The Key West Botanical Garden and Tropical Forest: a Unique Oasis

I love my garden so spending time in others’ gardens makes me happy, and the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is a place I really enjoy. It’s not your normal botanical garden in that it’s not prim and fancily planted, with English Gardens and Japanese Gardens, but it’s very natural, highlighting both the endemic species of the Florida Keys and celebrating rare and unique plant species from all around the Caribbean and Southeast. Visiting the Key West Botanical Garden is a great morning or afternoon activity, any time of year.

We first joined the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Gardens as members in 2022 and were happy to support this cool organization. Besides creating a beautiful tropical forest garden, they also do community events from yoga to plant education. I love it. If you have any questions about visiting the gardens or Key West in general, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!

What Makes the Key West Botanical Gardens Worth Visiting?

Here in South Florida you’re never too far from a shady walk in a unique forest or hardwood hammock, and while this might not be the draw for a lot of visitors, as a Floridian I like the tropical forest side of the Key West Botanical Gardens because it teaches about the natural world around the Florida Keys and northward. Here you’ll see all kinds of interesting trees and plants, labeled and with information (there are guides at the office) so you can actually see what our forests are like. You may think of the Keys as an island chain of beaches, but there are lots of forests from Key West to Key Largo.

I also enjoy the unique tropical varieties planted throughout the Key West Botanical Gardens. One that really stands our to me is the Cuban Palm. This unusual palm tree is now very rare and its giant fronds are impressive. Plants like this make the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden a special place. You’ll see plants here that you won’t find in the gardens of the Audubon House or Hemmingway Home.

Tips for Visiting the Key West Botanical Gardens

When you plan your visit, remember that humidity is a thing here, particularly if you’re visiting the Florida Keys in summertime. Despite much of the Key West Botanical Gardens being very well shaded (remember that a good portion is forested) it’s still very hot and the mosquitoes can be… persuasive. Don’t be discouraged though! Before starting your visit, use a good bug spray and wear a very lightweight long-sleeved shirt and lightweight pants. There aren’t many activities in the Florida Keys where I recommend this, but spending time in the Botanical Garden and Tropical Forest do require that bit of protection in summer.

You’ll want to allow yourself an hour or more to roam the Key West Botanical Garden, more so if you’re really into plants. Starting from the visitor center, it’s an easy walk through the planned forest and into the different gardens, including a butterfly garden, cactus garden, pond gardens and onto the hardwood hammock trails. I like visiting the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden with my kids because they are into scavenger hunts, and walking through the grounds here is exactly that, but looking for unique plants.

Being Prepared for the Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden

Keeping it simple, you don’t need to bring a lot of gear with you to the Key West Botonical Garden. As I mentioned, use your bug spray in advance and wear lightweight long sleeve clothing. I prefer shoes over flipflops here as some of the trails are mulch instead of pavement, and I don’t like getting dust or wood chips in my toes. Bring your waterbottle to stay hydrated, but don’t worry, there is a refill station if you forget to fill it before you arrive.

When it comes to photography in the Key West Tropical Forest And Botanical Garden, it’s a rather tight space when you consider what short of photos you might shoot. I wouldn’t recommend a telephoto lens over 250mm but would highly recommend a nice wide angle or even fisheye for getting some cool shots. This is also a wonderful place for macro photography, so keep that in mind as you prepare to use your photographer’s eyes.

Parking at the Key West Botanical Garden

Parking is free at the Key West Botanical Garden and it’s not a far walk from the parking area into the visitor center. Most of the gardens are wheelchair accessible, which means they are stroller-friendly as well. There are nice bathrooms and a gift shop, as well as Wi-Fi in case you want to use their guided cell phone tour of the gardens. If you’re biking around Key West, you’ll be able to lock up your bike on the racks, but you cannot walk your bicycle through the gardens. You’ll have a great visit, I know!