Deep below street level lies a hidden garden. It’s no official Garden of Eden, but it’s close. The Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, FL, is a historic site nestled amid the city. Tall buildings, apartment complexes, and Panera Bread (seriously) pay homage to city living just beyond the garden gates. Though, once you enter, you forget you’re in a city at all.
After spending an hour and a half in awe of the lush and vivid greenery, we think the Sunken Gardens is one of the best things to do in St. Petersburg. Here’s your expert guide to making the most of your visit.
Why you want to read this: You’re looking for things to do in St. Pete, FL, or you’re curious about what to expect from visiting the Sunken Gardens.
Sunken Gardens Overview
The history of Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, Florida, is fascinating. It was originally founded in 1903 by a local plumber named George Turner who drained a shallow lake on the property to plant a garden. Over the years, Turner transformed the site into a lush, tropical oasis featuring exotic plants, winding pathways, and water features.
In 1924, the garden was purchased by the city of St. Petersburg and opened to the public as a tourist attraction. It quickly became a popular destination for visitors looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Throughout the mid-20th century, the Sunken Gardens continued to expand and thrive, adding new plants, sculptures, and structures to enhance the garden’s beauty. In 1999, the site was designated a local historic landmark and became part of the city’s cultural heritage.
The garden is home to over 50,000 tropical plants and flowers, including orchids, bromeliads, and cycads, as well as a variety of wildlife, such as flamingos, parrots, and koi fish.
Today, the Sunken Gardens remains a popular attraction in St. Petersburg because of its peaceful ambiance and stunning botanical displays. Even those who live in Florida frequently visit.
How Deep Is Sunken Gardens?
Sunken Gardens sits 10 feet below sea level, and the deepest part of the gardens is 15 feet below street level.
Getting There From Downtown
Sunken Gardens address: 1825 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704
To get to the Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg from downtown, you can:
- Head south on 4th St S toward Delmar Terr S
- Turn left onto Delmar Terr S
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto 3rd St S
- Turn left onto 5th Ave N
- Use the right two lanes to turn right onto 4th St N
Destination will be on the right side of the road with a big sign. You can’t miss it.
Parking
We found parking to be quite tedious. Granted, we did visit on a Sunday.
When you pull into the parking lot, you’ll notice that it is one large lot shared between the Sunken Gardens, Great Explorations Children’s Museum, and Carrabba’s Italian Grill.
You can park anywhere in the parking lot. If it is full, circle around a couple of times, and a spot will likely open. When we arrived, there were only a handful of open spots, but people were constantly coming and going, so parking spots opened up consistently.
For those with accessibility concerns, there are accessible parking spots close to the entrance. And there is a pull-up spot for quick drop-offs.
Overflow street parking is located along Crescent Lake Park on the west side of 4th St. along 22nd Ave. N.
Hours
Sunken Gardens hours as of today:
Monday 10 AM–4:30 PM
Tuesday 10 AM–4:30 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–4:30 PM
Thursday 10 AM–4:30 PM
Friday 10 AM–4:30 PM
Saturday 10 AM–4:30 PM
Sunday 12–4:30 PM
Please note that Sunken Gardens is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Entering the Sunken Gardens
Once you park, walk toward the main buildings. You will see the Great Explorations Children’s Museum entrance and an arrow pointing to the right. The entrance to the Sunken Gardens is a few steps away.
Once you enter the lobby, you’ll notice it is a shared lobby with the museum. There are noticeable signs directing you to the ticket counter for the Sunken Gardens. You’ll purchase a ticket here, receive a map if you’d like one, and then head out a door into the garden’s starting point.
Cost to Enter
As of today, it costs $15 per adult, $12 per senior (62+), and $6 per child (2-12). There is an active military or veteran discount.
Pro Tip: We used Groupon for two adult admissions and saved 50%. Check Groupon for discounts before arriving. You can purchase the Groupon tickets before you arrive, or you can show the attendant the Groupon discount and they will price match for you on the spot.
Restrooms
The only restrooms in the Sunken Gardens are in the main lobby where you first enter. Use the restroom before you head out, or you’ll have to walk back to the lobby.
Accessibility
Most of the trails at Sunken Gardens are fully ADA-accessible. Guests are welcome to bring wheelchairs and walkers, although these items are not provided on site. We saw many electric wheelchairs and mobility aids.
Some paths may have a steeper incline than others, but there are alternative routes to access all areas. We noticed the steepest incline was near the lowest point in the gardens.
Shaded and exposed bench seating is spread throughout the gardens, offering a chance to rest and take in the beauty of the foliage. Some seating is covered from rain, while most are not.
