McKee Botanical Garden Reviews

Nice paths and shaded areas to walk. Peaceful place and not overcrowded. If you have never been you would probably enjoy it, but am not sure I would return. Didn't take long to walk through.

Lovely, serene garden. You can walk it several times and see different things each time. Lots of green, lots of waterways. They have theme periods at times with different sculptures, etc. Bathrooms clean. You can eat in their cafe either inside or outside. They have monthly high teas!! Cute gift shop. Employees friendly.

This one-hour, self-guided walk through the botanical gardens was absolutely stunning. The walking trails are well shaded for a hot day. The winding paths lead to water gardens and lilies, palm groves and many flowering plants that are labeled.

We must have passed by McKee hundreds of times without giving it very much thought. When my daughter's family visited, we thought this would be the time to give McKee a try. WOW! What a great time we had!! We loved the various trails and water displays with a wide choice of vegetation. It was also great to see the dinosaurs which are present until sometime in May.

We will be going back just to enjoy it all again. Very highly recommended.

We have been here twice now. Once was during their Christmas light display, which was spectacular to walk though, although a bit crowded with the number of people there. We have recommended the Christmas display to many people. The second time was one of their reduced admission weekends. This gave us a chance to see it in the daylight. Enjoyed the leisurely walk through the gardens looking at the myriad of plants, bushes and trees they have, along with their decorated small ponds and structures. Great way to chill out and spend a few hours of quiet amongst nature and its surroundings. They are opening a kids section in the spring of 2019 which should be an interesting addition to the mix. Not sure how that will go over.

Tried twice - bad both times. This time had the lobster roll and a Italian Sub and they were both bad. Paid $40.55 for a bad lobster roll, and the Italian sub must have
squeezed mayo all over the ingredients and the bread. Mad the lettuce and tomato too much mayo to eat and the meat was not a good quality. I do not mind paying for good quality food, but do not like to pay for bad food

My husband and I had a few free hours and the McKee Gardens were just 2.5 miles south. While not much was blooming, there were still pretty blooms an a few orchids to be seen. There are currently some sculptures to be seen throughout the gardens, and a children’s garden will be opening very soon (it looks awesome) We will be back!!!!

Beautiful gardens, interesting sculptures, living history, thoughtfully put together. The children’s garden is the newest addition and definitely worth the visit!

We thought that this would be another garden filled with trees and flowers, but we were pleasantly surprised. There were sculptures displayed throughout the garden by Seward Johnson which will be there until April 28, 2019. The sculptures were bronze statues that were colorized and so lifelike. The most spectacular one was 25 feet tall and depicted the famous scene of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square NYC at the end of WW II. There was a wooden house containing artifacts including a 25 foot one piece mahogany table. The grounds were beautifully laid out and a few short trails for walking. We saw that a new children’s area was being constructed which will be great for young kids so they will have something to keep them interested. All in all, it was a treat to see the lakes with waterlilies as you walked around the garden. Well worth a visit.

Worth becoming a member both to support McKee Gardens and for the reciprocal privileges at certain other gardens. Saw beautiful orchids climbing on trees.
Ate at the onsite cafe which has nice indoor and delightful outdoor seating. The BQ flatbread, individual quiche & salad, and cranberry muffin were all tasty. Nice gift shop.

It is a beautiful botanical garden. A nice visit to do if you are in the area or passing nearby. Beautiful plants and trees, beautiful views. To do.

It’s a fabulously maintained tropical garden paradise w a lovely place to have lunch under the foliage, surrounded by butterflies. It’s an easy walk on a paved or graveled path. The flora and fauna are well labeled and the jungle show amidst the plants added some whimsy. We will definitely be back!

My wife and I have been members for many years. We love to just come by for a stroll in the evening or just to relax and commune with nature

There is something here for everyone. Interesting botanical specimens, activities for children and good paths for just walking. I would recommend going early in the day if you are visitng during the summer as it can get warm.

Great place to spend the day and see a lot of the Florida tropical plants and flowers. Good for a very nice morning or afternoon walk through the gardens.

The gardens are pleasant and very easy to walk around. Things are well kept up but it all looks as if they could use some more cash flow. However if you like a bit of fun sculpture this place has many excellent examples created by a renowned Florida artist.

You can go through the garden in about an hour. They have some unusual trees and orchids. I would have appreciated more signs identifying the plants. There seem to be some guided visits but this was not offered to us when we bought tickets ($10 adult). The gardens are pretty wild, but it adds to their charm. It’s a pleasant way to pass the time in Vero Beach.

I love this garden. It is so beautiful and a great place just to take a walk to unwind for an hour. They have great events for all ages (loved the kids orchestra events) and my daughter loves the kids' garden. Looking forward to the kids garden opening back up after corona. Worth repeat visits!

Visited in 2017 when they had Lego exhibits through the gardens. That added to the allure, particularly for my teenage kids, but an interesting and relaxing place to visit nonetheless.

As a photographer botanical gardens are a place to potentially get great photos and in one of the "must do" search results on what to see in Vero Beach Florida, McKee was a place not to miss. I wholeheartedly agree that if you like being outdoors, love trees, plants, and lily pads; it's a must see destination. I admit it was pretty hot the day I visited but a visit to the snack bar satisfied my thirst and the air conditioning was a godsend. I took over 230 digital photographs. One of the employees, Ron, crossed my path several times and gave me great information on the flora and species of trees that covered the grounds. We had a good connection as we both loved being in that spot and I showed him what I could see with my 400mm lens. Im in Vero for a few more weeks and I know I will go back before I leave, I enjoyed it that much.

A do not miss experience when you are in Vero Beach. A beautifully landscaped garden with impressive accents on the Jungle plants. A variety of ponds with blooming lilies, and they are building a children's garden which will be very impressive and I'm sure the kids will love it. A place you would like to revisit when you are back in the Vero Beach area.

This was a great experience. So many plants, trees, flowers, and as a bonus, animated dinosaurs. Very reasonable admission fee. Lots of paths with a very good map of the gardens.

This one is outstanding. The water lilies were so pretty. Lots of water and shade. The jungle sculptures were fun to find in the garden. An hour was good for a lovely walk thru. The cafe served some of the best soup I have ever had.

This is a true horticultural oasis.The gardens are immaculately groomed and are both beautiful and interesting. The Lego exhibit was outstanding and had appeal for both children and adults and the new Children’s Garden is the same.

My wife and I visited on April 23rd. I had heard that this was a beautiful botanical garden but it was really almost like a walk in the woods. Very few flowers were in bloom. I don’t know if this is normal all the time but it is in April. There were a few orchids blooming but that was about it.

The statues were interesting and added to the visit but, overall, it was a disappointing visit.

We enjoyed a wonderfu trip to McKee Botanical Gardens. We used our membership card from our local botanical garden and our admission was free! The water lilies were absolutely beautiful. This is a special place to visit.

The McKee Botanical Garden experience was perfect on a very warm summer day in Florida. The coolness of the shade while walking through the "paradise" of the garden was wonderful. Everything at this venue was a pleasure to behold--from beautiful flowers and foliage to interesting facts about the beginnings of the garden site. The upcoming children's area looks to be expansive and fun--can't wait to return when it is finished with our three small grandchildren!

We visited this botanical garden and found it was well signposted and easy to find. There is a good size car park and you pay at the entrance with the standard fee for adults/seniors $20 and it is worth the money. A map is provided to help you find your way around.
The gardens are beautifully arranged and the colours are vibrant. There are lots of ponds with water lilies, waterfalls, fish, birds and other wildlife.
We found the gardens to be very beautiful and tranquil.
During our stay we also visited the cafe which was also good quality and reasonably priced.
Would definitely recommend and return.

We enjoyed the gardens and the Lego exhibit. Very relaxing and nicely shaded. Immaculate and well manicured. Staff excellent. We also liked the hot fudge brownie sundae!

We enjoyed walking the gardens and taking in the history. This was an old Florida attraction back in the day. We ate lunch here as well. Admission was $15-$20 as I recall. Lunch was about $15 per person as well. There is a lot of history here and we enjoyed that.

Enjoy a peaceful and tranquil time away from the hurly burly of everyday life with a lovely stroll through these botanical trweasures lovingly presented

The garden is lovely with a large variety of native foliage and an interesting mixture of a Childress garden, a dinosaur trail of moving copies and a very nice snack bar . They have a large contingent of volunteers snd it is a bastion of community. Volunteers. Great going here

While small in size compared to other locales such as the Fairchild, this truly is a saved gem of old Florida. In 1976, The mouse house and interstate nearly led to developers plowing over this entire site. It sat dormant until 2001. Now, it is a lovely place for a two hour tour with All family members, although the children’s garden sadly is closed due to COVID-19. The water lilies and pathways were very nice, although there were many bugs. The café is nice and has a vegan option.

And, as they have reciprocity with other gardens across the US, a $60 membership for two was an exceptional deal. It gives you an entry into Bok Tower Gardens and Fairchild and Flamingo Gardens here in Florida!

A lovely way to spend a Sunday in between rain showers some 90 minutes north of Boynton Beach

Totally Beautiful Fantastic Garden with life size sculptures from Seward Johnson
Great cafe with healthy food and wonderful guides

We had a beautiful visit to this lovely place. Hubby needed a scooter, which was readily available and a nice newer model. The paths were all easily navigable by scooter and we had fun getting lost. There was plenty of shade on this hot day. The ponds were my favorite with the various colors of water lilies. We finished with lunch and adult beverages. Pulled pork for hubby and chickpea and cauliflower curry for me.

Lovely gardens that share their history with the old Jungle Gardens that was a famous stopping point on the way to Miami. Various shows and exhibits are held on the site and many are included free with a membership so if you are local to the area it makes it worth your while to join. Nice little restaurant located on the grounds if you'd like to dine alfresco.

Beautiful garden, amazing sculptures, and a surprise around every corner. Easy walk with well-marked paths.

