Because Sunken Gardens can be thoroughly enjoyed in a short visit, many travelers enjoy pairing this attraction with other activities. Neighborhood walking tours provide a deeper history of the city while eco-focused Segway tours highlight the botanical gardens and other natural features of St. Pete’s ecosystem, such as the manatees near the Tampa Bay seawall.
Visitors staying in downtown St. Petersburg can make the mile-long walk to Sunken Gardens without issue. Visitors from Tampa or St. Pete-Clearwater Airport can take I275 south, then head east on 22nd Avenue before turning south onto 4th Street. Overflow parking is available at nearby Crescent Lake Park. The Line 9 bus stops at Sunken Gardens as well.
You can walk through the gardens entirely in one hour, making it an excellent option for a late-morning activity. The gardens typically close late afternoon, and summer thunderstorms may disrupt a mid-afternoon visit. Weekdays are quieter (apart from the occasional school field trip), while weekends are generally much more crowded. Don’t wait until the last minute, as ticket sales end at least 30 minutes before Sunken Gardens closes.
St. Petersburg has a walkable downtown core and a ferry that runs between St. Pete and Tampa. Whether you’re staying in the city or visiting from around the area, other family activities are within walking distance of Sunken Gardens—check out the Great Explorations Children’s Museum next door and the nearby North Shore Park, which has a beachfront playground.
