Lush 8.5 acre garden featuring many species of local plants, flowers, flora, and fauna native to the Florida Keys

Dwarf poinciana at the Key West Botanic Garden
Dwarf poinciana at the Key West Botanic Garden

Just a few miles from Old Town Key West is a treasure of nature known as the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden.  This is the only frost-free botanical garden in the entire United States.

Started in the 1930s, this 8.5 acre lush garden serves as an educational and interpretive center for native plants and wildlife of the Florida Keys and Caribbean.

Here you can take a self-guided tour and explore a diverse, natural Florida Keys environment filled with plants and trees native to this tropical habitat, including palms, orchids, and numerous flowering plants. The rich diversity of the region’s plants is emphasized and much of the flora and fauna are protected, endangered, or threatened species.

The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden also features a fresh water lake, one of only two in the Florida Keys. This is a popular place for local and migratory birds. Often herons, egrets, and many other water birds will be seen here. Fresh-water turtles are also abundant here.

Two gardens are home to many species of fluttering, colorful butterflies – a delight to be among.

The Garden is publicly owned and operated as a passive, natural resource-based public outdoor recreational site.

Location:

5210 College Road (Stock Island)

Phone:

305-296-1504

Hours:

Open every day, 10am – 4pm (Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and 4th of July)

Cost:

  • Adults – $10
  • Seniors and Military – $7
  • Children 12 & under with adult – FREE
  • Tours with docent – 1.5 hour tours are available upon request and cost $15 per person or $25 per couple. To reserve a docent tour, call 305-296-1504

For more information, visit their website at www.kwbgs.org.