This is strictly based on brunch. Was so excited to see the brunch menu and for the opportunity to eat in the "garden." First, I wrongly assumed we would be able to peruse the garden after our brunch. Second, the brunch experience was terrible! We paid $70 for the worse shrimp and grits we've ever had. The food was served on paper plates and bowls and plastic silverware. The shrimp/grits was so buttery that it was seeping through the paper bowl. Do not waste your money on brunch here!

What a fantastic tropical paradise. Lovingly designed and maintained. You can enjoy for an hour or many ours. Much of it is shaded so nice even on a warm day. It'd just wonderful. Don't miss it if you are in the area.

An interesting and beautiful Botanical Garden. Easy to walk pathways take you through the different areas of the Garden. Frequently there are special exhibits installed, one year there were dinosaurs, I've also seen artist sculptures of large bugs and jungle animals. They are working on a Children's Garden right now with a Pirate Ship theme- it looks amazing. A great spot to explore, but you will need a car or transportation to get there.

best place to go to see plants and scenery, great place to unwind and relax roaming thru the pathways

This botanical garden has it all.......numerous species of a variety of plants, trees, flowers all in a small garden that is easy to walk and relax in. It just opened a wonderful children's garden with a pirate them that kids will love. A worthy visit for families and couples alike.

Beautiful gardens with a fun hidden area for children! Although I went with a group of adults, we had to explore the children's play area. The pirate ship gives you a unique view from above, and I'm sure this would be hours of entertainment for any child. They had the LEGO exhibit while I was there and that was great to see as well. I had seen similar exhibits before, but the way the pieces were made to feel as though they were a part of the landscape made this exhibit feel truly unique.

Beautiful gardens, so peaceful and relaxing, especially since there are waterfalls, streams, and lots of ponds at this botanical garden. The grounds are very well maintained. The plants and trees are labeled so you know what you are looking at. Well worth the $10 admission for an adult to get a few hours of peace and serenity. A joy and pleasure to visit anytime.

My biggest regret is that I don't live closer. This is a wonderful place for everyone and paradise for an artist. While my sister, who couldn't walk a lot, sat in different locations and sketched, I wandered around with my camera. Some of the manmade waterfalls are stunning. It was just lucky that the Seward Johnson exhibit was on display. Wonderful pieces are very artfully displayed. I hope I can go again at a different time of year next time I am in the Vero Beach area.

A beautiful and mature garden, many water ponds. Easy to walk with good shoes. Actually there is a great exhibit and impressive sculpture of Seward Johnson. A must see on the Treasure Coast.

A fun family or friends outing. And during the holidays they have the miniature train room- so fun to watch...and then take a walk through the gardens. And its a good cause.

Two adults visited the gardens in early December 2018 for about two hours. Overall a pleasant visit. Easy walking. Interesting plants but could have used many more signs identifying the plants. Cafe on site, which we didn't try. Also preparing an expansive Children's Garden for completion in 2019. Looked nice.

Note that it is very near a road so a lot of traffic noise filters through.

After visiting McKee Botanical Garden initially, we have become members and regular visitors to McKee. It is beautifully designed and maintained and it is our destination to escape daily pressures. They also host a number of special events, and one of our favorites is the annual car show in March.

It is not well known that membership in McKee Botanical Garden also makes you eligible for free entrance to over 300 gardens in the US. We have used this numerous times, and one of our favorites is Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales.

The McKee Botanical Garden is beautiful and if you are visiting Florida a must see.
It is a relaxing and peaceful walk with so many tropical plants and flowers to view. The staff and friendly and helpful. Highly recommend.

Gorgeous stroll through a jungle paradise! My favorite part was watching the geckos scurry across the path! Bring your camera! I forgot bug repellent and got eaten alive! So make sure you put loads on!

Everyone that goes to Vero Beach should go here. The plants and trees are gorgeous. You will learn something new here, for sure!

The gardens are very nice to take a walk through. There are some really nice buildings and a great kids area is in the works.

Great garden - many beautiful flowers, unusual plants and nice walking trails - the water lillies are my favorite.

A beautiful quality nature experience. A great place to walk and breathe, sharing the space with all of the plants and beauty. An awesome nature play area for children to explore. So many trails to wander, well marked, definitely grab a map. Check out these awesome spots: Giant Mushroom, bamboo trail, stick artworks, the lily pad pond, stone bridge, children's play area.
I've been visiting all of the Botanical Garden's in Central Florida to spend a little time with nature and take advantage of the beauty surrounding us. The good thing about McKee is that no matter what time of year it is, something is blooming! If you'd like to see more, the link to my blog is in my profile.

My husband and I were travelling thru Vero Beach and spotted the entrance to McKee Botanical Gardens. We were awestruck by the lifelike sculputures of Seaward Johnson.
The clerk at the Admission Desk told us that there were 19 sculptures in all and we looked for every single one. They are truly lifelike down to the veins in their hands. You will surely have a great afternoon visiting McKee. They are in the process of building a Kiddie area with more sculptures. I hope to return when that is finished.
Admission is reasonable. The Cafe is good. What else could you hope for?

Since we are from NJ and frequent Grounds of Sculptures, this display of his works were really a treat. The grounds are lovely with the sculptures scatter throughout. It was a worthy visit.

This was a great place to visit. Extremely well maintained with a huge variety of plants. The history makes it even better. Loved our afternoon here and it was very peaceful to be here.

Great place to visit for all ages! Beautiful and gorgeous gardens! We went to the splash pad and the kids had a blast!

This is a fabulous place to visit, when we went they had fill size metal sculptures dispersed around the trails. They have events throughout the year. We didn't see many flowers as it is Febuary
here now but spring and summer is suppose to be beautiful there. They have a small café and a gift shop also. A nice quiet way to spend time and look at nature.

A lovely place to stroll at any time, but see the Seward Johnson sculpture exhibit. You will be provided with a map that will help you find all of the sculptures throughout the garden.

In reading the reviews and recommendations to visit this garden, the reviews definitely made the point of experiencing and travelling to see. The garden offers by far the best selection and variation of plant life you would see anywhere.

Visited this beautiful venue on a sunny weekday afternoon. The gardens are lush and green and peaceful. If you love tropical foliage this is the place to be. The scenery is enhanced by the random placement of life-size and very realistic looking sculptures of people doing everyday things....reading on a park bench, shopping, taking a nap and hugging a loved one. The most spectacular sight is the 25 foot tall sculpture depicting that iconic kiss between a sailor and a nurse in Times Square on VE Day. It's amazing and titled Embracing Peace...such a timely message! There is a reasonable admission fee and expect to spend at least 2 hours exploring the property. Well worth an afternoon.

This is a sweet place to visit. Very interesting history, lovely paths, waterfalls, and numerous plants, and more. There are things for kids to do as well, and they can run off their energy down the paths or the about to be opened playground that looks very unique and interesting. I visited Dec 6, 2019, and they had xmas lights and decorations up, some of them very tacky, but the kids would love them. It is shady so not too hot, and we had a fair lunch at the cafe too. Very enjoyable.

Attended the Holiday Nights of Lights event last evening. A truly magical evening!

Walked thru the Tunnel of Lights and into the illuminated spheres and trees.

You don’t want to miss the large-scale model train. Very impressive!

Santa was not there in the evening but there was “snow” in the air at the Hall of Giants. Inside were miniature holiday villages.

The trails were a bit dark but with the number of people enjoying the evening, one just had to follow the person ahead!

People of all ages enjoyed the light display. Will not disappoint.

We visited when the Seward Johnson statues were scattered throughout the gardens. Really cool and impressive to say the least!! Worth a visit for that alone, but the variety of flowering plants and unique species would draw me in as well!

Went with a group of five and had a very nice day. The price was very reasonable for the amount to see and spend time looking at. Great exercise and some great photos. A must visit, wile in Vero Beach

We loved our visit to McKee, the history is very interesting, be sure to take a few minutes in the Hall of Giants for the story. The gardens are so beautiful, with lovely trails and so many gorgeous specimens. The Water Lillies are my favorite attraction, just gorgeous, and I’d never seen the huge Amazonian lily pads in person, they are amazing. I highly recommend a trip to McKee Botanical Garden, there is even a Children’s Garden that is sure to please the kiddos!

Lovely spot. Amazingly peaceful. Would have loved to have seen it in its heyday. So enjoyed our visit. Tasty lunch at the cafe. Staff very welcoming.

McKee is a wonderful botanical garden, it is meticulously maintained and has some things to see that cannot be seen anywhere else. It is a serene environment and is a great way to sepnd several hours withb someone whon appreciates plants and flowers.
It actually is quite a romantic place. Its a bit expensive, but you get what you pay for.

Great spot for a short walk. The whole thing can be done in an hour or two. We had a toddler in tow and he enjoyed the walk. The is an impressive kids area under construction which we look forward to seeing. There are bronze scuptures on display of African animals.

The Seward Johnson sculpture exhibit was unique and fascinating. The giant recreation of the Times Square kiss is worth the price of admission. Grandsons, 5 and 3, were just as intrigued as we were by the entire exhibit and grounds. Anxious awaiting opening of the children's section for next year's visit.

Lovely place to learn about tropical plants and garden design
The temporary exhibits were humorous and well done.
The library is informative
The new children’s garden is a fun and educational place for kids

There’s not more to say about this garden that hasn’t already been said. Just don’t miss it. It’s worth the time and the entrance fee.

This place is a must see, Especially around the holidays. We walked around in the afternoon and the lights were lit. Many photo opportunities throughout the park. Thank you for not allowing dogs. We are reciprocating members and see so many parks destroyed by people bringing untrained animals into the parks. The tree table is amazing!!! It’s just a well done beautiful serene place to be. Thank you!

