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    Florida Tech Botanical Garden

    87 Reviews
    #16 of 106 things to do in Melbourne
    Gardens, Nature & Parks
    150 W University Blvd, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL 32901
    +1 321-674-8038
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    Review Highlights
    “Jungle oasis”

    Beautiful and quiet when campus is on summer break! Be on the lookout for turtles and don't forget... read more

    Reviewed 5 August 2017
    kcroswaite
    ,
    Denver, Colorado
    “Neat nature walk ”

    Fun and free stroll in this pretty, quiet garden with unique trees. Loved the quotes on the benches... read more

    Reviewed 18 July 2017
    Rachel J
    via mobile
    Read all 87 reviews
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    A stream bordered by a shady hammock abounding in palm trees and other tropical growth winds through the heart of the campus and is the setting for a 15-acre Botanical Garden. The main trail has been named the Dent Smith Trail in honor of the founder of the Palm Society, a worldwide organization primarily engaged in the study of the palm family, in all its aspects. Florida Tech's Garden, through the intense interest of Founding President Emeritus Jerome P. Keuper and the inspiration and help of Mr. Dent Smith in the 1960's, has become one of the most unique campus botanical gardens of its kind in the continental United States. This is a public garden. We have limited staff and love volunteers! There is no fee to visit (self-guided) and we are open from sunrise to sunset. If you would like a guided tour, docents are available with advance notice. A donation of your choosing is recommended for guided tours. As there are natural water features and other potential hazards, please exercise caution during your visit. There are several specimen, delicate or possibly poisonous plants planted or naturally occurring in this garden and hammock. Parents, please maintain appropriate control over your children at all times. Well-mannered dogs on leashes are welcome on the trails only. For your safety, please stay on the trails or within walled areas. Thank you!

    About Florida Tech Botanical Garden

    A stream bordered by a shady hammock abounding in palm trees and other tropical growth winds through the heart of the campus and is the setting for a 15-acre Botanical Garden. The main trail has been named the Dent Smith Trail in honor of the founder of the Palm Society, a worldwide organization primarily engaged in the study of the palm family, in all its aspects. Florida Tech's Garden, through the intense interest of Founding President Emeritus Jerome P. Keuper and the inspiration and help of Mr. Dent Smith in the 1960's, has become one of the most unique campus botanical gardens of its kind in the continental United States. This is a public garden. We have limited staff and love volunteers! There is no fee to visit (self-guided) and we are open from sunrise to sunset. If you would like a guided tour, docents are available with advance notice. A donation of your choosing is recommended for guided tours. As there are natural water features and other potential hazards, please exercise caution during your visit. There are several specimen, delicate or possibly poisonous plants planted or naturally occurring in this garden and hammock. Parents, please maintain appropriate control over your children at all times. Well-mannered dogs on leashes are welcome on the trails only. For your safety, please stay on the trails or within walled areas. Thank you!
    4.5
    87 reviews
    • Excellent48%
    • Very good39%
    • Average11%
    • Poor1%
    • Terrible1%
    Travellers talk about
    “native plants” (6 reviews)
    “quiet walk” (4 reviews)
    “beautiful stroll” (2 reviews)
    LOCATION
    150 W University Blvd, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL 32901
    CONTACT
    Website
    +1 321-674-8038
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    Reviews (87)
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    1 - 10 of 83 reviews

    Reviewed 5 August 2017
    Jungle oasis

    Beautiful and quiet when campus is on summer break! Be on the lookout for turtles and don't forget bug spray for mosquitoes!

    Thank kcroswaite
    Reviewed 18 July 2017 via mobile
    Neat nature walk

    Fun and free stroll in this pretty, quiet garden with unique trees. Loved the quotes on the benches and the old red school house. I got to see my favorite creatures too - butterflies, dragonflies, and cardinal birds. Turtles were cute and friendly in the...More

    2  Thank Rachel J
    Reviewed 9 July 2017
    Hidden gem in the middle of Melbourne college campus

    We heard about a small botanical garden on the campus of Florida Tech in Melbourne, Fl., and went there for a visit. Took about an hour to wind our way through the garden which has several entrances and exits to allow students and visitors to...More

    Thank MeetUsAtTheCorner
    Holly C, Manager at Florida Tech Botanical Garden, responded to this reviewResponded 10 July 2017

    Hello there! Thank you for visiting our Jungle. It is a gem! There are brochure maps available at the nearby Evans Library, or you may download them from the garden.fit.edu website. We cannot leave them out due to weather and occasional shenanigans. ;) The 39...More

    Reviewed 16 June 2017
    Fun, Free and Outdoors with the Family!

    Our young family of 5 visited the gardens in June. It was beautiful. We took our time through the trails with the stroller. There was one path which wasn't on a sidewalk - fine with us! The variety of trees was amazing. Little streams -...More

    Thank Laura S
    Reviewed 16 April 2017
    Serenity Now

    We walked around the gardens and it was very peaceful, even though it is near the college. It would have been helpful to have some more signs around to help let you know which way to go, but it was peaceful and calming for a...More

    Thank David C
    Reviewed 23 March 2017
    nice quiet walk

    I downloaded map of the garden from website. The paths could use a few "you are here signs". The students who answered my questions about directions were helpful and friendly

    Thank mario c
    Reviewed 6 March 2017
    Trip down memory lane

    I went to college at Florida Tech several years ago. I revisited the campus last weekend. The Botanical Garden was one of my favorite places. It was nice to see that despite the school's expansion, they have not only kept this sanctuary, but enhanced it....More

    1  Thank Shana H
    Reviewed 3 March 2017
    beautiful park

    Lots of palm trees that are all labeled. A few aquatic features and many interesting plants. This is a great place to walk around for an hour. No guides or other material but you can wander around on your own and look around.

    2  Thank 2005-travel-lover
    Reviewed 20 February 2017
    Not sure if we visited all of it or not...

    This was an outing that sorely disappointed. It was small and mudding with little vegetation. I am not sure if we visited the entire garden or not, but one really would not know with the lack of signage. Anyway, wouldn't recommend.

    1  Thank Amanda H
    Reviewed 7 February 2017
    A True Taste of Florida Vegetation

    We are from MN so it is fun to walk through the Botanical Garden when we are in Melbourne. Lots and Lots of native plants along the paths that run through the garden. Nearby is the art center which is also a fun place to...More

    1  Thank csb14
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    Ask a question
    Questions & Answers
    emmyawesomes
    4 July 2017|
    Answer
    Response from Holly C | Property representative | Reviewed this property |
    Yes, there are. Right at the end of the covered bridge and throughout the garden are picnic tables and benches/pergolas. If you go to the university website and then type in "botanical garden" in the search block, you can... More
    1
    Vote
    Samantha W
    20 November 2016|
    AnswerShow all 4 answers
    Response from traintraveler53 | Reviewed this property |
    Garden is no charge. It isn't fenced, so imagine that it is accessible on Christmas day.
    2
    Votes
    maybaby49
    13 December 2015|
    AnswerShow all 2 answers
    Response from Queenie C | Reviewed this property |
    There is no admission gate to the gardens. It's open public space on the Florida Institute of Technology campus. You can walk it any day.
    2
    Votes