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Best Places To See Flowers This Spring In South Florida

Where can one go to immerse themselves in the beauty and tranquility of flowering gardens? There are many varieties of gardens to choose from: Japanese, botanical, butterfly, tropical and many others. Treat yourself and your family to a day at the gardens. Make it a quality day - leave the cell phones, video games and iPads at home, pack a picnic, load up the loved ones and head out to a day at the gardens.
bluemartini
(Source: Blue Martini)

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens

10901 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, FL 33156
(305) 667-1651
www.fairchildgarden.org

Plan to spend an entire day at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens. There is so much to see and do. The Fairchild Gardens are a major cultural and visitor attraction in South Florida with beautiful plants, palms, flowering trees, the Richard H Simpson Rainforest, the William F. Whitman Tropical Fruit Pavilion and the newest (still under construction) addition the Jewels of the Caribbean. Check out the new exhibits to learn some interesting facts about horticulture.

playwright
(Source: Playwright Irish Pub)

Miami Beach Botanical Garden

2000 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 673-7256
www.mbgarden.org

The Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a free 2.6-acre garden located in the heart of Miami Beach. Along with a beautiful setting of tropical flowers, the garden also serves as a venue for performing and visual arts and offers workshops and garden markets. Spend a relaxing afternoon away from the crowds and surrounded by beauty. To discover the latest programs being offered, check the website at mbgarden.org.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

3251 S. Miami Ave.
Miami, FL 33129
(305) 250-9133
www.vizcayamuseum.org

If you love the opulence of the Great Gatsby era, then you must visit Vizcaya. Unlike other Miami gardens based on the beauty of the tropics, the gardens at Vizcaya are reminiscent of the grand gardens of Renaissance Italy and France. The unique gardens feature topiaries, fountains, a central pool surrounding an elevated island and statues along with several beautifully manicured themed gardens. The museum itself was once home to James Deering and the estate is something not to be missed. Be sure to bring a camera because you'll want to remember the beauty of this estate and gardens.

Related: Best Spots For A Picnic In Miami

Flamingo Gardens
Flamingo Gardens (Source: Pat Birdsong/Flamingo Gardens)

Flamingo Gardens

3750 S. Flamingo Road
Davie, FL 33330
(954) 473-2955
www.flamingogardens.org

Flamingo Gardens is home to eight separate types of gardens. The Arboretum and Champion Trees have hundreds of native and exotic trees, ponds and waterfalls. The Butterfly and Hummingbird Gardens feature a variety of flowering plants to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The Xeriscape Garden is home to low-maintenance, minimal-irrigation gardening. The Fragrance Garden harbors herbs and other fragrant plants that can be touched and pinched to delight the sense of smell. The Tropical Plant House contains orchids, calatheas and other unique tropical plants. The Live Oak Hammock not only has gorgeous oaks, but also an abundance of orchids, bromeliads and other air plants. The Tropical Rainforest and Wetlands Area is only accessible by the narrated Tram Tour which leaves on the hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tram tour includes the tropical rainforest area, native hardwood hammock, wetlands area and the tropical fruit tree groves.

vandyke
(Source: Van Dyke Cafe)

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

4000 Morikami Park Road
Delray Beach, FL 33446
(561) 495-0233
www.morikami.org

The Morikami Garden, called Roji-en (which means garden of the drops of dew), is a complex garden of six distinct gardens inspired by famous Japanese gardens. The six gardens, each based on a different period of Japanese history include: Shinden Garden (Heian Period), Paradise Garden (Kamakura and early Muromachi Periods), Early Rock Garden (Early Muromachi Period), Karesansui Late Rock Garden (Muromachi Period), Hiraniwa Flat Garden (Edo Period) and the Modern Romantic Garden (Meiji Period). Islands, bridges, waterfalls, rocks, pagodas, lanterns and many other iconic features are visible throughout the gardens. Spend an entire day and enjoy the tranquility and peace of a Japanese paradise.

Related: Best Botanical Gardens In Miami

Transplanted from Denver, Colorado to Orlando, Florida, Larraine Stacey spends much of her time traveling all over Florida and cruising the East Coast. A certified International tour guide and former travel agent, Larraine loves researching travel destinations and sharing travel tips with others. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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