Florida Botanical Gardens Reviews

We really enjoyed the gardens during the day. Each garden delineated by plant type. We then cam back in the early evening and enjoyed the Christmas light. Free during the day, $10.00 for the lights

If there was an admission fee I would have been disappointed but since it was free it is an ok walk. Lots of construction going on so the future looks good for this local hot spot. Not much in bloom right now.

The gardens were very well maintained with a lot of different plants. Walking is easy mostly on flat surfaces.

Wow -- just amazing that these beautiful gardens are absolutely free (donations welcome). Allow at least an hour to amble through the different areas. Different things in bloom at different times of the year, so I didn't expect much in April but was pleasantly surprised. The plants are all labeled really well, the butterfly garden wasn't in full bloom but still had plenty of butterflies flitting about. Such a calm and peaceful way to spend some time. In November, they string up a bunch of Christmas lights, so will definitely want to go back to see that. And allow time to do the Heritage Village as well -- we spent so much time in the Garden that we only had about 20 minutes in the Village before they closed the gates (4 pm). It looked really interesting. Well worth a return trip.

These Florida Botanical Gardens are home to a dozen theme gardens from a wedding garden, herb, palm, sensory for vision impaired, fruit, tropical and more. A number of special events throughout the year. the highlight are the Holiday Garden throughout December.
A great visit for family and friends who come to Florida visit with you.

Interesting variety of botanicals. We only took the paved walking paths but there are others. It was quite hot on the date we visited so did not spend as much time as you could there. Check out the gift shop. Some ordinary items, but I found some artisan earrings made out of fishing lures that were actually quite pretty and not too costly.

My husband and I visited one morning when it was cooler and we were looking for a pleasant place to spend some time. Entrance to the gardens is free, and they are really gorgeous. We were able to wander around on our own for over an hour, enjoying the shrubs and plants. In mid-March, the gardens were just beginning to come into bloom after the winter. Highly recommended, a great place for the family.

Enjoyable stop walking the gardens. There seems to be some work needing to be done weeding in the gardens and signage, but perhaps it was the time of year (Jan). Gift shop staff very personable. Nice assortment of cards, and small items.

If you want to see what Florida's plants and Beauty consist of this is a must. There is no charge to visit. You will enjoy.

We were in Florida for a long weekend, and we were able to visit the Botanical Gardens to view the beautiful Christmas light display. The whole garden was decked out in many colors and themes. We found ample parking and each of us paid only a five dollar entry fee. We were able to take many great photos and enjoyed our evening very much.

a wonderful place for a leisurely stroll. nice signage to teach you about the plants. several different styles of gardens.no fee, donations accepted. highly recommended. visit at various times of year to observe changes.

The gardens are all lit up and full of christmas lights again !!! Very beautiful and a must to see and walk through. Look forward every year and I'm never disapointed.really gets you into the christmas mood ! No hum bugs here.

Florida Botanical Gardens has one of the most beautiful Yule displays in the Tampa Bay area. They often include live music performance as well as piped in music

5 stars all the way!! This was the best treasure we found our entire vacation!!! It is a free botanical garden with a large area to wander around, plants were well labeled. It took a good 2.5 hours to wander through all the areas...and that didn't include the the Heritage Village as it was closed that day. This is a exotic plant lovers paradise!!!

I was disappointed after reading so many rave reviews. Maybe we should have visited the sunken garden first - this place paled in comparison. It was somehow very weedy looking although the pagoda area in the center was lovely. The sign’s were confusing when we could find them.. We somehow wondered through a parking lot into a replication village and couldn't get out because most of it was fenced off for repair.

What a great place to just stroll around and relax. We were able to bring our small dogs and just leisurely walk through at our own pace. I loved all the separation in the areas especially the fruit trees. It really is a beautiful place. It is well shaded for a hot day. I wish I could be in Florida during the winter so I could see it all lighted for the holidays. Another free attraction but donations are appreciated to keep the gardens in top shape.

So much to see! Breathtaking gardens, so worth the trip. Allow yourself plenty of time to enjoy! So much love put into these gardens!

I love to visit the botanical gardens. The pros there help me with my plant problems, I get all sorts of ideas on what plants to get that will thrive in my yard and I love just to go there to enjoy the beauty.

With COVID-19 keeping everyone indoors, this was such a welcome diversion from quarantine. The gardens were beautiful and was a great calm and serene place to spend a couple of hours on a sunny Florida day.

10 minutes inland from IRB this free botanical garden is a nice break from the beaches. Basically a wetland with some additional gardens (native plants, tropical fruit etc.), in 45 mins you will have seen it all. Free, open more or less daily. Can be combined with a walk through ca. 20 relocated old buildings next door (but the historical park is closed Mon&Tue).

The gardens are beautiful, with smaller gardens within gardens. The gardens were quite on an early morning walk. Butterflies, crickets and birds broke the silence. Great place to relax...and I had my dog with me too.

This is a well planned and interestingly laid out Botanical Garden. Unfortunately our visit was at the end of January when the Gardens are far from displaying their true beauty. Despite that we did enjoy numerous displays and were very impressed with the overall layout and presentation of the gardens. Hopefully we can return when all is in full glory.

Very nice garden to visit and enjoy in familly.
The fruit trees section is the one I liked the most.

Please also note this is adjacent to the Heritage Village you’ll like to visit by the same occasion. This is an historical village that shows the life in the beginning of the 20th century. The one founded by the McMullen.

Also note this activity is free.

We went here at Christmas and walked the whole grounds at night and admired the beautiful decorations. It was so nice there was live music in a couple of different sections and really so much to see. Christmas music playing, people walking and enjoying it all, kids excited it was relaxing and had a real nice time. If you haven’t seen the Botanical gardens at Christmas it’s well worth the small amount that you pay to get in.

A group of 37 ladies spent a great evening seeing the lights. We were just delighted to walk through the lights. Lots of oohs and ahs. Where else can you go to enjoy the season for a small donation.

Same every year.... don't waste your time or money.. go to Largo park Christmas and activities instead.

Very nice gardens. Went a little early just to walk through. The holiday lights were awesome! Nicely done, enjoyed the juggling entertainer! Will go back in the spring for the flowers!

My husband & I enjoyed our visit to the Gargens. We took pictures of the pretty plants & srubs we liked to see if they'd grow in our area. It wasn't crowded like the beach area, it was clean, peaceful, breeze blowing. The Gardens had nice signage to direct you around the grounds & most plants had signs with an explanation of what you were seeing & information about it.

Yeah, gotta go ahead and give the Florida Botanical Gardens top marks. I loved the emphasis on local flora and ecosystems. Both informative and beautiful. Plenty of Florida wildlife as well. It was like visiting a very authentically landscaped zoo! And it's free as well. Hard to beat a place like this.

Lovely walk most definitely a gem very well maintained. Just a nice place to collect thoughts and enjoy the flowers. Oh very reasonable cost check it out.

Two adults visited the gardens in mid-February 2019 for about two hours. Overall a pleasant visit. Easy walking. Lots of shade. Many benches. Interesting plants, many if not most with signs identifying the plants. Free admission. Small visitor center on site. Restrooms available. Co-located with Heritage Village, which is definitely worth a visit also.

We spent the afternoon on Christmas Eve walking through the gardens. It was a delightful day. While we didn’t stay for the lighted walk, we could tell it would have been spectacular. If you love nature, this is a great family activity.

Enjoy a nice walk in a very beautiful park. Free to all and you can spend as much time as you like. Great place to walk a dog and enjoy some quiet time.

We walked around most of the trails in this nice free botanical garden. It was about 1.4 miles and took a little less than an hour. Bathrooms are available. Remember where you parked since there are various spots to enter the gardens.

We stayed in the area for a week and found this amazing place. There’s a Heritage Village across the car park so please go and visit there as well. Both the attractions are free but donations are welcome.
The gardens were very beautiful and peaceful. I’m a keen horticulturalist and found this place to be very educational. There is a small gift shop and leaflets and maps that give you as much information as you need. The plants and trees are all fully labelled to help you identify everything.
There’s areas to sit and watch the bird and insect life which are abundant here. Make sure you visit the ponds as we were lucky enough to see a mother gator and her babies. We also saw turtles and terrapins.
We couldn’t see or find a refreshment area and it was so hot the day we visited so we would recommend you take some drinks at the very least and always make sure to take your rubbish home with you.
Please take the time to visit this beautiful place and the Heritage Village across the car park. And please leave a donation if you are able.

My most amazing days! Was beautiful day and we had a beautiful day. We walk a lot the food was so good and attention around the area was special. Lot to see and to learn.

We visited the botanical gardens midweek late morning in March. It was pretty empty. We strolled around and saw the various displays. We didn't have a map an there's no definitive path to take so we pretty much just wandered for a few hours. The herb garden was nice - things were growing well and we got to enjoy the smells of the fresh herbs. I really liked the cactus section that we saw on the way out. We only saw one employee there the entire time and they were sitting at a table at the herb garden taking a break. We did get to see the only alligator of our vacation week here.

The Florida Botanical Gardens are a great way to relax and walk among the various plants/flowers that Florida is known for and then some. Various pathways lead you through gardens that exhibit trees, plants and even herbs. Very clean and peaceful environment. Worth the trip and it is even free.

