Faichild Tropical Botanical Gardens
Tropics Outdoors
As the name suggests, Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden is a very tropical garden that has more than 300 species of palms and cycads on 83 acres of land and ponds with plants and trees that bloom all year round.
In spite of what's been said, the palm trees are not the most
exciting part of the Garden -they are rather dull and, unless one is a botanist, no much to see. You're free to dissent of course.
However, the Garden has a nice rain forest which is worth visiting and is the largest one in open air in the US.
Once you arrive, it's recommended to start the tour with a ride on the tram (it's free with the admission) so that you get a general view in less than half an hour. The tram driver is knowledgeable and gives a good talk on the Fairchild history, conservation, anecdotes numbers and details of the best specimens. After the ride, walk through the quarter of the Garden that is to the west of the tram's starting point. This area is the most green and beautiful -and plenty of shaded places. In the so called "Low Lands" -to the east- most of the path is rather barren and the sun is merciless.
Also free with the admission is the latest and most popular exhibit, the Wings of the Tropic, a butterfly conservatory where you'll be surrounded by specimens of a number of colorful species typical of rain forests in Central America.