The botanical gardens are stunning! A fabulous variety of tropical plants and gorgeous ponds. When we visited they had a temporary exhibit with life-sized bronze sculptures of African animals accenting the various exhibits. I have one gripe about this place though - it was typical hot and humid September weather in Florida and yet you are expressly forbidden from bringing in food and drinks. Water should be allowed, however, as I started to feel unwell about half-way through the self-guided tour. The gift shop was underwhelming as 90% of what is sold there could be found at any Vero Beach gift shop. Overall, its still a great place to visit if you are a plant-lover.

I used to live next to Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Coral Gables, and missed it, but then found McKee, a lovely place and well cared for and a great benefit to the community.

Disappointed, made the trip to McKee and was turned away because as of 10/1/25 they are no longer honoring the AHS reciprocal program for Port Saint Lucie Botanical Garden, Heathcote Botanical Gardens, or Mounts Botanical Gardens. Hopefully this will change but call before you go. :(

We absolutely loved this botanical garden. It is full of mature trees and naturalized plantings and just feels like a little slice of authentic Florida. Lots of water features, and the children's area can't be beat. I wish we lived closer and could justify a membership because I would come walk around here regularly. We were even able to get a vegan option (hummus & veg wrap) at the cafe. Our six year old just LOVED the dinosaur exhibits and we adults were impressed with the bamboo hut, the mahogany table and the old Spanish kitchen. There isn't a ton of color - they don't plant a whole bunch of flowering annuals - but if you are looking for an outdoor activity that's mostly well-shaded, this is your place. There are some palms on the rare side that we've never seen so tall - a licuala grandis and an old man palm, both of which dwarf any we've seen elsewhere.

Floridians especially can learn so much from these gardens. They are filled with native and Florida friendly plants. The water areas abound with water lilies. Tropical plants and palms are plentiful. Look up or down to see orchids. When we visited in April 2019, lifelike sculptures celebrating life were placed throughout the garden, and a children’s area was being refurbished. A cafe is on the grounds. Be sure to bring your camera.

Awesome legos exhibit. Short though. Go with someone who will think that the exhibit and some of the fauna is worth the admission price

Oh my. McKee is a don’t miss if you like botanical gardens. This place is absolutely beautiful. Easy walking. We really enjoyed.

It’s beautiful to visit this botanical garden in the spring. I’ve been a resident of Florida for four decades but still enjoy visiting botanical gardens. Very special trees.

McKee Botanical Gardens opened in 1932 as McKee Jungle Gardens, it was 80 acres. It closed in 1976 and much of the land was sold off for a golf course. What remains is 18 beautiful acres, the Spanish Kitchen , the Hall of Giants with its massive doors and 35 foot long mahogany table. The park has 10,000 native and tropical plants, a giant collection of waterlillies and bamboo. The parks centerpiece, an impressive bamboo pavilion with palm frond roof.

First time visitor here, but well worth spending an hour or two just wandering the gorgeous grounds. Lots of bronze African animals with interesting bamboo and wood stick houses. Ponds were beautiful and with lots of lily pads.

A worker at Publix recommended this place to us and I am so glad we listened to her. We all throughly enjoyed this place. We went on Easter weekend and the crowds were not bad at all. It is sad to hear the story of what it used be when Disney opened in Orlando to what it is today though. It would have just been beautiful prior to it being downsized.

The food at the cafe was also very good for a place like this as well as reasonably priced.

What a magical place! We went on a Saturday morning and it wasn't too crowded. The glass flowers on display throughout the garden were amazing to see. We loved the kids play space and the bamboo hut. A great place for all to visit.

We wandered thru the gardens, thru winding trails, over wooden bridges, looked at kids playing on climbing adventures, rope bridges, slides. Definitely a good place for their play. We at at the cafe - good food.

A very peaceful and beautiful place. Go take a wander around and pop into the cafe for delicious cake and drinks. The exhibition on with creatures made from recycled fitflops from Africa is amazing

Enjoyed it so much we became members. Beautifully maintained garden to wander for an afternoon. Watched the children’s garden being built, believe it’s open by now. Always on our list to take visitors while here in town.

Whether you have an hour or a full day, McKee is a great spot on your own or with all generations. Wonderful Children’s Garden, quiet walks, beautiful botanical specimens. Loved the bamboo area. Also the cafe is reasonable and delicious.

Very historical & beautiful place. It was a very interesting place to explore! My visit was in the fall of 2017 (around November, 2017)

Nice history behind this garden, well laid out and nice trails. Mosquitos when we were here (early June) so be prepared. Nice kid area for the kids to play in. Don't miss the building with a good look at this gardens history.

This hidden gem has several walking paths winding thru it. Pick your season to see multiple flowers in bloom.

What a beautiful walk in botanical gardens. You feel like you exploring in a jungle. Lots of statues on display as well.

We toured the gardens in mid-March. Everything was still open and people were great at distancing. The gardens were beautiful and required a bit of backtracking to see everything. For the most part, we found tags identifying plants throughout the garden. Each section of a variety wasn’t labeled but we found that it likely was in another section.

Plant varieties were plentiful. The section with king palms was amazing. We were fortunate to visit when the kapok trees were in bloom. The turquoise jade vine over the entry was spectacular as were the stag horn ferns. It was also fun catching sight of a couple woodpeckers and a hawk as we were walking.

For anything not labelled, we took a photo and the workers at the entry could tell us what it was and how to care for it.

This was a lovely spot to spend a few hours.

I have been to McKee Gardens, however this was the first time visiting in the summer months. It was beautiful, breathtaking landscape, so much nature to love and sit back and appreciate. The Children's Garden was very impressive. So much thought and planning must have went into creating such a fun attraction for the kids. My kids loved the fake alligators, the pirate ship, the fairy house, the musical instruments and the fountains. I loved that you can see the huge fish swimming in the still water. I live local, but this is a definite must see for anyone visiting Vero Beach.

I enjoy botanical gardens. McKee is an enjoyable diversion if you want to do something besides go to the beach or shop.

We are locals and still make it to McKee every year. Simply beautiful. Keep up with the exhibits, they're always amazing!

The McKee Botanical Garden was one of the loveliest gardens we have visited. It has beautiful old growth Florida plants and tropicals from around the world. Temperature was at least 95 degrees on our midweek July morning visit but there is lots of shade and artistic seating to rest, take in the green space and cool off. The water lilies were spectacular, all colors and sizes in bloom. There are beautiful African animal sculptures everywhere which made us almost feel were visiting a real Jungle. They have blended Florida plants with artistic designs to create a place we would visit again. They are building a magnificent interactive children's garden space (opening in 2019) which will make this a welcoming place for all ages. I will think of our visit each time I drink from my flower pot coffee cup! Well done McKee Botanical Garden!

We recently spent two hours at the McKee Botanical Garden, and it was a pure delight. The garden is small enough to easily be enjoyed in two hours. At the time we were there, they had a children's area that included some water play as well as climbing opportunities. It provides a pleasant shaded walk through a variety of flora native to Florida. Interspersed throughout the garden are man-made waterfalls and bridges for that great Kodak moment. Also, until May 31, 2020, there is an exhibit of 40 marine sculptures made from recycled flip flops that have washed up on the shores of Africa. It is a very colorful display of marine creatures known as Ocean Sole Africa. There is also an on-site restaurant offering a limited menu, although we did not eat there, Admission is $15, $13 for seniors, and $10 for military, including veterans. If you would like to spend a relaxing couple of hours in shaded comfort, check out McKee Botanical Garden. You will not be disappointed.

This is a peaceful, lush haven amid the bustle of coastal Florida. It makes a wonderful visit when you are looking for something other than golf and beaches. It is small enough to walk through with young children or seniors. At the holidays and evenings during the fall months, the gardens are romantically lit. Plan for at least an hour and bring a camera to capture the natural beauty.

A very pretty garden to stroll around. There was an interesting canal that snaked its way around the property with lots of bridges and water features. It was a nice place to spend a little time.

I recommend a membership at McKee so you can stop in often. There's a new children's garden being developed, a good cafe, gift shop that's worth visiting, classes and an amazing array of plants, water features, and flowers. Very enjoyable.

While visiting Vero Beach my husband and I decided to stop by the McKee Botanical Garden. There are lovely walking paths through the gardens with many spots along the way to just sit and enjoy the many plants and trees. We did see some orchids blooming, water lilies and various other species. The workers along the way were very willing to share their knowledge as they worked. It is worth while to visit.

Wife is a landscape designer and she (we) love McKee and continue our membership. Their variety of special programs keep us interested and going. Highly recommend.

Enjoy spending an hour or two enjoying the many paths and varieties of plants, flowers and trees. Seeing the many different statues placed in the gardens at different times of the year is a reason to visit the gardens frequently.

Many varied plants and flowers, a different experience in each season. Plenty of water features and aquatic plants. Easy trails, although not so good for wheelchair use unless it's motorized. Plenty of ID markers, but not always easy to tell what they're directing you to see with so many plants. The have frequent artistic and cultural exhibit scattered through the park. "Family and Friends" membership is good for unlimited entry with unlimited guests. It's good if, like us you often have out of town visitors. Bring mosquito repellant. Kids will enjoy the whispering bench: a metal decorated bench that you can whisper into one flower and be heard in another!

My wife & I visited McKee Botanical Gardens while in the Vero Beach area. We visit many gardens throughout the world & this while smaller in size is a joy to visit. It's an early Florida roadside attraction that has been converted to a jungle themed botanical garden. There is also life size sculpures of many African animals. Very unique & worth while place to stop. Plan on a round 1 - 1 1/2 hours.

Every year we visited this garden it has never been dissapointing. It is such a lovely, peaceful and informative place

Thanks Mr. McKee and friends/family for preserving this site. It is a trip back in time to old Florida. Well worth the admission. I am always calmer when I leave. Just beautiful and great for photo’s.

