Chihuly sculpture at Fairchild Tropical Garden
Miami’s paradise of tropical plants, Fairchild Tropical Garden, normally charges $25 adult admission. But during August, Sundays are free.
The garden, which includes a rainforest and unusual and exotic plants from around the world, is also free the first Wednesday of the month through November. So mark your calendar for these remaining free days:
- Sunday, Aug. 19
- Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012
- Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012
- Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012
- Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012
At Fairchild Tropical Garden
Although August is a steamy time to visit, there is a lot of shade, dozens of plants are blooming and the free Sundays include plant sales and a free yoga class at 11 a.m.
Garden hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Here are details of free Sundays from the Fairchild website.
While visiting Fairchild, you’re close to these two classic Miami places:
- The historic and lovely Coral Gables Venetian Pool. The pool was created in 1923 from a coral rock quarry, where much of the original coral rock was used to border and further accentuate the pool. It has two large historic lookout towers, two waterfalls and cave-like grottos. The 820,000 gallon pool is fed with spring water from an underground aquifer and is filled and drained daily. Admission is $11 for adults; $6.30 for kids who are nor Coral Gables residents. The pool is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Matheson Hammock Park, a local treasure, which has a fabulous view of Miami’s skyline, a man-made atoll pool for swimming, plenty of shade and a marina. Inside the park is Red Fish Grill, a seafood restaurant built into an historic coral rock building.
We visited, taking advantage of free admission on Sundays in August. Thanks to overcast skies, the temperature was fine. Bromeliads, water lilies and lots of other trees and plants are in bloom at Fairchild Tropical Garden. I recommend it!