If you ever find yourself in Naples, FL, make sure to visit the Naples Botanical Garden. A true oasis 3 miles from downtown Naples, this award-winning botanical garden is like stepping into a slice of tropical paradise.
I love visiting botanical gardens wherever I travel, but there is just something about the Naples Botanical Garden. It’s visually stunning. My family has been visiting Naples for years now, and even with so much to do between the beach, the pool, Naples’ own zoo, and a vibrant downtown, the botanical garden always makes it to the top of the list of places to visit.
What makes the Naples Botanical Garden so special? Honestly, it’s a world all its own, one that is lush, green and exotic. It really is like being whisked away to some far-away island full of colorful and unique plants and vegetation. It’s a serene escape that is perfect for when you need a break from the every day beach scene.
The Naples Botanical Garden is comprised of 170 acres and features plants from around the world. There are several themed gardens, including the Asian Garden, Brazilian Garden, Caribbean Garden, Florida Garden and Children’s Garden. All have their individual look to them and are beautiful in their own way. Walking around them is a real treat, and I would go so far as to say, feels therapeutic. If you’re having a bad day, head to the Naples Botanical Garden!
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Of all the gardens, however, it has to be the Children’s Garden where my family and I spend most of our time. I cannot tear my kids away from this garden – they are obsessed! On our past trip to Naples my daughter insisted we go to the Naples Botanical Garden before we left, as the Children’s garden is one of her favorite activities in all of Naples. It’s easy to see why – it looks right out of a children’s fairytale.
The Naples Botanical Garden has done an amazing job with the Children’s Garden, and families from far and wide come to visit. The garden’s designer, Herb Schaal, is a landscape designer who in 2008 was named Designer of the Year by the American Horticultural Society. He specializes in public gardens, including educational gardens for children, and has created a playful and whimsical children’s garden at the Naples Botanical Garden. It’s hard not to fall in love with it, as it brings out the child in all of us.
There are fountains to play in (bring bathing suits), a miniature house to go into, flowers to water, a tree house to climb, ramps to run along, a waterfall to walk under, a butterfly conservatory to walk through, a tower to climb, lilly pads to jump over, scavenger hunts to play, sandcastles to build. It’s a kid’s dream come true, full of wonder and exploration. Kids go bananas for this garden, and you’d be tight pressed to walk in and out. There’s so much to discover, they can spend hours there.
Once we’re able to pull ourselves away from the Children’s Garden, we enjoy walking through the rest of the gardens, and seeing what types of vegetation and plants are like from around the world in the Asian, Brazilian, Caribbean and Floridian gardens. The landscape design is so well-done that every time I visit I’m in awe. We usually wrap up our visit with a snack and drink at the Fogg Café, and then browse the gift shop, which is beautiful.
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The Naples Botanical Garden has a variety of educational – and entertaining – exhibitions throughout the year. It offers a wide range of programming for both adults and children, as well has several fundraising events year-round. It’s a gem of a place, and one I would highly recommend visiting if you’re in Naples.
The Naples Botanical Garden is located at 4820 Bayshore Drive in Naples, and the telephone number is 239.643.7275. For more information such as hours and pricing see their website here.
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Linking up with #Citytripping and #FarawayFiles
This post SO makes me want to spend an entire day at the Naples Botanical Garden. What an enchanting and peaceful place for kids of all ages. I adore the boot and old sneaker planters!! I can’t wait to visit next month when I will be in the area. Thanks for sharing all the details – I am overdue for a taste of the tropical and exotic.
Author
Wish we could go in April with you guys..don’t you love all the cousin pics?! Good times.
We always find we visit Botanical Gardens when visiting new places. Getting outside, around nature & beautiful gardens is so good for the soul! These sound like amazing gardens!
Author
Same here..so good for the soul :). Plus just beautiful. We love them!
We love visiting botanical gardens, and this one looks particularly good! I visited the one in Atlanta recently, and loved wandering through all the different themed areas. #citytripping
Author
We particularly love this one, because it’s so exotic. But I enjoy exploring them anywhere on my travels!
I’ve only discovered over the past few years how good botanical gardens are with kids. The children’s garden sounds wonderful but the space and the cool is always tempting as well. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Author
I love botanical gardens…let the kids run free and relax!
Looks amazing! We also love botanical gardens but this one looks really special for kids – I know mine would love it here too, especially the hammocks and the quirky plant pots. Your photos are beautiful! #citytripping
Author
Oh, thank you! I love the quirkiness to this botanical garden..makes it for a unique experience.The plant plots crack me up!
I’m not much of a botanical garden kind of person which is strange because I loooove floral but this one definitely has me itching to visit! Pinned for later! #FarawayFiles
That children’s garden looks great!
Author
It’s awesome!
Never did that side of Florida, but I hear it is beautiful, great garden for sure! #farawayfiles
Author
It’s a beauty 🙂
Heading to Florida soon. Going to add this to our list. Thanks for the inspiration.
