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Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
5 reviews for Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
I LOVE THIS PLACE!
Anyone who is passionate about orchids or plants in general has to come here. I came here with my dad who finds my orchid/plant obsession quite odd haha. Anyhow he was fascinated by the diversity and beauty here!! Massive specimen size plants are all around the grounds, and there is this lovely banyan tree that I'd love to sit under forever. Oh and a lovely Koi poind how Zen.
Funky little lizards hanging around the place. I didn't want to leave!
I cant wait to come back and visit this beautiful place! Lucky Floridians!
Selby is tied with Siesta/Lido beaches and my Mom's house for my favorite place in Sarasota. I love it so much that I came *this* close to choosing the Selby lawn for my wedding.
The gardens are beautiful, diverse and well-kept and the staff is super friendly - they'll answer any question you have with a smile. The collection of hibiscus varieties is impressive, as are the orchids and the mangrove walk. The buildings are well-integrated into the landscaping and the views over the water are lovely. One of the best spots in the garden is on a bench at the end of the lawn - under the Buddha tree . . . a light breeze blowing, watching the water sparkle . . . serious daydream material.
I love Selby Gardens. It's a gorgeous spot to wander around and appreciate the beautiful flowers and landscaping. It's also right on the bay. They rent out spaces for parties too - and they have special events sometimes. I'm a big fan of the twinkle lights they put up at night around the holidays. If I had gotten married in Sarasota this was on my top 5 list of places :)
Also - I haven't been here since I became a picture-a-holic, but now that I see Katherine's review I might have to stop in with my camera next time I'm in town.
We spent the entire afternoon strolling around the twenty or so garden spots. The plants and flowers were amazing. My personal favorites were the koi pond and the octopus tree. We took hundreds, yes hundreds of pictures between my two daughters and I. I wore out by iPhone battery. This is a must see hot spot in Sarasota.
The cost of a $12, $6, or free admission ticket for children under 5 will buy you some time well spent in a 13 acre botanical garden nestled against the Sarasota Bay. Its collection of bromeliads and orchids is the second largest in the world. (London boasts the largest collection.) It is nationally and internationally respected and welcomes thousands of visitors a year who'll undoubtedly enjoy the small, but calm inducing man made koi pond, art exhibits in the Selby House, the butterfly garden, the garden of succulents, the awesome and beautiful banyans throughout the property, a bodi tree where Buddha received enlightenment, enjoy views of the bay, and local wildlife.
Many photographers don't mind lugging their heavy Nikon accessories across the 13 acres because there is a photo opportunity at every turn. A video shown in Cooley Theater will tell you, there are 20,000 greenhouse plants and 1,000 more outdoor plants and is one of Sarasota counties top ten attractions. If you're a lover of green space, gardening, and peace visit Selby for the full experience. I've posted pictures, but they lack the full sensual qualities that can only be experienced by a personal visit. Oh, for those who must stay in constant communicado (even while you're on vacation) there is free internet access in the reading room. You may sit there and eat your snack that was sold to you by a Thai girl so beautiful she should not be kept indoors. She should be greeting the visitors, after all some of Selby's most beautiful orchids and bromeliads are courtesy of her country. Enjoy!
