gardens Daytona Beach, Florida

13. Dunlawton Sugar Mill Garden

• Address: 950 Old Sugar Mill Rd, Port Orange, FL 32129, USA
• Opening: Every day, 8 am – 5 pm

Dunlawton Sugar Mill garden is a hidden gem of Daytona Beach and one of the most wonderful botanical gardens in Florida. The property was donated by Saxton Lloyd and since 1988 it is maintained by the Botanical Gardens of Volusia Inc. This garden sits in a residential corner of Port Orange, which once held a huge sugar cane plantation.

The garden has a wholesome family environment and the moment you get in you’ll find the plants blooming with a dinosaur looking at you. Additionally, towering palms, other semi-tropical trees, and the ruins of a sugar cane mill offer a great experience altogether. It is such a beautiful sight to behold. It occupies 12 acres of land.

Botanical gardens Naples, Florida

14. Naples Botanical Garden

• Address: 4820 Bayshore Dr, Naples
• Opening: 9 am – 5 pm

A 170-acre botanical garden work to preserve the local ecosystem by creating a lush garden with a wide collection of a tropical plant. Naples Botanical Garden is the biggest Florida botanical garden where you’ll find plants from Asia, the Caribbean, Brazil, and Florida. The garden is home to 250 species of native plants.

I recommend clicking a photo with a vanilla orchid trellis. Also, the garden features over 60,000 sq. feet pond where you’ll see different varied species of water lilies, papyrus, and lotus. The oasis of flowering plants is another secret discovery. The wooden pavilions are so beautiful to look at. 

You can take an intimate walkway through the building. You’ll also get a glimpse of sawgrass wetlands and Everglade palms. After a full day of fun at Naples Botanical Garden, you can have dinner at Fogg Café located in the Visitor Center.

Tip: Check out architect Bob Truskowski’s work – Kapnick Caribbean Garden

With so much to explore, these botanical gardens in Florida will give the true experience of a tropical paradise otherwise you would miss out in the United States.

The best part is you’ll come across some endangered species that you never wondered to know. I hope these lists will help you to explore the best botanical gardens in Florida.

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FAQ: Botanical Gardens in Florida

1. what is the largest botanical garden in florida.

A. The Botanical Garden in Largo sits on 182 acres featuring a wide variety of species of flora, fauna, and natural resources. The garden can be explored only through paved paths. The Jazz Garden, Tropical Fruit Garden, and Vinery are worth exploring.

2. Where is the most famous botanical garden?

A. One of the famous Botanical gardens in Florida is McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach. The tranquillity of the garden is so different from others. The Hall of Giant, The Bamboo Pavilion, and the Spanish Kitchen are very unique.

3. What is the most beautiful Botanical Garden?

The most beautiful Botanical Garden in Florida is Harry P. Leu Botanical Garden in Orlando. The aromatic flowers, Fairy Doors, ornate fountains, Rose Garden, and the environment are so admiring. It sits on 50 acres of land and great place to bring your lunch and eat at the patio of the welcome center.

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• April 19, 2024

Here Are The 15 Most Stunning Gardens You’ll Ever See In Florida

Beyond the sunshine and towering palm trees, Florida is also home to some of the most diverse and magnificent gardens on the planet.

Whether you’re a local looking for a new adventure or a visitor seeking a tranquil retreat from the beach, these stunning gardens will enchant you with their verdant beauty and unique charms.

So, slip on your most comfortable shoes, and let’s embark on a tour of Florida’s most breathtaking gardens!

1. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Nestled in the heart of Coral Gables, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a lush oasis that boasts an extensive collection of rare tropical plants.

With its winding paths, cascading waterfalls, and a stunning display of orchids, it’s like stepping into a living painting.

Be sure to check out the butterfly garden, where you can get up close with these delicate winged beauties.

2. Bok Tower Gardens

Rising majestically above the flatlands of Central Florida, Bok Tower Gardens is a symphonic blend of art, history, and horticulture.

The centerpiece, a 205-foot Singing Tower, serenades visitors with carillon bells, while the surrounding landscape unfurls in a medley of azaleas, camellias, and magnolias.

3. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Perched on the Sarasota bayfront, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a celebration of epiphytes, specializing in air plants like orchids and bromeliads.

The garden’s living collections present a kaleidoscope of colors, textures, and scents.

4. Harry P. Leu Gardens

In Orlando, Harry P. Leu Gardens invites visitors to explore its fifty acres of southern-styled gardens.

Stroll under the shade of ancient oaks, meander through the rose garden, and discover the butterfly garden.

Each turn reveals a new secret of this verdant labyrinth.

5. Sunken Gardens

A hidden gem in St. Petersburg, Sunken Gardens is a botanical paradise that’s over a century old.

Descend into this ancient sinkhole-turned garden and be enveloped by lush tropical plants, vibrant blooms, and the soothing sounds of waterfalls.

It’s a natural time capsule in the midst of urban sprawl.

6. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Located in Gainesville, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens covers 62 acres and features Florida’s largest public display of bamboo and the Southeast’s largest herb garden.

The gardens are a living tapestry that changes with the seasons.

7. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

In Tallahassee, Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is a masterpiece of floral architecture.

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The park is especially beautiful in the spring when the azaleas and camellias are in full bloom.

Enjoy a leisurely paddle on the lake or a picnic beneath the live oaks.

8. Naples Botanical Garden

At Naples Botanical Garden , experience ecosystems from around the world, from the Caribbean to Brazil, and Asia to Florida.

This 170-acre wonder features themed gardens that showcase the biodiversity of our planet.

The Children’s Garden is a hit with the younger crowd, and their educational programs are a treat for all ages.

9. Ravine Gardens State Park

Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka is a testament to the power of the Civilian Conservation Corps, who transformed this eroded ravine into a garden paradise during the Great Depression.

The azaleas here put on a show that’s not to be missed.

10. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park combines coastal beauty with manicured gardens.

The park’s formal gardens are a stark contrast to the wild beaches, creating a diverse experience for nature lovers.

11. Mounts Botanical Garden

West Palm Beach’s Mounts Botanical Garden is a collection of over 25 themed gardens.

From exotic trees to tropical fruits and fragrant herbs, there’s a garden for every interest.

Their Butterfly Garden is aflutter with activity and color.

12. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Delray Beach’s Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens offers a serene and meticulously designed landscape inspired by the gardens of Japan.