Author
Oh good – thanks!
It definitely does look like a perfect day out and something different than the beach when you’re ready for a break from the sand! I love a good Botanical Garden. Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Author
I have such a thing for botanical gardens. Love them!
How beautiful are these botanical gardens in Naples! I have a huge love for botanical gardens and this reminds me of being in Kirstenbosch B.Gardens in Cape Town, having a picnic and listening to a jazz band 🙂
Author
Oh that sounds wonderful!
We love visiting botanical gardens. The one in Naples looks like a good one. #FarawayFiles
Author
It’s probably my favorite botanical garden in the States.
I love botanical gardens and this one looks like a stunner #farawayfiles
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It’s gorg
These pictures are absolutely stunning. What a wonderful place to spend a day!
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Thank you!
That looks fantastic. I have a thing for botanical gardens, but I daresay… they loo quite different here in The Netherlands 😉 That tropical vegetation is amazing!
#FarawayFiles
Author
Haha – I’m sure very different. But I would love to see the ones in the Netherlands!
What a great place to take photos and wander around! I love botanical gardens, and those look lovely! #FarawayFiles
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Thank you! 🙂
I’m with you on botanical gardens too – I always search them out in the cities we visit. We have a local garden in Oxford which I primarily enjoy visiting for the heated greenhouses in winter. I imagine the cold is not a problem in Naples! #farawayfiles
Author
Nope! Though actually you’d be surprised. Sometimes it is. I love heated greenhouses, they’re the best 🙂
We love botanical gardens too and this one looks pretty awesome! I had to laugh when you said a break from the beach! Ha ha! However, living so close to one I actually get that! #farawayfiles
Author
Haha! I love beaches but can antsy and like to mix things up sometimes..not all times though!;)
Wow! This looks amazing, I’m with you on visiting Botanical Gardens, but then I am a Pantsman’s daughter and so there must be something in the genes, they always such interesting places at all times of year #CulturedKids
Author
Haha. I agree, year round they’re wonderful.
A botanical garden is not often at the top of my list as a place to visit, however, this garden is really appealing for all ages. It’s lovely to enjoy somewhere that makes you appreciate nature and forces you take things at a slower pace of life.
Loved the wellies #farawayfiles
Author
Aren’t the wellies fab. I love nature, so I love botanical gardens, but get they may not be everyone’s speed..
Oh it looks beautiful! I’m definitely adding it to my Florida to do list. #FarawayFiles
Author
Yes!
I love to discover botanical gardens too. I have to recognize I prefer those that are colorful and varied. I have been to some places but have not seen a Children’s Garden like in Naples. The one there is fantastic. I like the idea of turning kids into fans of a beautiful place like this. #FarawayFiles
Author
It is the best children’s garden I’ve seen. I think they’ve actually won a bunch of awards for it.
I was a little bit surprised when you said that your kids loved the children’s garden. Only because I sometimes equate gardens with being boring for kids, but I love that the Naples Botanical Garden has a really tailored garden that kids can run around and play in! #FarawayFiles
Author
Oh, this Children’s Garden is a kid’s paradise. They did such a good job with it – it’s like being in a fairytale.
Some botanical gardens are kept well, some aren’t – looks like Naples did a great job with their botanical gardens and they made it looked fun! 🙂 #FarawayFiles
Author
It’s a very well-kept one..stunning
Wow it looks beautiful – lovely to see how they’ve made it inviting and appealing to kids too #FarawayFiles
Author
Yes, a kids’ heaven 🙂
How great that they have a special garden for the children (which I would love, too!). I can see children possibly being bored by a botanical garden. This is a lovely place. Your photos are so peaceful.
Author
Thank you. I know what you mean but this one is far from boring. They did a really great job with how to entice the kids. I love it too!
Absolutely love the idea of a children’s garden! This looks inspirational, educational and fun – what a superb place. Being European, I find it kind of amusing that the garden designer is called Herb. ;o) #FarawayFiles
Author
I know I thought the same thing!!!
I always love visiting botanical gardens and you’re right, this one does look stunning! I hadn’t heard of it before so thank you for showing me something new that I’ll hopefully be able to see during my next trip to FL! 🙂 #farawayfiles
Author
Oh, thanks Caity!
It looks like a lovely little break to take! The children’s gardens especially look quite nice. It’s nice to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy nature every now and then. Thanks for sharing! #FarawayFiles
Author
Thank you! I agree!
We’ve been considering a trip to Naples and Marco Island, but weren’t sure of what to see/do in the area besides the pier. Riddle solved! Holding on to this piece for our developing itinerary. Thanks for putting the Botanical Garden on our radar! #farawayfiles
Author
Thanks! There’s actually a lot to do in Naples besides the beach…nice downtown with lots of restaurants, shops and art galleries. A great town all around..