- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
28 reviews for Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
I lived down the street from Fairchild my entire life and have been visiting the park since before I could walk. This place is huge and absolutely gorgeous. They have a large collection of trees from all over the world and they offer many educational and recreational classes and seminars for children and adults. The park regularly features artwork from world renowned artists. The chihuli blown glass exhibit was a must see. The vivid colors made even more of an impact against the natural backdrop of the gardens meticulously maintained plants and water features. If you love nature and wildlife you must check this place out. It's a great place to birdwatch, take some photos or catch a glimpse of a Florida gator. During the week the park is usually very quiet, but when they have their yearly Ramble, festivals or plant sales they draw a huge crowd. They also have nighttime events at the park from time to time. Their Halloween parties are always a blast and the moonlit tour is a great chance to get away and relax under the stars for a few hours. They also have a tram service for folks that aren't able to walk the entire park, so everybody can enjoy the grounds.
You must see this park to believe it. There is so many different areas to get lost in-to see the whole park plan on spending half the day and bring your camera!!
This is an amazing place to visit. It is an educational and natural experience amongst the craziness in miami. They offer many educational programs for children, night events for adults, and there's always art placed throughout the huge property. This is a great place to visit alone, with a friend or partner, or with the entire family.
note: also a fun place to take nature pictures because of the amazing variety of flowers, plants, and trees.
If you are into plants, trees,or palms the world renowned Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a can't miss if you are in the Miami area.
I have never paid retail to get in (I have attend 3 plant/tree conferences there) so I do not know how much it costs for admission; I do know that they sell memberships. Check their web site for more information.
Each time I attend a conference my colleague and I skip out on the last session to take a brief tour of the garden. At 83 acres their is no way we can see every thing in an about an hour. Since we are limited by time we try to tour a different section each time we go; always walking through the popular Rain Forest section. This time we took the "long" walk around the lake to see the palm collection; which are some of my favorites. What can I say I am from PALM Beach County.
Don't miss the green house filled with orchids and other tropical plants; also keep an eye out for the semi-recent addition of large art pieces scattered throughout and the Dale Chihuly blown glass art . I challenge you to find one of my favorite trees; the Rainbow Eucalyptus; named for it's colorful bark. Their are a couple; my favorite is the one that is 40-50 feet tall.
There is also a small cafe with a seating area that sells water, soda, sandwiches and wraps at reasonable prices. I recommend the "Black and Blue" wrap (roast beef and blue cheese).
Please remember that this is MIAMI...... It is hot....very, very hot; even in late October. Bring sunscreen and water; you will sweat, you may get bitten by ants and/or mosquitoes. Some plants have vicious thorns, some smell like rotting flesh if any of this is not for you I suggest you stay indoors. Miami has many wonderful malls.
If you do go take the time to marvel at the fabulous plants in the collection. You will not be disappointed.
Fairchild Gardens, I have finally discovered you!!
My bf, his sis, and I all went on the last day of the free Sundays deal in August. It was well worth it!
Yes, it was hot. Yes, it was HELL to park. Yes, I almost had the life sucked out of me by mosquitoes. Oh, and not to mention the ant that tried to bite off my toe. But I didn't care! This was a GREAT way to experience this place. It's pretty pricey if you go without any deals.
I really really liked the rain forest section. My god! It was beautiful. Really made you feel like you were in a rain forest. There was a log with mushrooms of all sizes on it in the middle, wow. Incredible.
I also really liked the butterfly garden and the sunken garden. The sunken garden especially. Really amazing.
Oh and the art in the middle of the park. Really cool!
There were areas that were underwhelming, which is why I could not give it five stars. But I really did enjoy it overall.
Best part of the experience; some kiddie telling his dad "Can we come back in the winter? It's too hot now". Priceless.
The developed section is truly amazing. The back section, a bit underwhelming.
However, I'm not saying they should race to develop everything. I heard somewhere that they have only developed something like 10% of the land they own. I think that is wonderful. But maybe don't include that as part of the tour.
The tropical rain forest path, the butterfly garden, all of the older section is really beautiful. I just could have done without the wide open grass and pond section that looked like it could have been the Sahara section of Bush Gardens sans animals.