Unfortunately we were put off our daily walk along St Pete Beach due to the red tide so decided to head in land for a change of scene. We enjoyed a relaxing 90 minutes wandering through the different gardens & it was very relaxing & chilled on a very hot Sunday morning. Well worth a visit and it’s free!

spent a lovely couple of hours here and in the cultural park next door ( lots of beautiful old Florida buildings transported and recreated). Definitely worth the trip - and all for free!! They are missing a trick tho as there is no coffee shop here - I'm sure that would be appreciated by all the visitors!

The holiday lights in the Garden are great. We arrived before sunset and enjoyed seeing many of the plants and lights. Once the sunset the Garden lights are so scenic. Plus there is music and refreshments. A most enjoyable evening.

Parking as well as entrance to the Botanical Gardens is free. Gardens were open until 5 p.m. We spent 2 hours walking around the various gardens. My favorite was the wedding garden and the tropical walk. We saw alligators, snakes, lizards, birds, and lots and lots of turtles. There were some beautiful flowers in blooms and numerous plants, herbs and trees were identified.

A tropical paradise; beautiful place to enjoy a stress-free experience. Well maintained, with extensive varieties of vegetation. Christmas is the time to enjoy their spectacular lights. A place to enjoy all seasons.

We loved it here. There is so much to see and things were well labeled. We had a nice walk and were able to take some fantastic pictures. You can't beat the price...it was free. The staff was extremely knowledgeable and friendly.

Always a lovely, peaceful place for walking and having quiet time. Christmas is VEY SPECIAL with all the lights and entertainment.

this is a great place to visit at any time of he year. they also have a wedding area that is beautiful and secluded.

I love it here. There's a lot of Aquatic Life and birds that it's definitely worth coming over here and visiting. It's not huge where it's hard to see all the Aquatic Life or the birds that feed off of everything in the water. Seems like all the flowers were in bloom. Absolutely beautiful and stunning over here. I highly suggest coming here and bringing your camera because you're going to take a lot of pictures

This is a hidden gem ,the grounds are beautiful and the people that work there were so helpful I need some info about what to plant and when got all the answers .. great job

Stopped in for a visit on our way downtown to St. Petersburg - unexpected surprise with many many lovely plants and trees - never knew there were so many different banana trees (makes for some great photos!!)

Went there today. On site parking available. Wheelchair accessible as well. Washrooms inside the welcome center. Lots of stuff to see. They were and are setting up for Christmas with lights etc. It was free. It was ok, you really have to be into plants and trees.

Great peaceful place to go and enjoy flora or just clear your mind. The lights at Christmas are something that has to be seen to be fully appreciated.

Came on Dec 27th after finding on trip advisor. They were open late for their Christmas light festival and it was tremendous- so well done and only cost a $4 donation. Lights everywhere and something for every to enjoy. Live music through out the area and treats/snacks to purchase. Very fun evening event to enjoy with the family

Great to take in the experience of all the different flowers in the settings in the water and the bridge is the animals the birds great staff and a lot of information about the village and the surroundings it’s a must if you in Pinellas County !!

Disappointed, seen better displays and it was laid out very weird with dead end paths. Central Park in Largo was much nicer.

A hidden event in Largo is the Christmas Light display at the Florida Botanical Gardens. It is a great way to get into the Christmas/Holiday spirit. There are lights EVERYWHERE! Each area of the garden has lights that are themed to the type of plants. Although you can't really see many or any of the plants at night, the desert area for instance has cactus shaped lights. It is very well organized and only a $4 entry fee. There are a few stands for snacks and drinks. There are lots of families and part of the experience is to enjoy the response of others to the displays. One night is dog night where you are encouraged to bring your dog; another for photographers who are invited to bring their tripods. Check for other 'special' evenings. Not usually open at night, the Christmas Display is from 5:30-9:30. It will take about 1-2 hours to walk through depending on how much you want to experience what you see. There was live music, recorded music and a juggling show mixed in. A great way to get into the Christmas spirit. Parking was free.

A free park, its no Sunken Garden, but a great park. Really enjoyed the outdoors, the plants, ponds, butterflies. Staff was helpful, grab a map and wander around. Would be great for special events. A local treasure, take advantage.

very relaxing and pretty walk around. nice deck out over the water, you'll forget the major road next door. you could jog it, if you're into that kind of thing.

We took a few hours in the late morning to get some exercise and enjoy the beautiful scenery! Even the cactus were blooming. We saw butterflies, various birds, turtles, and fish. Late May can be hot, but we found an overcast day and many of the plants were blooming including the roses.
It’s free and a lovely location!

great spot for a photographer to get some great pics. peaceful and quiet. get in touch with the natural world

Love the lights and all the festive music. Beautiful array of lights flooding the walkways. Nice to go as a family. Have food and drink there.

We went to see the Christmas Lights Display last night. We got to the gardens about 6:00 and had no trouble finding a great parking space. As soon as you get out of the car you start to see Lights. We crossed the bridge to the welcome center and started started our walk. We enjoyed Christmas music and Lights before we even crossed the beautiful bridge to the display. The gardens were just beautiful- lots of moving displays- butterflies-birds-little and big turtles and alligators. There was a juggling show and carolers. Santa was there for the children also. We stayed about 11/2 hrs. Loved every minute of it !!! We have been to the gardens before but this put a whole new enjoyment to it . Well worth the trip !!!

Lots of plants and wildlife to explore. We needed to kill a few hours and this was perfect. No entry fee and we just leisurely explored.

A really lovely place with the benefit of the historic buildings also free adjacent. Easy to wander around and lots to see.

This place has very unique plants, trees and bushes. I like that many of them are labeled. It's a peaceful and interesting place, also giving you an opportunity to learn something about nature.

My son and I took a stroll around the botanical gardens one day. It was beautiful! There were many different gardens highlighting various plants in the area. They were very well maintained. It was also very quiet; sadly, they do not appear to have many visitors. The fruit garden was probably our favorite section, but all the gardens were beautiful. I was surprised at how large the garden was, I was expecting it to be much smaller.

The gardens were very nice. I personally loved the mosaic art that was incorporated into the different botanical exhibits. What I didn't like was how the maintenance workers were out doing construction on the paths and driving loud vehicles through the gardens during the middle of the day while people were trying to walk around. It was extremely distracting. But since this (probably) doesn't happen every day, I would still recommend stopping to walk around. Especially for the price of free!

They request you provide a $5 donation to enter. It's not necessary but a it's a good step. The lights are remarkable. We took our kids and grandchildren. Everyone loved it.

I would suggest you go early if you want to avoid the huge crowd. Go early or go late...you'll enjoy it.

Take cash. Some of the places had problems with their register. The kiddos will love the various craft tables.

This is a beautiful, well kept place. Very nice display of plants. Free to walk around. Will definitely come back.

A nice stroll through thoughtful themed gardens. The added water features add a calming vibe and make for pleasing pictures for vacation memories.

Free admission and parking. Just wonder the grounds and relax and enjoy the native plants and wildlife. Only 15 mins. drive from Gulf Blvd. beaches.

I enjoyed the gardens alot. However, there were not as many flowers as I had expected in a state with year round mild temperatures. The grounds were beautiful. I loved that the plants were labeled so you would know what type they are. It looks like they have quite a holiday celebration with thousands of lights from the pictures I saw. We did not see everything and I would like to go back. If you enjoy nature and God's wonderful creations, I would highly recommend this.

I was there last Saturday evening. It was busy. There were incredible light displays throughout the gardens. Everything was wonderful. Even the concession was poised and ready. Lines for that - yes - but they were on top of it. Nothing took too long at all. People were gracious, friendly, and social. It was a really nice experience.

Great place to walk with friends and it is beautiful!
The plants are great to see.
The attendants are very helpful.

We were so thrilled with our visit! So many types of plants, flowers, trees, succulents, etc and all for free! Down every path and around every corner are lovely botanical specimens to enjoy, grouped into a variety of gardens by type. Every season it changes as different things bloom and as the vegetable, herbs and fruit trees and bushes produce their ripened bounty! Perfect for all ages!!!

This garden is a great place to enjoy nature and soak in some history of the Clearwater area-There are walking trails-tropical garden-flower garden-and the adjoining Heritage Village section has antique homes and buildings from the 1800’s.There is a gift shop-visitor. Office-tours and there are restroom facilities and benches along the paths. A great way to spend a few hours and it is free with lots of parking

A beautiful place to visit! I lovely place to visit any time of year but I especially like to go in the springtime! Every area has there own theme and every area is as beautiful as the last!

This is a fantastic botanical garden in Largo, FL. It never ceases to amaze us. It is just lovely to relax and walk through viewing nature. Love the lighted garden at Christmas !

The trails wind around the plants so you have the chance to see many. The water features attract birds and turtles and gaters. Great for a family outing with or without the kids!

We spent a few hours here just walking around looking at all the different kinds of palm trees & flowers & sorts. We did see 1 alligator sunning itself which was cool. Loved the butterfly garden as well!

I recently moved into the area and the Florida Botanical Gardens is very close to my home. We have only explored about half of the place thus far but we did enjoy seeing all of the different types of plants and how they are grown. This is a free attraction with ample off-street (free) parking and it is open seven days a week. The only negative was that some of the plant species are not clearly marked so it can be difficult to identify what you are looking at unless you can find one of the volunteers that is able to help you out.

With the connecting gardens and Heritage Park ... we enjoyed about 4 hours here. ALL FREE!! A nice variety of gardens and Heritage Park has a great selection of historical item from boats, auto, farming, sponging, and so much more. The two are side-by-side.

