Key West Botanical Garden

Key West Botanical Garden -

Key West's Botanical Garden is located on Stock Island. It's actually called The Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden. They bill themselves as the only frost-free botanical garden in the continental United States. That means you can go any time of year and it will be lush and beautiful. Most of the trees keep their leaves all year. There are endangered trees and plants in the gardens, and two freshwater ponds. Look for an abundance of butterflies, flowering plants, and tropical beauty! Volunteers will show you to the photo wall in the education center, a short film, and some self-guided tour pamphlets. Don't miss the boardwalks, the arched bridgeway, the birding ponds, the orchid wall, the new wetland pond and new section of more tropical forest.

The Key West Botanical Garden has events like Hot Havana Nights with giant puppets, dancers and Cuban-themed costumes and partying. They also have a connection with Duke University's School of Environmental Management, as well as projects by Americorps, the Girl Scouts and local members. Their expansion campaign is in full mode right now, with money coming in and new land being turned into tropical forest and gardens.

To get to the Key West Botanical Garden take a right from US 1 onto College Road and take another right onto Bayshore Manor driveway. There is lots of parking. They're open 10 am - 4 pm from October 15 - June 15 and 9 am - 1 pm from June 15 - October 15. Admission is suggested donation, and very cheap. Locals get a discount.