Roam the winding paths, cross the iconic bridges, and reflect by the koi ponds.

Their festivals and tea ceremonies are cultural experiences that shouldn’t be missed.

13. Florida Botanical Gardens

In Largo, the Florida Botanical Gardens is a verdant sanctuary that merges flora, fauna, and artistic installations.

The gardens serve as a living classroom, promoting conservation and enjoyment of our natural environment.

Their holiday lights display is legendary.

14. Eden Gardens State Park

Eden Gardens State Park in Santa Rosa Beach is known for its beautifully restored Wesley House, which overlooks the Tucker Bayou.

The surrounding gardens are equally impressive, with azaleas, camellias, and roses framing the historic home.

15. McKee Botanical Garden

Finally, McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach is a botanical wonderland with a history as rich as its plant life.

This garden is famous for its water lilies and historic structures from the 1930s.

The children’s garden here sparks the imagination with playful displays.

Nature’s tapestry in Florida is as diverse as it is beautiful, offering a palette of experiences for all who visit these gardens.

Whether you’re seeking tranquility, education, or simply a feast for your senses, Florida’s gardens provide an escape unlike any other.

So, which garden will you explore first?

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6 Florida Gardens To See Spring Flowers In Bloom Before Anywhere Else

Visit these gorgeous gardens in the Sunshine State.

Courtesy Harry P. Leu Gardens

Thanks to a year-round sub-tropical climate, Florida boasts some amazing gardens perfect to visit any time of year. From sprawling historic gardens to horticultural wonders to museum-adjacent gardens, no two flower-powered properties are the same. Get ready for a blooming good time at these gardens sprinkled throughout Florida.

In general, the best times to visit most gardens are fall and spring, when temperatures are cooler and crowds are thinner. Spring, in particular, showcases peak blooming time for flowers. If you do visit in summer, weekdays typically draw fewer crowds than weekends. And, because you’re in Florida, winter still offers a lovely time to visit, thanks to evergreen plants, special events, and mild temperatures.

Here are the best Florida gardens to visit for spring flowers in bloom.

Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Gardens

Courtesy Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Gardens

Open since 1936, this 15-acre property sits on the northwest side of Stock Island, serving as a major migratory stop for South American neo-tropical birds. Take a self-guided tour of the gardens (which feel less manicured and more like a nature preserve) to discover two wetland habitats, a waterfall, tropical plants, and seasonal flowers. Meander along the boardwalk and explore two butterfly habitats, spotting some of the nearly 40 species fluttering about. Pack a lunch to enjoy in the tranquil picnic pavilion.

As the only frost-free botanical garden in the continental U.S., this garden serves as a natural conservation habitat with three freshwater ponds. And, thanks to its ample rainfall and temperate climate, its subtropical forest retains its leaves even throughout winter and early spring.

keywest.garden ; 5200 College Road, Key West, FL 33040

Bok Tower Gardens

Courtesy Bok Tower Gardens

A serene sanctuary dating back to 1929, this historic property stretches over 250 acres in Central Florida. Step back in time with a tour of the 20-room El Retiro mansion at Pinewood. Stroll through the Olmsted Gardens, offering an informal woodland setting with a lush backdrop of flowering plants, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking vistas. As a designated site on the Great Florida Birding Trail, more than 125 different species of birds call the gardens home. Hammock Hollow Children’s Gardens connects kids with nature, thanks to its discovery-based learning elements (like the Songbird Music Tree) and kid-size fun (like the interactive River Walk). 

Bok Tower draws visitors from around the country for its iconic “singing bells.” This 205-foot neo-Gothic Singing Tower houses the carillon, “an instrument of at least 23 tuned bells in chromatic series.” No matter where you are in the gardens, you can enjoy the Singing Tower carillon concerts every day at 1:00 p.m. and 3 p.m.

boktowergardens.org ; 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Courtesy Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

When you need a serene retreat from the buzz of Miami’s thriving cultural scene, head to this 50-acre historic estate along Biscayne Bay. This stunning waterfront property boasts a 45,225-square-foot Main House, where you can explore 34 decorated rooms open to the public. Outside, stroll the grounds to discover gardens nestled between the native Rockland forest and mangrove shore. Completed in 1922, the formal gardens sport geometric plantings and sculptures. Don’t miss the spectacular David A. Klein Orchidarium, bursting with dozens of eye-catching orchid species.

The gardens that frame the Italian Renaissance-style villa showcase formal gardens, fountains, architectural structures, and sculptures. Known for its historic and cultural significance, Vizcaya lets you experience Miami during the Gilded Age.

vizcaya.org ; 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129

Harry P. Leu Gardens

This 50-acre botanical oasis on the banks of Lake Rowena provides a nearby respite from the hustle and bustle of theme park crowds. Discover palms, azaleas, and bromeliads. Stroll under the canopy of camphor trees, elms, and oaks. And, because you’re in Florida, wander among the orange, grapefruit, and lemon trees in the Citrus Grove. Visit the butterfly, herb, and rose gardens, then check out the towering bamboo collection. Don’t miss touring the Leu House Museum, a restored 19th century home listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Lots of movie nights, concerts, classes, special events, and family-friendly activities make this a really fun option for families in town for the rollercoasters.

leugardens.org ; 920 N Forest Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

Florida Botanical Gardens

Courtesy Florida Botanical Gardens

Amble through 150-acres of formal gardens (including a formal wedding garden), native habitats, scenic landscapes, and demonstration gardens. Take a breather in the Adirondack chairs, nestled in a shady spot overlooking the tranquil pond. Bring little ones to enjoy the newly opened Majeed Discovery Garden. This two-acre just-for-kids space bursts with hands-on, experiential education opportunities like the bamboo climbing bridge, music forest, and sensory curtain.

It’s free and pet-friendly, so enjoy visiting this accessible, affordable property with your leashed furry friend. Plus, it sits adjacent to Heritage Village, a 15-acre historical site worth visiting for a peek into 19th century Florida.

flbgfoundation.org ; 12520 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, FL 33774

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Courtesy Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Tucked into the beach town’s suburbs, this unique garden combines nature and art, with a focus on authentic Japanese culture. Spanning 16 acres, the Roji-en’s distinct spaces include the Shinden Garden—two landscaped islands in the lake reachable by a majestic arched bridge. Visit the museum, filled with Japanese art and artifacts, including core collections and rotating exhibits. Opened in 1977, Morikami serves as South Florida’s hub of Japanese art and culture.

