Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden
The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is the only frost-free botanical garden in the continental United States.The garden advocates the importance of native plants and species through education in a natural conservation habitat.Visit us in the Garden!
Scroll down for news and information you’ll need to enjoy the tropical forest and botanical garden.
Visiting Hours
Open daily:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
How much does it cost?
Adult
- All day pass
Senior
- All day pass
Child
- With adult admission
Active & Retired Military
- All day pass
- Up to 5 family members
- We are grateful for your service
Thank you to our latest partner, Blue Star Museums. Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America. Each summer since 2010, Blue Star Museums have offered free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Garden Amenities
- Free parking and picnic area. Buses welcome
- Smartphone tours with audio/text
- Bicycle rack. Cycle over and lock up
- Free wifi. Look for Botanical Guest
- Gift shop. Local, handmade gifts
- Water refill station. Gift shop also sells cold beverages
- Restrooms. Both are ADA compliant
- Bring the dog. And a leash, of course
Garden Accessibility
Getting Here
By Key West bus
There is a public bus stop at the Garden. View the Key West bus schedule.
Driving directions
- From Highway US 1 South, turn right at the stoplight onto College Road. Turn right at the Garden entrance. Follow the signs to parking.
- From Old Town or the beaches, cross the Cow Key channel bridge from Key West and take first left onto College Road at the stoplight. Turn right at the Garden entrance. Follow the signs to parking.
What will we see and do?
While it’s fun to wander our paths and enjoy the tropical forest and garden, be sure to explore our special exhibits
Visitor Center
Enjoy a cold beverage, shop for mementos and gifts including locally handmade items.Birding in the Garden
The Garden is visited by numerous species throughout the year. Both migrating and locally situated, birders have a great time searching for their missing species on their lifetime checklist. To see what different types of birds have been sighted in the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden recently, visit our Bird Sightings Page.
Champion Trees of the Garden
Plant and Tree Nursery
The Key West Botanical Garden Nursery provides plants native to the Florida Keys, Cuba and the Caribbean Basin for Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden plant replacement, new exhibits, sales and educational opportunities and provides plants for restoration sites.
We propagate and care for 150+ plant species that are native to the Florida Keys and 20+ plant species native to Cuba and the Caribbean Basin. 40% of the Florida Keys natives are considered threatened, endangered or commercially exploited.
The Nursery is involved with the Florida state Endangered Plant Advisory Council (EPAC) and has received multiple grants from the group. Education is an important part of the Nursery’s function. The Nursery provides workshops, discussions, and tours for school groups, Garden Clubs and individuals. It is a platform for events and Education Department programs. The Nursery has had interaction with City of Key West and Monroe County Extension services through shared projects and event involvement..
The third Saturday of each month we open the the nursery from 9 a.m.-Noon for the general public to purchase select inventory.
Cuban Chugs Exhibit
Nature Library
Living Collections Policy
A report to the Endangered Plant Advisory Council of the State of Florida regarding a garden collection, propagation and outplanting project.
Historical Assessment
Learn about the history of this unique place and where some of the original buildings and were and the traces left from years past.
Land and historic habitats report
Learn about the different habitats of this unique place and the rare species of trees that inhabit them.
Alternatives plant guide
Learn how you can help by planting native species instead of exotic invasives.
Garden Champion Tree Map
View the map of the locations of all of our current and former champion trees. Note: Hurricane Irma in September 2017 damaged or destroyed many of our champion trees.
Garden Bird Checklist
Help us preserve, develop and expand the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden as an arboretum, botanical garden, museum, wildlife refuge and habitat
What would you like to do today?
Become a member
Memberships include unlimited free admission, special events, gift shop discounts, volunteer opportunities and offers from our partners.
Check events calendar
There's always something to do in the botanical garden and tropical forest. The latest schedules for yoga, plant sales, speaker series and more.
Become a volunteer
Our volunteers get their hands dirty -- or not. We have opportunities for volunteers who love people, plants, trees and animals.
Make a donation
Sustain and preserve our fragile Florida Keys ecosystems. Purchase endangered plants and trees and support educational programs.
Schedule a venue
Wedding? Family reunion? Company outing? Whatever you're planning, our venues are the perfect setting for your special event.
Education
Student and adult education: Speaker Series, Species Spotlight and StoryTime are among our extensive in-person and online courses.