Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: Downtown Sarasota Campus
Looking for something different to do in Sarasota? Look no further than the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens downtown Sarasota campus! This 15-acre garden is beautiful and a must-do if you are in the area. Botanical gardens are a fun activity for the whole family with the children’s garden or a romantic spot for a day date with your significant other! They can also be a great place to spend time with a friend or do what I did and explore the gardens by yourself! Plan your day using this guide.
Where is the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens?
The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is 45-acres and made up of two campuses. Make sure you have the correct location in your GPS before you visit!
The original 15-acre garden is located in downtown Sarasota. The address is 1534 Mound St. Sarasota, FL 34236.
Additionally, in 2020 the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens adopted a second campus at Historic Spanish Point. The Historic Spanish Point campus is 30-acres and located approximately 10 miles from the downtown Sarasota campus. The address is 401 N Tamiami Trail Osprey, FL 34229.
When should I visit?
The gardens can be visited year-round, but I would recommend visiting in the winter or spring! The walking paths are partially shaded, so visiting when the temperatures are a little cooler is ideal. Additionally, spring is a popular time to visit because it is peak flower season. However, there really is no bad time to visit these gardens. They are open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM (close at 3 PM on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve; closed on Christmas).
TIP: Consider planning your visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds!
Where do I park?
There is a parking garage on the corner of Mound Street and S Orange Avenue that offers free parking for the gardens. There is an entrance to the garage on both streets, but depending which direction you are coming from you might not see a sign right away. I ended up having to turn around because I missed it on my first try.
How much does it cost to visit the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens?
The daily fees for entrance to the downtown Sarasota campus are listed below. Tickets can be purchased in advance online, but it is not required. The price of admission is for the downtown Sarasota campus only. A separate admission is required to visit the Historic Spanish Point campus.
Downtown Sarasota Daily Admission
- Adults: $26
- Children (age 5-17): $11
- Children (4 and under): Free
If you are local, there are also membership options which are worth looking into if you plan to visit multiple times within a year. The membership allows access to both campuses and a discounted rate if you bring a guest.
How long does it take to visit?
I recommend a minimum of 1 to 2 hours to visit the downtown Sarasota campus, but some people may spend up to 3 to 4 hours. Things that will take more time is visiting the special exhibit, eating at one of the cafes, or taking a guided tour.
Can I bring my own food or drinks?
No, outside food and beverages are not permitted within the gardens, but you have two options to choose from if you’re hungry while you are there!
Selby House Cafe by Michael’s
This cafe is located within the outside gardens and has counter style service with indoor and outdoor seating which is first come first serve. The menu includes sandwiches, salads, snacks, sweets, and more. Additionally, coffee, soft drinks, beer and wine are available for purchase. The food looked great and there was a long line when I visited recently. The cafe is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.
The Green Orchid by Michael’s on East
For a more unique dining experience consider checking out The Green Orchid. This is a traditional sit-down style restaurant with the menu changing seasonally. Indoor and outdoor seating are available on a first come first serve basis. The current hours are from 11 AM to 3 PM. The restaurant is located by the entrance, next to the gift shop.
Even if you don’t want to eat at the restaurant it is worth checking out. There is a rooftop garden which you can get a peak of from the second level of the parking garage. The garden is utilized for garnishes on their botanical inspired cocktails as well as providing some of the fresh produce you will find on the menu. The goal of the restaurant is to be the first net-positive energy restaurant operated fully on solar power!
What type of exhibits can be found at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens?
There is so much to see at the downtown Sarasota campus! Make sure you pick up a map when you purchase your ticket so you don’t miss anything. My recommendation is once you’ve purchased your ticket head to the welcome center, then stop at the theater to watch a short 5 minute video to learn more about the gardens before continuing on your visit.
Next, you can walk along the Palm Promenade Walk to the garden entrance. My recommendation is to start with the tropical conservatory (one of my favorites) then proceed to the outside gardens. Once you are in the outside gardens, you can start exploring! I used the All Trails maps to track my route to try and make sure I didn’t miss anything, but I am still not 100% sure I saw it all.
There are 22 exhibits listed on the visitor’s map, but below are a few of my favorites!
- Marcy and Michael Klein/Stone Foundation Lilly Pond Garden
- Tropical Conservatory
- Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden
- Steinwachs Family Mangrove Walkway
- Succulent Garden
- Tidal Lagoon
- Butterfly Garden
Additionally, there is a featured exhibit that rotates throughout the year. During my visit the featured exhibit was Yayoi Kusama a letter to Georgia O’Keeffee which will be on display from February 11 until June 30, 2024. You can check the garden’s website for the most up to date featured exhibit. The featured exhibit ensures there is always something new to see!
Is the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens worth visiting?
100% yes! These are one of the most beautiful botanical gardens I have visited in Florida so far! The location is perfect with views of Sarasota Bay as you walk around the gardens. There are a variety of exhibits to see including the featured exhibit which changes throughout the year. Even if you’ve visited before, there is always something new to see at the Marie Selby Botanical gardens!
