Flamingo Gardens is a 60-acre botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary in Davie, about 25 minutes west of Fort Lauderdale.
This guide was updated in July 2026. Adult admission is now $24, up from the $18 many third-party sites still list, so it’s worth checking the official price before you go. The sanctuary is also about to welcome two new residents, orphaned black bear cubs named Bentley and Treena, a fresh addition most older guides won’t mention. You can book your ticket in advance through Viator to plan your visit.
Quick facts about Flamingo Gardens
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 3750 S. Flamingo Rd, Davie, FL 33330 |
| Hours | Daily 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last entry 4 p.m.) |
| Adult (12+) admission | $24.00 |
| Child (3–11) admission | $17.00 |
| Children 2 and under | Free |
| Nearest transit | No direct public transport; a car is recommended |
| Typical visit duration | 2–3 hours |
Why book Flamingo Gardens tickets?
- 🏛️ Historic since 1927: One of South Florida’s oldest botanical gardens, home to Florida’s largest registered tree.
- 🎟️ New wildlife arrivals: Orphaned black bear cubs Bentley and Treena are joining the Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary.
- 🌿 Free-roaming flamingos: Hand-feed Caribbean flamingos at the Flamingo Pond, a highlight for children.
- 📜 Tram tour included: A narrated 25-minute ride covers 42 acres of native hammock and wetlands.
- 💰 Parking is always free: No separate parking fee, unlike many nearby South Florida attractions.
Flamingo Gardens opening hours
Flamingo Gardens is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m. The narrated tram tour also departs for the final time at 4 p.m., and the aviary closes slightly later, at 4:30 p.m. The gardens close for just two days a year: Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Flamingo Gardens ticket prices
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (ages 12+) | $24.00 |
| Child (ages 3–11) | $17.00 |
| Children 2 and under | Free |
| Flamingo Gardens members | Free |
Visitors receiving SNAP or WIC benefits can access the Museums for All programme. It offers $3 admission per person for up to four people, with a valid EBT or WIC card and photo ID shown at the gift shop. Book in advance through Viator to skip the ticket line on arrival.
How to get to Flamingo Gardens
By car from Fort Lauderdale, head west on I-595 to the Flamingo Road exit, then follow signs south on Flamingo Road to the entrance. From Miami, take I-95 to I-595 West, then the combined Flamingo Road and Hiatus Road exit. There’s no direct public transport to Flamingo Gardens, so a rental car, rideshare or taxi is the most reliable way to get there. Local shuttle and taxi partners are listed on the official website for visitors without a car.
Parking at Flamingo Gardens
Parking is always free in the on-site car park, with no separate fee for general visitors.
How long to spend at Flamingo Gardens
Most visitors spend two to three hours exploring the gardens, wildlife sanctuary and Wray Home Museum. Taking the full narrated tram tour and catching a Wildlife Encounter Show adds roughly an hour to your visit.
Flamingo Gardens accessibility
The gardens are largely flat and wheelchair accessible, with paved paths and benches throughout for resting. Manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs and Scooterbug strollers can all be rented on-site, subject to tax, a deposit and ID surrender. Visitors who prefer not to walk the full 42-acre back section can see it comfortably from the narrated tram instead.
What to see at Flamingo Gardens
Flamingo Pond. A lush setting of tropical vegetation and waterfalls, home to free-roaming Caribbean flamingos that children can hand-feed.
American Alligator Habitat. Home to Elvis III and Priscilla, descendants of the original alligator once used on the television show Miami Vice.
Aviary. A 25,000-square-foot free-flight aviary houses over 250 birds from more than 45 native Florida species, most of them permanently injured.
Bird of Prey Center. See owls, hawks, falcons, and both bald and golden eagles, all birds too injured to survive in the wild.
Panther and Bobcat Habitats. Naturalistic enclosures for non-releasable big cats, including Sabal, a rescued panther kitten welcomed in 2026.
River Otter Habitat. One of the most successful otter breeding programmes in the United States, home to playful residents including Fast Eddie and Bella.
Wray Home Museum. Built in 1933, this restored residence offers a glimpse of South Florida life in the 1930s, included with general admission.
Arboretum and Champion Trees. Home to 23 state-champion trees, including Florida’s largest registered tree, a Cluster Fig measuring 54 feet in circumference.
Butterfly Conservatory. Opened in 2023, this 1,600-square-foot structure raises native butterflies for release, with roughly 12,000 released each year.
Practical visitor tips for Flamingo Gardens
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book tickets in advance | Advance booking is recommended, especially given the recent admission price increase. |
| Catch a Wildlife Encounter Show | Shows run three times daily, weather permitting, at the Everglades Amphitheater. |
| Take the narrated tram tour | A free 25-minute ride departs every 30 minutes and covers 42 acres you can’t easily reach on foot. |
| Bring cash for flamingo food | Small feeding fees apply on-site, and outside food isn’t permitted in the gardens. |
| Ask about Museums for All | EBT or WIC cardholders can get $3 admission for up to four people with valid ID. |
Flamingo Gardens FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | Daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. |
| How much does admission cost? | Adults pay $24, children aged 3 to 11 pay $17, and children 2 and under enter free. |
| Is parking included? | Yes, parking is always free at Flamingo Gardens. |
| Is the tram tour included in my ticket? | Yes, the narrated tram tour is included with general admission. |
| Is Flamingo Gardens actually in Fort Lauderdale? | It’s technically in Davie, about 25 minutes west of central Fort Lauderdale. |
Things to do near Flamingo Gardens
Old Davie School Historical Museum is a short drive away, housed in Broward County’s oldest surviving schoolhouse.
Tree Tops Park offers a short drive to shaded nature trails, a lake and picnic areas within a former pioneer homestead.
The Young At Art Museum is a short drive away in Davie, an interactive children’s museum focused on art and creativity.
Sawgrass Mills offers a short drive to one of the largest outlet and value shopping malls in the United States.
Everglades Holiday Park gives visitors a short drive to classic airboat tours through the Everglades.
What to visit tomorrow
The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami is about 45 minutes away, one of the most respected tropical plant collections in the country.
Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach is roughly 45 minutes north, Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest public garden.
Butterfly World in Coconut Creek is a short drive away, one of the largest butterfly parks in the world.
Naples Botanical Garden is about two hours west, blending Caribbean, Asian and Florida-native plant collections across the Gulf Coast.
McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach is roughly two hours north, a restored 1930s jungle garden with historic hardwood boardwalks.
More Florida travel
Other Florida travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Florida state park guides: Manatees and water sports at Blue Spring State Park between Orlando and Daytona Beach and Investigating the giant sinkhole while visiting Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park in Gainesville.
- Guides to key Miami cultural attractions: Frost Science Museum, Perez Art Museum, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Graffiti Museum, HistoryMiami Museum.
- Plan your visit to the Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens in Port Orange.
- Visitor guides to the Ybor City Museum, Tampa Bay History Center and Tampa Museum of Art in Tampa.
- Florida Everglades kayak tours vs boat tours: Which is the best to do?
