Just outside the heart of downtown St. Petersburg lies Sunken Gardens, a subtropical oasis perfect for an outing while visiting the region. The facility opened to the public in 1936, making it one of Florida’s original roadside attractions. Over 100 years old, it is home to some of the oldest and most beautiful tropical plants in the state.
Walk under a canopy of live oak trees and stroll along winding pathways festooned with more than 500 species of native and exotic plants from all over the globe. One of the highlights is the breathtaking Rainbow Eucalyptus tree from Papua New Guinea. The stunning multi-colored trunk stretches over a hundred feet into the air and is one of the oldest and most unique plants featured in the gardens.
Learning about St. Petersburg’s sister city, Takamatsu, Japan, with a visit to the Japanese koi pond, where staff members provide educational talks and fish food for a hands-on experience.
Visitors will also find waterfalls and exotic birds thanks to the gardens’ rehabilitation program. Stroll past colorful macaws, cockatoos, kookaburras, and a flock of flamingos – some of which are offspring of the garden’s original flock from the 1950s. Additionally, a pollinator garden is full of native Florida butterflies such as zebra swallowtails and monarchs.
A visit to Sunken Gardens is a relaxing sightseeing experience and the perfect way to spend a few hours in paradise. For more information, hours, and ticket prices, visit the website HERE