St Petersburg might be the fourth largest city in Florida, but you'd hardly know you were in the midst of a thriving urban area when hanging out at Sunken Gardens. This St Petersburg botanical garden, which is hailed for its beauty and serenity, can be found in the heart of the city at 1825 Fourth Street N. It is an ideal place to escape to when you need a break from the urban side of things, and you won't have to break the bank to enjoy it. Sunken Gardens is one of the more reasonably priced attractions in the entire state, which only adds to its appeal, and you'll definitely want to keep it in mind when building your St Petersburg vacation itinerary.

Hailed as a living museum, Sunken Gardens in St Petersburg is home to some of the region's oldest tropical plants. In addition to an impressive amount of regional plants, you will also see exotic plants from other parts of the world when exploring the acres of gardens at this St Petersburg botanical garden. Beautiful waterfalls dot the grounds, providing an ideal complement to the lush landscape. Anyone who likes plants and enjoys nature in general will not want to miss Sunken Gardens when in St Petersburg. Budding green thumbs will especially want to keep this St Petersburg Botanical Garden in mind, as it is home to the Growing Stone. Legend has it that anyone who sits on this limestone rock will be granted inner harmony, not to mention the ability to make things grow.  

There are more than 50,000 tropical plants on display at Sunken Gardens in St Petersburg, and these plants represent no less than 500 different species. Adding to the natural atmosphere is a host of exotic birds, of which the flamingos reign supreme. Fragrant bougainvillea, caladiums, and Brazilian spider flowers fill the air with sweet scents, and butterflies flutter about. If you don't see butterflies flying around in the gardens, you can head over to the butterfly aviary, where you're sure to get your fill. In addition to a butterfly aviary, Sunken Gardens also offers spider, snake, and scorpion displays, as well as a rainforest information center. There's even a special Wedding Lawn here that can be used for wedding ceremonies. Getting married on the beach might be the option of choice for some when planning a St Petersburg wedding, but there are other venue options worth keeping in mind as well, such as Sunken Gardens.

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In addition to weddings, Sunken Gardens in St Petersburg also hosts other special events, such as corporate outings and private parties. It is also a popular destination for field trips, thanks in part to its excellent horticultural programs. You certainly don't have to plan a special event to enjoy this inviting St Petersburg botanical garden. Garden tours are offered to the general public, and they are ideal for those who want to learn more about the plants and animals that are on display. Whether you enjoy a guided tour or not, your visit to Sunken Gardens in St Petersburg is bound to please, and you're likely to be surprised at how peaceful this downtown attraction actually is.

Sunken Gardens is open between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Children aged two to eleven get in for half the price of an adult at this wonderful St Petersburg botanical garden, and kids under two get in for free. There is also a discount for visitors over the age of 55. Since the gardens at Sunken Gardens are spread out over more than four acres, getting around can be relatively difficult for those with mobility issues, in which case wheelchairs are available at no extra cost.