Had a wonderful time it was simply beautiful my father enjoyed it very much beautiful plants and flowers and wildlife had a great time

Thoroughly enjoyed our morning walk through the gardens. Took lots of photos. We visited on a weekday morning in May, which was not very crowded. It was a beautiful, sunny morning. A great place to visit for a peaceful outing.

This wasn't the prettiest botanical garden I've ever been too, given that it is designed to be a jungle. But it was very serene. The well-maintained paths meander throughout and there are tons of benches for sitting on to rest or meditate. When I was there, there was a fun exhibit of sculptures scattered throughout the grounds. Not a lot of flowers, but that could have been seasonal--but don't go there looking for roses or dahlias.

In my opinion, this is probably the #1 visitors' attraction in Vero Beach. This 18-acre botanical garden, within the city limits, is a gem. Plan on spending two or three hours. The garden is not so large and overwhelming that one becomes exhausted, but rather is suited for casual strolling, with numerous benches along the various paths. The McKee also offers both wheelchairs and a mechanized wheelchair for those who are disabled. There is also a delightful garden cafe on site, as well as a gift shop.

Absolutely beautiful, calm and peaceful. Many colors and textures to take in. A watercolorists’ dream! Spring is a great time to go before the heat and the bugs get bad.

We visited the garden and the opened the Kid’s garden with some of the attractions already accessible. Beautiful display and the area to play music is really nice!!!

My wife and I decided to visit on the recommendation of a family member. Wrong time of year and day! The plants were lovely, but we wilted within 20 minutes and had to leave. We may give it another try, but in the spring or fall.

Being from the midwest---being able to walk in a garden is a wonderful experience in March.
I enjoyed all the palms and water plants--and they even had several Lagos statues.
Take your time---and enjoy a sandwich and soup during your visit.
They have a very large children's area---I mean big and inviting.

Visit the gardens was a fantastic experience. We felt as though we stepped into a secret garden world. The twig houses, beautiful ponds and windy paths brought out a child-like curiosity in all of us. I will be looking for future special exhibits and installations. We ate at the cafe on premises and the food was delicious and healthy. The outdoor patio was great ambience for lunch. This is not to be missed on a visit to town.

Wonderful time with family. The place is exceptionally clean, staff friendly. The Lego designs were amazing to see. The kids ship area was so much fun for my grand daughter... We loved our time here

The Gardens is hosting an amazing glass sculpture exhibit through April, 2023. I've been coming once or twice a season over many of the past 15 years. The gardens never fail to amaze. Peaceful. The history is fascinating. The children's section is very well done. Both adults and children were enjoying it. There is so much to take in that I will often walk the paths a couple of times a visit. I don't want to miss anything. Be sure to look up, too.

this is a popular Botanical Garden... come early to enjoy the tranquility of this treasure. Once you enter the Garden, you are in an open area. to the left you have a large pond and at the end is a an old stone bridge, in the pond itself many Water lillies were blooming ( the peak Season for this beautiful Flower is the end of may till the end of June ) - don't miss it - .. if you turn to the right and walk down this path you will see many more Water Lillies and at the end the " Stickwork "... Many Volunteers worked tirelessly for three weeks climing on scaffoldings, weaving, bending, trimming and shaping " Willow Saplings " into one-of-a-kind sculpture. I travelled to many places around the Globe , but never have I seen something like this, remarkable & beautiful.
The Botanical Garden is also Family friendly , at the end of the left hand side you see a children area, where many Kids enjoy themselves, while their mothers enjoy talking to other mothers. We highly reommand visiting this Botanical Garden, Before you leave stop by the Cafe and treat yourself...

What a beautiful place, well worth the trip if it's out of your way. We were staying in Melboure Beach and did a day trip. There is 3-dimensional art incorporated into the environment, which added even more interest.

This is a great place to spend the day wandering through these lovely grounds. Opened in 1932, it was an old style roadside attraction featuring mo keys and chimps. The monkeys are gone but the gardens remain. Great way to spend a day.

This is the second time we have visited these gardens. Last year there was a lego display and this year there was a Seward Johnson display of life-size bronze figures. The figures were placed to coincide with the surrounding plants. We always enjoy strolling through these beautiful gardens.

You can walk for a long time around the wonderful vegetation that was imported from around the world.

Had company from the north for the last few months. Took each of them to these gardens. All were impressed! The statues were so realistic & awesome. Took lots of pictures! Great place

My sister and I took our mom here for her birthday. We drove over from the other coast of Florida for a night and then visited here for the day.
What a special visit. The garden was stunning and well kept. The staff was friendly and it was a lovely adventure.
There was beauty everywhere you looked. Sculptures, trees, various art displays.
There is even a kids play area with splash pad!
We are already planning to return with our own kids!

I was very disappointed. There were several maintenance vehicles (4) with engines running doing work on the pedestrian paths while we were there...not serene at all. Considering we went on a Tuesday, and the museum isn't open on Monday, you think they could have planned their maintenance work more effectively

This is one of the old Florida tourist spots that people visited before the Theme Parks took over. It was like a trip into the past with its huge trees, orchids, rare trees and ponds with aquatic plants.

The girlfriend and I decided to take advantage of the reciprocal agreement with our Bok Tower membership and take a stroll. If you enjoy gardens and museums invest in membership - it will pay for itself. There was a bit of a line when we arrived but the park had a person surveying the line for memberships allowing us to skip the paid check in process!

We decided to head left, do the outer circle and then the inside paths. The garden is lush, green, just full. There is also an interesting Lego statue thing going on. As you travel through the park they have very large statues created with Legos depicting all sorts of wild creatures. The guests were a mix of maskers and not, although for the most part people seemed to be careful about social distancing.

There is a stick sculpture in one section of the park that has to be seen. Huge and intricate. They have a great kids area too. All in all a very enjoyable hour or so visit.

It is very peaceful and beautiful, don’t miss this opportunity for a walk in old Florida greenery. Great area for kids too!

Sweet historic botanical garden. Well worth it to explore and learn the history of a “botanical garden that can”. These gardens have survived the onslaught of development many times thanks to concerned individuals and legislators.
Great 1/2 activity when you want to escape the sun, or while away a rainy morning.

It was lovely. But I think it would have been better when the flowers are in bloom. Don’t go in January.

The McKee Botanical Gardens, located at 350 US #1, Vero Beach, FL 32962, 772-794-0601, was designed in 1929 as an 80-acre subtropical botanical garden with streams, ponds, trails with numerous subtropical and ornamental plant. Over the years tourist interest declined, eventually it closed for 20 years or so and was reopened in 2001 by the IR Land Trust as an 18-acre non-profit subtropical botanical gardens with ponds, trails, gift shop and educational center. A minimal admission fee is charged and there is plenty of free parking. The grounds are beautiful, well maintained, and offer a step back into old Florida. An ideal time to visiting, plan 4 hours or, is the November - December holiday season when the Gardens are decorated, with lights and occasional live music is offered. Enjoy.

As a gardener, I have been looking forward to visiting this historic botanical garden. I was somewhat surprised at the lack of maintenance of the garden. There were many areas that needed weeding, old leaves cut out, general pruning and cleaning of the plants, old dead branches cut out, etc.
I know they are building a new childrens area and maybe that is where the financial resources are going, I don't know....
I , unfortunately, will not be returning.

A group of six of us really enjoyed our visit. The garden is well designed and even had lots of shade. We saw so many interesting plants with water lilies and orchids being their specialties. The blooming jade vine may have been the highlight. We went mainly for see the exhibit of Seward Johnson which was great, but the plants are even better.

Beautiful gardens with a lot to see. Nice way to enjoy the outdoors and to kill a couple of hours. They have a nice area for kids as well. Good for young and old alike.

Beautiful jungle like atmosphere. Plants that you won't see anywhere else. Ten degrees cooler in the garden. The exhibits are wonderful and the Children's garden is spectacular. Everyone is so friendly. Something for all generations. And the cafe food is outstanding. Do not miss this gem.

Fantastic day exploring the Children’s Gardens at McKee...full of giant blue mushrooms, blue crabs, dragonflies, starfish, fairies, hobbits and hobbit houses, exceptional sculptures, dolphins, octopus, the giant new Pirate Ship to climb on and play music around and the highlight was the splash park which was perfect for this heat!

We enjoyed this place immensely! We were lucky enough to see both the Stickworks project and the Ocean Sole sculptures. Such a lovely respite from the everyday. The property is well maintained & absolutely beautiful! The on-site cafe (with beer & wine) & the gift shop are nice amenities. We will return.

A fantastic preservation of an Old Florida Jungle Park. Loved the recreations of several of the old attractions (buildings, chairs, giant mushroom) and finding the trees that remain from the 1950-1970’s. Awesome new Children’s Garden for kids to climb and have some water play amongst statues of animals- enjoyable for adults too.

The Lake Mandarin ROMEO's (Retied Old Men Eating Out) had their monthly luncheon at the Botanical Gardens Cafe. What a surprise! The menu consisted of soup, salad, and simple sandwich choices. Beer and Wine are available also. Ordering is at the counter and you have a pager when your order is up.

The atmosphere in the Gardens is rather pleasant and relaxing. The plantings and sculptures are interesting and you can learn some history too.

We will have to keep the Garden's Cafe on our luncheon rotation.

Spending the day at the garden on a very hot day can have you searching for shade and a breeze. You can find both along with some of the most beautiful surroundings. The ponds are an awesome sight filled with gorgeous water lilies. A Children’s Garden opening in the fall will make family visits more fun.

During our annual stay at Oyster Point (Sebastian), we attempt a visit the McKee garden.. We were fortunate to catch this exhibit (thru 4/30). Jason Gamrath's glass floral sculptors are exceptional. We wandered thru the garden for over an hour. (We skipped going thru the Children's garden because they had returned to Illinois.)
The senior rate is currently $13.00.
Parking is free.

A must-see in Vero Beach. Well maintained, exotic, tropical vegetation. Lots of activities for children.

