One of the best parts of vacation is getting to experience something you’ve never seen before (or, at least, don’t get the chance to see it often). If you’re from the mountains, for instance, you might look forward to going to the beach. Or, if you don’t have a ton of international cuisine in your hometown, you can travel to get a taste of the globe. When you book one of our Sarasota rentals, you’ll be close to numerous unique attractions that set this fantastic city apart from the rest.
While you’re designing your itinerary, it’s crucial that you include a visit to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. This stunning property has an interesting backstory and welcomes visitors all year long to see its one-of-a-kind collection of plant life. Experience the glory of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for yourself while you’re in town!
About/History
Guests who stay in one of our premier Sarasota vacation homes have been enjoying the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for decades now. To get the full story, we must travel back in time to 1885 when Marie Selby (née Mariah Minshall) herself was born in West Virginia. She eventually married William Selby, and the couple made their way to Sarasota in the early 1920s to settle down. Marie was always passionate about gardening and was a charter member of the Founder’s Circle, the city’s first garden club. The couple established The William and Marie Selby Foundation in 1955 and passed away on December 4, 1956, and June 9, 1971, respectively.
In 1975, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens as we know it today opened its doors. Not only does the property seek to honor Marie Selby and her incredible legacy, but it also works to teach locals and visitors about the stunning plant life in this area and around the world. The Gardens welcome more than 200,000 visitors every single year and thrives in its education and research efforts.
Plan Your Visit
There are two campuses of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, but here, we’ll be talking about the main campus located at 1534 Mound Street in downtown Sarasota. To get here, all you have to do is head south on South Washington Boulevard toward Ringling Boulevard. Turn right onto Mound Street, then after half a mile, turn left onto South Orange Avenue. If you find yourself driving with the water on your left, you’ve gone too far!
Guests are welcome to visit Marie Selby Botanical Gardens any day of the year (except Christmas Day) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can purchase your tickets online or once you arrive. As of writing, on-site parking is limited, but you can use the complimentary valet service or park nearby in the Selby Gardens Lot or the Suncoast Blood Center.
Plan Your Vacation
Ready to book your stay in a one-of-a-kind vacation home? Vunique Vacations offers homes as distinctive as you are. Peruse our portfolio today.
Marie Selby Garden Tours
When you’re visiting Marie Selby Gardens, you have two options for a tour: self-guided or guided. Regardless of which option you select, get ready to experience one of the best Sarasota outdoor activities!
Both tour options have quite a bit of information in common. Tours are available every half-hour from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You must book your tour at least one week in advance, and your tour price does include general admission to the Gardens. Finally, all tours are ADA accessible, and you can borrow wheelchairs for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
On a self-guided tour, you’ll be able to enjoy the grounds at your own pace. You will get an educational orientation from a staff member before you head out, and you’ll also receive an audio tour to listen to along the way. Finally, you’ll receive some additional reading and learning materials to help you make the most of the tour. Self-guided tours require at least eight people. Visit their website for pricing.
A guided tour, on the other hand, lets you experience the grounds while a knowledgeable guide gives you all the extra information you could ask for. These tours have three potential topics you can choose from: the Gardens Tour, the Art Tour, or the Conservatory Tour. All tours come with the same orientation, audio tour, and additional materials that are offered in the self-guided tour. These tours last 45 minutes and require at least eight people. Check out their website for pricing.
The Selby Botanical Gardens has recently added a third tour offering: Selby Gardens by Boat! For $125 per person, you can experience a one-of-a-kind boat tour around the area, admission to both campuses of the Gardens, and a $20 lunch voucher. Of course, all along the way, you’ll have a helpful guide to tell you more about the fascinating sights you’re seeing. This tour is a great way to spend your whole day since it begins at 9:45 a.m. and wraps up around 3:15 p.m.
Explore More in the Gardens
While you’re exploring the Gardens, you’re not limited to just the flowers and plants around you. There are a few other special spots you can visit to make the most of your trip!
If you get a bit hungry while you’re walking around, be sure to stop at the Selby House Café. This quaint café is operated by Michael’s on East, one of the most popular eateries in the area, so you know you’re in for a stellar meal! Enjoy light fares like sandwiches, soups, wraps, pastries, salads, and more. You can also grab a coffee, tea, espresso, beer, or wine.
Before you finish up, stop into The Garden Shop. This isn’t just your ordinary gift shop, as the special selections are constantly rotating to provide something new every time you visit. You can choose from plants and garden accessories to take home, floral arrangements to enjoy in your rental, giftware, and apparel to give to friends back home, and so much more.
Your Sarasota Vacation Rental
Visiting the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is only one of the awesome things to do in Sarasota. But no matter what you and your group are interested in, you can find it all just minutes away from our Sarasota luxury vacation rentals. At Vunique Vacations, we strive to ensure you want for nothing on your trip. Your getaway should be all about relaxing, which is why we do the heavy lifting for you and provide a comfortable and cozy place for you to stay during your travels.
Each of our rental homes is designed as a private retreat, complete with expansive backyard oases, breathtaking area views, upscale appliances, spacious living and dining areas, and so much more. We also ensure your safety and security with features like cameras and noise monitoring systems. On top of that, we work to provide a level of customer service that is just as impressive as the homes themselves. Should any questions or concerns arise, our team will be right by your side to address them.
Let us take care of you on your next trip to Sarasota, Florida. Contact Vunique Vacations today to learn more and to book your stay!
