While Flamingo Gardens might not be on everyone’s bucket list, sometimes the most delightful discoveries happen by chance. En route to another destination, we stumbled upon the Flamingo Gardens in Davie, Florida, a true hidden gem. Flamingo Gardens, where lush greenery, fascinating wildlife encounters, and family-friendly activities come together to create an unforgettable experience. It’s a destination that might not be on your radar, but once discovered, it leaves an indelible mark on family memories.
Visiting Flamingo Gardens: What to See
This 60-acre botanical garden and Everglades wildlife sanctuary has been delighting families for over 50 years. Flamingo Gardens offers a peaceful natural retreat, with beautiful botanical gardens, fascinating wildlife encounters, and family-friendly activities.
Families can explore a wide variety of exotic and native flora spread out over the sprawling grounds. Wander through bamboo groves, palm tree forests, and lush tropical gardens blooming with vibrant orchids, bromeliads, and hibiscus flowers. Savor the beauty of Mother Nature’s kaleidoscope of colors when you witness one of the largest collections of crotons housed by the gardens. Let your little ones burn off some energy in the Children’s Maze Garden, featuring kid-sized tunnels, arbors, and mazes built right into the landscape. The songbirds flitting through the trees bring vivid color as well as sweet serenades to visitors. The nature tram is the best way to navigate the property with a narrated tour of all the exhibits.
One of the main highlights is getting up-close with Everglades wildlife. At Flamingo Gardens, families can hand-feed colorful flamingos and get within inches of alligators and crocodiles safely behind glass. Learn fun facts during live animal encounters with hawks, owls, opossums and snakes. Say hello to the playful river otters as they splash and swim. For an extra special experience, book a private Backstage Encounter to be up close and personal with some of the favorite residents.
Visiting Flamingo Gardens: What to Expect
Flamingo Gardens offers timed-entry ticketing, with admission tickets starting at $24.00 for adults and $17.00 for kids ages 4-11. Annual passes are also available for frequent visitors. The gardens are open daily from 9:30am to 5pm, with the last entry at 4pm. Plan to spend 2-3 hours exploring the botanical gardens and wildlife sanctuary.
After an action-packed day at Flamingo Gardens, take the family to downtown Davie for dinner and ice cream. Main Street in the historic district features cute cafes and pizzerias. For sweet treats, stop by one of the many ice cream parlors found in the area. Drive just 15 minutes east to enjoy the beautiful public beach at Dania Beach Pier. Dig your toes in the sand and watch the sunset over the ocean waves.
Although the nature preserve was not on our itinerary, the hot pink flamingos stole our hearts with their vibrant elegance and funny antics leaving an unexpected imprint on our spontaneous adventure. Flamingo Gardens, a hidden gem not only delighted us with lush landscapes and fascinating wildlife, but also became a cherished chapter in our memory book.
Visiting Flamingo Gardens: Book Your Stay
Book your stay in Davie, Florida:
More Adventures in South Florida
For more family-friendly adventures in South Florida, we recommend the following road trip itineraries:
- Palm Beach Gardens to Miami: https://www.roadtripsforfamilies.com/south-florida-road-trip-palm-beach-gardens-to-miami/
- Fort Myers to Marco Island: https://www.roadtripsforfamilies.com/fort-myers-to-marco-island-best-southwest-florida-road-trip-itinerary/
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Happy Trails!