Gorgeous Gardens: Where to Celebrate Spring in Central Florida

Spring has sprung in Central Florida, and that means that it’s time to celebrate with glorious gardens and an ample array of blooms. To help fill your next vacation with fun and flowers, check out our picks for where to celebrate the season of new beginnings in and around the Orlando resort area. 

Just 30 minutes away from the major theme parks, Harry P. Leu Gardens is a 50-acre botanical oasis composed of a variety of plant collections. Here, you’ll feast your eyes on everything from bamboo to bromeliads, flowers to ferns. Throughout the spring, special events like plant sales, movie nights, and concerts are on the calendar, so be sure to plan your visit in advance to take advantage of these offerings. Adult admission is just $15, children are $10, and tots three and under are free. The gardens are open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. 

Just ten minutes away from Leu Gardens, in Winter Park, another great spot for enjoying springtime blooms is Mead Botanical Garden. This garden features 48 acres of floral delights in the heart of Florida’s Orange County and admission is free to the public. At Mead, you can visit the Legacy Garden and Greenhouse, check out a variety of natural areas, and enjoy two butterfly gardens brimming with annual and perennial flowers. Spring is a special time to visit Mead as several events are going on throughout the season. Be sure to check the calendar and plan your visit accordingly. 

Continue your celebration of spring by taking in a dazzling display of local flora at Spring Bloom at Bok Tower Gardens. Located about an hour away from the Disney resort complex, in Lake Wales, the garden hosts an annual celebration showcasing a stunning collection of azalea and camellia blossoms. There are also twice-daily concerts, yoga and meditation events, and the Carillon Classic 5k race. Adult admission to the gardens is $16, children are $5, and kids under the age of 5 are free.

Lastly, though not a traditional garden, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Epcot’s fabulous annual International Flower and Garden Festival. This year’s event runs from March 2 through July 4 and features amazing topiaries and floral displays as well as culinary creations catered to the springtime season. Included with regular Epcot park admission, during the festival the park is populated with outdoor kitchens that offer fresh bites from around the globe and a bounty of beverages.   

After a fun- and floral-filled adventure, get some rest at your choice of area accommodations. Marriott Orlando has options throughout the area and close to the major theme parks including, Residence Inn by Marriott Orlando at SeaWorld, TownePlace Suites by Marriott Orlando Lake Buena Vista, and the Fairfield Inn Orlando Lake Buena Vista. By International Drive, check out Aloft Orlando International Drive, Comfort Inn International, Element Orlando International Drive, and Best Western International Drive. Other excellent choices include Wyndham Orlando Resort & Conference Center/Celebration, Staybridge Suites Orlando Royale Parc, and Fairfield Inn Orlando Airport.