If you are thinking of visiting the St. Pete Sunken Gardens, you are in for a real treat. It is one of my favorite places.
The Gardens in Saint Petersburg Florida is also a bit of a hidden gem. It is off the tourist trap so It’s likely to feel a little more relaxing than some places.
I love taking out of town family and friends here because it is just so gorgeous and beautiful. I know you are going to love it.
They are over 100 years old is a truly authentic Florida experience.
It was established in 1903 by a local plumber named George Turner Sr. in the bottom of a sinkhole! There was even alligator wrestling [yikes!] back in the day.
There are both natural and exotic plants and animals from all around the world. It is the perfect little escape on a hot day and even better in the winter!
The tropical birds have called the St. Pete Sunken Gardens home since the 1950’s. The building where you check-in and buy your tickets was built in 1967.
It is one of my favorite Hidden Gems in Florida and you are going to love it too!
Where Are The St. Pete Sunken Gardens?
Believe it or not, the St. Pete Sunken Gardens are smack dab in the middle of the city! It is one of the best Day Trips From Tampa as it is just across the bay!
When you are driving there and following your GPS, you won’t believe that just around this bend or that stoplight there will be an entire botanical garden.
The address is: 1825 4th St. N., St Petersburg
How Much Does It Cost To Visit The St. Pete Sunken Gardens?
Admission to the St. Pete Sunken Gardens is as follows:
- Adults: $18
- Seniors (62+): $15
- Children (2-17): $8
Oftentimes, there is a Groupon for half off or some sort of deal and you can also get membership but only on site.
Parking for visiting the Sunken Gardens is FREE!
The parking lot is huge and there are even some shaded areas which is great for Florida!
Sunken Garden Hours
Hours for the St. Pete Sunken Gardens are from 10am to 4:30pm Monday through Saturday and 12 noon to 4:30pm on Sunday.
Hours may change or the park may be closed due to inclement weather. If there is a storm the day you are set to visit, make sure to call in advance!
Things To Do At The Sunken Gardens
There are a variety of things to do at the Sunken Gardens in Saint Petersburg.
The whole point of going is to relax, walk around, and look at the native and exotic plants and animals.
When you buy your tickets, you will receive a map of the self-guided walking tour.
The self-guided walking tour takes you along a bunch of stops that show you a variety of plants and animals.
In the middle there is a Koi pond and a little bridge. This is a fun area for photography and a great spot for taking some touristy photos.
You can also feed the Koi fish!
To the right, there are flamingos and other exotic birds. I love looking at the flamingos as they are always quite active.
To the left side there are a variety of plants from towering bamboo to cacti and little pergolas with crawling plants.
The best part about visiting the St. Pete Sunken Gardens is to just stroll around and enjoy the grounds.
Sometimes there are nature presentations that you can watch as well. You can call ahead to find out if there are any scheduled for your day you are visiting!
How Long To Spend At The St. Pete Sunken Gardens
I recommend spending anywhere from 1-2 hours exploring the gardens and animals.
There are even picnic tables so you can bring a lunch and eat outdoors. There are also a variety of little table and chairs and places to sit so you can bring a book and just hang out!
I would suggest no less than 1 hour but more along the lines of 1.5 to 2 hours.
You want to take the time to see all of the beautiful foliage and animals that the St. Pete Sunken Gardens has to offer. There are many pathways that interconnect and twist and turn. You want to explore each path. Just stroll along and see what you discover!
When I bring friends and family here, we usually spend 1.5 hours at the minimum and have spent up to 3 hours!
Events
If you check out the Sunken Gardens Facebook Page, you will see that many events are hosted!
The largest and most popular is the Orchid Festival. They already have orchids around the park, but during the Orchid Festival, there is live music, lectures, and orchids for purchase and to learn about.
All of this is included with your admission so make sure to check out the Orchid Festival and see when the next dates are!
There are often tours and workshops such as seed starting workshops, hula hoop classes, scavenger hunts and more.
The best place to keep tabs on the events at the Saint Petersburg Sunken Gardens is on their Facebook page or by calling for a schedule!
Tips For Visiting The Sunken Gardens
Make sure to wear appropriate shoes when visiting the St. Pete Sunken Gardens.
You don’t really want to be in heels or wedges as there is uneven ground and you may be walking on dirt or mulch pathways. Of course, you can avoid the paths if possible!
I find that wearing sturdy sandals works fine!
Make sure to wear comfortable clothing that you can move easily in! It is hot in Florida!
The St. Pete Sunken Gardens allows you to bring your own drinks so make sure to pack some water as it gets very hot in Florida.
There are no food or water stations around the gardens [only at the gift shop] so make sure to bring a water bottle.
The gardens are quite big for being in the middle of a city, so you want to have water on hand!
I hope you enjoy visiting the St. Pete Sunken Gardens which is one of my favorite hidden gems in the Tampa Bay Area!
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