Welcome to a corner of serenity and natural beauty in the heart of Florida, McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach. With this guide, we’ll provide you with information on how to get there, purchase tickets, and how much time you can expect to spend in this magical place.
We already love visiting Vero Beach. Sometimes I describe it as the beauty of the beaches of South Florida but more local, less touristy, more pleasant. We really can’t get enough of visiting it and spending a few days there.
On a regular Sunday, without rain in the middle of summer, and with the desire to see something different, perhaps near the beach, we took the car and went to explore something new and different for us. That’s how we got to McKee Botanical Garden.
This botanical garden is a true hidden treasure that will immerse you in a world of rich vegetation and outdoor sculptures.
How to Get to McKee Botanical Garden?
McKee Botanical Garden is located in Vero Beach, about two hours north of Miami and about two and a half hours southeast of Orlando by car.
- From Miami: Take I-95 North and drive approximately 120 miles (193 km) to Vero Beach. Take exit 147 to reach the garden.
- From Orlando: Drive east on FL-528 E (also known as Beachline Expressway) until you reach I-95 South. Then, continue south on I-95 for approximately 100 miles (160 km) to Vero Beach. Take exit 147.
What about getting tickets?
You can buy the tickets by the entrance. I would suggest to check the hours of operation and updated prices on their official web site before your visit, as they may vary depending on the season.
Approximately how much time can I spend in the place?
Obviously the time people spend at McKee Botanical Garden varies depending on their interests. A visit could be between 1 to 2 hours, we stayed 2 hours inside the gardens. The idea is to allow yourself to explore the gardens, the sculptures and stop to take photographs. However, if you love taking photos of plants and flowers, you could spend a little more time calmly stopping at different areas. Also, if you go with the little ones, they could have a good time playing where the water fountains are and in that area dedicated to them. With how hot it was, I almost stayed in that area cooling off with the water, but I didn’t 🙂
The McKee Botanical Garden offers a relaxing and educational experience, great for all ages. As we were arriving, a group of parents with children arrived too and practically ran to the children’s area, I’m sure it wasn’t their 1st time and they enjoy it.
This is definitely a point to visit if you are on the Treasure Coast, especially in Vero Beach or a getaway from Miami or Orlando. Here you will immerse yourself in an oasis of exotic plants, waterfalls and a wide variety of flora and fauna. And maybe do as we did, after the visit to the gardens we drove a little less than 10 minutes to enjoy the beach for a while before returning home.
