The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is the only 'frost-free' tropical forest & botanical garden in the continental United States that is located in one of the State of Florida's five areas of critical concern. Its collection offers visitors the rare opportunity to learn about the native flora and fauna of the Florida Keys, Cuba, and the Caribbean.

Protecting 89 years of history, the Garden covers 15 acres of native habitat including from one of the last remaining hardwood hammocks in the Keys, rare Cuban Palms, and open green space. You will find 12 self-guided tours each one averaging less than 1/10-mile, 2 acre & 1/2 butterfly gardens, 2 freshwater ponds and wetland habitats, 3 cactus barrens, and the Cuban Chug exhibit (vessels used to cross from Cuba) in the Key West Tropical Forest.

In 1934 the Key West City Commission declared the city bankrupt and gave up all municipal rights to Julius P. Stone, Jr. (1901-1970), Florida’s Federal Emergency Relief Administration Director.
In 1935 America was in the throes of the worst economic depression in history, but Key West had already been suffering longer and harder. In the midst of all this, Key West planted a Botanical Garden.
It was the adjacent land to the golf course, an undeveloped natural hammock, where members of the Key West Garden Club and City officials proposed a Municipal Botanical Garden in 1934. WPA funding furthered its development in 1935 with the addition of greenhouses, a potting and tool shed, an exhibit building, and a water distribution system.
February 23, 1936, the Garden formally opened featuring 55 acres. In 1998 a revival started with major capital projects including self-guided tours, signage, a Visitor Welcome Center, Public Restrooms, and parking.
Researched and written by Geri LaGotta