Renowned for its six diverse Japanese gardens, Morikami showcases gardens “constructed in the spirit of the masters.” Designed to reflect the authentic beauty of the country’s significant gardens, the property includes a bonsai garden and koi pond, with an eye on providing tranquil settings for contemplation and reflection. For a truly immersive cultural experience, time your visit to one of the property’s many festivals or traditional tea ceremonies.

morikami.org ; 4000 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach, FL 33446

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Florida Botanical Gardens

Learn How Florida Grows

Visitors to the Florida Botanical Gardens can relish the natural wonder of Florida while enjoying a walk through 150 acres of formal gardens, scenic landscapes, and native habitats.

Visit the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation’s website to learn more about the park and view upcoming events.

Admission / Hours

Admission is free. The Gardens are open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Leashed pets are welcome. Entrances are located at 12520 Ulmerton Road and 12211 Walsingham Road.

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Naples Botanical Garden

OPEN DAILY 9:00AM – 5:00PM*

8:00AM – 9:00AM Members Only

OPEN DAILY 9am – 5pm* 8 – 9am Members Only

Welcome to Naples Botanical Garden

A wonderland awaits the moment you step onto our entryway boardwalk. Naples Botanical Garden is among a handful of tropical gardens in the United States, a place to experience everything from rainforests to succulent displays to waterlily-laden pools to flowering trees whose bold colors enliven lush green backdrops.  

Our mission:

Naples Botanical Garden conserves the plants and habitats of the tropics, cultivates beauty, offers knowledge, and inspires the protection of nature.

Visiting for the first time?

Garden visitor info.

4820 Bayshore Drive

Naples, FL 34112

239.643.7275

Daily Hours

9am – 5pm

*8 – 9am Members Only

Adults: $25

Children (4 – 17): $10

Children 3 & under: FREE

Members: FREE

[email protected]

Join Our Email List

4820 Bayshore Drive Naples, FL 34112 239.643.7275

Hours of operation

Daily 9am - 5pm*

*8 - 9am Members only

Adults: $25 Children (4 – 17): $10 Children 3 & Under FREE Members: FREE

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Contact Us [email protected]

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• Photography & Rules
• plaque sponsor

no entry 45 minutes before closing

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens (Gainesville, Florida) is a 68 acre non profit facility comprised of 24 major collections visually accessible from a 1 ½ mile paved walkway. These include the state's largest public display of bamboos and the largest herb garden in the Southeast. Giant Victoria water lilies can only be seen in late summer as they are a tropical species and usually disappear in October when the cooler weather sets in. 

Some of Kanapaha's gardens are organized taxonomically; others demonstrate principles of ecology or natural selection. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is a premier Gainesville wedding venue with both indoor and outdoor rentals for wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions, meetings, retreats, conferences and other social functions. Kanapaha's signature plants include a premier stand of Chinese royal bamboo (Wong Chuk), and--during the warm months--giant Victoria water lilies and Asian snake arums. 

The months offering the most color are June through September. Kanapaha hosts many special events throughout the year including a Bamboo Sale and North Central Florida's premier horticultural event, the Spring Garden Festival. Except during special events, like our Spring Garden Festival, dogs are permitted on leashes. 

Picnic baskets are welcome and there is a picnic area very close to the entrance building. Kanapaha's walkways are largely wheelchair accessible and benches, gazebos and other rest stations are liberally spaced throughout the facility.

Hours of Operation

Monday - 9am to 5pm Tuesday - 9am to 5pm Wednesday - 9am to 5pm Thursday – Closed Friday - 9am to the 5pm Saturday - 9am to the earlier of 7pm and dusk*

*this time of year, we close at 7 pm on Saturday

Sunday - 9am to the earlier of 7pm and dusk*

*this time of year, we close at 7 pm on Sunday

No entry 45 minutes before closing

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• Hours of operation during special events differ from hours listed above (please see events) 

• We are closed for Christmas Day

Admission Price

Adults: $10

Children (ages 5-13): $5

Children under 5: Free (when accompanied by parent)

We do not have any senior or military discounts.

• Admission prices vary for days with special events (please see events)

• Admission tickets are sold at the greetings desk upon entry

• When you visit Kanapaha, consider applying the price of your admission (on non-special event days)  toward an annual membership to Kanapaha on the day of your visit. Simply go to the greetings desk and your admission can be directly converted to an annual membership 

dogs on leashes & OUTSIDE FOOD & Drinks welcome

Dogs are welcome into the facility on non special event days on non retractable leashes as long as they are:

- always under their owners control

- up to date on vaccines and have no history of aggression. 

- no retractable leashes

- dogs should be kept on the sidewalk and fielded areas and not go into our mondo grass borders or other plantings.

Dogs are not allowed on March 23 & 24, 2023 due to the Spring Garden Festival

Guests are welcome to bring in food and drinks and have a picnic. We have a picnic area north of the entrance building as well as many gazebos and benches along the trail. Guests are welcome to bring a blanket and use our lawn areas as well. Minimal snacks (chips and crackers) and drinks (water and soda) are sold at the entrance building.

Botanical Photo Gallery

Handicap accessible.

Kanapaha consists of a mile and a half of handicap accessible paved sidewalk. We have many benches and gazebos placed throughout the gardens for guests to rest.

We have some wheelchairs (non-electric) available at no extra charge on a first come first serve basis. We do not allow guests to utilize golf carts.

our partners

Funded in part by visit gainesville, alachua county, entrance on s.w. archer road (state road 24) 1 mile west of interstate 75 (exit #384).

4700 SW 58th Dr, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA

352-372-4981

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4 Botanical Gardens in Tampa Bay to Visit

Botanical garden s are peaceful, relaxing, and a great place to see many different plants and flowers. There are actually several botanical gardens in Tampa Bay  and can make for a fun day date or a relaxing solo adventure! Keep reading to learn about four botanical gardens you should visit in Tampa Bay.

What is a botanical garden?

A botanical garden usually has a wide variety of plants and flowers that are labeled with their botanical names. Some of these plants or flowers may be from certain parts of the world or have other u nique features. The grounds are kept to ensure the plants and flowers are thriving and can also be used for research purposes. These gardens are beautiful and often make for a fun day exploring.

Where are the botanical gardens in Tampa Bay?

There are two botanical gardens in Hillsborough County and two in Pinellas County. Each one has unique features making them all fun to visit and each a different experience.

