Visit Gainesville’s Kanapaha Botanical Gardens–You’ll Be Surprised!

Posted on by Tommy Thompson
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Kanapaha Botanical Gardens 4700 S.W. 58th Drive Gainesville, FL 32608 Entrance on S.W. Archer Road (State Road 24) 1 mile west of Interstate 75 (exit #384) Phone Number: (352) 372-4981 Email: kbotanical@gmail.com

 

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Kanapaha Gardens’ grounds are maintained year-round, at the ready for visiting nature lovers.

While the names Bellingrath, Callaway and Selby bring to mind some of the south’s great botanical gardens, Gainesville’s Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is often overlooked by even the most enthusiastic garden lovers.  Florida’s climate is generally tropical, and Gainesville can be hot, but being north of Tampa Bay, where the “tropics” start and it really gets hot, a summer visit to the gardens is lots of fun, provided you go early and avoid the mid-day sun.  However, as fall approaches, full days are easily spent enjoying the peaceful sights at the gardens.

 

HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday – 9am til 5pm
Tuesday – 9am til 5pm
Wednesday – 9am til 5pm
Thursday – Closed
Friday – 9am til 5pm
Saturday – 9am til the earlier of 7:00pm or dusk
Sunday – 9am til the earlier of 7:00pm or dusk

  • Hours of operation during special events differ from hours listed above (please see events)
  • We are closed for Christmas Day
  • No entry 45 minutes before closing

ADMISSION PRICE (NON-SCHOOL GROUPS)

  • Adults: $7 plus tax
  • Children (ages 6-13): $3.50 plus tax
  • Children under 6: Free (when accompanied by parent)
  • Note: admission prices vary for days with special events (please see events)

*Price increase effective January 1, 2016 (Adults $4, Children ages 5-13 $4)

Here’s a blurb from the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens website that gives a good overview of all the gardens’ potential:

“Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is comprised of 24 major collections visually accessible from a 1 ½ mile paved walkway. These include the state’s largest public display of bamboos and the largest herb garden in the Southeast. Some of Kanapaha’s gardens are organized taxonomically; others demonstrate principles of ecology or natural selection. Kanapaha’s signature plants include a premier stand of Chinese royal bamboo (Wong Chuk), and–during the warm months–giant Victoria water lilies and Asian snake arums. The months offering the most color are June through September. Except during special events, like our Spring Garden Festival and Moonlight Walk, dogs are permitted on leashes. Picnic baskets are welcome and there is a picnic area very close to the entrance building. Kanapaha’s walkways are largely wheelchair accessible and benches, gazebos and other rest stations are liberally spaced throughout the facility. An exceptional gift shop offers a varied and unusual array of items including original art and treasures from the natural world. Kanapaha hosts many special events throughout the year including North Central Florida’s premier horticultural event, the Spring Garden Festival. Another must-see is our Moonlight Walk when the paths and meadows are illuminated by special laser lights and more than 1500 luminaries; live music is featured as well. And we host our annual Winter Bamboo Sale during January  and February. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is a premier Gainesville wedding venue with both indoor and outdoor rental for wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions, meetings, retreats, conferences and other social functions.”

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