Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Selby Gardens in Sarasota, Florida is a must when visiting the area! I loved the koi fish pond! Have you been? #florida #sarasota #placestovisit #thingstodo #hiddengems #thingstodoinflorida #floridalife #floridacheck #fairytale #fairytaleplaces #storybook #magical #tiktoktravel #travel #romantic #aesthetic #couples
floridaqueenie
58.5K482
Attending Matt and Maggie Dorn's wedding at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota was an unforgettable experience. The venue, a picturesque garden overlooking tranquil waters, was breathtaking, especially as the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The atmosphere was magical, almost surreal, and Annemarie and I were spellbound by the beauty of it all. The ceremony itself was intimate and heartfelt, with every detail meticulously planned. Matt and Maggie, surrounded by the love of their family and friends, exchanged vows against the backdrop of the setting sun, making the moment even more special. The air was filled with emotions, joy, and laughter, creating an ambiance of pure happiness. As the evening progressed, the celebration moved into a beautifully decorated area, where tables were adorned with elegant centerpieces and soft, ambient lighting. The dinner was a culinary delight, each dish more exquisite than the last, complementing the upscale yet intimate theme of the wedding. The music was a perfect blend of classic and contemporary, setting the tone for a night of dancing and merriment. Annemarie and I shared dances under the starlit sky, the melodies creating a romantic and enchanting atmosphere. We chatted with old friends and made new ones, reveling in the joyous occasion. The entire night was unlike anything we had ever experienced. The combination of the stunning setting, the delicious food, the wonderful music, and the great company made it a truly epic celebration. It was a night to remember, not just for Matt and Maggie, but for every guest who had the privilege of being a part of their special day.
Zack Schneider
00
We visited on a Saturday in May. It was roasting, I was sorry I went in the afternoon. Stupidly hot. I was extremely disappointed there weren't water fountains to drink from along the pathways or any cooling stations as most of the year, it's hot and humid in Florida. This seems like a no-brainer. The only water we found was located outside the restroom adjacent to the Koi Pond area. There was a water cooler with paper cone cups set up between the bathroom entrances. It took our group about 2 hours to tour the gardens. Some magnificent Banyan, Fig and Moreton ficus trees live here and seeing them takes your breath away. There are other impressive species of trees here as well and many varieties of palm trees. Another highlight is the Koi pond complete with a display of lush tropical plants that were beautiful and perfectly arranged to create a peaceful space to sit for a while. There is a large Children's Garden with a water feature (not for swimming, just looking) many opportunities to play and explore including some swings at the back. There is free parking with a 3 level parking garage. If you travel in a large vehicle such as an SUV, go to the 2nd or 3rd deck to find ample spaces to park comfortably. The garage has an elevator that takes you to right outside the gift shop. The gift shop closes at the same time as the gardens, if you would like a souvenir, get it before closing time or you'll be met with the wrath of a thin 50 something man who will stand there with his arms akimbo and stare at you with an icy gaze. Such a pleasant send off. I guess guests can be so annoying sometimes.
SvettyS
00
I was thrilled to return to Marie Shelby Botanical Gardens long absence of 10 years. This place held a special significance for me and my husband as it was where he proposed to me. We were filled with excitement as we embarked on this journey down memory lane. To our delight, we discovered that the garden had undergone significant transformations and welcomed several remarkable additions to its property. The abundance of beautiful plants and trees was a sight to behold. The meticulous care and attention to detail were evident in every corner of the garden. One particular highlight was the introduction of stunning boardwalks that enhanced the overall experience. These pathways offered a sense of tranquility and serenity, providing visitors with the perfect opportunity to immerse themselves in the peaceful surroundings. It was a truly rejuvenating experience to wander along these paths, basking in the natural beauty that surrounded us. The exceptional staff at Marie Shelby Botanical Gardens further enhanced our experience. Their friendliness and warmth made us feel truly welcome, and their dedication to maintaining the garden was evident. We appreciated their efforts in ensuring that every visitor had a memorable and enjoyable time. I highly recommend a visit to Marie Shelby Botanical Gardens. Whether you are seeking a romantic afternoon or simply desire a moment of quiet contemplation amidst nature, this garden will exceed your expectations. Its remarkable transformations and stunning additions make it a sanctuary worth exploring.
Veronica Gordon
00
We have been members here for years and we love it! There is always something going on it's so fun for the kids and the entire family! They have so many activities for the kids as far as arts and crafts and water events in the summer! The tea House was lovely when they had it! The gift shop and the botanical shop has an excellent selection. Over the years we have seen so many different art exhibits. It's nice to see familiar faces volunteering when they check you in! The food is delicious, from Michael's on east! They really take such amazing care of the grounds and we always see something new! When we first started visiting about 8 years ago there was no kids treehouse and what they did with that space is unbelievable! I think I have taken thousands of pictures over the years. If you just move to the area and have small children the membership is so worth it because you can go there every weekend and bring your kids and their friends and they just run around and have so much fun it's the best money we've ever spent! I know we will share so many new memories and I'm so looking forward to their expansion! Holidays are always fun there! Christmas is just an amazing time to go with all the Christmas lights and activities that they have there! 4th of July has always been a fun time to be there with so many things that they offer and even mother's Day brunch is super special and beautiful!
Spangle Taylor
00
I go to the Chicago Botanical Gardens often and I’ve been at San Frans and Naples. You pay more money for a smaller garden relative to the larger ones but if you like visiting gardens in general the economics of scale shouldn’t sway you from trying this one out. I almost didn’t go for that reason but I appreciate the effort it takes to create beautiful nature and was happy with my decision to go. I was surprised to see how much play area there was for little kids and the biggest surprise for adults is the amount of seating area (benches) for the acreage. That’s one thing that can be a challenge at larger gardens. So if your alone or with someone who wants to observe nature or you’ve got little ones and need to change it up this is a fine garden to try out. Plenty of views inside the garden and also to look out over the water. I went shortly after they opened in the morning. Tip: if taking little kids, when your not in the kids area there are lots of small creatures to spot like lizards or geckos (I’m not from the area to know the difference), honey bees and birds you can challenge them to spot.
Dave Drachenberg
00
Nearby Attractions Of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus
Bayfront Park
Unconditional Surrender - Sarasota, FL
Aloft Sarasota
Fresh Start Cafe Catering
Burns Court Cinema
J.D. Hamel Park
The Bullet Hole
Burns Square Hotel
Sarasota Rare Coin Gallery Inc
August Third Framing

