Florida is home to plenty of jaw-dropping gardens, but according to HGTV, there’s one that stands out among them all: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables. The home improvement and design channel released a new list of the most beautiful gardens in every U.S. state, and calls out Fairchild as Florida’s crown jewel.
Named after famed plant explorer Dr. David Fairchild, this 83-acre oasis has been dazzling visitors since 1938. This glorious green space is a living museum of tropical beauty. Rare palms tower overhead, rainbow-hued macaws soar across the sky and the Richard H. Simons Rainforest Trail pulls you into a misty, Amazon-like dreamscape.
No two visits here are alike, as the plants grow and change with the seasons. Stroll through the Wings of the Tropics conservatory, where hundreds of butterflies float gracefully around you. Wander among orchids, cycads, flowering trees and exotic fruits that thrive in the South Florida heat. You can even sample these tropical fruits, tasting flavors rarely available outside of native lands. And if you time your trip right, you’ll catch one of Fairchild’s iconic annual events, from the Mango Festival to Orchids in Bloom. During the holidays, Night at the Garden transforms the grounds into a glowing wonderland of lights, making it as magical by night as it is by day.
Best of all, Fairchild sits just 30 minutes south of Miami on Old Cutler Road—close enough for an easy day trip, yet far enough to feel worlds away from the city buzz.
Sure, Florida has plenty of gorgeous gardens, but HGTV got it right: this lush Coral Gables retreat is the one you can’t miss. Whether you’re a plant lover, a casual stroller or just in need of a slice of serenity, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden proves that paradise is always in bloom.