• Eureka Springs Conservation Park in Tampa, Florida
• University of South Florida Botanical Gardens in Tampa, Florida
• Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo, Florida
• Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, Florida

TIP: Many (but not all) of the botanical gardens in Tampa Bay are pet friendly.

How much time should I plan to spend at a botanical garden?

This can vary widely depending on the size of the botanical garden as well as how much time you spend taking pictures, reading signs, or just taking in the views. In general for most of the botanical gardens in Tampa Bay I would recommend a minimum of 30-45 minutes for a quick walkthrough. If you want to take your time, take a lot of pictures, or pack a picnic lunch you could easily spend 1 to 2 hours or more.

Eureka Springs Conservation Park

The first botanical garden in Tampa is Eureka Springs Conservation Park. This is a peaceful oasis right off I-4. The park was first established in 1938 by a botanist and traveler Albert Greensburg.

You can get lost in the gardens or walking along the nature trails. The entire park is relatively small at 31-acres total and I ended up walking around most of the park twice just to be sure I didn’t miss anything. There trail is approximately 0.75 miles and there is a combination of paved, unpaved, and boardwalk trails throughout the park.

The park is mostly shaded due to the numerous plants and trees lining the paths. The gardens have plaques that label many of the plants and flowers. I highly recommend taking a walk along the 0.3-mile boardwalk trail. There is also a greenhouse that has beautiful orchids that you don’t want to miss.

There were also a couple signs for a nature trail through the middle of the park that was marked closed for repairs. I am not sure how long it has been closed or an estimate of when that section may be reopening. If you plan to visit the park definitely keep an eye out for any signs.

Essential Information: Eureka Springs

• Location: 6400 Eureka Springs Road Tampa, Florida 33610
• Hours: 8 AM to 6 PM daily
• There are envelopes to put cash in or a pay station that accepts credit cards
• Additional fees may apply for shelter rentals
• Pet friendly

University of South Florida Botanical Gardens

The USF Botanical Gardens in Tampa are a great place to visit if you are looking to spend a little time in nature. The entire gardens are only about 16 acres, but once again there is plenty to see.

You can easily walk through the gardens in 20 to 30 minutes, but there is still plenty to see with over 3,000 plants, animals, and natural habitats. There is a mix of shade and sun throughout. I walked the entire grounds a couple of times making sure I didn’t miss any of the displays or hidden paths. Most of the area is unpaved trails or grassy paths.

When I recently visited there were several students throughout the gardens sketching, painting, and drawing. There are tables, chairs, and benches throughout the gardens to sit and relax. Many people also brought their own blankets to lay out on the ground. It would even be a great place to pack a picnic lunch.

Essential Information: USF Botanical Gardens

• Location : 12210 USF Pine Drive Tampa, Florida 33612
• Hours : Monday thought Saturday: 9 AM to 4 PM
• Seniors (60+)/Military: $4
• Children (6-13 years): $3
• Students (with valid USF ID): $1
• Amenities: Nature trails, benches, plant house, restrooms

The Florida Botanical Garden

This is the largest of the four botanical gardens in Tampa Bay at 100-acres. The Florida Botanical Garden is in Largo, Florida and is part of the Pinellas County Park system. The majority of the Florida Botanical Gardens is paved paths that are ADA accessible. There is a nature trail that is an unpaved grassy path. Between the paved garden paths and the nature trail you can easily walk over 2 miles.

While there are many plants and flowers to see as you walk along the paths there is limited shade throughout. If you decide to visit on a hot day, be sure to pack plenty of water. Some of the attractions include a butterfly garden, a cactus and succulent garden, cottage garden, herb garden, palm garden, rose garden, native plant garden, and more.

A fun seasonal event is the Holiday Lights in the Gardens. This event runs annually from late November to early January. A suggested donation of $10 per person is recommended for this event. Pets are welcomed, but are encouraged to visit early in the season or on weekdays when the crowds are smaller.

Essential Information: Florida Botanical Garden

• Alternative entrance: 12211 Walsingham Road Largo, Florida 33774
• Hours: 7 AM to 5 PM
• Donations appreciated
• Amenities: ADA accessible paths, nature trail, picnic area, concession stand, restrooms
• Pet friendly                                                                                                                                        

Sunken Gardens

The last botanical garden in Tampa Bay I wanted to include is Sunken Gardens. It is located right off 4 th street in St. Petersburg, Florida and is one of the oldest Florida roadside attractions. While the gardens are small at 4-acres, there is a lot to see.

Most of the pathways are paved and ADA accessible. There is also plenty of shade due to the tall trees towering over the walkways. There are also picnic tables scattered throughout the gardens making it another ideal spot to pack a picnic lunch.

One thing to be on the lookout for is a new history center that will be opening in Summer 2022. It is being renovated in the area the original 1940 entrance was.

This is a popular spot for nature enthusiast. You can see many different plants, flowers, and even animals while visiting. Animals you may spot include flamingos, tortoise, koi (ornamental carp), and several different birds including laughing kookaburras, umbrella cockatoo, and macaws

TIP: Be sure to pick up a brochure when you visit for a self-guided tour and to make sure you don’t miss anything while walking through the gardens.

Essential Information: Sunken Gardens

• Location: 1825 4 th St. N. St. Petersburg, Florida 33704
• Hours: Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 4:30 PM; Sunday 12 PM to 4:30 PM
• TIP: Check Groupon for buy one get one tickets for adults which is sometimes available!
• Amenities: Nature trail, picnic tables, gift shop, restrooms
• Service animals only

Final Thoughts on Botanical Gardens in Tampa Bay

Each of these botanical gardens are unique and full of a variety of plants, flowers, and even animals. Visiting a botanical garden is a fun way to spend time in nature with friends or family. Botanical gardens are also a nice solo activity because there are many others around so you have limited safety concerns. Have you visited in of the botanical gardens in Tampa Bay yet? Comment below and let me know which is your favorite or which one you plan to visit next.

Looking for more adventures in Tampa Bay?

• Mountain Biking and more at Alafia River State Park
• Little Manatee River State Park
• Honeymoon Island State Park
• Hiking in Hillsborough River State Park

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What to do before or after your cruise from the port of palm beach.

By Janet K. Keeler

The Port of Palm Beach is Florida’s little cruise port that could. Flanked by much bigger and busier cruise ports, Port Canaveral to the north and Port Everglades to the south, the Port of Palm Beach has found its niche. And close to three-quarters of a million cruisers a year like that niche.

