Have you visited the Miami Beach Botanical Garden lately?

This 3-acre tropical oasis sits in the heart of Miami Beach, at 2000 Convention Center Drive, and is brimming with beauty. It's open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays, except some holidays, and admission is free! (Previously entry cost $5 per person, plus a $1.94 fee.)

Free and Cheap Events in May:

Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5
Orchids & Arts Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$5 admission

The event will featured a juried orchid show, live performances, a premium growers and vendors market, performance art, lectures and raffles. Food and cocktails will be available for purchase.

Event Schedule – Saturday, May 4
1:00PM: The Orchid Adventure: Tell Me Who You Are (Entrance)
1:10PM: Million Orchid Seeds. Andrea Labbee, dance solo (Japanese Garden)
1:30PM: Frost Electronic Music Ensemble: Orchid Jam (Fountain)
2:00PM: Orchid Adventure: Orchid is a Music Score (Banyan Patio)
2:30PM: Frost Electronic Music Ensemble: Orchid Jam (Fountain)
3:00PM: Orchid Adventure: Many Orchids, Muchas, Muchas! (Eucalyptus Alley)
3:30PM: Frost Electronic Music Ensemble: Orchid Jam (Fountain)

Event Schedule – Sunday, May 5
1:00PM: Frost Electronic Music Ensemble: Orchid Jam (Fountain)
1:30PM: The Orchid Adventure: Tell Me Who You Are (Entrance)
1:40PM: Million Orchid Seeds. Andrea Labbee, dance solo (Japanese Garden)
2:00PM: Frost Electronic Music Ensemble (Fountain)
2:30PM: Orchid Adventure: Orchid is a Music Score (Banyan Patio)
3:00PM: Frost Electronic Music Ensemble: Orchid Jam (Fountain)
3:30PM: Orchid Adventure: Many Orchids, Muchas, Muchas! (Eucalyptus Alley)

The sanctuary-like grounds feature a variety of water features, a native and an edible garden, flowering trees, wildlife and, of course, plenty of orchids and palm trees.

Stroll through the Japanese garden, over an idyllic red bridge, then take in the colorful fruit in the edible garden. There you'll see starfruit, papaya, pineapple, lychee and pomegranates growing.

The main pond features water lilies, plus a cascading fountain and circular fountain surrounded by red mangroves and water-loving plants.

The garden was created as a Miami Beach city park in 1962 and rejuvenated during fall 2011 as part of a $1.2 million landscape project by South Florida landscape architect Raymond Jungles.

Check out the Facebook page for more information on arts classes and other events at the garden.

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IN OTHER GARDENS NEWS

Gardens in Miami: Get visitor info here!

Getting outside and breathing in fresh air is always a good thing, especially during these times.

Miami’s many gardens are an ideal setting for taking a nice, long stroll surrounded by lush, colorful scenery.

Historic spots such as Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Deering Estate, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, The Kampong and Pinecrest Gardens are just a few we suggest. For more information, click here.