St Pete – Sunken Gardens

What are Sunken Gardens, you ask? Want to stroll through a 100-year-old tropical paradise and see gorgeous exotic birds, including a flock of Flamingos? Well, St Pete, FL, has just that at Sunken Gardens.

Outside downtown St Petersburg, FL, you will find Sunken Gardens on 4 acres of well-established botanical gardens at 1825 4th Street North. The Gardens have existed for over a century and are one of the oldest roadside tourist attractions in the United States. Today, this spectacular St. Petersburg botanical marvel features more than 50,000 exotic tropical plants and birds worldwide.  It is St. Petersburg’s oldest living museum, and it is a must-see.

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What will you experience at Sunken Gardens?

Mark and I have been a couple of times since moving here in 2015. I’ve also taken my mom there for Mother’s Day and friends who have been in town over the years. It is always a hit. I have now visited during every season, most recently December 2023 and it is such a beautiful sight to see.

The peaceful property contains thousands of species of tropical and subtropical plants and flowers surrounded by pools and cascading waterfalls along winding paved pathways. They feature a Japanese garden, cactus garden, butterfly garden, koi pond, and a flock of Chilean flamingos. It’s almost impossible to think you are right in the heart of a busy city.

What has changed at Sunken Gardens over the years?

So much has changed since our first visit in 2015, including the iconic vintage signage on 4th Street. The new sign resembles the original from the 1960s but is brand new as of February 2023. 

In 2016 Sunken Gardens acquired a new flock of 20 flamingos from the San Antonio Zoo. They joined elderly flamingo residents George and Lucy, the last two remaining Chilean flamingos from the original 17 flock that had lived there since 1956. The new flamingos were purchased with funds raised by the nonprofit group Flamingos Forever, composed of volunteers. Additionally, the city purchased a $30,000 nighttime enclosure for the new flock. After receiving the new flock, Flamingos Forever changed their name to Sunken Gardens Forever. The St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman even named May “Sunken Gardens Forever Appreciation Month” in honor of their tremendous fundraising efforts.

Sunken Gardens also houses 11 parrots, including five macaws, four Amazons, two cockatoos, and an elderly kookaburra. All of the birds were rescued and acquired by the gardens after their previous owners passed away or could no longer provide care for them. Many respond to their names or even play peekaboo with staff and visitors. I love conversing with these gorgeous birds and seeing how silly they can be.

Watch our Video of Sunken Gardens

Did you know we started a TikTok? Here is a short video from Sunken Gardens as seen through my eyes <3 Feel free to follow us if you are on that platform!!

Sunken Gardens also offers a variety of programs for children and adults. Programs include teaching nature photography skills, propagation, rain barrels, microgreens, and classes about orchids and other horticultural programs and special events. You can even get married or host a private event in the center of the gardens in the unbelievably posh event space.

We highly recommend adding Sunken Gardens to your next visit to St Pete, FL. The Gardens are now operated by the City of St. Petersburg and maintained with the help of volunteers. An admission fee is charged for entry into the gardens, but a yearly membership is also available for locals. We also often see deals on Groupon too! Follow them on Facebook or Instagram to keep up with current news and see beautiful photos of the grounds and birds.

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