A single cruise line sails from the Port of Palm Beach’s single terminal— Margaritaville at Sea , formerly the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. The cruise line with the Jimmy Buffett vibes offers two- and three-night cruises to Freeport. (A new Margaritaville ship, the Sea Islander , will soon be sailing from Port Tampa Bay on four- and five-night trips to Key West and Western Mexico.)

The cruise port is a roughly 20-minute drive from Palm Beach International Airport but it’s a good bet that many Margaritaville cruisers are driving to the port. A Bahamas cruise is a perfect quick getaway for locals but also for winter visitors or others who are spending an extended time in the Sunshine State. It’s also an activity to entertain visiting relatives and friends.

Because the cruises are short, it makes perfect sense for out-of-towners to extend the trip on one end or the other and explore the Palm Beach County area. This is the playground for the rich and famous (and sometimes notorious) so why not enjoy the things they do.

Here are five things to do near the Port of Palm Beach.

A Round of Golf

Palm Beach County calls itself Florida’s Golf Capital and with 170 courses within its nearly 2,000 square miles, who is anyone to quibble? The golfing (and weather!) is so good in Palm Beach County that renowned pros such as Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have homes there. You may not be ready to take on the courses at the PGA National Resort , which can be played by guests staying there, but there are plenty of other links to choose from. The county maintains five public courses and there are other public courses including Par 3 which offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean along the way. Don’t have clubs? Check with the pro shop before you book a tee time because many of them rent them.

Second-hand Treasures

It’s no secret that Palm Beach is loaded with mega-rich residents like Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, and Stephen Ross, the owner of the Miami Dolphins. The barrier island has a swanky shopping district where designer duds from Jimmy Choo, Carolina Herrera, Louis Vuitton and Chanel, among others, can be found in shops on Worth Avenue . But there are second-hand shops , some of them curated consignment boutiques, in Palm Beach and also across the Intracoastal Waterway in West Palm Beach. Shoppers can find last season’s cast-offs for a fraction of full retail. The Church Mouse in Palm Beach is one of the fanciest church thrift stores you’re likely to step into. It’s open every day except Sunday (of course) but only during the “season” and that means October to June. There you can find clothes and accessories by the likes of Gucci and Kate Spade, among other well-known names. Off the island, drive West Palm Beach’s Antique Row , also known as South Dixie Highway, stopping at whatever stores suit your tastes. There will be clothing consignment and thrift shops along the way.

The Romance of the Lighthouse

About 30 miles north of the Port of Palm Beach is Jupiter Inlet where an 1860 lighthouse stands guard, a beauty made of brick painted red. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is an operating aid to navigation and still has its first-order Fresnel lens , though it converted to electricity in 1928. It is one of 30 lighthouses in the state. Visitors can make the trek up the 105 steps to the top and get an amazing 360-degree view of the Atlantic Ocean to the interior land of the county. The entry fee is $6 to $18 and the lighthouse grounds are open Tuesday through Sunday, except for some holidays. Once on the grounds, visitors can check out the museum and tour the grounds with an app-based guide. There are also guided tours. The pioneer homestead and keeper’s workshop are on the tour. Close to the lighthouse is a cafe called, not surprisingly, the Lighthouse Diner . It serves typical diner food but the “hard” milkshakes made with rum, kahlua, bourbon or vodka are worth checking out.

The Luxury of the Breakers

The opulent and historic Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean can be experienced in a day by renting one of 25 poolside bungalows. Use the bungalow to get out of the sun and enjoy a cold drink from the stocked fridge. Don’t have all day? Dine at one of several restaurants, including dress-up places ( HMF , Henry’s Palm Beach or Flagler Steakhouse ) or more casual spots ( The Beach Club Restaurant , Ocean House or The Surf Break ). If you happen to be around on Sunday morning, the brunch at The Circle is a favorite for locals especially on holidays. Make a reservation. You might just think you’re in Italy surrounded as you will be by frescoed ceilings and eight murals of Renaissance scenes. It may look Italian but the hotel, built in 1896, celebrities a truly Florida migration story. It’s the legacy of oil baron Henry Morrison Flagler of Standard Oil fame, whose name can be found all over the state, including a coastal county a little farther north.

A Lesson in Art

You’ve been hanging out in the sun (or will be) a lot on your Bahamian cruise so it might be a good idea to duck inside for a few hours to save your skin. A visit to the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach can provide that respite and a glimpse into a private collection of art that was the seed for this noteworthy Florida museum. The Norton has a permanent collection of 8,200 works that span European, American, Chinese, contemporary and photography departments. Among the collection are Stuart Davis’ New York Mural and Jackson Pollock’s Night Mist . You might recognize others as you wander the galleries—yes, that’s a Georgia O’Keeffe painting and an Alexander Calder mobile. Check out the museum’s schedule of events, which often includes activities for children, and special exhibits for the time you will be there. The onsite restaurant is open for brunch, lunch and dinner. The caramelized Brussels sprouts Caesar salad at lunch is on trend, as are the Florida craft beers.

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10 fun things to do in Palm Beach Gardens

Palm Beach Gardens in the northern reaches of Palm Beach County is perfectly situated to keep you entertained whether you want to be indoors or outside. That makes any time of year an ideal time to tackle your bucket list in this city of more than 60,000. (It was so ideal that at one time Walt Disney contemplated putting his Florida theme park on 320 acres along PGA Boulevard . But Walt's brother, Roy Disney, pined for more land and wound up closer to Orlando instead.)

So, there's no theme park, but plenty of perks. Whether you love to shop, dine at amazing restaurants , get back to nature, enjoy the performing arts or fancy world-class sporting events (a top-rated PGA tournament, perhaps?), Palm Beach Gardens has you covered.

From The Gardens Mall and Downtown Palm Beach Gardens to the Cognizant Classic, to multiple natural areas and even incredible craft beer, here are 10 reasons to make sure you give Palm Beach Gardens some time and love.

More: USA TODAY names its Restaurants of the Year. They include this Palm Beach County favorite.

The Gardens Mall

A mall? That's right. It opened in 1988, but this mall is not only still going (unlike so many), it's thriving. With two decks and over 1.4 million square feet, this shopping and dining destination features 140 stores including anchors like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's and Bloomingdale's. There are also plenty of smaller shops like Athleta, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Anthropologie, Jimmy Choo and more. Hungry? There are over a dozen places to grab a bite including Shake Shack, California Pizza Kitchen, Cooper's Hawk, Chipotle and more.