Only ADA service-trained dogs are allowed inside Sunken Gardens. While visiting, service animals must be leashed or harnessed and under the complete control and care of the guest, including clean-up.
Prior to visiting, reach out to Sunken Gardens with any accessibility concerns or questions.
What You Will See at Sunken Gardens
Gaze in awe at hundreds of tropical plants and flowers — some of the oldest in the region. Relax under canopies of lush greenery. Feel your worries wash away in the many small waterfalls and water features. And find companionship among the parrots, koi fish, flamingos, and butterflies.
Botanical Gardens
Sunken Gardens supports over 500 species of exotic and native plants, countless towering trees, and over 50,000 tropical plants and flowers. It is a true sight to behold and feels as if you stepped into a jungle far beyond the reaches of Florida.
Chilean Flamingos Exhibit
The flamingo flock is one of the most popular stops along the garden trail. Their mannerisms are so interesting to watch.
You cannot feed the flamingos unless you’re attending the Flamingo Festival.
Pro Tip: Most people stop at the main viewing point to observe the flamingos. However, there are two or three other viewing points that are less crowded and provide equal visibility. Follow the trail around the “back” of the flamingo exhibit to get another view.
Parrots and Aviary
Did you know that elder parrots have a home in this botanical garden? Sunken Gardens provides rehabilitation to injured and aging parrots, also offering a home to parrots whose owners could no longer care for them.
Turtle Exhibit
Rest in peace, Mac, the alligator snapping turtle that resided at the botanical gardens for over 50 years. A new baby turtle is in his place, and he (or she?) is adorable. Look closely at the turtle exhibit, and you might spot the new addition.
How long do people stay at Sunken Gardens?
We spent about an hour and a half casually strolling through the gardens. Realistically, one to two hours is plenty of time to make a full lap. There are no time restrictions on how long you can stay in the gardens, so stay as long or as short as you’d like.
Sunken Gardens Rentals
You can rent out designated areas in the Sunken Gardens for family gatherings, corporate events, or weddings. Wedding ceremonies can take place on the North Lawn, historic Wedding Lawn, or Oak Pavilion. For celebrations, those will take place in the Garden Room, which is part of the historic main building.
We recommend looking at their wedding brochure or calling (727) 551-3106 to learn more about rental availability and booking your wedding or event.
Yoga at Sunken Gardens
You might notice a large white tent off the path. This is where Awaken 2 Yoga hosts their yoga classes and events. Check their Facebook page or look for flyers near the main garden entrance announcing dates.
Book a Tour
While a self-led walkthrough of the gardens is the quickest and easiest way to experience their beauty, you can book a tour. Tours are intended for groups, and you must book a group tour well in advance. The tours are docent-led, interactive, about an hour and a half long, and appropriate for all age groups.
Note that you must submit a request for a tour before it is considered booked.
Can You Film and Take Photos at Sunken Gardens?
Pack your camera because you can take photos and film videos at the Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg. When we visited, we saw plenty of people capturing their experiences with photos and videos.
However, if you intend to shoot for commercial purposes, you must submit a request.
Can You Bring Food Into the Sunken Gardens?
You can bring lunch, water, or snacks with you into the gardens. There is actually a large lawn area you can sit on and have a picnic if you’d like. The lawn is further into the gardens, closer to the exit. Please be mindful of trash.
Fill your water bottle up in the lobby area when you arrive, as there are no water fountains in the garden.
Nearby Food Options
While there is no on-site restaurant, Sunken Gardens is located in a populated area of town near plenty of dining options. Carrabba’s Italian Grill is quite literally a few steps away, as they share a parking lot.
If you’re not in the mood for Italian, other nearby eateries include Outback Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Karma Eatery, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and more.
The area is very walkable, which means you could visit the gardens and then walk a few blocks to grab a bite to eat.
Is There a Gift Shop?
Upon exiting the Sunken Gardens, you will leave through the gift shop. It sells all sorts of merchandise ranging from local honey to stuffed animals, flamingo-themed gifts, jewelry, and children’s toys.
Is Visiting the Sunken Gardens in St. Pete worth it?
Photos don’t do it justice. Visiting the Sunken Gardens in St. Pete is absolutely worth it if you enjoy nature, plants, and all that comes with it. The sheer magnitude of the trees is mesmerizing, let alone the incredibly vivid flowers.
As a nature enthusiast, I could have easily spent hours just sitting on a bench and watching the world go by. If you have any questions about planning your visit, head to the official website.
0 Comments