Sorry to say not wowed by the experience. Nice history lesson of the gardens and of the county. Just remember all of it is an unsupervised tour and outdoors. Check the weather.

It was a wonderful experience, luckily we chose that day, it was cold and windy everywhere, except at the Botanical Garden

Wow! This place blew me way. The gardens are beautiful. The Lego animals mixed in throughout the park are so natural you would think they are real. And the children’s play area is so fun and beautiful. I will be back with my grandson.

What a wonderful afternoon! My family had a delicious lunch at the Garden Café, then strolled through the garden enjoying an abundance of native Florida plants. My 8 year old granddaughter discovered the Children's Garden and had a blast! McKee is a true gem in Vero Beach!

The garden features orchids, water lilies, palm trees and dense tropical vegetation on the remaining 18 acres of an 80-acre jungle garden created in the 1930s by William Lyman Phillips for northern industrialist Arthur McKee. It was one of Florida's first public gardens. When we visited the Stickworks project was near completion and there were many Ocean Sole sculptures throughout.

There are a few of these botanical gardens places in the world. The type of place you can drive right by and not realize what could possibly be back there behind those gates. But it is simply unreal what exists here. It seems to go on and on, and not seem possible that it's right there off US1. I mean, you will be transported.

Great place to visit- clean, shady and beautiful. As an adult I enjoyed the new children’s area it is adorable.

I came here with my family (husband,daughter 3 years, mother n law and father in law)The grounds were beautiful. My daughter loved the little splash pad. There’s plenty of seating to rest which was especially good for my in-laws. I though there might have been more flowers in bloom to see but not sure if they weren’t in season? We finished our visit at the cafe. The food was delicious even though at 2:00 they ran out of soup and a few other items. We finally got to sit down and talk about house we enjoyed our visit in the cafe with my toddler sitting comfortably in the beautiful wooden high chairs they provided. Fifteenth minutes later one of the cafe workers told us we need to move outside to finish our lunch because they we’re closing the cafe . I was extremely disappointed at this statement as we were very content and comfortable sitting in the ac after walking all through the gardens.

I opted to head to the gardens during their Christmas Light show. It was a little too crowded and parking was a disaster. I am sure it's much nicer during the daylight hours. I will definitely go back another day.

This is such a nice place to meander around and enjoy. Just so beautiful! Whether you are looking at the flowers or the trees, it’s all beautiful.

We would not have known about this beautiful site except that it was in a travel brochure back home. What A Surprise! The costwas very reasonable for what you get. There are well maintained paths all along the way with plenty of benches to sit on. Beautiful metal sculptures are on display. In essence, this is relaxing and ideally, you can make the visit as short, or as long, as you wish. There is a nice restaurant and gift shop on the grounds.

What a great day to relax peaceful and relaxing all beautiful especially liked the sleeping tree the shop is a good place to get a bite to eat while enjoying the peace and quiet

A visit after a AM visit to the beach.
What a beautiful stroll thru a garden left in time. Well groomed, lots of butterflies around. Nice art work.
Senior discount of 1$.
Cute gift shop with some bargains. I would go back again my next visit.

My husband and I had an enjoyable couple of hours here. A tranquil setting with some lovely specimens of sub-tropical plants and flowers. Trails nicely laid out (could be marked better), and the children's corner is a delight. They have a nice cafe and gift shop. Got to see the world's largest mahogany table made out of one continuous piece of wood. Interesting history to the place as well. Only disappointment that a couple of areas were cordoned off (including the waterfall) while they upgrade the garden. Well worth a visit of you like botanicals.

McKee Botanical Garden is a hidden Florida gem! A carry-over from the "Old Florida" rich in history and natural beauty, yet well managed and always changing with the various displays and additions. Don't miss this classic Florida attraction!

So lovely and the best thing I did on My trip to Vero. Easy to navigate and easy walking surfaces. Be sure to look up, the trees in some places are so tall with amazing textures and colors. Although I didn’t go for the dinosaur exhibit it was pretty incredible. Very lifelike, animated and with sound effects. Can’t imagine how hot this place is in the summer omg. Be sure to check out the sticks sculpture. This place is lovely.

I took my mother there for something to do while she visited. While we were there they had an exhibit going, it was nice to walk around and look at everything that was there to offer. There is a small gift shop at the end along with a place to eat.

I love this place! Always a good time and interesting exhibits to enjoy. Don't heistate to visit. LOVE the vintage car shows too!

Such a lovely garden and a wonderful history of community participation. Loved the dinosaurs, but the Stickwork Sculpture is amazing!

Had a great day exploring McKee. Less birds than we would like to see, as we are avid birders. Did see 2 Green Herons, and a couple of Palm Warblers, but otherwise not a very good birding site. I love botany, so it was quite enjoyable nonetheless. Especially liked the Malaysian ground orchids pictured below.

Took our 3 grandchildren here in HOT weather. The shade was very nice!
It is a beautiful magical place. The children enjoyed the displays of the African animals very much.
We try to go,every year.
It is a wonderful experience for all ages.

We went here today (my birthday) in part to walk through the garden, but also to eat brunch at the cafe. The menu is one of the healthiest that I know about; and the food is delicious.

It was a beautiful place to see with my 2 year old. There happened to be a dinosaur exhibit (I wasn’t aware in advance). It was so cute to see him search for the dinosaurs. Besides that, the grounds were lovely! I wish I read more about it in advance as I didn’t pack a swimsuit for the splash pad…

Very lovely. It is so beautiful and relaxing. I highly recommend if you are in Vero Beach or around to visits the McKee Botanical Gardens. The property is absolutely beautiful.

The garden was nice and had lots of shade and beautiful flowers. The statue was great to see and lots of water lilies in the water ways. Price was reasonable but it was a lot smaller than we thought it would be. It took us under an hour to see everything.

This is a really nice, peaceful and beautifully designed garden. It may take you 35-45 minutes to see all of it if you’re strolling through, if you’re looking closely it could take an hour or so. Look closely and find so many plants and flowers you might otherwise pass by. There’s a simple, nice cafe and restrooms within 5-6 minutes from any where in the park. It’s not a big garden, small to medium.
Worth the trip.

A beautiful garden with many plants and flowers with butterflies and birds. They have a trail map with everything marked that is easy to follow. There is a special children's garden with splash garden, Lily Pad lawn, fountain, pirate ship and more. A very unusual feature is a collection of lifesize animals made entirely of thousands of Legos that took thousands of hours to make. They are located throughout the garden. There is a nice gift shop and a small cafe. All the staff here is friendly and helpful. I recommend a stop here for a very pleasant visit with nature.

I am a member and love this Art Museum. Always new and interesting exhibits. A must if visiting Vero Beach.

A nicely organized botanical garden with a nice diversity of plants and ponds. We especially enjoyed the Flip Flop sculptures and the woven and braided green sapling installation.

This place is beautiful with calming trails and gorgeous flora. It's a great way to spend the day and enjoy nature.

We went here with a group of friends and it was so beautiful to see many types of flowers, it felts so peaceful. The employees were very helpful as well.

Lush vegetation, lots of walking paths, good variety of tropical plants. They currently have a dozen or so varieties of automated dinosaurs that are sprinkled throughout the park.

what a beautiful place right in the city....free electric scooter for my husband who has a heart condition so we could see all the wonderful plants and trails....they even have a restaurant on site with indoor and outdoor seating.....you can even purchase champagne with your hot dogs and salad.....new expansion seems to be happening...a very memorable outing

we go back several times just to get relaxed and always see something new. i love to ge inspired for my own yard.

The absolute worst place to experience in Florida, small, personal and security not family friendly harassment, not worth it,

Beautiful, peaceful, creative, well kept, interesting installations. great kids' exhibit, that I, as a senior, thoroughly enjoyed.

We came back to McKee Gardens to see the Seward Johnson sculptures. They were a fun thing to see. We also enjoyed the gardens, especially the meandering streams/ponds full of blooming lilies.

Lovely. A a great way to spend a couple of easy hours surrounded by natural beauty. Flowers. Little ponds. Swaying palms.

What a lovely spot to spend a few hours! Very child friendly and a new children’s garden will be ready soon. The cafe was excellent, the host shop has a wide price range and children’s items as well. Many paths and the statue exhibit was fun- like a scavenger hunt. I did not see any birds or insects so I wonder what they use for pesticides. I would like more plants identified on the walls. Overall great experience.

Mckee has meandering paths, streams, & ponds with a gorgeous variety of water lilies throughout the park. There's also a lovely children's area with natural elements, a pirate ship, fairy garden, & a small splash pad. Bug spray came highly recommended, and, luckily, was provided by the ticket window. Check out the reciprocal admissions program. It includes several Florida gardens/museums.

Have been waiting a long time to get down here to see these gardens, and have now been twice. There is alot of Old Florida history here as they have been around for around 90 years, originally on 80 acres, now down to just 18. Opening in 1932 As McKee Jungle Gardens it was "THE" place to see coming down old US1 along Florida's East coast. Than progress came, interstate highways, the turnpike and "Theme Parks". The gardens fell into disrepair and actually closed fro many years. Thankfully it was brought back to life and the 18 acres beacme the gardens. It is a beautifull garden, with nice walkways, little creeks, and amazing plants and trees. If you enjoy orchids and bromeliads and exotic plants you will love this place. Allow yourself at least 2 hours to enjoy the Peace and Beauty that abounds. Cost, $12.00 for adults.

Well worth a stop. Enjoyed Sunken Gardens in St Pete and this was on a par as well. This place is bigger, about 18 acres. They have a cafe but it was closing around 3. Great opportunities to take photos and spend an hour or two. Not too crowded I enjoyed the historic documentary film

Really enjoyable tour of pretty gardens with interested by outdoor sculptures of outsized creatively designs birds. Friendly staff and reasonably priced gift shop with a cafe on site.

