MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN

By  Mike Miller May 5, 2025

McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach, Florida covers 18 acres and has over 10,000 native and tropical plants.

The garden has scenic pathways, water features, and a whimsical Children’s Garden. It hosts art exhibits, educational programs, and events for all ages.

It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a great place for nature lovers. 

The garden was founded in 1929 by Arthur McKee and Waldo Sexton as McKee Jungle Gardens. They purchased an 80-acre tropical hammock intending to grow citrus but chose to preserve its natural beauty instead.

Landscape architect William Lyman Phillips designed the streams and ponds. By the 1940s, it drew 100,000 visitors yearly as a top Florida attraction. It closed in 1976 due to competition from larger parks.

Most of the land was sold for development. In 1995, the Indian River Land Trust saved 18 acres. Community volunteers restored it, and it reopened in 2001. 

McKee Botanical Garden is at 350 US Highway 1, Vero Beach, FL 32962. It’s open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 12 pm to 5 pm.

It’s closed Mondays and major holidays like Christmas and July 4th. The garden is wheelchair-accessible. 

The Garden Café sells snacks and sandwiches. The gift shop has nature-inspired items. Check the website for events like the Water Lily Celebration. 

• The garden has one of Florida’s largest water lily collections, with over 80 varieties.  

• The Hall of Giants houses a 35-foot-long mahogany table, the world’s largest single-slab table.  

• A hidden stone bridge, overgrown for years, was rediscovered in 2002.  

• The Children’s Garden, opened in 2020, includes a pirate ship and splash pad.  

• Current exhibits feature LEGO sculptures with 800,000 pieces.  

• Waldo Sexton, a founder, was known for quirky designs like the Driftwood Inn.  

• The garden supports local wildlife, including butterflies and birds.  

• It uses sustainable practices like organic landscaping. 

MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN WEBSITE

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