Hollis Garden Visitor’s Guide

Hollis Garden is a small 1.2-acre botanical garden located in downtown Lakeland. Although it is one of the smaller botanical gardens in Florida, it is still well worth a visit! Over 10,000 flowers, ornamental shrubs, and native trees can be found here! Explore the gardens room by room with 16 different areas to explore!

White and purple flowers with greenery and trees in the background. — Hollis Gardens

What can I see at Hollis Garden?

There are 16 different “rooms” to explore in the garden. Make sure to download the garden map before visiting to ensure you don’t miss anything. Below are the 16 rooms that you can explore.

The Grotto
Gazebo and Trellis
Rosette Plaza and Fountain
Sustenance Orchard
The Tropical Room
The Red Room
The Herb Rooms
The Yellow Room
The White Room
Bowls and Runnels
The Vegetable Room
Trees of Americana
Lily Pond
Patterned Flowerbeds – this was one of my favorite displays!
Butterfly Garden

Purple flowers, green shrubs, and palm trees in the background.

Where is it located?

Hollis Garden is located in downtown Lakeland which is a great city to plan a day trip to!. The address is 702 E Orange St. Lakeland, Florida.

Where do I park?

There is a free parking lot outside the entrance to the gardens.

How much does it cost to visit?

It’s free! There is no cost to visit Hollis Garden.

How long does it take to visit?

The gardens are relatively small and can be explored in about 30-60 minutes. I recommend taking your time and walking the grounds more than once to make sure you don’t miss anything! Consider planning for more time if you want to grab a bite to eat at the Garden Bistro. There are also other parks nearby that you can visit.

Two swans making a heart with a plant in the middle with Lake Mirror in the background.

Fountain in the center of Hollis Gardens.

When is the best time to visit Hollis Garden?

I recommend visiting in the spring! Botanical gardens are usually in full bloom during the springtime. However, the gardens can be visited year-round. There is limited shade, so if you are visiting in the summer, make sure to bring a hat, sunglasses, and water.

The gardens have seasonal hours which are listed below. The gardens are closed on Monday year-round and close early for special events on weekends.

June to August
- Tuesday-Sunday: 10 AM to 6 PM
September to May
- Sunday-Thursday: 10 AM to 6 PM
- Friday-Saturday: 10 AM to 4 PM

Are outside food and beverages allowed?

Hollis Garden does not allow outside food and beverages or picnics. However, if you want to get something to eat or drink consider visiting the Garden Bistro.

Garden Bistro

The Garden Bistro is the perfect spot for lunch! The menu includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, and soups. The hours on Tuesday through Saturday are from 11 AM to 3 PM. Sunday hours are from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. It is closed on Monday. There is indoor and outdoor seating available with beautiful views of Lake Mirror.

Is Hollis Garden worth visiting?

Yes! The gardens are small, but very beautiful and it is free to visit. There is really no downside to visiting the gardens. There are also other parks nearby which are listed below which can make this the perfect day trip destination.

Paved walking pathway lined with red and white flowers.

What else can I do near Hollis Garden?

Hollis Garden is next to Lake Mirror, which is a beautiful park that is also worth visiting! There is a paved 0.8-mile trail that I recommend walking. Barnett Family Park is also located next to Hollis Garden. If you have children, I recommend checking out this park! The hours are from 8 AM to dusk daily. There are various playground areas including some for children of specific ages.

Lake Mirror with the reflection of a building on it.

Other parks in Lakeland that you could consider visiting, but will require driving include Lake Parker Park, Bonnet Springs Park, Circle B Bar Reserve, or Colt Creek State Park.