Lovely well kept gardens , combine this with the heritage village for a good few hours out and all for free

Looking for natural areas to hike on a Sunday afternoon, the Florida Botanical Gardens fit into our plans perfectly. With only a few hours of free time, these admission-free gardens' well maintained trails were a delight to walk.

The very best of Florida - a freebie except a donation is asked for from Thanksgiving until Dec 30th when the gardens are beautifully adorned with Christmas lights. Great to see anytime of the year.....but at it's peak when the lights are on ! Also right next to Heritage Village.....another freebie.

Everyone should stroll this wonderful garden and Heritage Village. So well kept. And our docent for the big house was very informative. We will go back. I am sorry we didn't see the Christmas lights. Dont miss them.

Beautiful day for a walk in beautiful gardens! Plenty of flora and fauna to see including several baby alligators. Lots of different palms. Loved the topiary of the bear peaking over the wall!

Check out the Wedding Garden while you are there. Great place to take a stroll and enjoy the beauty of nature. Very peaceful, relaxing and educational for all ages. The kids will love the children’s trail. There is no admission or parking costs. Well worth exploring if you are vacationing in the area.

Lots to look at here. I wish more plants were labeled. There a benches along a waterway that offers the opportunity for some interesting birdwatching.

We make it a point to visit the botanical gardens whenever we are in the area. These gardens are very nicely maintained. It is a nice walk through, and there is no charge for admission. A must see!

Visited with my mom. Not much blooming or fruiting this time of year, but we enjoyed strolling the paths until it got too warm. The staff made a point to direct us to where mama and baby alligators could be observed (safely). Pinellas County has done a nice job with this park.

Every year they have the Christmas lights, reasonably priced very pleasant people. I know that around this same time they offer a plant sale. A wide variety of plants are offered by vendors from around the state. If you are handicapped my suggestion is to bring a wheelchair or scooter. This is a large place. We will be back to see their lights again and again.

Worth a daytime visit to appreciate all plants, paved walkways, and ponds/fountains. Very pleasant walk.
Had a late day preview of the upcoming Winter Holiday Lights event. Looking forward to seeing it at night, already nice in the day.

We came by here to walk off breakfast and kill time before heading to the beach. It turned out to be one of the highlights of our visit to the St. Pete area. Beautiful plants and trees in a tranquil environment. We thoroughly enjoyed roaming the grounds and taking in the lovely scenery. Would highly recommend a visit here.

These are lovely and expansive gardens. We were a little early for all the blooms, but what we got was a peaceful stroll through many different settings with enough plants flowering to satisfy us. Springtime here must be stunning.

We each paid a $5.00 requested donation, but the visit there was worth twice that much. The Christmas lights display throughout the gardens was amazing. I think someone said they have a million LED lights. I believe it. There were also musicians and places to get snacks and hot chocolate. There is a nice gift shop with high quality items for sale. A "must see" attraction if you are in the area in the evening in December.

Botanical gardens are always lovely to take a stroll in. Dog friendly and absolutely beautiful. The different paths to take always lead you down a beautiful site, no matter which direction you go. Highly recommend!

If you can only go to one, I'd say see Sunken Gardens, but this garden is free and a lovely stroll ; we did see a couple alligators here; the adjoining Heritage museum was awesome. If I had known I would have taken a quicker stroll around the garden and spent more time there as there was a lot to see. But I did enjoy the gardens; just not as tropical as I imagined. I think they do weddings ; it would be a nice setting for special event.

This was my first time here.There's so much to see.The plants are beautiful!! There are alot of plants an different trees.

WOW! We didn't know that this botanical gardens existed, and we were blown away by this compact treasure with outdoor "rooms" of plants and flowers in different themes. We went in the daytime - late afternoon _ to see the gardens and the adjacent cooperative extension gardens (Loved them both). Free and utterly beautiful! Then at sundown, we re-entered the gardens ($4 donation) to walk through a wonderland of lights,, jugglers, musicians, Santa Claus, ice cream stands, and OMG, it was just wonderful! Go!

FREE garden with nice paths, many ornamental plants and flowers and a nice cactus garden. A small waterway and benches to sit and read, or just relax. Dog friendly

The Gardens are free. Most of the plants have name signs. Places to sit and relax are available, I went in Feb so a lot of the plants were not yet in bloom.
There is also the heritage village, Great place to take kids and have a picnic in the shade.
What is a little odd is that the gift shop and visitors center (in both areas) are closed on a weekend. Why would you give away that income potential- books, souvenirs related to the area and the good will donation box? For the sake of 2 or 3 staff?

Our parks are all beautiful but the Botanical beats them all.
It's a little piece of paradise in Largo.
I visit it all year long and each season is great but springtime is amazing.

Not very large, but very nicely laid out set of gardens and ponds. Well worth going to, particularly since it is free. So, take your time, relax, and enjoy!

We were looking for something to do on our last day in Clearwater and the gardens were an unexpected surprise. The gardens are beautifully maintained with a wide variety of plants and trees as well as lots of wildlife including an alligator that we were lucky enough to see.

I love to look at Christmas lights and the holiday lights in the garden was spectacular! It was well organinzed, good parking, and the displays were so pretty. They had photo ops for kids (and dogs) with Santa and another one with his reindeer, they had food and beverages throughout, and a wide variety of lights on display. The suggested donation was only $5 and there was free parking. I truly enjoyed the evening.

This is a must see for travelers to Pinellas County, Florida. Large complex of plants, wildlife and exhibits....all for just a donation. Beautiful flowers and a serene calm journey through the gardens.

First time in Largo, and first visit to the Botanical Gardens. We went at night on Christmas to see the lights. What a wonderful experience. Nicely done and enjoyable.

Just a few minutes from our beach rental, we walked through the gardens and enjoyed the plants, trees & seeing several birds. I expect its even pretty when there are more flowers in bloom. Its right next to Heritage Village, another worthwhile & free attraction.

I have brought our camera club here a few times to take photos. The flowers are wonderful, the trails enjoyable to explore. We usually spend about 3-4 hours here. An enjoyable day out!

This is a great place to walk around and relax while enjoying nature all around.
There are many varieties of plants and trees, birds to alligators if you look closely.
There is also a heritage village that has many old original buildings setup in a rural setting.
Lots of free parking and free admission to the park.

We visited over the holiday to see the wonderful light displays. We were pleasantly surprised when we stumbled upon the juggler. He was surely the highlight of our evening!

The garden was beautiful, and was very pleasant to walk through. Also on site was a small art museum of local art. Next to these was Heritage Village, an ensemble of buildings, some with staff, where you could get a feeling for local history of the area. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, the art on display was children's art that was also very impressive!

Great place around Christmas to see lights. During the summer, its beautiful place to walk around and plenty areas for shade.

We actually visited twice, once we got rained out. Having said that we sat in rocking chairs under cover for over an hour waiting for the rain to stop unfortunately it didn’t. We did watch a mocking bird have a bath in the rain very cute. The gardens were still set up from their Christmas display, I would have loved to had time to see it. Looked wonderful. I took so many pictures here. Really enjoyed both visits even our rain visit.would love to go back if we ever visit the area Again.as a bonus the gardens were free to walk through so you can’t go wrong in my opinion. Washrooms were fairly clean also..

This is a great relaxing spot! I really enjoyed my time there. The landscape was beautiful and clean. It’s a must do if you’re in the area.

Great place to walk around. Nice garden areas, and a good place to see some cranes and ducks. Has a nature walk area also. And it is free.

We enjoyed our trip to Florida Botanical Gardens in March 2021. Beautiful scenery and we loved the bridge and flowers. We spent around three hours here and saw alligators, turtles, butterflies, and different insects. There were little green caterpillars hanging from many trees (unknowing guests called them "worms")

Paths did a complete circle around the gardens, which is wonderful for those wanting to get in a good walk. Many different things to look at so we actually circled through twice. I didn't see the tropical, cacti, and wedding gardens our first round through, so glad we took another look. The wedding garden is stunning and an absolute must see. I loved the roses there! We also saw a huge banana spider that lives by the front entrance to the wedding garden.

Don't miss Heritage Village right next door. Both of these places are must sees for tourists and locals alike and a free to get into. I would allow 3-6 hours to see both sites depending on your walking speed and how much time you spend at each place. For me, photography was the reason for our trip, so I spent much time on flowers and the houses at Heritage Village.

Have lived in Florida off and on since 1955. First visit even though my late Sister-in-Law volunteered here as a Master Gardener for more than 12 years. Winter took its toll on the tropical fruit section as it did on many of our own ornamental plants back home. Lots of walking. Great place to visit on a cool Fall or Winter day. The signs from Eastbound Ulmerton direct you into a back parking lot. If headed East, ignore the turn on Vonn and you will end up in a front lot near the entrance and gift shop and one that has handicapped spaces available. No maps or signs in the rear lot where we parked. Otherwise would have given a 5 star rating. Did I mention it is free? Yes - one of the last free public attractions. Fill the donation jar if you want to help maintan a treasure in the Tampa Bay area.

Most plants were in bloom...beautiful ponds, fountains and gardens. Better than I expected. The Heritage Village was also very interesting, especially the tour of the Seven Gables house.

This is a stunningly beautiful Garden, especially at Christmas time. The beautiful lights they display in flower form are magical. It is a lovely place to wander in the evening as the live music floats through the park and the smell of concession food fills the air. We never miss an opportunity to see the spectacular light display at this wonderful time of year.