Tip** The main visitor entrance isn't the one that faces Old Culter. You need to wait till you see the green street sign telling you where to park, and then veer to the right (left is additional Matheson Hammock Parking).
This is the cutest garden with lots of decorative details as you walk through the garden. The first garden I've been to that had all the butterflies literally fluttering throughout the garden and not trapped in one room. The plants and trees are so vibrant. I would definitely want to come here again.
The only fall back is that you better not stay still or the mass misquotes will get you.
I was underwhelmed. It didn't start out that way. It started out a torrid affair.
I was enthralled with the lush entrance and took photographs for at least 20 minutes before inching further down the path. I ran my fingers over the carved initials in the trees, cursed youth and their propensity to vandalize, and then was easily distracted by blooming congea tomentosa.
We were on a roll.
And then all of sudden it just -- stopped. The path grew wider and clear, the butterfly garden was empty, plants became sparse, and all that was left was a long expansive, flat path lined with palm trees, the occasional pond, and a collection of sculptures. I love art and I love nature [and the sculptures were very well integrated] but the garden design transition was abrupt: we went from dense rainforest growth to nearly desert with no warning. Unfortunately, after the initial lush encounter, the sparse, one dimensional landscape is what dominates the acreage.
Additional factors that hampered our visit were the filming of a very bad tv show that I refuse to publicize, the relentless sun [and few trees that provide shade], and the steep admission.
It's certainly an oasis from industry and car exhaust. I could easily envision it being a phenomenal venue for festivals and assorted events.
Wonderful garden on 83 lush acres on the edge of town. Yes, the admission fee is steep, but getting an annual membership is well worth it.
You can take a tram tour which is really informative. The tram makes stops all along the way allowing you to get off and explore on your own and pick up the next tram. You can even bring a blanket, some wine, and a picnic basket. You can get off the tram tour somewhere along the way, enjoy the afternoon, and then grab the tram back when you're done. How cool is that?!
The Fairchild often hosts festivals and social soirees. With a membership, some of the functions are free, or at least discounted.
My favorite species in the garden: that would be the Baobab tree.
I just got back from the Mango festival. When we arrived we started things off with a mango martini. I was hoping it would be made with some fresh mango, but it was made with a mango liqueur. Either way, it was refreshing because it was 95 degrees out!!
I do wish they would have had a bigger food selection. There were tents with jerk chicken and pork, a peruvian chicken tent, BBQ ribs, but that was about it. Now, if you want to buy mangos, this is a great place for it! They had all different varieties of mangos and mango trees for sale. The gardens are beautiful, as always. I'd love to come back during the winter and maybe bring a bottle of wine and have a picnic.
This is one of the main things is miss the most about Miami. Such a magical, beautiful and expansive place. If you're lucky, you'll see the alligator that lives in the pond!
What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said, amazingly beautiful and well worth the price of admission. I feel like an idiot for not having check this place out earlier. I will become a member in due time and can't wait to check out all their events.
I went during the chocolate festival and that was a nice way to spend a day. Luckily, I got there really early and was able to check out the gardens for the first time while the park was relatively empty. The birds were singing, the sun was just starting to warm up the day and the plants seemed to be waking up as well and hugging the breeze. I kept thinking to myself that my Grandma would love this place and how she would want to buy everything she set her eyes on. They way they blend sculptures into the park just adds to visual feast.
I'm surprised at how many native Miamians have yet to discover the beauty and splendor of this place.
This is one of my favorite places to go on a random sunny afternoon for picnics, a stroll, or a little introspection and peace.
I became a member a couple of years ago and I highly recommend becoming one...They have great events for members only year-round like moonlight walks and wine and cheese parties. The highlights of the year are the Chocolate Festival, Mango Festival, and Ramble. They have exhibits, vendors, food, and music for your enjoyment.
Even though Chihuly's exhibit is no longer there, there's still a little taste of his work in the Lily Pond by the Garden House...and don't forget to stop by the hidden waterfall... VERY relaxing!
A unique botanical garden with a lot of varieties in plants and sculptures.
We took the tram tour operated by volunteers. The 45-minutes tour gave us a highlight of the garden and some funny facts about these living creatures.
Feb was the perfect timing to visit this garden. Nice to walk around without sweating. Staff were very friendly and picked up everyone when the garden was about to close.