This is my second visit to McKee. The Ocean Sole Africa exhibit is very interesting and worth the trip to find out how the sculptures were made. The Children's Garden was in the process of being built the last time I was there. Why they call it a "Children's" garden when I saw more adults interacting in the garden than kids.

This is a beautiful place to explore and learn about Florida vegetation. Easy to walk through, with lots of benches to sit and admire the beauty. Lovely, plants, flowers and trees in a peaceful setting. A bonus was the temporary exhibit of Seaward Johnson lifelike sculptures. (through April 28, 2019) Seriously, you would swear that a majority of them were real! These gardens were a pleasant, and very enjoyable visit.

We had a fabulous time. This is a treasure! Plan on 2-3 hours of pure fun for the family and bring a second set of clothes after the splash pad. The kids area is so good and adults will love it all as well. Right now there is a LEGO animal exhibit that was fantastic! Great job !!!

We really liked the gardens. I am always trying to find things to do with my 5 grandsons all under the age of 7. I think a more expansive kids area would be great.

Hidden in the heart of Vero Beach is the McKee Botanical Gardens. If you are a lover of flowers and trees (especially palms), this is your stop. Nicely laid out with trails some shaded, some more sunny, you can walk at your leisure through the gardens. The types and varieties of flora are too many to document, I've added a few pics. You definitely can imagine Tarzan swinging through these jungles (old movies were once made here). In summer it is HOT, so bring water, a towel to wipe the sweat and maybe some shade (umbrella). Also check out the Hall of Giants and imagine having a meal here! There's a variety of metal animal sculptures if that's your style. Kids would love them though. Definitely a place to visit in Vero Beach!

This made for a very pleasant and relaxing afternoon excursion. The grounds are very attractive and well laid out- although the map makes it appear that they are rather more extensive and the rail network more elaborate than they really are. Many beautiful flowering plants and trees, including a variety of trees collected from all over the world. There are a number of ponds, and footbridges crossing small streams. At least one of the ponds is home to a couple of smallish (3 foot or so) alligators. The main hall has a good deal of interesting historical information, and an old fashioned travel film, complete with stentorian-voiced narrator, is fun. Probably not a whole day's activity for anyone, but a very enjoyable few hours.

This is a very cool place to walk around and see some nice plants. Has a very nice kids section too with slides. I also thought the Lego sculpture animals were very cool. This is definitely something to do if you have kids, are on a date, or visiting family. Will go again next time I’m in the area.

We've been coming here for decades. It keeps getting better! This visit they had an exhibit of steel "animals from Africa" that were tucked into one place and another: a giraffe, lions, rhinos, etc. Fun. Imaginative. We always love the water lilies, flowering shrubs, orchids, etc. too. Friendly staff. Great for a family . Whole new kids section is being built. That will be great fun for families.

Very nice gardens & it was great walking in the gardens - takes about 2 hours . Lily ponds in the gardens but I did not see frogs. Children's garden is very nice also. Calming

There are 5 of us gals who each pick someplace to visit twice a month. One the the ladies picked this Botanical Garden. It was well worth the hour's drive. We were there on the last day of the beautiful statues. I had surgery on my knee and they had a great scooter that worked well on the paths. We were there about an hour and a half. If you are in the area, do stop and walk the gardens. It is so peaceful and beautiful.

$15 per person to walk the entire garden in 30 minutes? You can see all the same plants for free in home gardens. Don’t waste your money

My bride and I live in Vero Beach. We bought an annual pass to McKee Gardens for the second year. It’s a great deal at $60 for 2 people for unlimited visits. The pass is also good for many other botanical gardens in Florida including Bok Tower in Lake Whales.
There is something for everyone at McKee. If you go spend time in the big jungle house and watch the cheesy video tape. It makes the visit way more interesting. If your kids love Dissyworld then this may be boring for them. There is a new Pirate attraction for kids coming soon though.
Here is one really cool thing about McKee. It was once The Big Deal Florida attraction before I95, before Dissyworld, before anyone paid attention to Orlando. Thanks to the many volunteers it is a treasure on the treasure coast.
You can come there hungry too, there is a nice $$ cafe with wine and beer.

As I visit more botanical gardens in my travels, I find they vary between two extremes: natural and unkept (some would call these "jungle gardens") and carefully cultivated and pristine. McKee Botanical Garden falls somewhere between the two, simultaneously offering a wild Florida experience and sections very pleasing to the eyes. While on the small side, there is a lot to discover here, and I was delighted by its story of survival through the years. I will return in the future to both enjoy and support the longevity of this gem.

Eighteen acres of winding trails with lush jungle plant species, babbling brooks, lily ponds, interesting structures and sculptures make for a lovely way to spend an afternoon. An amazing children’s garden is under construction that promises to be fun filled adventure for the kiddies! Stop at the cafe for a slice of homemade key lime pie on your way out.

We had a lovely walk around the gardens. Enjoyed the cafe, as well. I have been several times during different seasons. They have a nice Christmas display during December that I will return to again next holiday. Nice place to spend a couple hours.

What a great place. Very well maintained, very clean and interesting. Wonderful place to visit. Had lunch there too and it was very good. Nice little gift shop too.

We always try to visit botanical gardens as we travel. Our hotel hostess recommended that we visit McKee Gardens. Frankly we didn’t know what to expect.

What we found was one of the most spectacular botanicals gardens in America.

The staff and volunteers do a fabulous job to presenting this gem. Stunning! Gorgeous, well documented. A slice of nature that you can immerse yourself in .

Have lunch at the cafe, and enjoy. My only suggestion would be to expand the gift shop and have less “tourist “ items and focus on more quality items celebrating nature.

These gardens are worth a long visit to enjoy this incredible garden.

We drove about 2 hours from our home in Winter Haven to this botanical garden in Vero Beach and we were not disappointed. We decided to go on a Tuesday, when they have a hour long guided tour of the grounds. Nancy, our guide was very personable and knowledgeable of the gardens. It was interesting to learn that it started out as a jungle garden when it first opened in 1928. In the 1940’s it drew about 100,000 visitors a year. The atmosphere is tranquil and it is hard to believe that a busy highway is so close by. There are more than 10,000 plants waiting to be discovered on this 18 acre landscape. There are 80 varieties of water lilies alone scattered throughout the property. You can also visit The Hall of Giants, The Stone Bridge and see the stick work structure, the pirate ship in the Children’s Garden and the many waterfalls scattered amongst the foliage. Don’t forget to visit the giant cypress tree trunk in the parking lot. It is 2,000 years old and was the “draw” of the original McKee Jungle Garden in the 1930’s. Mckee was not able to compete with the popularity of Disney, so it was closed in 1976. In the 1990’s, money was raised to purchase it and since 2002, it has been reopened and its splendor restored. It is a wonderful roadside attraction which continues to evolve and grow due to the support of the Vero Beach community and its volunteers.

This is a very nice, albeit, short walk through a Florida hammock. I live in Florida and found it pricey. The tourist crowd is very prominent. Probably, they are looking at Tripadvisor and seeing so many glowing reviews. I live in Brevard County, just north of Vero area. We have free parks that put this "garden" to shame. Sorry, but it is more a walk through a natural habitat as there are no real gardens and few planted items offering color.

This is a beautifully maintained botanical garden. There was so much to see! I took so many pictures! I loved all the different variety of plants.

Our entire family (adults, grandma, teen and toddler) all REALLY enjoyed our trip here. The teen thought it was going to be a drab but once he was there he thoroughly enjoyed it. The kids area is perfect fun for all and the Lego exhibits added to it. Very reasonably priced. Adding just a few pics for sneak peak.

Beautiful ... quiet getaway... trails throughout the park... easy parking... would like to see more colorful flowers like bok tower

If you are in Vero beach and have some extra time go visit the Botanical Gardens. It is lovely and we had a great time strolling around.

It's been about two or three years since I visited McKee Gardens, and I sometimes forget how expansive a property it is. One could easily spend the whole morning walking though various pathways and spending time at the bonsai pavillion or the various lilly ponds and orchid gardens. It is serene and relaxing, even on a hot Florida day it is quite very comfortable under the canopy of heavy foliage. Anyone who enjoys nature will love this place. The admission is reasonable, I think it was less than $15 per person for the over 65 crowd. There is also a very nice cafe where light sandwiches can be bought and consumed while looking out over the gardens. One can even enjoy a glass of wine there. If you are looking for a pleasant
day outdoors, this would be my top choice.

We went here last December 2021
For the dinosaurs coming out. They had lots off different types off dinosaurs and animation
Heads up there is a lot off walking. The cafe was good but kinda small and they also had Santa There. Where u can be a kid again and tell Santa what u want for Christmas
Was fun even for adults. But we are all kids at heart

This was a beautiful place to walk around, it only took about an hour. Nice that masks were required inside. The aren’t joking around about closing at 5, there was a lady yelling “were closed” at 4:55. Make sure you get there before 4 to get in. Beautiful flowers, gardens and plants. The lego sculptures were a pretty nifty addition. Great photo ops.

We had a wonderful visit. The gardens are beautiful and so peaceful. Nice place to spend the day. There's a lot of walking to do but it is handicap accessible.

I took our daughter and our 3 grandsons ages 4, 6, and 9 to McKee Botanical Garden
last month while they were visiting our home in Vero Beach. They had a major exhibit of Dinosaurs which all 3 boys are into. We also toured the Children’s area and had fun doing that. We spent over an hour walking around there.

Nice outing with my teens. Lovely weather and a beautiful breeze. Lots of shady areas. Great map of the grounds. Fabulous kids area. Decent bathroom and nice gift shop. It was unclear as to whether we should wear masks or not. Most people were unmasked.