Friends took us here and they were very disappointed. A lot of dead trees, or trees that were removed. Not a lot of flowers in bloom, hardly any roses. It was not as lovely as I was expecting.

Ornamental and food plants are big here. The labeling is good; for example, several exotic types of banana are on show, and there are several unfamiliar types of succulents.

A hidden gem and well worth a visit if you're in the area. We've visited Indian Rocks Beach a couple of times before, and this was our first time to the Florida Botanical Gardens and we're glad we went. The gardens are larger than I expected and well-tended, with a wide variety of plants (and a few animals). The layout of the gardens unfolds organically as you walk around, with points of interest around every bend.

We came here at night to see the Holiday Light Displays. We were not disappointed and agree with all the rave reviews for this light show. We were also entertained by singers delivering holiday songs from the center of the Wedding Garden. We will definitely return for a day visit in the spring so we can see the gardens in full bloom.

Very nicely done gardens. Beautiful, relaxing and its FREE! Lots of water birds, alligators and lily pads in a natural setting.

A wonderful oasis and beautiful gardens in Pinellas County.
Can’t wait for the Hokiday Lights in the Garden.

When we arrived they were just finishing the Christmas decorations and testing the lights. They certainly enhance the beauty of the park. All the plants are labeled which is a good thing since I only recognized a few and those are house plants in the midwest not the trees that they are here.

Great place to visit when you get tired of the beach. Excellent displays and walking paths. Lovely gardens of various types, plants are labeled as well as trees. It takes a good two hours to see everything. There is a beautiful wedding garden which would make a spectacular place to get married. If it was a little closer to spring more flowers would have been in bloom. Best of all, admission is free.

Yes, it's probably average as far as botanical gardens go, but I give it a 5 star because it has large, beautiful gardens with lot of beautiful plants and landscaping, a nature trail, wildlife, and best of all it is FREE!

Pleasant walk around but not really much to see. When you compare it to the sunken gardens in St Pete it falls somewhat short.

For just a 5.00 donation, the whole place is lit up with beautiful Christmas lights. There are musicians scattered throughout the gardens. There was also a children’s program the night we went.
Fun for kids, nice for date night and families

Absolutely stunning gardens! We visited on an extremely hot day so that made it a bit challenging to walk around for too long but it was still enjoyable. Admission is free, which makes it appealing, especially if you can’t tolerate the heat and just want to stay briefly. We definitely want to come back next time we’re in the area and the weather is a little cooler. Highly recommend a visit.

We wanted to explore a section of the Pinellas Trail and found the Florida Botanical Gardens a short ride from the trail. What an unexpected pleasure. You park your bike and wander through many different gardens. Although we were not at the height of bloom - we found some lovely blooms and appreciated the care and labeling of the flora. We also took a quick look at the Heritage Village that is connected by a short walkway and will be back to poke around and explore some more. Don't pass this by. It is free. It is well thought out for a morning or afternoon stroll. There are plenty of benches and chairs to sit and ponder the beauty of the gardens (some next to water features.)

Beautifully manicured park with comfortable trails through the various plants found in Florida. It was not uncommon to see a few alligators sunning themselves in the marshy areas. The historical buildings and houses were also interesting, especially the old general store and garage. Nice way to spend an afternoon!

Went to the gardens with a group from our community. Not sure where the ball was dropped, but on Monday's and Tuesday's the Heritage Village is closed, and that is a big portion of the gardens to visit. Not sure if they did not tell our tour coordinator or she did not know when she scheduled the trip, but would not go again unless the Village is open.

This garden is very nice. There are lots of tropical plants and even a wedding garden to be seen. There are restrooms and a water fountain. A relaxing stroll in the Florida heat.

We arrived in December, so not much blooming or going on. Would like to see the gardens kept up a little better. A beautiful walk, however. Came back for the Holiday Lights in the evening - this is worth coming to. Glad we went to both daylight and dark.

A nice place to visit for a scenic walk through pretty gardens. We saw two small alligators, several turtles, and some pretty birds. Visiting is free, which is great, though at the moment they are doing a lot of construction, so some of the garden area is inaccessible.

This is one of our favorite destinations anytime we visit the Clearwater area. It's only 15-20 minutes from most of the beaches and is never very crowded. The plants and other flora are spectacular! I'm not normally a flower guy but you can't help but be impressed with all the colors and different species. Visited several times this past year and found out during our visit in December that they have evening hours (normally closed at dusk) for a special holiday lights in the garden event. It runs from Nov. 24 - Dec. 31. There was a small charitable donation but well worth it!

Everyone should come here for a stroll once a year. It's convenient if you live in the area and you won't thing you're a mile away from all the congestion of the area. The nearby parks have peaceful lakes to enjoy as well.

These gardens are a great educational experience- well maintained trails and mostly good signage. Many of the trails are solid, so are handicapped accessible. Besides all the fauna, we saw turtles, birds and bunnies. It was a great way to spend a cooler afternoon.

We were here for the Christmas light displays. They were gorgeous, well thought out a pleasure to see. There was even entertainment.
I thoroughly recommend the gardens both at Christmas and during the year as well.

The botanical gardens are worth seeing - there are different "departments". You can stay there 1-2 hours sees a beautiful plant life and alligators. Next door is an open-air museum with historical buildings which is also free.

The park its self is in nice well kept condition. The flowers and plants themselves are wonderful. From palm trees to fruits and herbs, and the nature trail was a great walk. Free to go to, makes for a nice afternoon outting. They have plenty of maps so helpful not to get lost. The washrooms were well kept as well. Have yet to go to the heritage village attached to the park but really interested and hopefully get to go next visit down.

Stopped by the Florida Botanical Gardens this evening for the annual Holiday Lights in the Garden event, and enjoyed the sights and sounds. Many of the trees and walkways were well decorated, although it seemed a number of lights were either not turned on or not working at the time. This is a unique experience because there are lights of alligators, turtles, flamingos, and owls throughout the garden reminding you that you are in Florida. Of course, there are traditional snowflakes, too. $5 donation per adult is encouraged at the entrance. Restrooms and a gift shop are open along with a snack shop.

It was great, we look forward to going again during the Christmas season. Great place for family photos.

Wonderful as usual. This was our second trip there and it did not disappoint. Great place to get into the holiday spirit. Dog friendly also but better leaving home as it can get very crowded.

Wedding garden has so many beautiful details, including topiaries, potted plants, a gazebo fashioned from twisted tree barks, Granite mosaics on the floor, inspirational sayings etched into the floor, and of course foliage.

This park is too big to see in its entirety in one visit, so choose which entrance to use on each visit. The wedding garden was a reasonable walk from the Ulmerton rd entrance (less than half a mile?)

Nice relaxing place to stroll and enjoy nature. Great for photography. Each time we visit, we see different flowers blooming. Enough benches to stop and rest when needed.
The bonus time is during the holiday season; Thanksgiving through New Years Eve, when they have the lights up. It becomes an amazing wonderland.

Nicely maintained garden walks with plenty of interpretive sighns. So sorry the frue tree area was hurt by recent freeze. Very helpful interpreter on grounds. Historic village is really amazing with lots to see and learn about local non-native history.

Beautiful lights trees and of course Santa! Wonderful Holiday to remember! Botanical Garden is gorgeous and a beautiful landscape for a walk!

Love this place,...try to visit 3-4 times per year...to enjoy the different seasons, and the changes in the gardens. Keeps getting better with every visit as they continue to add new boardwalks, and improve existing gardens. Beautiful place for an outdoor wedding, and the holiday lights are second to none in the area. We also really enjoys the newer garden devoted to "Native Plants" and hope visitors can visualize adding some natives to their landscapes at home, (if they live in the area) Having at least an area in your yard devoted to native plants creates habitat for local birds and pollinators, that are being driven out of our area by over development. So nice to see butterflies, and birds that were once part of our area, that seem to have disappeared as we developed their habitat to suit our needs, not theirs.

Pinellas County's Botanical Park, so beautiful . A very nice place to visit ; I even watched a pair of Otters playing in a small creek on the property. Should not be missed even by locals ,as well as tourists.
The Pinellas Heritage Park adjoins this park.

We were staying in downtown St Pete and took a drive out to this site in Largo, about 25 minutes. It was worth it. The gardens are spread out in various themed sections, and it's very pleasant to walk around it. For our tastes, it's not as good as Sunken Gardens, but it's still worth 5 stars. This is especially true when you combine it with Heritage Village next door, as a continuous experience. We did not realize that these two places (both free) should be visited together, but that is definitely the way to do it.

Stopped by this place that we spotted when leaving the park across the street. We came back for something to do and had low expectations as it was winter. Well... this place had so many beautiful plants and art to look at. You will not be disappointed. The only thing we were sad about was that the visitor center was not open.

Be sure not to visit on Monday or Tuesday, the Heritage section is closed. You could easily spend a few hours here. Great for families.

You would think that in the summer time in florida where temps reach upper 90’s they would let you come a little later closer to the sunset, but for some odd reason they are only open till 5 even on the weekends. Very uncomfortable

We had a great time visiting the gardens so many wonderful sights and smells. So peaceful and grwat place to chill out. I would recommend a visit here its free has ample parking and staff are helpful. We even manager to see the large gator in action, thrilling and scarry at the same time.

These gardens are free to visit. They are well maintained and have a large variety of plants and flowers.

The Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo is a breath of sweet smelling, colorful, beautiful air. A walk through the amazing plants, flowers, trees, shrubs, bushes, bridges and benches is a sweet, calming experience, especially now during the Covid-19 Pandemic. This is a free experience so there's no excuse not to visit this magnificent place. There are even shaded tables in two different places for a picnic. Get out of the house and enjoy nature at its finest.

I made an unplanned stop at this garden. There is no entry charge. There are multiple pathways. The horticulture and gardening are amazing and well done. The site is an island respite for development weary wildlife. The pathways are easily walked, and are definitely wheelchair accessible. Plants and trees are identified, making this a valuable learning experience for residents of Florida.

We enjoyed a night of the holiday lights throughout the venue. Then we danced for 3 hours with swing dance melodies to holiday tunes. I enjoyed a welcome hot chocolate with our dancing friends. The gardens offer other seasonal activities. Many visitors joined in the swing dance that with John Shelton as DJ.
Wheelchair access venue throughout

If you're looking for the place to get you in the mood for Christmas, then go to the Florida Botanical gardens around the holidays. The light displays and live entertainment are spectacular! There are people from all over the world that come to stroll through the gardens to see and sense all things Christmas. You don't want to miss this one!

There is a small donation to enter but well worth it.

Visited the garden for the Christmas lights & there were tons of them. The weather was perfect (that's why we live here) & the displays were well thought out & beautiful! Lots of color & it really gets you in the spirit of Christmas. Plan to go back & visit again to take in the native flowers, bushes, trees, etc. Watch for gators! It is such a relaxing walk. I highly recommend it to all.

Although this botanical gardens is not as large as some I've been to, and isn't up there with, say, the Brooklyn or Bronx Botanical Gardens back in New York, it is still worth a visit. They do a good job with the area they were given. (I would suggest you look at my photos to get an idea about this place.)

While visiting the botanical gardens, you should also visit the Heritage Village next door.

We usually visit twice while we winter nearby, once during the day and once to see the Christmas lights. During the day we wander over the 100 (?) acres to see the beautiful and varied gardens such as the herb, azalea, cactus, tropical fruit, etc., everything well marked. There are winding pathways, some of brick and a bit rough, lots of places to sit and relax, picnic areas and a Memorial Walkway. There are a couple of parking areas, a Welcome Center and gift shop. There is no fee but donations are always welcome. The gardens are open from 7am to roughly sunset. During December the the place becomes a wonderland of beautiful light displays, music and entertainment. The creativity and designs are enjoyable and young children are in awe. They ask for a $5 donation. This is a nice family event at night. Enjoy!

nice gardens to stroll around and kill a few hours! Can read about different types of plants and flowers! Staff inside can help w/ diseases off plants and flowers! Always have 1 grouchy staff member! lol

Very confusing to navigate. The trails are like a maze and there are several parking lots, so make sure to note exactly where you parked. It's super easy to get lost, even when you have a map. The trees, plants and old village were interesting and well-kept. Most of the old buildings were locked and you couldn't even peek inside.

We went to see the night time lighted display...what a gorgeous, wonderful, awesome, treat...In my many years I have never seen such an ingeniously displayed light show for the Holiday season...My adv ice, hurry, go, take the kids, granmdkids, gramma, grampa, or whomever you love, and share the time with them...

My favorite time to go is during the winter for their holiday displays. However, it’s always a great place for a walk year round.

Was expecting a little more pretty stuff, but a lovely stroll around anyway. Plenty of nature. Toilets open but gift shop closed today due to lack of staff. The heritage village was interesting.

Terrific few hours spent wandering through the gardens. The grounds were beautiful and the staff was super friendly. Enjoyed exploring new plants while also catching some views of a few gators!

Walked through the gardens on a beautiful December day. Even though the Christmas decorations weren't lit, there was a Christmas spirit present! Saw an alligator and a great variety of beautiful flowers!!

A frequent visitor to the area, I was surprised and delighted to learn about this one. Not only are the grounds beautiful but the experience is educational- I had a great time walking the Aquatic Development loop where ample signage taught me about the importance of systems to clean water before it enters rivers and other bodies. Heritage Village was closed the day of my visit but becomes just another reason to return.

We visited the Botanical Gardens on a Sunday so the visitor center and gift shop were closed but still had a good time walking the trails and seeing all the flora. It’s a great way to get some steps in and see some amazing plants, trees, flowers and even birds. They have plenty of parking and clean restrooms located in the center of gardens. We enjoyed our time even though we know it’s winter and only a few things were in full bloom it was still beautiful and we were glad we came.

Florida Botanical Gardens were beautiful and very handicap friendly with wide paved paths for easy walking or walker/wheelchair use. The City does a beautiful job of maintaining them and it is free to the public.

Been here only once... to see the Christmas lights after they came highly rated by an acquaintance. A nice evening walk, although quite crowded, with the added plus of an entertaining kids' live rendition of the Grinch who stole Christmas. He didn't steal our evening, however. The wedding garden was an enchanted spot, all white lights and angelic. Lovely. It was all good if you're an avid seeker of holiday lights and sparkles.

I love visiting botanical gardens and I am glad I visited this garden in Largo. It is free to the public and spread over 30 acres if not more. I found it well organized with something for everyone. Among its many gardens, I especially liked its herb garden, its garden devoted to native plants,and the impressive tropical fruits garden, There is a helpful visitor map to guide you along. I was delighted to find a natural area where they are trying to restore a large tract of land heavily used for agriculture to its previous glory. I also liked the wedding garden with its mosaic tiles and beautiful roses, a perfect setting for weddings. All in all a pleasant afternoon visit.

Okay first the good - its free, its shaded quite a bit, we saw bald eagles flying overhead, alligators and some cool shorebirds, and the butterfly garden was hopping. On the other hand, perhaps early May is not a time of blooms but did not seem nearly as colorful as in the pictures. This would be a great place if I lived locally to walk for exercise and serenity, except the guys in golf carts continuously buzzing around the park - some were hauling mulch, a few seemed to be just joy-riding. But did I mention its free?

We visited this Garden for the Christmas lights night! It was a very beautiful time! Walking through the gardens you could hear some amazing music coming from nowhere (some man have being playing on an instrument I have never seen before!). It was charming and peaceful!

These gardens are beautifully light up during the holidays. Each year they add a few new lights. They always have music and entertainment. Place it on your "must see" list every year! It's now our tradition with friends!

Nice family stroll with plenty of holiday lights. However, advertised as a donation suggested event, yet all the signs said Minimum donation of $4.00 and the folks at the entrances all seemed just a bit pushy about the donation. What about the families that came thinking it was free event that would provide their family a safe family friendly event to share with each other and they did not have the minimum $4.00 donation required? That was disappointing.

The Florida Botanical Gardens is a beautiful place to go with the whole family. If you like flowers, you will love this place.

Family Visit to the gardens. Easy Access. Facilities available. Dogs welcomed. Allow 2 to 3 hours for visit.

The gardens are amazing all year long, but especially enhanced by Christmas lights. We visit each year and there is always something new. Live music. Hot chocolate or coffee
A nice evening with friends.

Lovely Christmas Lights in the Florida Botanical Garden! Great "to do" with your friends, family or a date - or by yourself. :-) The Gardens are decorated with various light displays that make you oooooh and awwww! Entrance and parking is free but they like to have a donation from us all - worth the $5 to enjoy the Christmas Spirit in the Gardens. Walking through is accessible for all. Don't miss a visit to the gift shop.

Beautiful visit and FREE! What’s not to love? Alligators! Flora! Sun! Resting contemplation benches! Clean bathrooms! And again…. It’s free! I come from city living up north where it’s not even free to pee in a public bathroom most of the time, so this blew my mind as a no cost park. Thank you, Largo, for this incredible stop on our trip.

We were looking for somewhere to visit to kill time before our flight left and decided on this place. The gardens were beautiful. I didn't realize how big the place was till we arrived. There is a heritage village but it is closed on Monday and Tuesdays. So we didn't get to see it. But we spent right at an hour going through the gardens. We would of spent more time but the kids were getting hungry. Also it's only about 8miles from the airport. We will visit again when have more time.

First time here, and the Christmas decorations were up. Came during the day, but it was still interesting. Park was clean. I'm sure it was really neat at night with the lights on. It was free to enter.

What a delightful eden. Lots of beautiful plants. A
pleasure just to walk thru. You can learn a lot or a little.

Very beautiful gardens. We saw alot of wildlife including turtles, birds and fish. We spent two hours and saw the gardens and the village. The village buildings weren't open due to covid. Highly recommend!

I rarely miss a botanical garden if nearby and the Florida Botanical Gardens was well worth the hour drive from where we were staying in Tampa. The butterfly garden and the wedding garden were my favorites, but there was so much to see. They have wide trails, lots of water features and an historical village next to it that was interesting, as well.

Beautiful place to go for a nice walk on a hot day. Well taken care of grounds. Lots of places in shady areas to sit. Adirondack chairs at various locations to relax an enjoy the view or read a book in a very peaceful setting. Flowers and trees galore and most have Identifying placards. I have never found it crowded.

Spent time to view the site is early spring or mid spring when it is cloudy and a bit cool.
Plants are well marked and waking up after a mid winter break. Well laid out walkways and good benches laid out for your little break to view the water birds and searching for that mystery gator. One can spend a good part of the day here. Shouldn't miss this one. That is if ,you enjoy plants and water birds.