It is a very nice garden but will be nicer if you pick the right time to go.
I love Fairchild Garden! I've been a huge fan ever since the original Chihuly exhibit came to town. At $20 admission per adult, convincing people to come along can be tough, but when you can transfer the price of your admission into a membership (and just pay the difference), how can you go wrong? And then it only takes 2 visits for the membership to pay for itself.
While the Chihuly, Lichtenstein, and Botero exhibits are no longer installed, the garden itself offers beautiful and serene surroundings in which to wander, relax, and enjoy. My last visit was during the annual Ramble festival, so there were tons of booths with crafts, jewelry, plants, and food. The festivals draw quite the crowds, so be forewarned. One of my favorites is the Mango Festival (in July, I think). But be sure to get there early to get the best of all the yummy mango eats!!
I discovered this jewel in Miami when my daughter mentioned that there was a stinky plant she learned about in school. Seems that it opens every so many years and it smells like rotting flesh. FANTASTIC. So we didn't actually go at that moment, we just had fun watching on live stream video the reactions of the patrons as they got near it.
Eventually we went to hang out. lt was amazing. Even MORE so when we went when the Chihuly exhibit opened there. This is a MUST SEE! The organic nature of the glass sculptures meld seamlessly with the vegetation making the gardens seemingly something from another world. l cannot even begin to describe how beautiful the mixture of Chihuly art and nature is.
A must go.. even without the exhibits.
$20 admission fee may be a sticker shock for some people (but it makes the $30 student annual membership seem like a bargain), but it is worth it in order to explore the immense variety of plants that grows around the world - and most of the plants are growing out in the open here in Miami. Pretty amazing, and well manicured grounds. There were a few wild animals that were possible to spot.
The tram ride was informative and helpful especially if you've never been there before. Sam was informative.
A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE: Check Fruit & Spice Park in Homestead. A lot of their plants can also be found here.
Their gift shop has a lot of good things.
This place is stunning. I've been both times when they've had Chihuly's work here and it was breathtaking. The exhibit is no longer on display, but it's a lovely place to spend a leisurely Saturday or Sunday and escape the mundaneness of the suburbs.
This 83-acre botanical garden (with 11 lakes) is spectacular. It's like walking into a kaleidoscope of naturally-occurring colors and shapes. Fairchild is peaceful, stunningly beautiful, scientifically intriguing, and artistically hip. In the past year, the garden has featured outdoor sculpture exhibitions of work by Chihuly, Lichtenstein, and Botero, and big beautiful Floridian iguanas are usually on view as well .
There's a chocolate festival, a mango festival, an orchid festival, and even one day a year when you can bring your dog (September 14 this year).
True, the $20 admission may feel steep. It gave me pause before I went for the first time, but once I stepped inside, I knew it was money well spent. In fact, the second time I visited, I purchased a friends & family membership so I can bring out-of-town guests.
i love this place.- between the lazing iguanas and the beautiful trees....
i love the rainbow trees. i avoid the mango festival because it gets too crowded hence detracting from my enjoyment of this loverly place.
i give fairchild gardens a 4.5
i love coming here to detox and destress- it's very relaxing and always enjoyable. there is such a great variety of plants and trees all beautiful and unique. my ultimate favorite is the rainbow eucalyptus tree. it's amazing how it looks like an artist painted it's trunk in vibrant hues of lime, periwinkle, and orange- it's beautiful and quite a site to see.
i love walking around the gardens and finding things i had never noticed before- every time you go there, there's something different whether it be a different exhibit or certain flowers in bloom- it's quite spectacular.
i was able to go this past weekend and get myself the associate plus membership for the price of the entrance fee into the park (thanks maria a. for letting us yelpers know:) so i'm excited to go back more often and take a blanket and sit under a tree and relax. maybe a bench would be more like it, they have lots of little creatures there- crabs, iguanas, alligators, turtles, and these super cool orange and black lizards that i just love! i know, i sound like a geek- but it's just amazing to see what nature can produce!
their garden cafe also offers very refreshing sandwiches, snacks, and drinks, it's a bit expensive though, especially since you had to pay $20 to get in (reason for 4.5 stars and not 5); but their food is quite good. i tried the tropical turkey sandwich and it was just delicious. it was a yummy homemade croissant, topped with fresh turkey, havarti cheese (so creamy), cucumber, microgreens, and this amazing tropical fruit relish- it was delicious! i paired that with one of their tropical sodas- fruit juice mixed with soda and cane sugar- very delicious as well.
i really like it here, and have even contemplated having my future wedding here- it's that beautiful. so if you want to go get away from it all- come here and enjoy the peace and the beautiful nature- and their yummy sandwiches!
