Kanapaha Botanical Gardens - reviews,open hours,photo spots,things to do | WanderBoat AI Trip Planner

My recent trip to Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville, FL, was an absolute treat. The $10 admission fee per person felt like a reasonable investment, given the extensive range of attractions that awaited within. The added advantage of free and abundant parking was a welcome touch, making the entire experience hassle-free right from the start. Upon entering, the warm and friendly demeanor of the front desk staff set a positive tone for the visit. The lobby area, spacious and immaculately clean, immediately conveyed a sense of tranquility and organization. It was evident that the staff took pride in maintaining a welcoming environment for visitors. The gardens themselves offered a rich variety of activities to suit all kinds of interests. From casual picnics to professional photoshoots, the lush surroundings provided an ideal backdrop. The option for both group and individual excursions added a layer of versatility. Families weren't left out either, with various family-friendly activities available to keep everyone engaged. The real highlight of the gardens was their remarkable collection of plants, trees, and flowers. The carefully curated selection showcased a diverse range of species, encompassing not just native varieties, but also intriguing exotic plants from around the world. The sight of enormous lotus leaves floating gracefully in the pond was truly captivating, and the presence of colorful koi fish added an extra layer of enchantment. While the dining options were limited to a vending machine, it's evident that the emphasis here is on the botanical experience rather than culinary offerings. It's a minor drawback considering the abundance of natural beauty on display. For those who appreciate the wonders of nature, have a penchant for all things green, and find solace in meticulously designed gardens, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is a must-visit. With a suggested visit duration of around 2 hours, it's the perfect way to immerse yourself in the beauty of various plant species and unwind in a serene setting.

The boy who loves freedom

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We visited this botanical garden today in the morning shortly after they opened at 9:00. The ticket process was simple and we got in quickly. Parking is free and easily accessible. The main building has a bathroom also. The botanical garden itself is very large. 60+acres. We walked around for easily a couple hours. Main points of note are as follows: Lots of walking. Not all is a smooth sidewalk either. So wear good walking/ hiking shoes Very hot in the summer. Some shade, but a lot of direct sunlight also. Make sure to bring water, wear sunscreen, a hat etc. No water refills other than bottled water for sale in main building. We did love this place and saw so many beautiful plants and flowers. The bamboo garden was also very pretty. Would absolutely go again another time. If you do live locally or plan to visit frequently throughout the year; they offer a year membership which is very affordable and you can apply your day visit to this. Thank you for a lovely day. Would gladly bring friends and family another time for a visit.

Emily's world

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Nice decent size but did not look as maintained as other gardens I've visited throughout Florida. If you are looking to see the giant lily pads that are pictured in the Google photos, you may want to call first. We did not see them anywhere and another family even asked us if we had seen them. (check out the amazing private owned Cedar Lakes Gardens in Williston, FL for those!!!) Many of the plants I'd like to have seen were cut down and just beginning to come back so there weren't many flowers or lush foliage to view. The bamboo garden was cool. It could just be the time of year wasn't ideal, but we figured we'd see some since the Florida Botanical Gardens by us in Largo was looking colorful (Definitely suggest you go there also, entrance is free and it is large and well kept!) So that was a tad disappointing since we drove over 2 hours from Clearwater to visit. Overall it was a nice and big place, maybe we'll visit in the middle of summer to hopefully see it in all it's glory.

angel b

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The Kanapaha botanical gardens was a bucket list attraction for me, I've wanted to visit this place for over a decade while I'm glad I did, I was very let down and disappointed. The property is a sprawling 68 acre property with 24 major collections some of my favorite displays were the thick bamboos and herb garden.... The labyrinth was quite impressive to me as well. I do have to say that I could not be more disappointed with the maintenance and upkeep of this potentially amazingly beautiful place it just seems like the love and care that should be going into an attraction like this is just not so please be warned about that prior to visiting. Admission is $10 per adult and $5 for children the parks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and I would say if you're just walking through the garden at a slow pace it would take about an hour and a half total. This is not a place I would ever visit again but I'm happy I did have the chance to visit it.

Trapped On Vacation

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I would like to sincerely advise for the development of the botanical garden. When someone sends a cooperation proposal over 40 pages, it means that they have been interested in botanical gardens for a long time and have prepared a proposal. However, the botanical garden did not reply for two weeks. When I emailed again, the employee called and said, “The botanical garden is not interested in your cooperation proposal.” Cooperation may not be possible if the conditions are not met. However, the problem is the unfriendly approach of the botanical garden staff. The botanical garden staff said "No" in just one minute over the phone and refused even a single meeting. I may not be a VIP customer of the botanical garden. But I worry that the botanical garden will lose out on good partners and donors if its staff continues to approach in this way. Botanical garden staff must be more kind and courteous if they want to find good partners and donors

오진택

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This is a great botanical garden to go with the family or your partner. The entrance is $10 per person, we paid with a credit card, parking is free. We brought our own refreshments and snacks from home and it was great. We walked and took great pictures. The sceneries on this gardens are amazing, for weddings,graduations, birthdays I mean, I'll post some pictures and you can judge yourself. It's pet friendly and handicap accessible, there is a small play ground for kids but during the time I went out was so hot I wouldn't recommend the any kids to be in there. There are fish you can feed, the feeders are at the entrance of the botanical garden, you need some quarters for it and then walk the garden until you find the pond. With the heat from Florida during the summer my suggestion go in the afternoon. It took us about 2 hours to walk and take pictures and that's because my teenage girl was hungry and she wanted to leave.

silvia salazar

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