Tucked away on an unassuming street in Davie, Florida, Flamingo Gardens is a botanical garden and Everglades wildlife refuge situated 17 miles west of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Once inside the gates, you will be transported to a stunning 60-acre tropical oasis filled with roaming peacocks, native Florida wildlife and more than 3,000 plant species.
A nonprofit organization, Flamingo Gardens aims to preserve endangered, injured animals in naturalistic habitats and educate the public on the history of South Florida and the area’s flora and fauna. Animals on-site include sea otters, rehabilitated Florida panthers, a rescued black bear (named Josh), alligators, 250 bird species and – of course – the sanctuary’s namesake Caribbean flamingos. Recent visitors loved the park’s narrated tram tour through 200-year-old live oak trees and tropical groves, noting it was the perfect way to get an overview of the park. The 25-minute ride is free of charge and leaves every 30 minutes between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. (hourly on the hour weekdays in August and September).
During your visit, you can also tour the property’s Wray Home Museum. The restored house was built in 1933 and is one of the oldest residences in Broward County. It is an accurate depiction of life in South Florida in the 1930s and displays family portraits of the original owners, Floyd and Jane Wray, who founded Flamingo Gardens (then Flamingo Groves) in 1927 as a citrus orchard. Wray Home Museum is open between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and admission is included in your Flamingo Gardens ticket.
Flamingo Gardens also offers gallery shows and free daily Wildlife Encounter Shows at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m., weather permitting. VIP Tours afford you up-close and personal encounters with Josh the Bear ($100 per person) and flamingos or reptiles ($55).
As far as food goes, visitors can grab sandwiches, snacks, hot dogs and more at the Flamingo Cafe, which overlooks the flamingo pond. Travelers also can get their fill at on-site food trucks. Note that no outside food is permitted within the park, but you may eat at the picnic tables located outside of the entrance.
Flamingo Gardens is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and parking is free of charge. Pre-paid online admission ranges from $15.95 (for kids ages 3 to 11) to $21.95 (for visitors 12 and older). Children 2 and younger get in for free, and college students, seniors and members of the military receive a 20% discount with a valid ID.