Flamingo Gardens

The Basics

Hop aboard the narrated tram ride for a journey through native Florida wilderness, which appears unchanged since the days when Seminole tribespeople occupied these lands. See black bears, panthers, bobcats, and gators at the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary, visit the free-flight aviary, and stop by the onsite Wray Home Museum, which illustrates how the property progressed from a simple garden to the major attraction it is today. Tickets to Flamingo Gardens are available online and can save valuable time once you arrive.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The onsite Flamingo Cafe and Garden Grill serve snacks and meals.

• Flamingo Gardens makes a great day trip for kids; admission prices are reduced for children under 11 and free for kids under 2 years old.

• Onsite wheelchair and stroller rentals are available.

How to Get There

Flamingo Gardens is located in Davie, Florida, off I-595. Several shuttle services operate in the area and free parking is available.

When to Get There

The gardens are open year-round and sometimes host special events such as SwampFest Bluegrass Festival and local art installations. South Florida is very hot and humid in summer, so arrive in the early morning or evening to avoid the worst heat. Fall is hurricane season, while winter and spring are typically pleasant.

History of Flamingo Gardens

Originally founded as a citrus grove in the 1920s by the Wray family, Flamingo Gardens evolved into a botanical garden and wildlife habitat. It has stayed true to its roots by focusing on native Floridian plants and animals, featuring a robust educational program with live demonstrations daily to teach visitors about the unique local ecosystem.

Can you bring food into Flamingo Gardens?

No, you can’t bring food or coolers into Flamingo Gardens, but you can buy a wide selection of hot and cold food and drinks at Flamingo Cafe or the Tropical Marketplace. For an extra memorable experience, you can book a Lunch on the Water package to enjoy a picnic lunch on a dock overlooking Flamingo Lake.

Is parking free at Flamingo Gardens?

Yes, parking is free at Flamingo Gardens. The parking lot has accessible parking spaces right beside the ticket hall. On arrival, you can also rent single or double Scooterbug strollers and manual or electric wheelchairs to help you easily get around the gardens.

Are the Flamingo Gardens accessible?

While the paved paths throughout most of the gardens ensure you can explore smoothly with a wheelchair or stroller. There are ramps throughout and accessible toilets and parking spaces. Both the restaurant and snack bar are also wheelchair accessible.

What is the best day to visit Flamingo Gardens?

The best days to visit Flamingo Gardens are Tuesday through Thursday when crowds are much smaller than that at the weekend. For an even quieter experience, head to the gardens on a weekday outside the Florida school holidays from late May to mid-August.

What animals are at Flamingo Gardens?

The Everglade Wildlife Sanctuary at Flamingo Gardens gives a second chance to injured and non-releasable animals native to Florida. You can admire alligators, more than 250 different birds representing 45 species, including birds of prey, black bears, otters, panthers, bobcats, turtles, and, of course, flamingoes.

Can I take photos at Flamingo Gardens?

Yes, you can take photos at Flamingo Gardens. In fact, with such a colorful array of flora and fauna, it’d be a shame not to. You can take as many personal photos as you like and even use tripods if they don’t get in the way of the walkways. However, you’ll need to pay professional filming and photography fees.

Ways to explore

As the Flamingo Gardens is a popular family-friendly attraction, many visitors prebook their admission to skip the long lines and get in quicker. Once inside, visitors can hop aboard a narrated tram ride for a journey through native Florida wilderness, which appears unchanged since the days when Seminole tribespeople occupied these lands. Along the way, visitors can see black bears, panthers, and bobcats; visit the free-flight aviary; and stop by the on-site Wray Home Museum, which illustrates how the property progressed from a simple garden to the major attraction it is today.

Accessibility

The gardens are wheelchair-accessible, with wheelchairs and motorized scooters available to rent.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Sunscreen, bottled water, camera, insect repellent

What to wear

Layered clothing, comfortable walking shoes

Not allowed

Bicycles, drones, outside food, collecting feathers or plants

Amenities

Restrooms, café, gift shop

Address 

Flamingo Gardens is located in Davie, which is west of downtown Fort Lauderdale. It’s best reached by car rather than public transportation, but there may also be some guided tours available with transportation included.

Driving

If traveling from downtown Fort Lauderdale, drive west toward Davie, following I-595 west. The route takes around 22 minutes, and parking is available and included with admission to Flamingo Gardens.

Public transportation

Public transportation is possible but less convenient than driving or using a rideshare app. For example, Broward County Transit buses serve the Davie area, but routes require transfers and walking.

Best times to visit

Morning visits are generally best for cooler temperatures, more active wildlife, and smaller crowd numbers.

Best days to visit

Aim to visit Flamingo Gardens on a weekday—preferably Tuesday through Thursday—to bypass the peak afternoon crowds.

Best months to visit

November through April are great months to visit, as temperatures are typically pleasant and humidity is lower than in the summer months.

Special events

There are year-round special events, and the holiday season in December is particularly special with themed areas such as a winter wonderland.