Spent a relaxing morning walking through this lovely area. Although many trees and some plants were not yet in leaf it was still interesting. The cactus garden was especially interesting since we had never seen some of the varieties growing there. Our biggest surprise was hearing what sounded like a large cat snarling as we were crossing the creek only to find a large brown and white water bird called a limpit making that noise! A very well cared for area with beautiful plants and easy trails.

Well laid out themed gardens featuring native species, well labelled, and with a lovely water feature running through attractively bridged. Admission is free.

With Covid keeping us home bound most of the time, we have been exploring Tampa Bay area parks which we have never been to before as a fairly safe way to get out and about. Last week we visited here.

Beautiful gardens. Quite large. Lots of information signs about the plants. Very well maintained.

Highly recommend however the Florida summer extreme heat makes it difficult to relax and enjoy unless you go when it first opens in the morning. Even then, during the summer months, can be very warm and muggy.

If you want to be able to truly enjoy the gardens and take your time walking around, do it sometime between October and April.

Don't just go there! Bring your friends with you. This place is just one of many fine offerings available to the public in Largo. Make it your business to take the time and relax. And enjoy that silly grin on your face!

We typpically visit the botanical gardens in the evening in December to see all of the plants plus the lights and entertainment which are outstanding. In the rest of the year, we go to see the plants and get more information. The grounds are beautiful and the plants well labeled which is very helpful. It's not so large that you can't get through all of it in an hour or so but not so small it would be a waste of time. Just right for an hour or two visit of nature at it's best.

This was a last minute stop to kill time before going to the airport. Beautiful gardens, landscaping, very tranquil and peaceful. Would recommend visiting during the week as there seems to be more going on then. Lots of places to sit and relax. They also have a wedding garden that you can have a wedding at.

Having grown up in south Florida, I was thrilled to see flowers, plants and gardens reminiscent of my childhood home in one location. The many and varied paths, landscapes and habitats provided an array of sights and fragrances that brought back many memories. The cactus and succulent garden was particularly noteworthy, but the gardenia hedges, bromeliads, palms, and butterfly plants were equally interesting.
There is a children’s trail with six activity stations, in addition to the wedding garden, spaces for special events and private parties, classes, and a great gift shop.
This is a cooperative effort by Pinellas County and the University of Florida’s extension service.

This is a nice, calm park in which to meander around. We were there in January, so, unfortunately, nothing was in bloom. It's probably spectacular in the warmer months. Even so, we saw ducks, and even a few butterflies, believe it or not. Next door is the Heritage Village. We didn't spend much time there, but, if you're into history, you might enjoy that, as well. Very peaceful place.

The Florida Botanical Gardens are one of the nicest, most beautiful free places to see all kinds of plants and gardens. It's a great family outing idea! At the entrance they have an awesome butterfly garden that encompasses the whole front area! All kinds of butterflies flit around. There's a butterfly ID stand that you can see what types of butterflies there are. All the plants are labeled. As a bonus, right next door is Heritage Village which is also a free, fun lace to see what the "olden days" were like.
Parking is free and much of the areas are wheelchair accessible. There's a visitors center with a gift shop and volunteers to answer questions. Great Place! Even in winter, which is usually not cold here if FL, there's lots to see. The butterflies probably won't be here as they migrate further south for the warmer weather.

Good walk through a slightly convoluted path system. Lots of places to sit along the way and info on most of the trees, flowers etc. Plenty of shade on hot days. An easy 1-2 hour walk.

Florida Botanical Gardens is a wonderful destination. Whether you are wandering the garden trails or attending a show you will not be disappointed. The Gardens are especially magical at night during the Christmas season because millions of lights turns the gardens into a night you will never forget. There is a charge to get into this light display. Last year the cost was $4.00 per person.

In congested Pinellas County sits this beautifully designed collection of botanical gardens. Most of the trails are handicapped accessible. And while the walkways are paved (concrete), they have been made to look like they are constructed from natural materials like wood. Plants are well labeled and put in special groupings,,,herb garden, tropical fruits, etc. We spent a peaceful afternoon wandering through these beautiful gardens. AND it is FREE.

This is a beautiful park. It has lovely benches and chairs welcoming the visitor to sit and enjoy each little nook and cranny. I wouldn't say it's very informative as far as the plants are concerned, but I enjoyed strolling through the different gardens nonetheless. Its a great escape from the suburban sprawl.

What a pleasure to walk the paths and see if I could identify many of the plants. Thank fully most of the plants had a sign for when I was not sure. I felt things were laid out well and would have enjoyed a longer stay, but we had other plans.

The gardens were beautiful despite being there during the fall season. There was lots of wildlife present and the climate was perfect for a day outside. There are many paths to walk and a wide variety of plant life! There is no entry fee and picnic areas, so it's a nice place to take the family for a day trip.

We visited the gardens on Christmas Day and thoroughly enjoyed strolling the paths and exploring the different parts of the large, well-maintained public garden. It opens at 7am, has picnic areas, restrooms, and there is no admission charge.

Nice gardens but even better is Heritage Village just a short walk over a little bridge. Replica buildings of the "olden days", Very helpful and informative staff. Both the botanical gardens and Heritage Village are free with donations boxes throughout.

We always check this place out when we are in the area. They have a nice formal area and a herb/fruit gardens. You might even see an alligator or two while wondering around. It is perfect for a walk of an hour or two.

This is becoming a yearly tradition. Beautiful gardens. A must see. Ice walking trails but some people with strollers had tough pushing.

What a beautiful place to spend the afternoon. The natural beauty of this park is well worth the visit. The park is handicapped accessible. Right next to the botanical park is the Heritage Village, a turn of the 20th century look at Florida. It is free also and no need to move the car. This is a great place to picnic too.

The very best visit to a botanical garden I've ever been to. I felt like we were alone there. I enjoyed the many beautifully placed benches all throughout.

Add the Florida Botanical Gardens to your Florida destination list. I spent 3+ hours meandering thru the lovely paths of the colorful gem. It’s just a little over half hour from St Petersburg airport so if you are flying in to PIE airport make the time to visit. Flower beds were very well maintained and loved the vistas. You forget you are in a city. Highly recommend.

After visiting the Sunken GArdens in St. Pete, Florida Botannical Garden is a disappointment. The real attraction here is the Heritage Walk which is a 21 acre history tour of Pinellas County. THAT was fascinating!!!!!!!

Lots of well-labeled plants and trees to satisfy your curiousity and give you some great ideas for your own garden. The well-marked paths make for an enjoyable stroll where you can take offshoot paths and/or circle back around. At this time of year they have a couple of “Florida” Christmas trees and lots of lighting fixtures if you choose to go there at night for the “Holiday Lights”. (They ask for a $5 donation for the night event but during the day it is free (although you are free to make a donation.)

The entire site has nicely paved, wide even paths (with a few boardwalks that are path level (so no steps). There are multiple parking lots the length of the garden so if you have someone who has difficulty walking — you can park near to the best spot for them to walk a short distance and sit (plenty of seating) while you explore the rest of the garden.

You can also cross over the stream to the “other side” where you can visit Heritage Village which consists of old buildings and a caboose that have been moved to the site and provide info about Florida history.

Fabulous day out- and free!
Beautiful gardens and nice walking paths around all types of flora and fauna- tropical fruit trees, cactus garden, herb garden, butterfly garden and excellent Children's Discovery Garden!

So enjoyed the Botanical Gardens. We loved that there was no charge! We experienced numerous different garden areas ( palm, tropical, herb,etc). Great learning about flora we never knew about! We were disappointed not to have time to visit the Heritage Gardens. Please visit these gardens to enjoy a quiet ( non-high tech) experience. We enjoyed as a couple. However, please bring your children and grandchildren.

Well worth the trip. Heritage Village was very interesting and I would go back. Free of charge and a very pleasant walk around.

The entrance and gift shop is impressive but the gardens are disappointing. There are weeds in most gardens giving the impression it is not well maintained. The fruit area is interesting seeing bananas, pineapple and pomegranate growing. Most of it looks in need of attention but it might have been the wrong time to visit.

We don’t have snow, but the Christmas lights in the garden provide a wonderful winter wonderland. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was great to enjoy the lights as we walked through the gardens. They used the lights in very creative ways. There were entertainers and snacks. We are looking forward to returning to see the gardens during the year.

The Florida Botanical Gardens is a wonderful experience and it’s free! In December, they decorate the entire garden with thousands of sparkling lights. They even sell ice cream cones. What more could you want?

This place is free (except the Christmas lights) and is a beautiful place and so tranquil the lights are worth the visit this is a must if your in the area.

Always a nice walk around. Lots of shaded area. We bike there take lunch..lots of seats umbrellas. Shade..

Despite the reception centre being closed today for repairs one quickly learns about the natural eco-systems, plants and trees to Florida. Your free admission along marked trails into different gardens plus sections is broken down into sections to discover for yourself. You see both and hear wildlife during your tour. This botanical garden will demonstrate to you on how years of development within this state have taken away natural beauty over the years. Tax dollars are well spent here in educational service to both locals and visitors alike! Job well done and keep up the good work here. Area is popular for dog walkers as well.

Beautiful trees and flowers year around. Peaceful sanctuary for birds and other wild life. Lots of spots to sit and enjoy. Clean restrooms. An ideal venue for weddings and other outdoor events. Interesting gift store.
Most beautiful Christmas lights in the area. This place is so worth visiting. And you can bring your dog.