Absolutely gorgeous. Went while they had the Chihuly exhibit and it was phenomenal. Strongly recommend!!
Gosh I feel so bad writing this review since everyone loves this place. Which means that obviosly it's not the place it's me. The problem is that I was hoping to be amazed with this as I was with Vizcaya, but I wasn't. I was hoping to see better looking displays of flowers and tree's. But overall, it was really nice, especially being able to see all the different types of rare plants. And it's so nice to see the dedication of the volunteers who are there faithfully every week. In my opinion, been there saw it, and thats it.
I have been to Fairchild on a date and I have been here to photograph private events and parties. It is a great venue for both. The staff is friendly and informative. The grounds are well kept, but be warned, it gets hot on those long stretches of pathway in the full sun. Bring a cold drink and an unbrella for extra shade or take the guided tour (big golf cart) to make things easier on yourself. Of just go during the cooler months when this place is a *really wonderful* experience.
This place is spectacular and so underrated. If you want to truly appreciate the amazing natural beauty of Miami or just have a quiet moment to reflect on your life, come to Fairchild Garden. Walking the grounds, having a picnic, taking part in one of their many festivals is a great way to connect with nature (something people do too little of in general, and especially in Miami). You might also meet someone you like, and unlike a crowded, noisy, smokey bar, you might actually be able to talk to them too!
I haven't been here in years but even as a kid I remember enjoying Fairchild so much. It's a priceless experience to see what kind of variety we have in South Florida with plants. The place is kept very clean and well taken care of. It's especially worthwhile to come during one of the festvals. My favorite aspect was how peaceful the Gardens were. Excellent experience.
For original review with many nice photos, please see http://www.guiyanggal....
The garden was named after David Fairchild, whose lifelong passion was one of plant exploration, traveling all over the world searching for any and all plants which could be used for the benefit of mankind... He tracked down special herbs and other horticultural wonders of the time. His knowledge and travels brought many rare varieties of trees and tropical plants to America. Some, including mangos, dates and bamboo, which had not been heard of in this part of the world before.
Yes, this is a very special place in Miami, one of the largest botanical gardens of it's kind in America. Covering 83 acres, it is a vast rainforest right in the middle of suburban sprawl, one of the highlights of our visit in Miami.
Many colorful and exotic plants.
when i need some peace from the city my first choice is always fairchild. it's such a peaceful place located in Matheson Hammock Park. the gardens are just amazing. you'll find plants here you'll never see anywhere else in the US.
though i'm not one for tours usually (i like to explore on my own) i thoroughly suggest taking one of the tram tours when you first get there. the place can be overwhelming. the staff are mostly volunteers so you can tell they're doing what they love and they're all so knowledgeable. you'll also cover most of the gardens if you do the tram. then you can go off and explore on your own.
even though there are several places to eat inside the gardens... a little cafe, a restaurant and an afternoon tea thingy... i highly suggest packing a picnic. there's tables for you or you can go eat by the water on the grass (my fav). it can be super romantic or fun if you're in a group.
in addition to all the amazing plants, there's also tons of wildlife in the gardens. huge lizards, alligators, birds, etc. i honestly think ANYONE would fall in-love with fairchild. it's a good place to take kids (or just kids-at-heart) too.
and afterwards, plan on leaving around dinner time and head over to red fish grill (have reservations for eating out on the patio) to eat some tasty seafood, drink wine and watch the sun set over the bay.
EXTRA: the Chihuly exhibit at Fairchild is NOT to miss. especially when they open the place during the night. beautiful glass sculptures mixing with the organic shapes of the gardens all lit up... it's heaven on earth
very impressive...plus Free Admission on Sundays Aug-Sept! (thanks Maria) Check out the tram ride by 4 PM.