Information: 3101 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. thegardensmall.com

Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches

Though undergoing a recent name change ( from 1982 to 2023 it was the Honda Classic), the Cognizant Classic draws some of the biggest names in professional golf to the area for this week-long PGA Tour event. Played at PGA National, the tournament founded in 1972, has hosted the likes of Jack Nicklaus,  Ernie Els, Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and, of course, Tiger Woods.

Information: PGA National, 400 Avenue of Champions, Palm Beach Gardens. thecognizantclassic; pgaresort.com

More: Where to find good restaurants, bites on PGA Boulevard dining corridor

Twisted Trunk Brewing Co.

Owned and operated by master brewer Fran Andrewlevich, this brewery opened in 2015 and has been serving some of the finest pints ever since. Named after the numerous banyan trees in the city and featuring a bar made from 100-year-old elm wood, this local hot spot has 10 beers on tap at time including standards like Palm Beach Pilsner, Fin McCool Irish Red, Chancellor and Hazy IPA and seasonal offerings like Loxahatchee Lager and Papa Pump (pumpkin lager). There's also live music, trivia night and even yoga on Sunday mornings.

Information: 2000 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. 561-671-2337; twistedtrunkbrewing.com

The Gardens GreenMarket

A true staple of the community, this market entered its 22nd season in 2023-24 and is open on Sundays from 8 a.m to 1 p.m. on the City Hall Municipal Campus. It features fresh produce and seafood along with prepared foods like crabcakes, lobster rolls, scratch-made soups, coffee, cider donuts, barbecue sandwiches and platters, smashburgers and much, much more. The market also features live music each Sunday and this season even held several plein air painting demonstrations.

Information: 10500 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens. pbgfl.com/278/GreenMarket

More: 14 best waterfront restaurants from Palm Beach Gardens to Riviera Beach

Eissey Campus Theatre

This 750-seat theater has become a cultural hub for northern Palm Beach County presenting community programs, plays, musicals and live music. In 2024, they've presented The Brothers Doobie-A Doobie Brothers Experience, Human Nature-Back to the Sounds of Motown, Sixties Mania, Red Corvette-A Prince Tribute and Heart Breaker-A Tribute to Heart. These are in addition to performances like Dance Theater of Florida's "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp," "Magic & Mayhem Live-Witness the Impossible," The Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches with Copeland Davis and more.

Information: 11051 Campus Drive, Palm Beach Gardens. 561-207-5900; palmbeachstate.edu

Frenchman's Forest Natural Area

Surrounded by a golf course and homes, this 172-acre natural area is a wilderness oasis in the midst of suburbia. From a mangrove-lined waterway to scrubby pine flatwoods to a boardwalk through a cypress swamp, this natural area is a haven for wildlife, features several trails and is a great way to reset.

Information: 12201 Prosperity Farms Road, Palm Beach Gardens. floridahikes.com/frenchmans

Downtown Palm Beach Gardens

Stylish and open-air, this shopping and dining destination is packed with great shops and restaurants. Some of the eateries include Avocado Cantina, Grimaldi's Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria, Voodoo Bayou and the Yard House. In addition to great place to grab great meal, shop and people watch, this complex has something that almost no one seems to have any more, a movie theater. That's right an actual movie theater, showing movies the way they were truly meant to be seen. Massive screen, huge sound and, most importantly, your attention. No hitting pause to check on the laundry or check your phone — just focus, escape and enjoy.

Information: 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., Palm Beach Gardens. downtownpbg.com

Nova Southeastern University-Mako Shark Statue

This institute of higher learning has a work of art that might not be exactly for the faint of heart. What is it? A statue of a massive mako shark erupting from the pavers on the school's campus. That's right, cue the theme to "Jaws" in your mind when you see it and get a good jolt. Designed by Swedish artist Kent Ullberg and unveiled in 2011, the statue stands four and half feet tall and per the NSU website "symbolizes our prideful mascot: the mako shark– the fastest-swimming and highest-jumping shark in the ocean.”

Information: 11501 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens. 561-805-2100; nova.edu/campuses/wpb

MacArthur Beach State Park

So technically , this one's in North Palm Beach, but it's just over the bridge and down the street from Palm Beach Gardens and a popular spot for the entire area. In addition to launching kayaks and paddleboards at the 'Burnt Bridge' and exploring the area by water, where, depending on the season, you could see manatees, dolphin, mullet, snook, rays, wading birds and more, you can enter the park for even more fun. They have live music, festivals, classes, bird watching, snorkeling trips, SUP excursions and beach clean ups. If you are a music lover, their series 'MacArthur Under Moonlight,' held in their amphitheater, is not to be missed.

Information: 10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach. macarthurbeach.org

Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area

Though another that's technically not within the city limits, it's so close it feels like it is and is the perfect way to get out of development and into the wild. This nature preserve is Palm Beach County's largest, most biologically diverse natural area and covers over 13,000 acres. There are hiking trails (that even link to other parks), informational kiosks, observation platforms and restrooms. The area is the headwaters of the Loxahatchee River and there is an abundance of wildlife to be seen and heard.

Information: 11855 Beeline Highway, West Palm Beach. Free. floridahikes.com

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at  The Palm Beach Post , part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at  [email protected] . Help support our journalism.  Subscribe today .

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16 Beautiful San Diego Gardens You Must See

A re you looking for your next dose of nature? San Diego is overflowing with stunning gardens that offer visitors a peaceful place to relax and unwind. 

Maybe you’re staying in the city or along the seaside, a tranquil paradise awaits regardless of your location. Keep reading to find out about the most stunning San Diego gardens.

San Diego Gardens – Balboa Park Gardens

San diego botanical building & lily pond.

The postcard cover of Balboa Park is the San Diego Botanical Building and Lily Pond. Constructed in 1915 – 1916, the Balboa Park Botanical Building is one of the biggest lath buildings on the planet.

As you walk through this enclosed quiet space, you’ll be treated to 2,100 permanent plants with a selection of lovely orchids and tropical plant species. You’ll quickly realize why this is not only the best garden in the city but also one of the most popular things to do in San Diego .

This Balboa Park icon is currently closed for renovations and we all hope they can complete it as promised in 2023. Stay tuned for updates!

