With over 30 acres of cultivated gardens to explore, be sure to plan your visit accordingly. We suggest you allow 2 hours to fully explore the Gardens and take in all that Mother Nature has in store for you.

Given the scope of available adventures that await you during your visit, let us help you in organizing your day:

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	Stop by at the Welcome Center and collect informational brochures, self-guided tours and learn more about the Pinellas County Extension (closed on weekends)
	Simply stroll through the gardens starting with the pond and bridge in the parking lot. This retention pond helps filter runoff water before it is returned to McKay Creek. In the pond you will see a variety of submerged plants and the banks are planted with a mixture of natives and exotics suitable for the site. Clearly the wildlife enjoys our efforts.
	Continue to the boardwalk bridge which will take you across McKay Creek to the Formal Gardens. Pause to look for more wild animals which are attracted to this meandering creek. Osprey, hawks, various wading birds, turtles and alligators call this creek home.
	Once in the Formal Gardens, you may wish to explore the many fascinating areas we have created here. The stunning Wedding Garden where you can imagine the happy couples we have hosted here, surrounded by white-flowering plants, four individual gardens, and a magnificent gazebo.
	Exiting the Wedding Garden from the east, you will find yourself in the shady and exotic Tropical Walk. Here you will find a collection of colorful and fascinating plants suited to our sultry climate. Date palms, tapioca, ginger and bromeliads are among the delights to be discovered here.
	The Tropical Walk will lead you to the Tropical Courtyard. Here you may wish to relax in the Tropical Pavilion, or admire the beautiful containers planted with many fragrant plants. Go on, have a sniff!
	Across the Plaza visit the Palm Garden, where our collection of this interesting group of plants are well laid-out for individual attention. Palms are among the most economically important plants in the world, providing food, fiber, building materials and oils, among to help keep the world’s economies running. Sadly many palms are now endangered, being over-harvested or losing habitat. Take time to admire these beautiful and important trees.
	The beach-themed picnic tables in this garden might be the perfect spot to pause and eat your picnic lunch. See what you can re-use, recycle or compost from your snack! Try to have a “waste-free” experience—for the good of the Planet.
	Leaving the Formal Gardens head north along McKay Creek to the northernmost of our three bridges. Here you will cross into the Demonstration Gardens, the first of which will be the Retention Pond Demonstration Area on your right. Stroll along the perimeter of this wildlife haven, but be alert for alligators!
	This retention pond acts as a filter for the water rushing off the large parking lot next door. From this pond the water will enter McKay creek which runs from Walsingham Reservoir to the south to Taylor Lake to the north. From there the creek turns west and empties into the inter-coastal waterway and finally the Gulf of Mexico. As stewards of this precious bit of waterway, we have allowed the banks of McKay Creek to grow up, filling in with native vegetation.
	The next Garden you will come to is the Tropical Fruit Demonstration Area, where you will discover pineapple, guava, papaya, mango, citrus, and over 20 varieties of banana. Take time to enjoy this shady garden and see what other familiar fruits and foods you can find.
	You will next arrive at the extensive Herb Garden Demonstration Area, home for a vast collection of plants with historical significance. Some of these fragrant treasures have been used for medicine, some as flavorings and some in magic and ritual! Discover papyrus growing in the Egyptian Pool, find coffee beans as they grow before ending up in our mugs. As you walk these brick paths, take note of all the fragrances lingering in the air.
	The Patio Garden with its small pond, fountain, gazebo and charming plantings may give you some ideas for sprucing up your own yard. All the plants were chosen to be appropriate for the site, and require only a minimum of irrigation and maintenance.
	Now you will be back at the Welcome Center and you will want to explore the delights on offer at the Gift Shop. If you’ve not brought your lunch, be sure to pick up a list of local restaurants. Surely you’ve worked up an appetite by now!

If your schedule allows you may wish to cross the parking lot to Heritage Village. Here you will find a fascinating collection of historical buildings lovingly restored to their original condition with fascinating interpretation including a host of knowledgeable docents to help you understand the buildings you enjoy.

Also on site the fabulous Gulf Coast Museum of Art, where you can explore collections of artwork created by Florida and Southeastern artists. Please note, the Museum’s galleries are closed on Mondays, and there is an admission charge to view the indoor collections. You may, however explore the outdoor sculptures, which dot the landscape and settle within this extension of the Gardens; including the Succulent Collection along the main path.