We enjoyed a double delight with the beautiful holiday light display and participating in the Savoy Swing dance performance. Beautiful lights all over the botanical gardens offered fun for kids and adults with alligators, candy canes, flamingos, and more. We also purchased some coffees and hot cocoa and took a break to hit the gift shop with real Florida souvenirs.
The venue has a list of daily and nightly entertainment, including our swing dance event.
Van accessible free parking near the entrance. Accessible entry and venue, and be aware of low lights on walking path.

The flora and fona were beautiful. Pleasingly landscaped designed to delight the eye. Many areas to just sit, relax and soak in the tranquility.

We truly loved our visit to the Florida Botanical Gardens. It is a 182-acre (74 ha) botanical garden located in Largo, Florida. The park showcases flora, fauna, and natural resources in motivational surroundings that promote environmentally friendly techniques.
Like the Heritage Village, which is part of the same property, admission and parking are both free. On our visit, we parked in Lot 2 and immediately crossed McKay Creek, which had a number of birds and turtles for us to enjoy.
The idea of the gardens started in 1991 when the Cooperative Extension Service proposed the founding of a new outdoor learning center. The plan gained support from the Pinellas County Commission, which pledged $1 million and 13 additional acres for the new facility.

Visited for the Christmas lights and was not disappointed. Very well put together and there was entertainment provided and food available for purchase. The lights were well done.

We went looking for local, inexpensive, history things and and found this gem! Our 2 boys enjoyed the kids and butterfly paths! We spent over 2 hours admiring and exploring the beautiful plants and flowers and wildlife. Also enjoyed the christmas decor! The heritage area was really neat too!

Christmas is the Best and the Rose garden is Fab! Going anytime to look around is always nice and something new to see.

First time visiting this place of nature and lights. Yes, it was during Christmas season as I’m sure the millions of beautiful lights aren’t featured year round, but we had a great viewing experience. Will return there next season

A interesting place to visit. Well laid out with several areas set off from each other. Beautiful at Christmas time with all the lights.

Beautiful flowers and stunning light displays! We always go and start when it is still light out so I can take in all the beautiful plants and flowers as well as the lights. Make sure to bring/use bug spray...it is Florida and around dusk the mosquitoes will be out.

We "discovered" the Florida Botanical Gardens while visiting Walsingham Park which is right across the street. The gardens are free to visit. There are many different paths to choose with different types of vegetation. The paths are marked with signs so that you can decide which you'd like to walk. There is also a Heritage Village on the grounds that was closed when we visited the park. There is a nice administration building and a small gift shop. We enjoyed the tropical flowers including different types of jasmine and magnolia and a section that included many varieties of banana trees. I recommend first stopping in the administration building to pick up a map of the park including a map of the children's trail
if accompanied by little ones. There is a children's garden. We recommend the Florida Botanical Gardens for an outing with the family, or for anyone. It is a cheap, educational and delightful park!

Really enjoyed our visit to the garden for Christmas. They have spent painstaking hours attending to decorating and fine tuning Christmas details. The sold snacks were perfect too.

The lights were amazing and it was inexpensive. Beautiful and fun, depends on when you go it can be pretty crowded. All in all we really enjoyed it.

It's so beautiful here. I'm a photographer and love this location. Every time I visit I get the most beautiful shots.

Although you don't always see alot of flowering vegetation, this is a geat place to visit any time of year. At Christmas, the holiday lights are lovely. During the winter, nice to walk around on a sunny but cool day. Some lovely displays, setting etc.

Nice park. Has bathroom. Decent parking lot. Easy to find. Has gators in the pond. Has plenty of plants to look at. Good place for all ages.

Holiday Lights in the Garden is a great display of Christmas lights for a fraction of the cost ($10) of other displays. Garden is easy to walk, great to bring kids and appeared to be a lot of people with mobility devices due to good pathways.

So beautiful garden . Amazing place .
So clean . So many beautiful and different flowers and trees from different countries.

We usually visit in December to experience the Holiday Lights in the Gardens - it is the most beautiful holiday light display in the area and it is only $4 per person! They also have various entertainment, as well as snacks and beverages. Parking is free, the staff is friendly and the grounds are just as beautiful during the day as they are at night when everything is lit up. A must see if you're in the area!

A great spot to get back to nature without having to leave the city. Well maintained and cultivated. Wide variety of trails and garden types. I particularly likes the trek along the creek. It is a nice spot for birders as well, with the creek trail, a natural Forrest trail and even a feeder spot. A lot is wheel chair accessible. Free admission and parking.

Excellent day seeing so many species of botanicals, fruit trees, fauna. Excellent for families, (childrens area will be ready for 2024). Weddings can be done here, gorgeous venue for weddings.

The Gardens were interesting, with all the wildlife. In water, and out. Lots of flowers, trees, were well marked. Was not a lot of walking, everything was right there. Very calming. Give em a try.

So many reasons to love this botanical garden! First I am SO grateful they open at 7am. This means we can enjoy the gardens before the heat of the day. Second - -the pathways are wide, smooth, and frequently have interesting shapes embedded into them. Third -- roses in February! Fourth -- cool and unusual specimen trees such as Pride of Bolivia, Gumbo Limbo, white powder puff, and Joy Perfume. Fifth -- they allow dogs! Lots of artistic touches such as mosaics and a lovely little succulent 'fountain.' Oh and I almost forgot -- they allow dogs on leashes. There is also the kalimba near the parking lot so you can make a little music, lots of varieties of palm trees, bromeliads, and a small herb garden.

I always loved seeing Marie Shelby and this is a great substitute, thanks Pinellas County for your penny tax for Pinellas,smart move.

This park has great walking trails to stroll around and see all of the different types of plants, flowers, trees, and sculptures. There is a beautiful rose garden and clean facilities with plenty of benches to stop and take it all in. Definitely a place to spend the morning.

Florida Botanical Gardens is keeping with Covid 19 procedures, they have a very good staff, facilities. Its spring and this place is beautiful. They have plants, birds and wildlife.

If you are in the Largo area, esp. at Christmas, you really should make a visit here. It is free during the day and so peaceful and lovely. They only ask for a $4 donation after dark to see the lights in the dark but it is worth it. I spent several hours wandering the gardens and nature trails. What a great way to spend the day. There were lovely plants, flowers, butterflies and birds. I wish I had learned about this place sooner. I definitely plan to go back.

Don't go on the weekend if you might need to use the washrooms. Locked up tight. mid February is not a good time to visit. Plants poorly taken care of. lots of space to wander around. Need to come back at another time of year for a better visit

I was referred to this place by the front clerk at Hampton Inn-Ulmerton. It did not disappoint. The kids had a blast walking the nature trails while hoping to catch a glimpse of the alligators in the ponds. We spent a great morning walking the park and the surrounding beauty, we didn't even care that Tropical Storm Alberto was drenching us on/off throughout the morning. Make a point to visit. YES IT'S FREE!!!

WE had a beautiful night walking through the gardens with all the lights of Christmas on display. It was beautifully done and with a cup of coffee or hot coco in hand and my beautiful wife made it a special night

Now is the time to check out the amazing lighted gardens. Over a million lights. Beautiful walkways and different gardens at every turn. My favorite is the Cactus garden. They've extended the light show in to the wetlands area.

Definitely a MUST DO at Christmas time.

They ask for a $5 donation at the gate but it is not required

Don't forget the camera 😁👍

This was such a lovely place! For starters- it's free! Free admission & free parking! Wow! We had a great time. Everything is pretty well labeled, which I really enjoy. I love knowing what I'm looking at and learning about new things. Very well kept & well marked. We had a great time. I was surprised at how much stuff is flowering at this time of the year. We are not native Floridians, so we are just completely awed by everything.

We decided to spend the morning here

The gardens are lovely but lack anywhere to get a drink

The heritage part is Interesting but many things closed and boarded up sadly

This place is nice to visit year round but after Thanksgiving and during December it is spectacular! There are millions of lights along with music, places to eat and entertainment. Really loved the juggling show! If you get out here at no other time, definitely try to make it around Christmas, but come early especially on the weekends as it can get very crowded. It is great for the family. They request a $4 donation for adults. It is well worth the money.

What a fabulous visit! The gardens were beautiful and the grounds were huge and well kept. I’m sorry that we went here on our last day as we would come again and walk the trails daily. Definitely worth a trip. We didn’t have a chance to go in the buildings as they were closing. Until next time...

We have over the years visited this place often both winter and summer and these people do such a beautiful job. They have a book store and classes. Great place to vist

We were delighted to find this place did NOT charge admission! We spent a morning wandering the grounds of these beautiful gardens. Many varieties of trees and flowers. Most were well marked so we could learn their names.

We spent a couple of hours walking around the place, and it was beautiful. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see everything, because the heat and humidity got to us before we got through the entire gardens.

This past week we visited the Florida Botanical Gardens. The gardens are very informative and are very enjoyable to visit. Well worth our time.

Recently got married at the Botanical Gardens in Largo Florida. It was a picture perfect day and the ceremony couldn't have been better. The Gardens provided the perfect "backdrop" to a most special day for my bride and I....

This is a very nice garden, especially around the holidays. The lights are super pretty and it is a lot fun walking through the garden. For the lights is better to go in the evening. They put a lot of work in these gardens and it turned out really pretty. It is for young and old to enjoy. The ticket price is $4 per person. I think it gets more popular every year and draws more people.

Two family members had visited this garden on previous visits, and took me here during their Christmas event. All I can say is SPECTACULAR!!