Check out these Balboa Park Tours:

★ Balboa Park Walking and Photography Tour

★San Diego Balboa Park Highlights Small Group Tour with Coffee

★Private Balboa Park Segway Tour ★San Diego Balboa Park Scavenger Hunt Adventure

Palm Canyon

One of Balboa Park’s hidden gems is the gorgeous Palm Canyon. This secluded walking trail takes visitors through vibrant forests before reaching a striking wooden rope bridge to the Alcazar Gardens.

Open 24 hours a day and home to 450 palms, recognizable from their large green fronds, you won’t be able to get enough of the Palm Canyon.

Zoro Garden/Butterfly Garden

What was once home to nudists is now overflowing with butterflies. Surrounded by serene rock pools and august ficus trees, Zoro Garden was originally meant to be a territory for those who love to roam free while unclothed.

This six acre garden features everything a butterfly needs to live a long-lasting healthy life, including verbena, nectar plants, lantana, and blanket flower. You’ll love the beautiful butterflies here.

Veterans Memorial Garden

Another one of the beautiful San Diego gardens is the Veterans Memorial Garden, set up to celebrate the lives of the men and women who have fought in the United States military.

It’s a small one acre space split into three parts, the sea, land, and air gardens. In the middle of all three is a huge statue of a WWII B-24 Liberator.

Trees For Health Garden

Enjoy three and a half acres of 70 species of medicinal plants at the Trees For Health Garden. This garden was set up to promote the power plants contain to help people heal.

Keep an eye out for the five plaques which describe each species’ taste and smell.

Kate O Sessions Cactus Garden

Are you bored of flower gardens? Then go and see the largest cactus in the whole of Balboa Park at Kate O Sessions Cactus Garden.

The area was developed in 1935 and is filled with imported African and Australian protea plants. This garden will make visitors feel like they’re in a foreign country.

Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden

If you’re in San Diego between March and December, you need to visit Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden.

These public gardens showcase 1,600 roses which are in peak bloom from April through May. Try heading down there on a Tuesday or Thursday, and you’ll see the Balboa Park Rose Garden Corps hard at work maintaining their beauty.

Florida Canyon Native Plant Preserve

Substitute your usual walking route for the miles of trails in the Florida Canyon Native Plant Preserve. Discover endless flora and fauna while wandering through these San Diego gardens.

Don’t feel comfortable navigating them on your own? The San Diego Natural History Museum often hosts informative guided tours at various times throughout the week.

Healing Peace Garden

Another garden in San Diego where you can learn about healing plants is the Healing Peace Garden. Saunter through food forests with tropical fruits and raised vegetable beds while listening to the sound of birds chirping in the background.

Why try to understand the process of plant healing alone when you can join one of the many workshops available to the public? They cater to all groups, from schoolchildren to adults.

California Native Plant Garden

Next up, we have the California Native Plant Garden comprising homegrown plants native to our great state.

This small display only has 36 plants that are drought tolerant and can be used for landscaping at home. Finding this spot can be a little bit tricky, go to the west end of the tennis courts at Morley Field, you’ll see a sign which will show you the way.

Casa Del Rey Moro Garden

Identical to the Moorish Gardens in Spain, the Casa Del Rey Moro Garden is a fabulous estate that was constructed for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition.

Over the years, the grounds have been redesigned to keep up with the times. A model of a well in the Guadalajara Museum of Gardens has even found a place there.

The Desert Garden

Situated on a small 2.5 acre of land, the Desert Garden houses 1,300 plants from all over the planet. Some of those being alluring succulents and admirable drought resistant plants, perfect for water conservation.

To see the plants bloom, visit the Desert Garden from January through March. Of course, you can visit at any other time and there will still be plenty to see.

Australian Garden

San Diego is the second home for Australian plants since our climates are quite similar.

Head over to the Gold Gulch Canyon for an awe-inspiring presentation of plant species that make up the Australian Garden, including Grevillea, Callistemon, and more. It’s a flower lover’s heaven!

San Diego Japanese Friendship Garden

A list of botanical gardens in San Diego’s stunning Balboa Park wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the charming Japanese Friendship Garden. It’s a unique representation of the friendship between San Diego and the Japanese city of Yokohama. 

Following a traditional Japanese design, the grounds are some of the most well-maintained in the state. They feature undisturbed koi ponds, creative stone designs, and various forms of Japanese architecture. Plus, of course, unbelievable views wherever you walk.

To enter the Japanese Friendship Garden, you must purchase tickets online beforehand. The great thing is that they don’t have a specific date, so you can use them whenever you wish.

Throughout the year, the Japanese Friendship Garden holds festivals that coincide with those in Japan, such as the world-renowned Cherry Blossom Festival, where you can see the famous bloom with your own eyes. It saves you from taking a trip over the Pacific.

Alcazar Garden

Last but certainly not least of Balboa Park Gardens is the Alcazar Garden .

Inspired by the gardens of Alcazar Castle in Seville, this space is surrounded by boxwood hedges and filled with soothing features. These include colored Moorish tiles, intricately shaped fountains, and an impressive pergola.

It’s no wonder past visitors have described the space as a Garden of Eden.

San Diego Gardens – San Diego Botanical Garden Encinitas 

Immerse yourself in the 37 acre enchanting San Diego Botanical Garden Encinitas. Embark around 4 miles of mysterious trails where you’ll be able to take in breathtaking seaside vistas. 

View over 5,300 plant species while popping between 29 special garden spaces, each increasingly different from the other and containing plants from regions all over the globe.

The San Diego Botanical Garden Encinitas has something for everyone. Send your little ones to the biggest children’s garden along the west coast. While they’re at play, meander through Amazonian rainforests in search of the premise’s huge bamboo collection, known to be the most sizeable in North America.

Although tickets for the San Diego Botanical Garden Encinitas can be purchased at the front desk, it’s recommended you reserve them online before because they tend to sell out, especially during the high season.

As you can see, there are so many wonderful gardens in San Diego. From secret grounds to urban oases, choosing where to go on your next stroll has never been so exciting.

Which garden will you visit first?

Last Updated on May 9, 2023 by Maria Haase

The post 16 Beautiful San Diego Gardens You Must See appeared first on San Diego Explorer .

• 8 Cutest Small Towns In Utah To Visit In 2024

Utah is a landlocked state with extraordinary outdoor beauty. Located in the Western United States, this state is home to some of the world's most dramatic sandstone arches and cliffs which decorate its towns with unique otherworldly scenery. From Moab, where three nearby national parks preserve stunning arches, to Kanab where a lake complements the mountains and canyons, visitors will be surrounded by a world of wonders. Yearning for a vacation in the US that feels like an adventure on Mars, visit these 8 cutest towns in Utah.

