Beautiful Botanical Gardens of Florida's West Coast

With gorgeous weather upon us we need to find more things to do outdoors. What better way to spend an afternoon than strolling through botanical gardens which can also be an inexpensive way to enjoy the sunshine and maybe even learn a thing or two about this wonderful city and our native plants.

I would certainly recommend a visit to the University of South Florida's Botanical Gardens located off Fowler Avenue at USF's campus in Tampa, Florida. Stroll through a collection of native plants and natural habitats. You will see orchids, fruit trees, palm trees, ferns and many, many more varieties. Enjoy the beauty of the butterfly garden or the scents of the natural herb gardens. The gardens are also a great place to spot over sixty species of birds and maybe even spot a few animals such as gopher tortoises. You'll find plants and trees from all over the world as well as a wetland forest and temperate forest. The Botanical Gardens often offer workshops, classes and special events, so you can always check out their calendar before heading over to see if there's something special you'd like to attend. One other thing I love about this place is that you can also include the family dog on this outing, so long as you keep him on a leash and clean up after him. The hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, Saturday until 4pm and Sunday from noon to 4pm. Admission is only $5 so there is no reason not to take the kids to enjoy the sights and scents and children can get in for $3 while under 6 are free. Seniors are also offered a discount price of $4. If you are interested in more information or want to check out the calendar, click on the following link to read more. Contact (813) 974-2329 for more information.

The Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo, Florida is open daily from 7am to 7pm and better yet, the admission is absolutely free. The Gardens inspire all who visit and observe all the flora, fauna and natural resources which make this place so beautiful. You will find over thirty acres of cultivated areas and over ninety acres of natural habitat which is home to many native plants, flowers and wildlife. You could spend a whole day here strolling around the tropical gardens, butterfly garden, succulent garden, palm garden, herb garden and so many more which are all packed with beauty. You might even want to consider this locale if you're planning a wedding soon as they offer a gorgeous walled wedding garden to make your day extra special. You may want to visit their website here before heading out so you can print out a few I-Spy sheets which are simple guides to eying and identifying certain flowers, bugs and birds. Don't forget the children's trail where Flora, the botanical gardens mascot, will teach you about the plants and animal life located here. You can call for more information at 727-582-2100.

The Naples Botanical Garden is open daily from 9am to 5pm with admission being $9.95 for adults, $4.95 for children and free for children under three. Yes, this costs a little more to visit, but as you will find out, it's worth it. The Children's Garden allows a more enjoyable experience for the kids. Take a walk through the butterfly house and move on to the Hidden Garden, cool off with water spraying from the boulders, try the watering can at the Healthy Eating Garden and finish by climbing into the tree house. Check out the native flora of Brazil and the Caribbean in their respective gardens. A Florida and Asian Garden are in the works. Call (239) 643 7275 for more information and find out events that are coming up, such as Dogs in the Garden, when owners are allowed to bring their best fried for a day at the gardens or you may want to go enjoy a cooking demonstration.