This is a large venue with multiple variety of gardens. Wide paved pathways meander from one delight to another. It is so well planned out, so many landscapes that catch the eye. There is a small gift shop and restrooms and a small indoor garden area. Everything is well kept and clean.

I attended during the lighted Christmas event. So well organized and staffed with helpful docents. It was truly enjoyable and just beautiful. So many lighted "objects." Flowers, turtles, penguins, plants, etc. I very highly recommend a visit during this event.

Entry fee was $10. Worth every penny! Plenty of parking, free.

Just go! You won't be disappointed.

There were 6 of us who went and enjoyed the morning at the botanical gardens. They have quite a few paths to choose from and a wide array of gardens to visit. Best part....it's free! There are benches scattered throughout the gardens and it would make a lovely place to sit and read or just enjoy nature.

Great time of the year to visit all the flowers are starting to bloom bringing out the beautiful butterflies. A great place to visit with family and relax.

This park is very well layed out and immaculately maintained. Alligators, herons, egrets hundreds of plant species and tutorial info on invasive exotic plant species and their effect on Florida’s eco systems are great learning tools.
Well done!
Do visit if in the Pinellas Park or Clearwater areas.

Plenty of parking. Part of the gardens is closed Monday and Tuesday which we didn’t know when we looked up the Botanical Garden. Admission is free. Beautiful gardens with butterfly garden and music garden as well as small nature trails. They had little gift shop with snacks and drinks as well. Donations are appreciated there is a little box outside that you can slide some cash or checks in there. Spent couple hours walking around will have to go back to check out the Heritage Village as that’s a large portion of garden.

I'm not much of a plant person but I did enjoy walking through the Botanical Gardens. It is well kept, interesting plants, nice walkways, water places, etc. Well worth a visit.

This is a pretty and relaxing garden, with a lot of variety. It is attached to a heritage village, with lots of historical buildings that have been moves to the site and made into a historical village. The heritage village had some interesting information and exhibits, and we enjoyed that quite a bit although it wasn't our purpose in going. The gardens are certainly pretty, especially for a county park, but was definitely not the most exciting botanical gardens I've visited. It has several unique areas - the wedding garden, the tropical garden, the palm garden - and is well kept, but at least in February was not very showy or large. It does have many benches and seating areas, which is nice to sit and enjoy the scenery and especially if you are traveling with older adults who may need a rest. It is free, and if you're in the area and would like a walk in a pretty location it is worth it, but I would not travel a long ways to visit it.

These are lovely gardens. Pet friendly. Free admission. A great place to spend an hour or two. If you have more time, you can combine this with a visit to the historic village that is next door.

ZEN..place to spend time in nature...trees of all kids,flowers and roses of all colors and even a gorgeous area for weddings...

This was a fun and free thing to do with one of our stays here in Clearwater/Largo. Lots of beautiful plants and I would say if you are in the area, perfect place for wedding shots or engagement photos. They actually have a place called the wedding garden. There is also a butterfly garden. I think this would be a great place to take young kids as there were activities for the
. We spent about 1.5 hours here. We saw lots of baby alligators. You have to stop and really look because they blend in with their environment. We believe the mom was also spotted but not near her babies. Heritage Village is next door but not as fun due to Covid so you can't really see much.

A great place to visit and it is free of charge. I really enjoyed it! You can see a lot of interesting botanicals and there is water within the park to view water birds.

Great walking and seeing all the Florida trees,flowers,bushes,fruit trees and a lot of wildlife.watch closely for the gators when walking down the grass trail,they are there also you can go inside the building for a lot more of old florida to look at

We were here in February, so there wasn't much in bloom. In spite of that, it's a lovely public garden. Interesting trail layout, and an interesting variety of flora and fauna to look at. The birds like it here, and there are turtles in the creek. I would like to see this place in full bloom.
It's one of our go-to places for a long walk.
Worth a visit.

Had agreat time walking and looking at different plants and trees. Grounds were very well groomed and facilities are nice. Seen alligators and other wildlife.

The gardens have a succulent garden, palm garden, wedding garden, etc. It was confusing when we arrived because you can enter at two sides of the extensive gardens. Not knowing this, we essentially entered "at the back", and walked through towards the front. Initially the succulent garden was nice but a little shabby, but that opens up into the tropical garden, wedding garden, and palm garden, which are very nicely cared for and lovely. Even the bridge with its lanterns was very pretty, and many people were just on morning walks through the gardens. As we unknowingly approached the "front", they're doing extensive construction work, and we found the really beautiful visitor center. We loved the gift shop! We also got a bit turned around on one of the nature trails on the way back around the pond, so it's a fairly sizeable place! All in all, glad we went and it kickstarted our day of Florida gardens!!! Also nice is that they are part of the national reciprocal garden network!

We experienced this FREE (donations accepted) garden area last week and were absolutely delighted with our experience. We thoroughly enjoyed the butterfly garden (complete with a very friendly marsh rabbit), the herb garden, the tropical fruit garden, and more. Our visit was cut short by a storm, but we will return to see the rest. I bet we didn't even see half of it yet. I can't wait to see it other times of year too, to see what else grows and blooms during other months. The paths were wide and well-maintained. The gardens were well-groomed, all by volunteers. Thank you to all who participate in the care of this fine, local treasure!

My wife and I volunteer at Leu Gardens in Orlando and stopped by here to check it out while vacationing in Madeira Beach. A great garden and it's free. Loved the different areas and they were beautifully maintained.

This is a very accessible park for all with a wonderful layout where there could be a lot of people but you would not know it. Lots of play areas for kids and a neat wedding area that is nicely manicured. Great way to spend an affordable (free access) morning or afternoon. There was not much in bloom in January but lots of greenery. The heritage site attached to the park is also a neat add on. Interesting history of the area. The art center attached to the park had an exhibit at the same time. Good spot.

Hidden gem in Largo, FL. Many varied and native plants in Old Florida settings; adjacent to Heritage Village (both free). Special decorations for Christmas season (small donation accepted). Flat- handicapped-accessable. Excellent parking.

Well organized, loved the culinary herb garden, wish it was better marked, but a touch with a whiff will tell you a lot. Bees and Butterfly garden was gorgeous and bustling. Great architectural ways of displaying the gardens, plants. A reminder that all these living beings are showing themselves so gracefully to us. Loved the pond, seeing lily pad garden with birds, duck interact with the plants and some aquatic life. I wish this place was close to home for me!

Went to see the holiday lights, it was pretty busy for a weekday but there's plenty of parking and only a $10 suggested donation to enter.

One of my wife's high school girl friends had a wedding in the rose garden. The grounds were nicely set-up and seating arranged. Great place for pictures after.

A wonderful treasure! I had visitors in town that aren’t beach goers so coming up with an event that isn’t beach focused, this is the best!
From the minute you walk in you feel like you’re in a jungle. So many plants and trees weee flowering- the dogwoods smelled amazing. My favorite tree is the rainbow eucalyptus- stunning!!

The gardens were nice, some of them had the Christmas lights on even though we were there during a Sunday afternoon. Store and food stand closed. The buildings in the Heritage Village we're open and very interesting.

What a great place to spend a day... beautiful scenery and it is even free. We even saw an alligator

We live in the area and visit several times a week. All of the staff are friendly and helpful, including the volunteers. We have seen so many different wild animals, including a baby alligator, a raccoon, storks, egrets, herons, anhingas, gopher tortoises, armadillos, bunnies, squirrels, water turtles, fish, ducks and many others. We have learned so much about plants just walking around, and they offer master gardening classes as well. There are so many scenic places to sit and drink in the beauty. Our dogs are welcome, too. During the holidays, there are nighttime lights that are well worth seeing as well. We have learned so much.

This is the best place in the area to walk and relax among the trees and flowers. Many different paths to explore with ponds and water life. Chairs are available throughout so take a book and enjoy!

The Florida Botanical Garden is a real hidden gem! It and the adjoining Heritage Village are a wonderful place to just wander at leisure. My favorite part is dogs are allowed and there is no admission charge. It is FREE. Lots of really interesting plants (I wish they sold plants so I could take home some of my favorites). We have been there twice this month (picked up lunch at Frida's - yummo!) and ate lunch in the gardens and walked around. Not everyone there was masked but there is plenty of space to social distance and we felt perfectly safe. They are going to build a special children's garden which will be a real attraction to families. The Heritage Village is also very interesting although we didn't go there this year. Historic buildings of Old-time Florida moved here to make a village. Nice.
Highly recommend!

Most of the gardens are beautiful. And so very well laid out. The trails wrap around and keep bringing you back to a new location. Additionally, there are well placed signs to tell you where you are located.
I was extremely disappointed to see numerous people walking in the garden beds. I know how disturbing this can be to the roots of the plants. I spoke up a couple of times, and received some ‘dirty’ looks. It would be nice if they would post more signs to mention this fact.
We really enjoyed ourselves.

This was our second time viewing the Christmas lights here,it's a fantastic display,very well organized ,the only problem on the night we visited it was bring your dog night,so there was to many.well worth the $4 donation.
Will go again next year

What an amazing place and for free!! My family and I had a great time visiting. There are lots of bathrooms while you are walking which is nice with young kids. Beautiful scenic place the whole family enjoyed

We were looking for a place for some casual walking and found this charming Pinellas County park. Well-maintained, and lots of dedicated volunteers. Lots of Florida flora and fauna with great signage so you can learn a little something too.