Leu Gardens: Explore the Botanical Oasis

Visiting Orlando and searching for outdoor activities and places where you can explore nature? While many people come for just theme parks, there are many relaxing spots to take in the beautiful scenic landscapes that Florida is known for — like Leu Gardens! Here, you can immerse yourself in a 50-acre outdoor oasis loaded with a diverse range of gorgeous flora and fauna. It’s truly a magical place to get outside and breathe in the beauty of our area, perfect for those days in between going to the parks.

So, what is there to see and do at Leu Gardens? Keep reading to learn about the history and the abundance of stunning areas to discover during your visit! We’ll cover:

• The Gardens (13 Remarkable Sections)
• Leu House Museum
• Notable Works of Art
• Upcoming Events & Movie Nights
• Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
• Location
• When to Visit
• Tickets
• Other Helpful Tips

Highlights at Leu Gardens

Where do we start? Leu Gardens features 13 unique zones to stroll through — each with distinctive themes and a diverse collection of plants! We’re sure you can already guess that the gardens are the highlight and main appeal of this Orlando attraction. 

After parking and looking around the Garden House Welcome Center, you’ll have the option to go through the tropical stream garden on the right. It’s like taking a walk through a rainforest in Hawaii with lush landscapes and a variety of tropical plants like bird-of-paradise, palm trees, bananas, bromeliads, and more. There’s a great spot to overlook Lake Rowena and take a few photos with family and friends. 

As you continue, you’ll be able to choose if you want to head towards the North Woods or flower gardens. Depending on how much time you plan to stick around, we recommend following the order of the map that you’ll be given when you purchase tickets. The general rule is that it should take about 2 hours to walk around the entire horticultural marvel. 

But if you have limited time, we highly suggest making sure you go by the Rose Garden. It happens to be Florida’s largest formal rose garden and features a blend of modern roses and old garden roses (specifically those in existence before 1867.

Additional highlights include:

• Butterfly gardens that attract multiple species of butterflies
• A white garden filled with plants that only bloom white
• The most extensive documented camelia collection in Eastern North America
• Herb, vegetable, and arid gardens that will impress those with a green thumb
• …and more!

Leu House Museum

The property has a long and fascinating history but received its name for Harry and Mary Jane Leu — both extremely passionate gardeners. They traveled extensively and would bring all kinds of exotic plants from around the world. The property was then donated to the City of Orlando in 1960, and the gardens opened to the public in 1961.

Their historical home appears on the National Register of Historic Places and is a highlight of any trip to the gardens. The Leu House Museum showcases the captivating history of the property and its exciting inhabitants, including the caretaker who helped create and maintain the gardens.

It’s a fascinating showcase of life in Orlando during the early 1900s, and you can make the most of it with free guided tours departing from the entrance every thirty minutes.

Notable Works of Art at Leu Gardens

Apart from the lovely flowers and trees, you’ll also encounter some stunning artworks as you stroll through the gardens that we must mention. Keep a lookout for these:

• The Citrus Workers sculpture
• The seven pieces from The Otfinoski Collection
• Abstract art by M.B. Foster
• The 6 x 10-foot “Flowers For Janette” painting

The Gardens also hosts regular temporary art displays and has some fascinating garden-inspired pieces by Bill Rollo, Chrissie Mervine, and John Catterall at the Garden House Welcome Center.

Upcoming Events & Movie Nights

Happen to be in town on the first Friday of the month? You’re in for a treat; Leu Gardens hosts movie nights on the first Friday of every month. Tickets are inexpensive, and you’re welcome to bring a picnic and drinks to these events. 

Themed scavenger hunts are one of the most popular activities at Leu Gardens and are hosted on special days throughout the year. One of the fan favorites is Leaf It in the Gardens (from June 1 to July 31 this year), where searchers must find a range of leaves printed with fun facts. There’s no extra charge for the scavenger hunts, and you can pick up a helpful map when you arrive.

Love dinosaurs? The garden is raided by dinosaurs every spring for their Dinosaur Invasion event that offers a fun way for kids of all ages to learn some fun facts about plants and dinosaurs at Leu Gardens.

During the holidays, Leu Garden goes all out with their Dazzling Nights light displays across the garden, holiday tunes filling the air, and regular interactive shows.

Everything to Know Before Visiting

Can’t wait any longer to experience Leu Gardens? Let’s dive into the details so you can get the most out of your visit to these enchanting gardens:

Where is Leu Gardens located?

Located right outside Winter Park, it’s a quick and easy 30-minute drive from the popular theme parks (like Disney World) to Leu Gardens in Orlando. The address is: 1920 North Forest Avenue Orlando, Florida 32803 

When are the gardens open?

You can visit Leu Gardens anytime between 9 am and 4 pm daily except December 25. Once inside, you can enjoy the park until 5 pm with a daytime ticket. The House Museum opens at 10 am and closes at 1 pm daily. It’s closed on Mondays, Christmas Day, and from 1 to July 31. The park will close early on October 15 and October 28, 2022. For the most up-to-date information, please visit their website.

We’re often asked when the best time to visit the gardens… and, honestly, there’s no wrong time to go! Each season offers magical vibes, and there’s always something in bloom. Since you’ll be outside, you may want to consider traveling here in the cooler months — between October and April. You can find an extensive guide about the best time to visit Orlando FL on our blog.

How much do tickets cost?

Currently, ticket prices range from $10 to $15 per person, with no charge for kiddos three years old or younger. You can also visit the gardens free of charge on certain days every year

In 2022, Leo Gardens’ free admission days fall on the following dates:

• June 6, 2022
• July 4, 2022
• August 1, 2022
• September 5, 2022

Admission tickets can be purchased before you arrive online or at the entrance gate. Please note separate tickets must be purchased for evening events, classes, and guided tours.

Is there anything else I need to know before going?

Here are a few tips to consider before you arrive:

• There is no food on sale within the gardens, but you’ll find many restaurants nearby where you can enjoy a meal before or after your visit.
• You aren’t allowed to picnic in the gardens, and it’s not one of Orlando’s pet-friendly venues, but you can bring a packed lunch and enjoy it on the Welcome Center patio.
• Before exploring, pick up a map at the Garden House Welcome Center to help maximize your self-guided tour of the displays.
• It takes about two hours to view all the different gardens, including a stroll through South Woods to see the historic camellia collection. We always recommend planning for longer than that if you want to have a chance to explore all the areas in depth.

Explore More of Orlando

Love getting outdoors and want to experience Orlando like a local? Harry P. Leu Gardens is just the beginning of all the places to check out during your time in Central Florida! From Lake Eola to all the great places to ride bikes, we’re positive you’ll find something for everyone in your family and group to enjoy.

Take a look around our blog for more inspiration, head over to our map of Orlando, and then start browsing for accommodations nearby all the top attractions! We offer over 100 vacation rentals in Orlando with options for any size group and all types of needs.