Bayfront Park
4.8
(2.3K)
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Unconditional Surrender - Sarasota, FL
4.7
(784)
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Aloft Sarasota
4.2
(636)
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Fresh Start Cafe Catering
4.7
(256)
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Nearby Restaurants Of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus
Marina Jack
O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill
Owen's Fish Camp -Downtown SRQ
Brick's Smoked Meats - Sarasota
Caragiulo's Italian American
Le Mans Kitchen
Tamiami Tap
Project Coffee
Rise Up Cafe
The Fountain Kitchen & Wine Bar

Marina Jack
4.4
(3K)
$$
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O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill
4.4
(2K)
Click for details

Owen's Fish Camp -Downtown SRQ
4.6
(1.9K)
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Brick's Smoked Meats - Sarasota
4.5
(1.2K)
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Basic Info
Address
1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236
Map
Phone
(941) 366-5731
Call
Website
selby.org
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.7
(2.6K reviews)$$
Ratings & Description
outdoor
cultural
family friendly
accessibility
Description
The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a 15-acre botanical garden located at 900 South Palm Avenue in Sarasota, Florida. The Gardens are located on the grounds of the former home of Marie and William Selby. The Gardens acquired the Historic Spanish Point campus on May 1, 2020.
attractions: Bayfront Park, Unconditional Surrender - Sarasota, FL, Aloft Sarasota, Fresh Start Cafe Catering, Burns Court Cinema, J.D. Hamel Park, The Bullet Hole, Burns Square Hotel, Sarasota Rare Coin Gallery Inc, August Third Framing, restaurants: Marina Jack, O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill, Owen's Fish Camp -Downtown SRQ, Brick's Smoked Meats - Sarasota, Caragiulo's Italian American, Le Mans Kitchen, Tamiami Tap, Project Coffee, Rise Up Cafe, The Fountain Kitchen & Wine Bar
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