Florida has many beautiful well-known gardens, from the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens in Coral Gables to Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg. These are worth visiting, but there’s just something special about a “secret” garden. We wanted to highlight a few beautiful hidden gardens in Florida that not many people know exist. Here are a few of our favorites, and we hope you will share yours, too.

1. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Gainesville

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, Summer House, 4700 SW 58th Dr, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
Flickr/Morgan B
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is a hidden gem in Gainesville, Florida. The grounds are most colorful from June to September, and dogs on leashes are permitted (except during festivals).

2. The Kampong, Miami

The Kampong, National Tropical Botanical Garden, 4013 Douglas Rd, Miami, FL 33133, USA
G./Google Local
The Kampong in Coconut Grove was once the winter home of the famous horticulturist, Dr. David Fairchild. He traveled all over the world collecting exotic plants and brought many of them to his home garden. The land was later purchased and well-preserved by botanist Catherine Hauberg Sweeney, who eventually donated it to the not-for-profit conservation organization that takes care of the garden now.

3. Hollis Garden, Lakeland

Hollis Garden, 702 E Orange St, Lakeland, FL 33801, USA
Flickr/VisitCentralFL
Hollis Garden is a sight to behold. Fountains, a grand staircase, a butterfly trail, and thousands of flowers fill this hidden gem in Central Florida.

4. Florida Tech's Botanical Garden, Melbourne

Florida Institute of Technology, 150 W University Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901,
Florida Institute of Technology, 150 W University Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
Florida Tech
Florida Tech's Botanical Garden certainly deserves a mention. This 15-acre garden is hiding on the campus of Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. Tons of palm trees, native plants and lovely natural water features cover this charming public garden.

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5. Key West Garden Club, West Martello Tower, Key West

West Martello Tower and Key West Garden Club, 1100 Atlantic Blvd, Key West, FL 33040, USA
Flickr/Patrick Emerson
The Key West Garden Club is great for the history geeks! Not only is it full of exotic plants, including colorful orchids and massive banyans, the garden is growing over the ruins of a Civil War-era fortification, giving it an enchanted feel.

6. Eden Garden State Park, Santa Rosa Beach

Eden Garden State Park Road, Eden Gdn State Pk Rd, Florida 32459, USA
Flickr/JR P
Eden Garden State Park in Santa Rosa Beach features 163 acres shaded by oak, pine, and cypress trees, plus an 1897 mansion open for tours and a dock for fishing.

7. Ravine Gardens State Park, Palatka

Ravine Gardens State Park, 1600 Twigg St, Palatka, FL 32177, USA
Flickr/Sandy Auriene Sullivan
Ravine Gardens State Park is a historic place in Palatka and another garden best visited in spring for its plentiful azaleas. Visitors love the hills (rare in Florida) and the suspension bridge.

8. Cedar Lakes Woods And Gardens, Williston

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, 4990 NE 180th Ave, Williston, FL 32696, USA
Flickr/Darryl Kenyon
Cedar Lakes Woods And Gardens was first opened in 2015, but the creator has spent 20 years turning an abandoned lime rock quarry into the charming gardens you can see there today. The pathways wind over the man-made lakes and lead visitors past hundreds of species of plants in this scenic park.

Have you visited any of these hidden gardens in Florida? What’s your favorite little-known spot in Florida? Let us know! Planning to make a road trip out of all these wonderful spots? Awesome! Check out our epic road trip packing list so you don’t forget anything. Need somewhere to stay? No worries – our friends at Hotels.com will help you with that.

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More to Explore

Hidden Gardens in Florida

Tori Jane | March 13, 2024

What are some amazing hidden gardens in Florida?  

Florida is an unexpectedly diverse state with so many natural wonders to do, see, and experience. Some of our wonders are man-made, though, and they’re just as worthy of exploration. Some of our amazing hidden gardens in Florida are 100% worth visiting; some of the best hidden gardens in Florida are ones like: 

  • Vizcaya Museum and Gardens – This incredible museum has 10 incredible acres of lush green amazingness as well as a selection of art and antiques to marvel at. It’s a whole experience!  
  • The Ravine Gardens – This hidden garden in Florida looks and feels like the jungle, with a Florida twist, of course. It’s stunning, and you’ll love it.  
  • The Bok Tower Gardens – Boasting a tower that’s 205 amazing feet tall, this garden is like something out of a fairy tale.  

Learn more about hidden garden gems in Florida.   

 

What is the best secret garden in Florida?  

While no public garden is truly a “secret”, the term “secret garden” is used in this sense as somewhere quiet and secluded – a little more intimate than your average botanical garden experience. Some of our favorite secret gardens in Florida include:  

  • The Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden – As one of the most unique botanical gardens in the US, this amazing secret garden in Florida boasts tons of tropical plants and flowers. It’s truly astonishing and deserves so much more love than it gets.  
  • The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens – With several thousand tropical plants to admire and plenty of history within itself, this “secret garden” in Florida is a dream come true.  

Learn more about all the most amazing secret gardens in Florida (and then some).   

 

What is spring in Florida like?  

Spring in Florida is such a lovely time. Typically, it runs from March to May and temperatures gradually rise to average temps of anywhere from 70 to 88 degrees, depending on which part of the state you’re in (and just how late in the spring it is). Spring break is quite popular in places like Tampa and Key West, and sometimes beaches can be crowded thanks to larger numbers of tourists than usual. Hiking trails are bursting back to life as well, and some of the best hiking in Florida can be done in the spring. Learn more about all the best things to do in Florida in the spring.  

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