This downtown Sarasota Bay bayfront property in an open-air and under-glass botanical garden featuring more than 20,000 colorful and exotic plants.
The overall gardens and greenhouses at Selby occupy approximately 11 acres while the entire campus setting is comprised of 16 acres.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens downtown Sarasota campus features an outdoor butterfly garden, bromeliad garden, bamboo garden, epiphyte garden, fern garden, a mangrove walkway, and a breathtaking tropical conservatory display garden with more than 6,000 orchids!
The Children’s Rainforest Garden at Selby Botanical
Children and adults will enjoy the Children’s Rainforest Garden. Its tropical jungle environment is where kids can freely explore and play. Featuring a 16′ waterfall, swinging bridges, field research stations to inspire curious minds, caves for exploring, and an adventure trail in addition to an Amazon village with an amphitheater!
The Children’s Rainforest Garden’s single entry/exit assures that no child can enter or exit without parental supervision. Read Selby Botanical Gardens’ featured blog article – click here!
Dining at Selby Botanical Gardens
The Green Orchid restaurant by Michael’s on East offers Selby Garden’s Members and visitors an elevated casual dining experience with a globally inspired menu. The restaurant features the innovative Drs. Andrew and Judith Economos Rooftop Edible Garden grows much of the fresh produce for its Garden-to-Plate menu.
The rooftop edible garden is planned, planted, and maintained by Operation EcoVets, a non-profit organization providing veterans personal, educational, and professional growth opportunities.
The Green Orchid restaurant operates entirely on solar power and is the world’s first net-positive energy restaurant!
The Green Orchid by Michael’s on East offers elevated casual dining featuring a globally inspired menu with a focus on local, regional, and sustainably sourced produce, seafood, meats, and poultry options. The menu changes seasonally, highlighting the freshest ingredients from local farms and the restaurant’s rooftop garden. There are vegetarian and vegan options available to cater to various dietary preferences.
The stylish bar program at The Green Orchid features botanical-inspired cocktails, with finishing touches straight from the rooftop garden. The wine list includes many organic, biodynamic, and sustainable wines from around the world.
No reservations | Walk-in indoor and outdoor table service for Selby Gardens visitors and members.
The Green Orchid restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for indoor and outdoor dining.
Selby House Café
Located within the historic Selby House, the café offers sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, pastries and cookies and other snacks. Coffee and espresso drinks are featured, along with a selection of hot or iced teas provided by Local Coffee and Tea, and a variety of beer and wine.
Groups can select from The Selby House Café box lunch option to enhance your unique picnic experience at Selby Gardens. The indoor café can seat up to 30 guests. All seating is on a first-come first-serve basis.
There is also an on-site gift shop. Garden admission not required to visit the Garden Shop.
Selby Botanical Gardens is a favorite Sarasota wedding and event venue and offers special events throughout the year including garden concerts.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a Sarasota attraction you won’t want to miss.
Selby Botanical Gardens downtown campus is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.*
Selby Gardens is open Thanksgiving Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., open Christmas Eve 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Selby Gardens is closed on Christmas Day.
Selby Gardens Downtown Sarasota Campus Admission and Tickets
Downtown Sarasota campus Admission: Members are free, Non-Member Adults $28, Ages 5-17 $12, Age 4 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased onsite and online.
Members can access Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown and Historic Spanish Point campuses. Please bring your membership card (from either Selby Gardens or Historic Spanish Point) and ID with you.
American Horticulture Society reciprocal memberships are accepted at both campuses.
North American Museum Reciprocal and ROAM program memberships will only be accepted at the Historic Spanish Point campus.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Historic Spanish Point campus is a proud participant of the Blue Star Museums program, which offers free admission to active-duty military personnel, including the National Guard and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day. See the complete list of Blue Star Museums here.