Headed to Miami and looking to explore beautiful tropical gardens? Ever thought of Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden? What? Never heard of it? Well, take a look then go for a visit the next time you're in Florida!
Bur first, a bit about Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden...
Fairchild, or FTBG, is a conservation and education-based garden located in Coral Gables. Its mission is to save tropical plant diversity. Named after American botanist, plant explorer, educator and scientist David Fairchild (1869-1954), who traveled the world in search of useful plants. You may know him better as the guy who brought flowering cherry trees to Washington D.C.
Once Dr. Fairchild retired to Miami (in 1935) he connected with some other plant people and in 1938, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden opened. It's 83 acres of gorgeous plants, and even a butterfly sanctuary (I took video inside the sanctuary, but it didn't come out - the butterflies just looked like giant flies)! A lot of the exiting plants in the Garden were actually collected by Dr. Fairchild! And, in case you haven't figured it out, the Garden was named after him!
I happened to visit during The Ramble, which was a festival (and you know I love festivals) offering plants, crafts, books and artisanal food! Soooo fun!
We explored the grounds and saw tons of beautiful plants.
There's also Chihuly sculptures on the grounds.
I mean, who couldn't use a bromeliad wall in their house?
Or more orchids?
I'm the one who's the size of a 10 year old. I'm the "teacup friend"....
And thanks to my dear Miami-based friend for suggesting Fairchild!
Have you been to Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden? What did you think? Tell me about it on Facebook on in Traveleidoscope's comment section!
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