This is a lovely garden, however, it is not wheelchair friendly at all. It might be ADA compliant so it can be listed as accessible, but 90% of the pathways are crushed shell. That is nice to walk on, but wheelchair wheels sink in it. I got some great exercise pushing my husband through the paths. The Christmas decorations were enchanting especially all of the gnomes. There was also a dearth of signage once you were out on the trails. We have been to many, many gardens and on a scale of 1-10 it was probably a 6 in terms of lovely and a 3 in terms of wheelchair friendly.

We visited late in the day hoping that it wouldn't be as hot and humid. Wrong... Not the museums fault though. We've been too many botanical gardens throughout Florida and unfortunately, this one needs the most improvement. I was a little disapponted when not told of some of the closed exhibits.

On my own I sucked up all the beautiful green and oxygen. There were many flowers blooming and neat trees. The water features were fascinating. There were many families there enjoying the children’s garden, pirate ship tree house, noise makers and playing in the water. I thought the history story in signs was interesting. Thankful for the local volunteers who found a way to save the gardens.

What a beautiful place to spend a few hours! I was so lucky to tour this beautiful and well maintained facility while the Seward Johnson bronze sculptures graced the landscape. The sculptures leave on April 28th, 2019, so if you are inclined to go, do so soon. I took my 93 year old mom after finding out that McKee offers wheelchairs (and electric scooters) free of charge. The wheelchairs are padded and have larger than average wheels. It worked perfect. We enjoyed lunch at the Cafe and it was priced fairly and the food was delicious. Mom had turkey and Swiss sandwich and I had the spinach and cheddar quiche. And they do extend a senior discount. Enjoy this wonderful botanical garden!

The grounds were beautiful the artwork was ... interesting. It was $10/person to get in which is very steep. There were plants from different parts of the world but was not well marked. You had no idea what part of the world a section of plants were from unless you had previous knowledge of a specific plant(s) in the group.

For those who enjoy getting in real contact with nature will love it, everything is picture worthy, lots of fun for kids or any age, the Flipflop exhibition is great and colorful.
I can't beleive something like this is so close to the city, weather now swings between hot humid to rains but, I drove from Miami just two hours and totally worth it.

We were lucky enough to visit when there was a vintage car show and African animal statues. Beautiful place

It is a very small garden, but it is very well done. Enjoyed the glass flowers and the kaleidoscope a lot! We had fun taking pictures of it with the cell phone. Good parking no long lines. There is a special section for children.

Beautiful and relaxing. So much history and great specimens. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Ask about any special exhibits or blooms. The white orchids were great!

Such rude, callous and uncaring people. They acted as though they didn't care if you were there or not. Is this a private garden. No one welcome but their special people.

Well maintained beautiful garden. The stick work sculpture was amazing to walk through and see. Get there early as it started getting busy as we were leaving 1 1/2 hr after opening.

Absolutely beautiful..... peaceful and calm to spend an hour or two there!! Cannot wait to go back !

A nice place to walk and find a peaceful refuge.
First stop Cafe for homemade keylime pie. Second stop bamboo building with the worlds longest table inside. Also a place to find out the origins of this place. Third currently there are metal animal sculptures placed within the foliage. Fourth orchids in the trees near the waterfall. Fifth paths that are accessible to all. Sixth coming soon a childrens playground. Seventh a gift shop that is not too impressive, but still you may get a little something for your trip.
Price is 10 but 9 for seniors.

Beautiful garden, walking area and lunch spot. Military enjoy a discount with valid ID. McKee staff is very welcoming. A lovely place to spend an afternoon-locals and Treasure Coast visitors will enjoy time there.. Guests of VBIGetaway.com are never disappointed.

If you are in the vicinity of the garden now would be a great time to visit. The water lilies are blooming. As are a wide variety of other plants including many varieties of orchids. Even though there is plenty of shade it is still hot and humid. Would be nice if you could bring your own water but they do have it for sale.

18 acre gardens with lots of local and not so local varietals. A bit pricey for the entrance fee ($18) but the Johnson Seward sculptures really made the day! There were at least 20 very interesting sculptures, similar to the ones you'd find at the Grounds for Sculptures in central NJ. We spent about an hour walking around and looking at all the plants and sculptures. The café/snack bar looked nice although we didn't stop in.

Very pleasant walk through the garden of the natural Floridian foliage. I think this garden also has the tallest palm tree ever...at least it’s the tallest I’ve ever seen and I’ve lived in Florida for about 20 years. The lego exhibit was spaced throughout the walk and that was very nice too. There is also a nice Garden Cafe that has some pretty neat sandwiches and wraps, with both indoor and outdoor table although there is no table service.

I visit here often because it is such a wonderful place! The "avian avatar" exhibit wasn't at all what I expected, but that's kind of the point. It's really great that I can visit this place once or twice a year, & there's always something different to see! Absolutely LOVE this place.

The Seward Exhibition was beyond expectations, such reality in his sculptures. We loved walking the trails searching for the sculptures.

McKee is a very historical place, like a living museum. Wide variety of plants and trees to see.They have different activities throughout the year. Nice gift shop also.

First night visit to see the Christmas lights and was not disappointed. Clever idea, walking tour of the park to see all the various decorations, trees and exhibits. We loved the train exhibit- well done!
Highly recommend this for all ages. Lots of walking so wear comfy shoes.

We had no idea just how lovely this garden when we were at the entrance, till we walked through the acreage. Be sure not to miss the Sickworks sculpture and the whimsical kid’s section.

Very diverse set of vegetation over a bid park like setting, with nice paths and good facilities. Nice tutorials on the region and lots of information on local trees

The history of this garden is fascinating. This was my second visit, and really enjoyed just strolling through the garden and enjoying it from all the different angles. A visit to McKee Gardens can be very hot and humid in the summer, but fortunately it was a cooler summer day, a pleasant temperature. This time they had large bronze sculptures of animals positioned throughout the gardens.

Good place to spend an afternoon. The flowers are wonderful and a nice to look at, wide variety, I have seen many in my travel around the world, just not all in the same place The water features are full of little fish; they could use some balance, but overall nice to see. Not too exspenvie and thy belong to a larger group of botanical gardens that offer a annual membership to visit at a one time price. Im not that cool, but this was still a nice place to visit for a day trip.

I have an annual pass to the garden and have a great time each time we visit. My daughters have really enjoyed the special exhibitions in the garden. My little one loves the Lego stratus and we really liked the special exhibit that was in place before it. We've also taken one of the special classes that was offered at Christmas and it was excellent. I love that they have so many special things to do for children. I will keep going back.

After reading previous reviews I guess I had my hopes up. I've visited many botanical gardens over the years, and this was by far and away the worst. The entry is nice and the hall where they hold weddings is enchanted. The rest of the "gardens" is pathetic at best. I could walk through my backyard and see a nicer display. I guess if you don't live in Florida you might be slightly impressed with the tropical trees. The best part of the entire place was looking through the fence at the upcoming children's area being built and the blow up panda bears that are dressed in construction clothing near that area.

On a good note, the food at the cafe was stellar. I would go just for the food and not pay the admission to the "gardens". The plants in the courtyard where you dine are as good as its going to get in the entire garden area.

Just trying to keep it real!

This we didn't know. The garden, I believe changes their exhibits every few months and this one happen Dinosaurs. They were scattered in different areas of the botanical garden . Some had audible sounds and some did not. The garden was an absolute delight and so much to see and enjoy. You can stop at the restaurant to take a break and have some refreshments. You wind up doing a goodly amount of waking and don't even realize it. It is a real treasurer.

With 17 family members in tow, it was a good time by all to see the Christmas lights here at the historical McKee Botanical Gardens.

Follow the trails through the woods and you will see Christmas lights, figures and dinosaur displays all over the property. The inside train display was one of the best in details.

Tight parking, wear soft comfy sneakers. All trails are open and Sandy. And sometimes uneven. We spent about an hour looking, taking photos and then its off to dinner!!!

Thanks to all the volunteers who help and work there. Without them there would be no McKee BG.

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!!!
Enjoy!!!

Skip the beach and go for a walk in the McKee Botanical Garden. The walk around the gardens will take around a half hour or so depending if you choose to sit and relax or do a speed run. Read the history of the gardens and how some areas have been recreated to look like the original McKee Gardens, a lot of plants, lizards and butterflies around so look everywhere. The path areas are like a maze, but you will never get lost. Towards the end, or depending on the way you enter the gardens you will come across the sculpture “embracing peace” the famous 25 foot sculpture of the famous kiss taken in Times Square surrounded by palm trees is totally surreal.

Started out at the cafe and then did the gardens. We were charmed! Cafe food was great. Sangria was equally delicious! Gardens were amazing. I would recommend this attraction 10/10. We loved all of it!

We did a Christmas Lights tour and would like to return for a day visit. Thus is a unique piece of original Florida. The Christmas Lights were very nice. Great for families. There is also a cafe.

The physical plant. Has been carefully developed over many years and is an awesome spot to visit or have an event at. Additionally they have educational programs geared to many groups and a staff of caring people. It is a pleasure to go here

Very Beautiful and interesting. We were there at the end of September and were virtually the only visitors at the time. A dedicated children's area was to open the following week, so if you have small kids this could be a good stop.

Hands down one of the best places to get away and see what old Florida used to look like. McKee gardens is a place that has so much history and beauty in one spot. Definitely make time to check this place out. And be sure to check the calendar for events!!

Such a pleasant 1.2 mile walk around McKee gardens today. Learned the history of one of Florida’s oldest attractions founded by Arthur McKee & Waldo Sexton. Bamboo trail was really different. Loved learning about the variety of lilies as I always thought there were just white varieties, but there are pink, purple and yellow too. Overall, worth the trip. I went with my sister, who was hoping for more flowers. It would be nice for couples and even young families as the walking is not too rigorous.

This is a small gardens they are putting a kids section. Looks interesting the garden is small but is pretty at the right time of the year

McKee is a relaxing spot to enjoy a good lunch and spend a few hours. They have a fabulous sculpture exhibit this year that would be reason enough to go.

