In 1922, the McKee-Sexton Land Company was established in Vero Beach, Florida. This partnership purchased an 80-acre tropical hammock along the Indian River in 1929 and McKee Jungle Gardens was born.
With the help of landscape architect William Lyman Phillips, now known as the pioneer of tropical landscape architecture, the basic infrastructure of streams, ponds and trails was designed. Native vegetation was augmented with ornamental plants and seeds from around the world as Arthur G. McKee and Waldo E. Sexton set about assembling one of the most outstanding collections of water lilies and orchids.
By the 1940’s more than 100,000 tourists were visiting McKee Jungle Gardens each year, making it one of Florida’s most popular attractions. In the early 1970’s, attendance dwindled due to competition from new large-scale attractions and the garden was forced to close its doors in 1976.
The land was sold and all but 18 acres were developed. The remaining acreage, zoned for additional development, sat vacant for twenty years. In 1994, the Indian River Land Trust launched a fund-raising campaign and successfully purchased the property on December 1, 1995 for $1.7 million.
Close to $9.1 million was raised to purchase, stabilize and restore the Garden. The Garden held its formal Dedication November, 2001.
From I-95 South
Indrio Road east to US 1 North on US 1 to Vero Beach. McKee Botanical Garden is located at 350 US Highway 1 at the southern gateway of Vero Beach.
From I-95 North
State Route 60 east to US 1 and take US 1 South. Immediately past 4th Street (also known as Indian River Blvd.), McKee Botanical Garden will be on your left. You cannot take a left into the Garden, continue south until you come to where you can do a u-turn (at “The Pyramid”) and do a u-turn and head north on US 1. Our main entrance is off of US 1. The Garden will be on your right.
From the Beach
Coming over to the mainland from either the Barber Bridge or the 17th Street bridge, take a left on Indian River Blvd. Take a left on 4th Court (4th Court is immediately across the street from Velde Ford). Then take a right at the stop sign. McKee Botanical Garden will be on the left.
NOTE: There is a lot of construction so please be careful entering/exiting the Garden.
Admission Fees – October 31st – April 30th
Adults – $9.00
Seniors – $8.00
Children (3-12) – $5.00
Children under 3 – FREE
School Group*** – $1.00 per child
Tour Group*** – General Admission
Members – FREE
Admission Fees – May 1st – October 30th
Adults – $7.00
Seniors – $6.00
Children (3-12) – $4.00
Children under 3 – FREE
School Group*** – $1.00 per child
Tour Group*** – General Admission
Members – FREE
***NOTE: All group tours must be booked two weeks in advance by calling the McKee Botanical Garden office at 794-0601.
CHILDREN’S GUIDE TO MCKEE
McKee Botanical Garden’s new Children’s Guide is now available on-line.
Garden Gift and Book Shop
Come and visit our garden gift shop located at the garden entrance. We are open Tuesday – Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm and Sunday 12:00 – 5:00pm, closed on Mondays.
Café
The Garden Cafe is open Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Sundays Noon – 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy a sandwich, salad or soup sitting indoors or out, taking in the scenic grounds at the Garden Cafe at McKee.
Accessibility
McKee Botanical Garden is wheelchair accessible. A wheelchair is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call the McKee Botanical Garden office for more information 772-794-0601 ext. 108 or to reserve.
Reference Library
McKee Botanical Garden has a reference library that is staffed solely by volunteers. It is a non-lending library and you are invited to visit during garden hours. Due to the volunteer staff, it is advised that you call the Garden at 772-794-0601 to make certain that the library is open.
SOURCE: http://www.mckeegarden.org
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