sunken-gardens-st-pete-hero
sunken-gardens-st-pete-hero

the vintage sign outside Sunken Gardens 100-year-old attraction in St. Pete

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.

Stroll Through a Tropical Oasis

Walk 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 Birds

At 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 Butterflies

One 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.

accessible features

  • Accessible parking
  • Accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair-friendly inside walkways
  • Zero-step entry available

discounts

  • Group Discount
  • Senior Citizen Discount

general information

  • Family-friendly
  • Hours Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sun. noon - 4:30 p.m.<br /> Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Day

on site facilities services

  • Picnic Area

rates times

  • Time to Experience Activity 1 - 2 hours

standard amenities

  • Total Sq. Ft.: 2600
Room Sq. Ft. Theater Classroom Banquet Reception Conference
Classroom 0 40
The Garden Room 0

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