FAQ

Is there a place to purchase lunch?
Our gift shop and café are currently closed for renovations. There are many local restaurants nearby or you are welcome to bring in your own food.

Can we bring food?
You are welcome to bring in your own food, beverages, and reusable water bottles to fully enjoy your visit. Picnicking in the gardens is welcome. There are designated picnic areas around the gardens. Carry out or dispose of all waste in designated containers. Water fountains are available throughout the gardens, and vending machines are available in the Welcome Center.

Is the historic house open for tours?
The Historic Leu House Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., with the last tour admission at 12:30 p.m. The Leu House Museum is closed in July.

Can we bring our dog?
Pets are not permitted in the gardens. Service dogs are welcome, however; therapy support animals and pets are not permitted. Do not leave animals in your car.

How many people work here?
We have a team of eight horticulturists maintaining the 50-acre gardens.

How long should we plan for our visit?
Depending on the time of year, we often recommend a two-hour visit with expected return visits again and again. Here are our recommendations for visiting.

One-Hour Visit

From the Garden House Welcome Center, walk out toward the Gardens crossing the Tropical Stream Bridge and continuing to the Idea Garden.
Enter the Idea Garden, pass through the Courtyard Gazebo and proceed out to the open lawn with the seven pieces of sculpture by Florida artist Peter Oftinoski.
As you leave this garden, continue out to the main path and at the large brick circle turn right down the road. On your left, just after the white picket fence, is the Vegetable Garden and Butterfly Garden.
From this point, we would recommend checking to see the time for a tour of the Leu House Museum. These tours last approximately 25 minutes and are offered on the hour and at 30 minutes after the hour.
After the Leu House Museum tour, enjoy a stroll through one of Florida’s largest formal rose gardens.
It is probably time for you to start making your way back now, but don’t forget to plan your next visit!

Two-Hour Visit

A two-hour time frame should give you time to visit all of the different gardens with a brief walk through the South woods.
During the winter months, November through March, you will want to spend considerable time viewing the historic camellia collection in the South Woods. Stop to appreciate the different colors, shapes and sizes of the third largest camellia collection in the United States.
Make sure to visit the Leu House Museum on the hour and 30 minutes after the hour for a complimentary tour of the first floor only. The last tour of the day is at 12:30 p.m.
As you explore further in the Gardens, we recommend visiting the Palm and Bamboo gardens near the Floral Clock. These gardens feature a diverse collection of really interesting plants not usually seen in Central Florida.