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McKee Botanical Garden Has Something for Everyone

Last Updated on January 9, 2023

If you are looking for a place to get away, there is no better place to heal and recharge than McKee Botanical Garden! Located on an 18-acre tropical hammock in beautiful Vero Beach, the garden features something for all ages.

Photo of palm trees at McKee Botanical Gardens

What plants can you see at McKee Botanical Garden?

McKee Botanical Garden is a gardening beauty where native and exotic plants combine with Old Florida charm. The Garden features 10,000 native and tropical plants, as well as one of the largest waterlily collections in the state of Florida.

The collection also has over 80 types and over 300 potted and 100 free-range plants, including night and day-blooming varieties. McKee’s ponds and waterways are currently adorned with a vast array of water lilies in many colors and smells.

History of McKee Botanical Garden

Thousands of visitors come to the Garden each year to learn about McKee’s rich history!

Photo of the Zen Garden at McKee Botanical Gardens

Visitors also enjoy the natural landscape of grand palms, exotic plants, trees, waterfalls, tranquil streams, and historic structures like the Hall of Giants and Spanish Kitchen. McKee Botanical Garden is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Garden Conservancy also endorses McKee Botanical Garden as a project of national importance.

McKee Botanical Garden Art and Culture

The Garden is currently hosting its Ocean Sole Africa sculpture display. Specifically, this exhibit features 40 marine-life species made from recycled flip-flops that have washed up on the shore of Africa.

Photo of a turtle sculpture at McKee Botanical Gardens

Also, on display is internationally-acclaimed artist, Patrick Dougherty and his son Sam’s ‘Grand Central’ Stickwork sculpture.

Patrick and Sam built this sculpture in January 2020 with the help of McKee volunteers. This intricate masterpiece is made completely from willow branches, weaves, and twists among the regal palms in the Royal Palm Garden.

McKee Botanical Children’s Garden

The new Children’s Garden at McKee, which opened in January 2020, is a natural addition to McKee’s existing offerings. Overall, it is designed to spark imagination and curiosity in children through interactive exploration where children can Explore, Discover, and Just Be a Kid. 

The Children’s Garden features include the Scorpion Shipwreck in the Grand Discovery Tree, a Fairy Circle & Fairy Forest Trail, Nautilus Shell Amphitheatre, Karst Splash Garden, Waterlily Fountain, Music Maze, Bamboo Village, Blue Crab Reading Circle & Stumpery, and Sandridge and also Pollinator Garden. Florida’s I-95 Welcome Center Kids Zone display also features The Children’s Garden.

National Publicity

McKee was on the cover of Southern Living magazine in February 2020! This feature also showcased Vero Beach, Amelia Island, and Apalachicola.

Photo of the McKee house at McKee Botanical Gardens

The Garden has also earned national attention in publications such as Better Homes and Gardens, Coastal Living, House and Garden, Travel & Leisure, and also The New York Times. McKee is also one of “22 Secret Gardens – Soothing Places of Surprise and Sanctuary in the U.S. and Canada” by National Geographic Traveler.

TripAdvisor.com gave McKee Botanical Garden the Hall of Fame Excellence Award in 2019.

Research has found that exposure to nature offers mental and physical health benefits for both adults and children. Nature walks help reduce stress, reduce depression, and improve mental focus, and immune system function. Come explore and discover the many wonders of McKee.

To see all of McKee’s offerings – visit their website at www.mckeegarden.org.

Photo of water at the McKee Botanical Gardens

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday (10 am – 5 pm), Sunday (Noon – 5 pm). Closed Mondays and major holidays. You can buy a ticket up until 4 pm.

Admission: $15 for Adults, $13 for Seniors (65+)/Youth (13-17), $10 for Children (2-12)/Military. McKee members and also children under 2 are free.

About McKee Botanical Garden

McKee Botanical Garden is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to nurture and enhance a historic garden in a unique tropical setting for the education, enjoyment, and enrichment of all. McKee Botanical Garden is located at 350 US Highway 1 in Vero Beach.