Huntsville is a beautiful town dipped in the Ogden Valley, where it radiates unique character, quaint natural beauty, and a laid-back aura. Upon arrival at this pretty destination, visitors have a handful of options on what to see and do. A good starting point is at the town's Main Park, featuring a playground, and picnic benches on a backdrop of lush greenery. More adventures await at the 2.9-mile Green Pond Loop Trail which offers great views of the Wasatch Mountains. The highlight of all outdoor experiences in Huntsville is at the Pineview Reservoir where tourists can swim, boat, kayak, canoe, fish, and sail on the lake with views of the surrounding towering mountains. After the outdoor adventures, visitors can relax and munch burgers with beer at the Shooting Star Saloon, famed as the oldest continuously running bar in Utah.

Garden City

Garden City is a pretty, little town in Rich County that deviates from the regular landscape ruggedness of wavy canyons and cliffs to feature something different for visitors to Utah. Positioned on the shores of Bear Lake, this magical town is renowned as the Caribbean of the Rockies, and the lake's beauty beckons visitors for indulgence. Adventurers can boat, kayak, fish, canoe, paddle, swim, and sail on the waters, while laid-back visitors can hold picnics by the banks. Families can have fun at the Bridgerland Adventure Park featuring gorgeous lake views and thrilling playground equipment. For even more adventures, Garden City welcomes visitors to Heritage Park featuring sports facilities, a playground, and the Garden City Fishing Pond for fishing.

Fillmore was the capital city of Utah Territory before it became a state and moved the capital to Salt Lake City . So, this town is historic and naturally alluring. On the side of history, the Territorial Statehouse State Museum and Park takes visitors back in time with governmental artifacts and other relics that reflect life in the early pioneer days. Meanwhile, the park is home to the American Rose Society Garden, where guests can enjoy picnics on its beautiful grounds after a historical exploration. On the side of fun, natural beauty, and recreation, visit the Meadow Hot Springs to bask in the warmth of three hot pools and relax like a baby. For a more sensational and unique experience, head out of town to the nearby Little Sahara Recreation Area to explore miles of gorgeous dunes with an ATV.

Kamas is a photogenic mountain town famed as the gateway to the Uinta Mountains. On arrival to this town, visitors can explore the mountain range, home to around 500 lakes including the famous Mirror Lake which offers great fishing opportunities. This lake is an easy stop on the 42-mile Mirror Lake Scenic Byway which begins from Kamas and takes one past gorgeous mountain scenery, waterfalls, picnic areas, trails, and campgrounds. In addition to the lake, Upper Provo River Falls is another must-see side attraction on this road trip as it features an overlook and spots for swimming. In town, visitors are invited to grab a tasty bite at the Mirror Lake Diner or enjoy delectable grills at the Gateway Grille.

The town of Helper lies by the Price River in Castle Valley, bustling with picture-perfect natural charms. Once here, visitors can soak in gorgeous sights and soothing sounds at the 0.4-mile Riverwalk, which also features various historic displays. The town's main street is also beautiful and a walk through it immerses one into a quaint atmosphere filled with art galleries, shops, restaurants, and an old movie theatre. Just nearby, hikers can venture out to the 2.2-mile Gordon Creek Falls trail to behold two captivating waterfalls. Away from the great outdoors, visitors can learn about the town's history as a coal mining hub and railroad district at the Helper Museum. The museum features a mock-up coal mine, a jail, dinosaur fossils, and other historic elements.

Panguitch is a scenic small town in Garfield County, renowned for the Panguitch Lake which offers incredible fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities. Nearby Panguitch, the typical dramatic Utah scenery unfolds at the Cedar Breaks National Monument featuring stunning red sandstone cliffs and spires. Cedar Breaks is also surrounded by Dixie National Forest featuring diverse landscapes, including canyons, cliffs, rivers, gorges, valleys, and several small lakes. For even more adventures, visitors can head to the nearby Bryce Canyon National Park to explore some stunning natural amphitheaters. Besides the nearby geological formations, visitors to Panguitch can watch movies and eat at the Gem Theater or stroll through the town’s beautiful main street and shop for some antiques at Panguitch Mercantile.

Kanab is a charming small town by the Kanab Creek, dazzling in stunning natural beauty. Here, visitors will be met with the signature red-rock scenery of Utah created by numerous dramatic geological formations. The town is even close to two major Utah parks - Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, each of which features otherworldly red rock formations that glow magically during sunset. Visit these parks for unique experiences or venture into the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park to immerse in a massive sea of red sands overlooked by sandstone cliffs.

For something away from the hard elements, visitors are invited to the nearby Jackson Flat Reservoir which is great for fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and also features a beach. For an experience away from the outdoors, step into the Little Hollywood Museum to discover how Southern Utah became a prime destination for shooting many Hollywood blockbusters.

When it comes to outdoors, the town of Moab is unmatched in Utah with its vast expanse of stunning and rugged natural landscapes. The nearby Arches National Park is one of this town’s main draws and it invites hikers to explore diverse arches like the extraordinary Delicate Arch. Elsewhere, the town features Fisher Towers - a series of iconic sandstone towers that set the stage for rock climbing.

Moab is also near the Canyonlands National Park - the largest national park in Utah featuring mesas, buttes, canyons, arches, and more formations that look otherworldly and offer endless opportunities for recreation. Additionally, the Dead Horse Point State Park is just nine miles from Moab and invites visitors to come enjoy panoramic views of the Colorado River and Canyonlands from a stunning overlook. Besides the nearby parks, Moab also features interesting in-town attractions like the Moab Arts Council (great for art lovers) and Moab Recreation and Aquatic Center (great for family fun). While in Moab, be sure to enjoy a meal at Sunset Grill while gazing at the best views in town.

Utah remains a stunning state riddled with so many fascinating things to enjoy. Thankfully, its small towns are custodians of some of the state’s best offerings. These cute little destinations serve as bases to explore the dramatic sights in the Beehive State while hiding from the hustle and bustle of big cities. With the small population of these pretty little towns, visitors have an entire world of wonders all to themselves for exploration. An ideal retreat to these towns immerses one into a world of sightseeing and physically demanding adventures. With many options ranging from whitewater rafting and hiking to chasing arches and enchanting sunsets, it's impossible to stay idle in these towns in Utah.

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