We’re manifesting a cool fall breeze. With the weather kind of cooling down, it’s time to head back into the great outdoors and enjoy one of the Tampa Bay area’s greatest attributes: its nature.
Florida Botanical Gardens, Largo
Stroll through 100+ acres of native flora, scenic formal gardens, waterways, and wildlife habitats. Pets are welcome but must be on a leash, and the gardens host events for the whole family including story time and sensory-friendly experiences.
Entry is free and there are two places to park: 12520 Ulmerton Rd. and 12211 Walsingham Rd.
USF Botanical Gardens, Tampa
Within the school’s vast Tampa campus lies 16 acres dedicated to the natural world. With a focus on Floridian horticulture, these gardens also contain a range of plants from across the globe, plus a butterfly garden, greenhouses, and a shop. So bring your purse.
Sunken Gardens boasts 100+ years of history.
Photo by @marybethgasman
Sunken Gardens, St. Petersburg
You’ve probably seen the sign driving down 4th Street. “St. Pete’s oldest living museum” houses 50,000+ tropical plants, and a famous flock of flamingos. The gardens have rich history tracing back to 1902, at which time George Turner Sr. bought the land. A few decades later, he began to sell tickets at 15 cents a pop.
The City of St. Pete bought the gardens in 1999 for $3.8 million.
Eureka Springs Park, Tampa
This Hillsborough County-run park boasts Florida’s largest publicly owned collection of ferns across 31 acres. Highlights include the rose garden, an orchid room, labyrinthine walkways through the forest, and vast tropical trees. Leashed pups are welcome.
Butterfly Tampa, South Tampa
Described as “Tampa’s first bug zoo, nature center, and native butterfly botanical garden,” this oasis is one for those seeking creature comforts. Literally. There’s hands-on activities for visitors of all ages, and a butterfly release every Saturday + Sunday at 2 p.m. (weather permitting).
Let us know if we missed your favorite green paradise.
