McKee Botanical Garden

Established by local legend Waldo E. Sexton in 1929 with the guidance of landscape architect William Lyman Phillips, a carefully designed tropical garden emerged under a canopy of old and venerable native trees.

Dense tropical vegetation fills the understory beneath ancient trees. Water features such as ponds and fountains accent open spaces. The trails meander, making the space feel bigger than it is.

For a morning or afternoon of botanical beauty, McKee Botanical Garden is a worthy destination for visitors of all ages.

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

South Florida Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

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Overview

Location: Vero Beach
Trailhead: 27.607301,-80.382715
Address: 350 US 1, Vero Beach
Fees: $15 adults, $13 seniors, $10 ages 2-12. Other discounts available
Phone: 772-794-0601

Open Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5. Closed major holidays.

Directions

Just off US 1 in Vero Beach south of SR 60, immediately south of the traffic light for Indian River Drive.

About the Gardens

By the 1940s, McKee Jungle Gardens was one of Florida’s top tourist attractions. It closed in 1976, and most of the property was sold and developed.

Fortunately, the core of the gardens remained, and with them, outstanding pieces of tropical-themed architecture.

Thanks to the Indian River Land Trust, the core 18 acres reopened in 2001 after $9.1 million of restoration work.

Mazy pathways wind through the Royal Palm Grove and over stone bridges, into thickets of bamboo and past landmark trees. We racked up nearly a mile walking around the gardens without repeating any pathways.

Themed sections, like the bamboo pavilion, the lily ponds, and the meditation garden, provide serene niches for relaxation and reading.

Inside a tropical hall with a long table — The Hall of Giants was built around a table that is a single slab of tropical wood

Revisit the history of this famed garden through displays near the entrance, including the massive Hall of Giants. For gardeners and researchers, there is a botanical reference library on site.

With a new interactive childrens’ garden and regular special events and art installations, McKee Botanical Garden remains a fun destination for families today, just as it was when we were kids.