It was a great find. Loved every minute of it. Fascinating areas to view great walking paths and we loved the flowers.

I spent about an hour strolling about this garden with a long-time friend from high school who lives in Vero. There was an outdoor exhibit of sculptures by Seward Johnson. The sculptures were "wearing" real clothes and were staged about the garden areas. They were SO-O-O life-like. There gift shop had lots of adorable items. Don't know why it took me so long to go to this garden!

Spent a nice afternoon walking around McKee Botanical Garden. Wanted to check out the Lego sculptures they currently have on display - very impressive what one artist has done. The grounds are very nice, different areas showcasing a variety of plants. Places to sit and enjoy the surroundings. They also have a children's area with Splash pad and areas for kids to play. Small cafe and gift shop on site as well. Well worth the admission!

It has been almost three years since we have been here, and we were so impressed with the Children's Area. It is beautiful and inviting, for both children and adults. We didn't have any children with us but we had fun exploring the area. We went on a Saturday and there were many additional activities for the kids...face painting, games, exhibits.
We really enjoyed the flip flop sculptures found throughout the gardens. These are made from recycled and reclaimed flip flops by African Artists. They are absolutely incredible! I even had to buy a small flip flop turtle to bring home with me. This is a visiting exhibit so be sure to see it before it is gone.
It took us about 2 and a half hours to complete our walk through the play area and the gardens.

If you’re looking for perfection and manicured gardens go to a Florida resort. The McKee looks as if they let nature “do their thing” with just a little help from human hands. I enjoyed the walk around and the many species of flowers. The Seward Johnson statue is a “wow” factor and more to come.

Love this garden, which is extremely well manicured and beautiful. The stickwork art is so gorgeous and it is hard to believe that it was created in 3 weeks by many people. The children area is huge and full of fun things such as a rope bridge, etc.
There was African art where flip flops were used to create animals.

Took my nieces here and enjoyed the afternoon learning about the various bushes, trees and flowers. Took many pictures that came out excellent with all the I teteztin surroundings.

i'll keep this short.....MEH
not great, kind of boring, like walking through your neighbor's estate garden. nothing unusual or spectacular. didn't even stay longer that an hour. i wasn't impressed. after going to sunken gardens in st. pete, this place can't compare. disappointing to say the least

We really enjoyed McKee Botanical Garden because the grounds are very well kept, and there is plenty of shade. The meandering streams make it seem as if you’re really in a jungle. I’m glad 18 of the original 80 acres are preserved, and was happy to pay the ten bucks entrance fee. If you go in the summer, bring water, there’s a filling station available.

McKee is a lovely little botanical garden! Christmas lights, year round special displays, all great!

This was an interesting and economical entertainment. We spent about an hour walking through the gardens and another half in the snack bar talking. For me, the Johnson sculptures were definitely the high point of my visit. They are amazing & worth the visit by themselves.

Thanks to TripAdvisor that I used to find this place!This garden is amazing, besides beautiful plants we were happy to see dinosaurs exhibition. If you are visiting garden with kids they will be happy to stay and play in the kids garden. Overall we had great experience.

A good look at (what is essentially) a rainforest. The paths cut through dense woods, along which is a good variety of tropical vegetation: palms of all sorts; the royal palm grove was special. Otherwise, there wasn't the diversity of flowers that one might expect in a botanical garden. There was a well-designed section for the kiddos, too.

Lovely temporary glass exhibit. Spent an hour and 20 minutes to see all of the gardens. Mostly in the shade. Darling children’s garden with water features and restrooms. Sweet gift shop, bought some cards. Well worth the price of admission. The cafe was cool—nice space, tall ceiling and also some outdoor seating. Clean restrooms. Very nice place to visit especially if there is an exhibit like the glass flowers. Well done, McKee. I will return.

Originally one of Florida's top three visitor destinations, McKee Botanical Garden is now Vero's number one resident and visitor destination. This garden oasis has botanical wonders, seasonal exhibitions and a newly completed children's garden. The Garden Cafe offers an appealing menu for all ages. A visit to McKee is a lovely way to spend a morning, afternoon or day.

I have been here many times, strolling through the well maintained gardens in the afternoon and during the evenings. This is a restful and quiet preserve to visit.

It is a natural sanctuary. It is an oasis of peace and tranquility. When you walk down the trails you can feel the pressure of daily living lifted. Don't miss it.

A breath of fresh air .Very well kept grounds. Different exhibits. Great place to visit when in town

The botanical garden was a waste of time and money. I went here one afternoon, as I had heard about all of the flowers. There are more flowers just driving around than they have in the garden. I was here in early April & since that time I have become extremely sick. I have made numerous doctors visits trying to get better. If a person has any breathing problems be prepared to have more breathing problems. Before I went to the garden, I was healthy. It certainly ruined my vacation in Vero.

The classic car show was fun and the garden is always a treat. The recycled flip flop sculptures were great, too.

One of the best small Botanical Gardens I’ve seened in Florida. It’s located in Vero Beach, Florida.

Just follow the walking paths and enjoy a slow walk. We attended the annual $1.00 entrance fee per person event. While we were there we bought an annual pass that’s good for located all over the country.

Bathrooms, food and a really nice gift shop to buy a Christmas ornament or a book.

If local don’t forget you can sign up to volunteer.

Please ask questions from the staff.

#TimSamsTravelUSA
Live Life Today, Travel USA!!!

We did not have children in our group. A pleasant stroll through the gardens was enjoyable though. Worth the stroll but not all that exciting.

Beautiful grounds, very serene. Currently have an amazing art exhibition of huge birds made with reclaimed materials. Cool!

We really enjoyed the new, lovely and fun children’s garden and the romantic atmosphere of narrow winding pathways and wooden bridges.

The Children's Garden is excellent, world class! My family loves McKee Botanical Garden. We go throughout the year!

Though summer is not the best time to walk the mile-long paths of McKee (it's too hot and humid), July was my first chance to tour these gardens and it was well worth the discomfort. Many of their tropical plants were in bloom.

There are many different types of tropical plants and foliage which are beautiful to see and interesting to learn about. The grounds themselves are filled with history of the heydey of the gardens and the men who made it possible. It was interesting to walk around during the day before seeing the lights at night. Happy we did as there were some areas closed to the public after dark. We were lucky enough to hear some of the history of the barn, mahogany table and Spanish Kitchen from the McKee which made our visit special.

We came here for the first time on Customer Appreciation Day. Ended up buying annual passes. Gorgeous walk around and lots of places to sit and take pictures

If you enjoy plant life and you can handle the Florida heat this place is beautiful. We went because my mom loves flowers and she LOVED it. She could have stayed for hours we on the other hand we ready for a could drink.

We took out of town guests here to show off the gardens, but were very, very disappointed in maintenance. Ticket sales & gift shop have great attitude and service, but no one is working on the gardens themselves. Plants are overhanging walkways, lots of debris scattered around.

Not to be missed, a tropical botanical garden that rivals the best, the tropical colors of Florida never looked more beautiful

I imagine without Covid it would be packed. As it was on a weekday, no crowds and peaceful. It was spectacular the gardens wonderful. Staff was there to answer any questions. They had a lego exhibit lots of fun, and all decorated for Christmas. Great for family , kids, couples or solo.

$15 adult admission For a botanical garden there was not enough signage identifying the vegetation. The trails r ok but there is a lot of the same plants and trees. On their website they talk about having a large collection of water lilies which we didn’t see/couldn’t find. Maybe they don’t grow in January also no signage. The children’s play area was closed. Looked like they were working on it. The restored original structures were interesting. Would have been helpful if a staff volunteer was placed there to answer questions. There was a film playing and there was signage to explain the history. The cafe was ok but pricey. The whole visit took less than an hour

We went to McKee Gardens with a group to see the Christmas lights. There were lot's of lights, but for the most part, with the exception of a few displays, it was not terribly impressive. It was a pleasant walk on a nice night. We were there during the day more that 20 years ago. There was virtually no wildlife, one small alligator. There was an exhibit that showed the gardens in the glory days and it was really something. They are undergoing some expansion but it was not easy to see what they are doing.

Spur of the moment trip. Great decision. Must see if you love Legoes! Wonderful display of animals made from Lego. Lots of paths to choose from so folks aren’t on top of each other. Nice alcoves to just sit and chat. Will return.

Very nice visit at the botanical garden. At the moment there are building a huge playground for the kids looking very great. I don’t know when it will be finished. But although the not finished playground it’s a nice visit there with kids

Just a real nice place to walk around. I don't know why we have to put 100 charactors down. The name says it all. Botanical gardens.

Upon arrival mid-week we had no issues finding parking. We approached the greeting area, paid our fee and was issued a park map with a nice explanation of the areas we would want to visit. The Gardens are now only 18 acres, but have a nice maze of interwinding paths with an array of plants, ponds and flowers. It was a very hot and humid day when we visited, but the canopy of the trees provided ample shade to enjoy the walk. We enjoyed the history of the gardens in addition to the plants. A very enjoyable experience and we highly recommend this if you enjoy nature.

The McKee gardens are an extremely pleasant way to spend a morning or afternoon. They are currently almost finished with a children's area that should delight youngsters which makes it even more family friendly. It has some beautiful plants, punctuated by some sculptures that blend in with the garden. A quiet and lovely retreat to nature.

I have been to the gardens many times (usually for special events) and they are always restful and beautiful.

Our 2 young granddaughters enjoyed walking the trails and visiting the dinosaurs. The signs were easy to read and the girls were happy to navigate through the gardens with the map they were given at the entrance. It was a very pleasant morning!

Beautiful botanical gardens. Loved that they provided bug spray for guests. Really lovely. We would have liked to see more of the plants labeled, though. Although, now with google, it’s pretty easy to look up.

Very Enjoyable, lots of thing for adults or children. The Holiday light are very well done. Their children's programs are recommend