Park & Garden
Vacation Rentals Near Cypress Gardens Botanical Garden
About a 30-minute drive from Lakeland rentals toward Winter Haven
About Cypress Gardens Botanical Garden
Cypress Gardens Botanical Garden opened in 1936 as Florida's first commercial theme park and earned fame as the 'Showplace of the South,' appearing in dozens of films and TV shows. When LEGOLAND Florida opened on the site in 2011, it preserved and restored the historic gardens, including the canals, the famous Spanish moss-draped cypress, and an over-85-year-old banyan tree planted as a seedling in 1939. The lush collection of azaleas, camellias, and exotic plants offers a tranquil counterpoint to the theme park rides. Access is included with LEGOLAND admission.
Highlights
Florida's first theme park, opened in 1936Over-85-year-old historic banyan treeRestored canals, cypress, and azalea and camellia collectionsIncluded with LEGOLAND Florida admission
Visitor Tips
- →The garden is inside LEGOLAND Florida, so you'll need a park ticket to enter
- →Visit in late winter and spring to catch the azaleas and camellias in bloom
- →Head for the banyan tree and the lakeside garden paths for the best photos