Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota (must see)

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens cover 15 acres, 9 of which are display gardens, featuring more than 20 thousand living plants. Spectacular and serene, the site is a great place to visit if you enjoy walking through beautiful gardens. Plant enthusiasts will rejoice at the possibility to see and learn about the multitude of species and specimens displayed, and the most devoted aficionados can visit the Selby Gardens Research Library hosting more than 8 thousand volumes, including rare and hard to find botanical books.

All the plants are divided into separate gardens. You’ll find a tropical conservatory, a fern garden, a bamboo garden, a fragrance garden, and more. Children will enjoy the Kid’s Corner in the Selby House. Besides, you’ll get the chance to marvel at the mesmerizing koi pond, tropical and coastal palms, mangrove walkway and majestic views of the Sarasota Bay, butterfly garden, waterfalls and plenty of other wonders featured on site.

Why You Should Visit:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ uniqueness is given by the fact that it’s the only botanical garden in the world dedicated to the study and display of epiphytes and their canopy ecosystems. As more than 150 expeditions to the tropics and subtropics have contributed to these collections, it now features a huge collection of living plants and many other on-site wonders.

Tip:
When visiting with kids, don’t miss the rainforest adventure area.
If you are a student or a member of a different botanical garden, you can benefit from certain discounts. Don’t forget to grab the corresponding ID with you.
If you are a bugs’ beloved target, bring bug spray with you.
Note that there is plenty of walking and a lot to explore, so get some comfortable shoes.
There might be lines at the restaurant. Plan your time accordingly.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sarasota. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens on Map

Sight Name: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Sight Location: Sarasota, USA (See walking tours in Sarasota)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Sarasota, Florida

Create Your Own Walk in Sarasota

Create Your Own Walk in Sarasota

Creating your own self-guided walk in Sarasota is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ringling Estate Walking Tour

Ringling Estate Walking Tour

Among other things, the city of Sarasota, FL is renowned for its arts community, historical sites and museums. By far the most notable location that fits all the three categories here is the winter estate of the American circus mogul, entrepreneur, and art collector, John Ringling, and his wife, Mable. Indeed, their 66-acre property, turned museum complex, is one of the Gulf Coast’s premier...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Sarasota Historical Buildings Tour

Sarasota Historical Buildings Tour

Sarasota, Florida, has no shortage of historical buildings, many of which are found downtown. Some of these properties were designed by the well-known local architect Thomas Reed Martin, who created some 500 residential and public buildings in Sarasota and had a huge impact on the area's architectural style in the early 20th century. Today, these structures serve as both landmarks and living...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Sunset, Dinner & Drinks of Sarasota

Sunset, Dinner & Drinks of Sarasota

There is nothing like watching the sun set over the beautiful Gulf of Mexico on Lido Beach in Sarasota Florida. Once the sun sets the fun begins at several great restaurants. Whether you want dinner, nightlife or both St. Armands Circle will not...