Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota pairs tropical plant collections and bayfront gardens with a second campus at Historic Spanish Point in Osprey. Start with the 15-acre Downtown campus on Sarasota Bay for greenhouse displays and a mangrove walkway; from Deluxe Inn in Sarasota, it is about 4.7 miles away.
- Two campuses: Downtown Sarasota and Historic Spanish Point, totaling 45 acres.
- Downtown address: 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, FL 34236.
- Typical hours: Open daily
- Downtown adult admission: $28; children ages 5–17 pay $12, and children age 4 and under enter free.
What to expect at Selby Gardens
Selby Gardens offers two distinct bayfront campuses, with tropical collections at Downtown Sarasota and native plantings and local history at Historic Spanish Point. The Downtown campus sits on Sarasota Bay, while the 30-acre Historic Spanish Point campus is in Osprey on Little Sarasota Bay, less than 10 miles south of downtown.
For a first visit, plan around the Downtown campus and allow at least two hours, as Selby Gardens recommends.
Daytime admission covers the entire campus, including the Children’s Rainforest Garden, Museum of Botany & the Arts, Selby House Café, and Green Orchid Restaurant. If you’re planning a broader city outing, you can pair the gardens with this one-day Sarasota itinerary.
The bayfront garden and plant collections
The Downtown campus focuses on tropical plants, including epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads, and ferns. Its garden areas range from rainforest and desert plantings to native Florida displays, with the bayfront mangrove walkway linking the gardens to views across Sarasota Bay.
The Tropical Conservatory is one of eight greenhouses on site, and its displays change with the plants in bloom. Outdoors, the Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden has an elevated garden, swinging bridges, an epiphyte canyon, caves, and a 12-foot waterfall.
Make time for the Steinwachs Family Foundation Mangrove Walkway to see red, black, and white mangroves. From the walkway, views extend to Sarasota Bay, Bird Key, and downtown Sarasota.
At Historic Spanish Point, the emphasis shifts to native plants, nature trails, boardwalks, and interpretation of local Native and pioneer history. More than 50% of the plant species found in Sarasota County are represented in its native plantings.
Tickets, hours, and what admission covers
Both campuses are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the gardens close on Christmas Day. The Museum of Botany & the Arts closes at 4:30 p.m. Downtown admission is $28 for adults and $12 for ages 5–17; children age 4 and under and members enter free, while member guests pay $12.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM–5 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Historic Spanish Point admission is $20 for adults and $12 for ages 5–17. Children age 4 and under and members enter free there, too, and member guests pay $12. Downtown tickets are available online or onsite, with contactless credit or debit card payment.
There are dining options on site, but outside food and beverages are not permitted at either campus. Hours and admission details can change, so check the official site before you go.
Visitor access and parking
The Downtown campus has complimentary wheelchairs at the Welcome Center on a first-come, first-served basis; they cannot be reserved. Complimentary general admission is available for personal care attendants accompanying guests with disabilities.
At Historic Spanish Point, designated accessible parking is available. Primary paths are paved, though many secondary historic paths are made of shell material. One wheelchair is available first come, first served, and the gardens recommend bringing your own wheelchair or mobility cart.
Buildings are wheelchair accessible except for the second floors of Guptill House and White Cottage; Mary’s Chapel is not wheelchair accessible during standard operating hours.
For the Downtown campus, complimentary parking is inside the LEAF (Living Energy Access Facility), with access from Mound Street or South Orange Avenue. Bike racks are near the Welcome Center.
Older lots accessed from Palm Avenue or Orange Avenue are limited and can fill during peak season, popular exhibitions, and special events; Burns Square Parking Lot and State Street Parking Garage are among the alternative city parking options.
Getting to the gardens from the motel area
The Downtown campus is at 1534 Mound Street, making it the Sarasota campus to choose for a city outing. If you’re building a day around downtown, the Sarasota Farmers Market guide can help you plan another stop in the area.
Use the Mound Street or South Orange Avenue entrance for the complimentary campus parking inside the LEAF. If you’re heading to Historic Spanish Point instead, its address is 401 North Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229.
FAQs
How long should you allow for the Downtown campus?
Selby Gardens recommends allowing a minimum of two hours. The campus includes garden areas, greenhouses, the mangrove walkway, dining options, and the Museum of Botany & the Arts.
Are both Selby Gardens campuses in Sarasota?
No. The Downtown campus is in Sarasota, while Historic Spanish Point is in Osprey, less than 10 miles south of downtown.
Can you bring food into the gardens?
No. Outside food and beverages are not permitted at either campus, and on-site dining options are available.
Are wheelchairs available?
Complimentary wheelchairs are available at the Downtown Welcome Center and at Historic Spanish Point, both on a first-come, first-served basis. The gardens do not offer reservations for them.