Sunken Gardens
Just outside the heart of downtown St. Petersburg lies Sunken Gardens, a subtropical oasis perfect for your family’s next outing. One of Florida’s original roadside attractions, this more than 100-year-old garden is home to some of the oldest and most beautiful tropical plants in the state. Officially opened to the public in 1936, Sunken Gardens offers a lush and secluded haven in the midst of city life.
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Stroll Through a Tropical OasisWalk under a canopy of live oak trees and see more than 500 species of native and exotic plants. Relax and breathe easy as you stroll along winding paths dense with exotic plants from all corners of the globe. Celebrate international cultures by learning more about St. Petersburg’s “sister city,” Takamatsu, Japan, with a visit to the garden’s traditional Japanese koi pond. Knowledgeable staff members give educational talks where they can tell you which color koi is the luckiest, and provide fish food so that children can have a hands-on experience.
Enjoy Lush Plantings and Colorful BirdsAt Sunken Gardens, you'll see small waterfalls, beautiful demonstration gardens and even wildlife since the gardens specialize in exotic bird rehabilitation. Stroll past colorful macaws, cockatoos, kookaburras and a flock of flamingos – some of which are offspring of the garden’s original flock from the 1950s. If you’re feeling chatty, strike up a conversation with Mindy, a 32-year-old white cockatoo who loves to greet visitors with a cheerful “Hello, baby.”
Towering Trees and Beautiful ButterfliesOne of Sunken Gardens’ highlights is the breathtaking “Rainbow Eucalyptus” tree from Papua New Guinea. The dazzling multi-colored trunk stretches over a hundred feet into the sky and is one of the oldest and most unique plants at Sunken Gardens. The gardens are also home to more than 50,000 tropical plants, showy flowers and a pollinator garden full of native Florida butterflies such as zebra swallowtails and monarchs. It's a perfect way for families, couples and friends to spend a few hours in paradise.
Hours
Monday 10 AM–4:30 PM
Tuesday 10 AM–4:30 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–4:30 PM
Thursday 10 AM–4:30 PM
Friday 10 AM–4:30 PM
Saturday 10 AM–4:30 PM
Sunday 12 PM–4:30 PM
Guest Reviews
Here is a draft for your Google review of the Sunken Gardens, keeping it honest, helpful, and organized: ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Visited for the first time in June, and wow, it gets pretty darn hot and humid! I had read reviews recommending to go right when they open in the morning because the flamingos are out and more active. While I did go early and got to see them, the humidity was still intense. Honestly, I might recommend trying an afternoon or evening visit instead to see if the temperature is a bit more manageable. That being said, it was an overall great experience! Everything is at your own pace, which is perfect. I saw some beautiful flowers, exotic birds, and of course, the flamingos. The coolest part is that you can get pretty close to them! **A few quick tips/notes for visitors:** * **Navigation:** The map is kind of hard to navigate. I’m usually pretty good at reading maps, but this one was a bit tricky, so just give yourself time to wander. * **Staff:** The people working there are very nice and welcoming. * **Facilities:** The bathrooms are very clean. * **Gift Shop:** It’s a little small, but still not bad and worth a look. Definitely worth a visit when you're in St. Pete!
We spent a couple hours walking through the gardens. The flowers were beautiful, and it was a very peaceful, enjoyable visit. We went right as they opened to visit in the coolest part of the day. Much of it is shaded, so that helps. The trees and foliage and landscaping are all great. We enjoyed seeing the history museum on site. Definitely a lovely place to visit.
Stunning!!! The cost to get in is $18 per adult. A bit pricey but I also understand with it being Florida and it has to cost them a ton to maintain. The gardens are beautiful! Not a lot of interactive areas for kids but there is a big open yard area for kids to run around in! There also is a lot to look at and see. A variety of plants including succulents! The flamingos were gorgeous and were a beautiful sight to see! They also had lots of space but were separated from people which was nice to see. There is a discount if it’s your birthday, if you were or are in the military or if you have AAA membership. Also parking is free! The gift shop is also reasonable for Florida.
What a beautiful, peaceful place!!! I loved all the lovely flowers, ferns, trees, the flamingos, turtles, butterflies, birds and so much more!! Enjoyed the seats along the path so you could sit, relax and take in all the beauty!! There is also a very nice gift store!! We were able to easily buy tickets at the door. When we left there was a small line waiting to buy tickets. Staff was very friendly and professional!! I highly recommend!!
My daughter and I spent the afternoon here today and it was fantastic. Really amazing. We drove 2 hours but it was totally worth it. The flowers, trees, plants were exotic and gorgeous. The birds were so sweet. Flamingos were breathtaking. I highly recommend spending some time here. I hope I get to return soon.
Standard Amenities
Total Square Feet: 2,600
| Room | Square Feet | Theater | Classroom | Banquet | Reception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classroom | 40 | ||||
| The Garden Room |
General Information
- Family-friendly
- Hours: Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sun. noon - 4:30 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Day
Discounts
- Group Discount
- Senior Citizen Discount
Accessible Features
- Accessible parking
- Accessible restroom
- Wheelchair-friendly inside walkways
- Zero-step entry available
- Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
- Wheelchair Accessible Parking
- Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
Rates & Times
- Time to Experience Activity: 1 - 2 hours
On-Site Facilities & Services
- Picnic Area