How to Visit the Harry P. Leu Gardens
Central Florida is home to so many attractions. Whether you are a thrill seeker, animal lover, professional shopper or nature explorer, we have it all. But, sometimes I get tired of hearing about Disney, Universal Studios, or Seaworld. It’s why I created this series – completely dedicated to exploring and highlighting other areas of Central Florida.
In this installment of my A Tank Away Series, I will be visiting the Harry P. Leu Gardens. This 50-acres botanical garden is located just minutes from Downtown Orlando and should definitely be added to your vacation itinerary. There are a few things though that everyone should know before planning a visit. For that reason, I’ve created this guide to will provide you with everything you need to know on how you can visit the Harry P. Leu Gardens.
What to Expect
When you visit the Harry P. Leu Gardens, you will have the chance to see 15,000 different types of plants! From the beautiful rose garden, to the bamboo forest, to the historic Leu House Museum, the gardens offer visitors something different to do in Orlando. Divided into sections, the gardens also allow visitors to roam throughout them at their leisure.
The tropical and semi-tropical nature of the gardens is due to the extensive travels that Mr. and Mrs. Leu did and their habit of bringing back seeds with them. The couple lived on the estate and continued to plant their fauna across the grounds, up until their passing. Their home, the Historic Leu House, originally built in 1888 is listed on the National Register of Historic Homes. Over its lifetime, the property has had four owners before it was donated, along with the surrounding gardens, to the city of Orlando in 1961. It’s worth a visit as it is a wonderful display of 19th and 20th century architecture and helps to tell the story of how the gardens came to be.
Not only are the gardens extensive, but there is a butterfly garden and art exhibits scattered throughout the estate as well. Are you ready to visit yet?
Visit The Harry P. Leu Gardens
Location: 1920 North Forest Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803
Hours: Leu Gardens is open every day from 9:00am – 5:00pm, except December 25th. Entrance is not admitted after 4:00pm. The historic Leu House Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00am – 1:00pm, with the last tour at 12:30 p.m. It is closed Mondays, during Plant Sale, the entire month of July and December 25th.
Admission: Adult admission is $15 per person (18+ years old). Tickets can be purchased either online or you can pay upon arrival to the gardens.