Knowing that we are true connoisseurs of botanical gardens, our family members insisted that we spend some time at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens during our Sarasota visit. This nine and a half acre garden has 20,000 living plants on display is a favorite Sarasota attraction. It was not hard to convince us to do just that. It made for a wonderful family event. Everyone was able to fit into one van and the excursion was ready. Parking was available for free right across the street from the entrance.

Rate and Review : Pleasant Afternoon at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida


Admission is twelve dollars for adults, six dollars for children six to eleven and free for kids under six years old. We were fortunate to get in free because a few party members were garden patrons. Immediately upon entering the grounds, we were met with a luscious display of tropical plants. We started our tour by walking around the grounds first. We made our way through the tropical growth around the giant banyan tree to the nice lawn area. From here we walked to the bay front. Beautiful vistas of the Sarasota Bay were in front of us. Wooden benches were placed throughout allowing people to relax, read and ponder life. A boardwalk along the water through mangroves offers some nice private areas.

Our next step was visit each of the special display areas: Tropical Display House with its lush rain forest atmosphere, the towering Bamboo Pavilion, Banyan Grove, Cactus and Succulent Garden and Cycad Collection. The flora was beautifully presented and well documented with easy to read signs. It was a joy to meander through this park. The Outdoor Butterfly Garden was the favorite with the kids. I loved the Orchid Display House. Orchids never cease to amaze me and here at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens they made a most wonderful setting for these flowers. Last on our list for this day was the former Christy Payne Mansion, a "unique example of eclectic Southern Colonial architecture" as the official web site would say. This house with Beautiful Colonial architecture was well preserved and had several exhibitions in progress during our visit; a photography exhibition and an art painting exhibition. Both were very interesting. The artists (whose names I do not recall) were very skillful and original in envisioning the natural world around us. We only scratched the surface of this institution. Perhaps in the future we will have more time to learn about heir Herbarium with 94000 dried, pressed botanical specimens from around the world, the Spirit Collection of liquid-preserved plants (second largest in the world) or the impressive Research Library.

We spent a most wonderful few hours at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. If we lived in Sarasota we would certainly come back here on a regular basis. Apart from the spectacular flora, there are lectures, special exhibits, a lot of art, a light display during Christmas, an orchid ball and much more. Some areas can be rented for weddings and other special events. This is a must see destination in Sarasota - Highly Recommended!

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
811 South Palm Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-366-5731
http://www.selby.org/