Activity Overview
Flamingo Gardens is a showcase for over 3000 species of rare and exotic, tropical, subtropical, and native plants. There are beautiful birds everywhere. Peacocks and albino peacocks... Many huge trees and great shaded paths.
The Arboretum contains some of the largest trees in the state of Florida, and the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary gives residence to permanently injured and non-releasable birds and animals, and is home to the largest collection of Florida native wildlife- including alligators, bear, bobcats, eagles, otters, panthers, peacocks and flamingos!
Things to See & Do
The Wray Botanical Collection at Flamingo Gardens consists of over 3000 tropical and sub-topical plants and trees, and is home to 21 of the largest trees of their species as designated by the Florida Forest Service.
See the largest tree in the Florida Champion Tree register, a non-native Cluster Fig that measures 649 inches (54 feet 1 inch) in circumference, 102 feet in height, and a crown span of 95 feet.
The Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary features 83 native species including alligators, bobcats, panthers, otters, eagles, peacocks and, of course flamingos.
Birds Galore - Flamingo Gardens contains one of the largest free-flight aviary in the country containing many species of birds and one of the premiere River Otter breeding programs.
Among birds in the Parrot Aviary located in the entry courtyard are an African Grey, White Eyed Conures, Cockatoos, and Macaws which have been rescued or adopted by the sanctuary.
Birds of Prey Center - A showcase of South Florida’s Raptors in their naturalistic habitat. These birds are either at-risk or endangered and cannot be released because of injuries sustained in the wild. At the Center visitors will see a variety of owls, vultures, hawks, falcons as well as Golden and Bald eagles.
Flamingo Pond - A highlight of Flamingo Gardens, the lush area showcases Caribbean Flamingos amidst their naturalistic environment of tropical vegetation and sparkling waterfalls. Children will delight in feeding the Flamingos!
The Wray Home Museum was built in 1933, and was the original residence of Floyd and Jane Wray. The home has since been restored to provide visitors to Flamingo Gardens a glimpse of life in South Florida in the 1930s.
Wildlife Encounter Show - enjoy a live presentation featuring Florida’s native wildlife, such as birds of prey and reptiles and their relationship to the environment presented each day at 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 weather permitting.
A narrated tram tour through the tropical rainforest, native hammock, wetland area, and groves including some of the last natural jungle growth in South Florida. The tour is fully narrated, lasting approximately 25 minutes, leaving every hour, on the hour, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Flamingo Gardens Insider Tips
- Visitors can hand-feed the flamingos and other animals. Bring quarters to buy "food" out of the many little machines throughout the facility.
- Tuesdays are the best day to go, as they offer Two for One.
- There are lots of shaded pathways, so bug spray is a good idea.
- There are plenty of restrooms on site.
- On the first Friday night of the month food trucks gather in the parking lot from 5:00pm - 9:00pm and people set up tables to hang out and enjoy an evening of bluegrass music.
- There is a Flamingo Farmers Market down the road that has tons of fresh homemade products as well as many garden decorations from Buddahs to those pink lawn flamingos.
- Snack bar has cold drinks for sale and a place to sit.
