Walking the grounds will introduce you to a large variety of tropical plants and their amazing array of sizes and shapes.  The garden includes many collections and displays such as the tropical flower garden, spiny forest of Madagascar, rainforest, vine pergola, Victoria  pool, butterfly garden, palmetum, tropical fruit pavilion, conservatory,  Bailey Palm Glade, Jewels of the Caribbean, and the Keys Coastal Habitat.   All of these are brought together in a unified design that flows from one area to another.

Please allow two hours or more if you plan to walk the entire garden.  Benches can be found throughout the garden for moments of rest and enjoyment.  Additionally we offer tram tours year round and walking tours seasonally.   All tours and shuttle services are included in the the price of admission.

Each month our horticulture department creates a list of plants of interest to enjoy on your visit.  You may get a copy at the information desk upon your arrival or check The Garden section of the website for what's blooming.    

There are a number of events during the year that you may want to attend.   If you can visit more than once during a year you may want to consider becoming a member to enjoy free admission all year long. 

                                                                                                                               
Tram Tours

Year-round, narrated, open-air tram tours start on the hour beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The last tour departs at 3:00 p.m. on weekdays and 4:00 p.m. on weekends.  Tours last approximately forty-five minutes.  Proceed to Tram Plaza for boarding. 

Tours are led by trained volunteers and offer an enjoyable introduction to the Fairchild landscape, plant collections and mission. The tours give an excellent overview of the garden, after which you can explore on your own. 

Seasonally on weekends there may be additional tours. Check with the information desk at the Visitor Center for the schedule. 

 

Spanish Tram Tours

Narrated tram tours of the garden are given in Spanish on Saturdays and Sundays. The tours are 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.  Proceed to the Tram Plaza for boarding.        

Each tram is accessible for two wheelchairs.
For the safety of our visitors, Tram Tours may be suspended without prior notice during busy periods or special events.

 Guided Walking Tours

Butterflies and Their Host Plants Walk

Year-round on Saturday and Sunday mornings, the Butterflies and Their Host Plants Walk begins at the Visitor Center at 10:00 a.m. and will last approximately one and a half hours.
This is your opportunity to explore for butterflies in the garden and identify host plants. Larval host plants and nectar plants found in the garden attract free-flying butterflies so you are sure to find at least some of the 45 butterfly species that have been seen here. If you are considering putting in a butterfly garden in South Florida this is a must. Your walk will conclude at the Lisa Anness Butterfly Garden.

For all walks, please check at the information desk or 305.667.1651, ext. 3388 for tour confirmation and group reservations. Call 305.667.1651, ext. 3328 for more information about the tours. 

 

Discover the Tropics Walk 
 
Weekdays from mid November through May, tours of Fairchild's plant collections are offered to visitors. Tours are led by trained volunteers.  Along the way you will enjoy many different plants, flowers, birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The content of these 45-minute tours will vary depending on the starting location and interest of the visitors.

Morning tours begin at the Visitor Center at 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. They may include: 
The tropical flower garden, the arboretum, native plants, the Victorica pool, the Lin Lougheed Spiny Forest of Madagascar and the historic vine pergola .

Afternoon tours  begin at the Cycad Circle at 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. They may include:
The Palmetum containing the hundreds of palms and cycads whose ancient lineage dates back to before the dinosaurs, or the two-acre Richard H. Simons Rainforest with its captivating stream and surrounding areas.

 

Themed Weekend Walking Tours

As part of the weekend walking tours we offer themed walking tours which vary each month. Tours run every Saturday and Sunday twice per day. The morning tour starts at 11:30 a.m.and the afternoon tour at 1:30 p.m. 

Below you will find the description of the tour, including the departure's location which will vary each month. 

February 2012
Discovering the Palmetum

Join us every Saturday and Sunday in February at the Cycad Circle Information kiosk for a 45 minute tour through the Montgomery Palmetum. This walking tour will take you through one of Fairchild's original planting areas, housing hundreds of species of palms some of them unique to South Florida and the Caribbean. 

March 2012
Orchid Extravaganza in the Rainforest

Stroll with us through the Richard Simons Rainforest and enjoy colorful orchids while you learn all about their natural habitat. Also get ideas to start your own collection at home! Walking tours start at the Orchid Plaza inside the Rainforest every Saturday and Sunday in March. 

April 2012
Delicious Edible Gardens

This tour will teach easy step-by-step ways to build your own edible garden at home. Learn the best herbs and veggies for South Florida while you taste delicious smoothies from The Fairchild Farm stand. Meet every Saturday and Sunday in April at the Edible Garden smoothie stand. 

Private Tours of Fairchild

Enjoy a private tour of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

An oasis of peace and tranquility in Miami, Fairchild is a hub of scientific, educational and cultural activity for local and out-of-town visitors to enjoy. The Garden offers 83 acres of unmatched beauty and features unparalleled tropical plant collections including rare and endangered plants from around the world, a tropical rainforest, a butterfly garden and a world-renowned display of palms, cycads, vines, tropical flowering trees and more. In addition, guests will enjoy a full tour of our current art exhibition featuring Will Ryman's sculptures.

Our private tours accommodate up to six guests, are approximately two hours long and include a light meal and include a full narrated tram tour.

For more information and to schedule a tour, please call Cristina Mas at 305.667.1651 ext. 3390 or email cmas@fairchildgarden.org.

Shuttle Service

Seasonally from November through May and during special events the rest of the year, we offer a shuttle service providing transportation from one location to another within the garden.  The shuttle is a seven passenger cart driven by trained volunteers.  The carts run a regular route through the upper part of the garden.  Check at the information desk for availability.  Priority is given to people with disabilities.