EVENTS
Botanical gardens are evolving into vibrant cultural destinations—places where lush landscapes, creativity, and connection come together. At McKee Botanical Garden, this transformation is in full bloom. Through innovative exhibitions, engaging programs, and immersive experiences, we invite you to see nature and the arts in a new light—and to discover the joy they bring when they flourish side by side.
Details
The Jungle Experience: A Path to Stillness
Step beneath the canopy of McKee’s historic jungle garden, where filtered light, quiet water, and lush tropical plantings create a serene and restorative jungle sanctuary.
This guided sensory walk invites you to slow down, move quietly and restore mental clarity by engaging with the sights, sounds, and scents that define this unique landscape.
Rooted in the principles of forest bathing, the experience is designed to calm the nervous system, reduce stress, boost the immune system and restore a sense of balance, offering a rare moment of stillness within the Garden’s timeless setting.
What to Expect
A gentle, guided stroll focused on mindfulness and sensory awareness. This immersive experience will end with a reflective Tea Ceremony with the group.
Preparation
Wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes. Guests are asked to leave cellphones behind or turned off during this tour. You may wish to bring a small towel or mat. Please arrive 10–15 minutes early.
Your journey along The Jungle Experience: A Path to Stillness is guided by Kate Pisacreta, one of McKee’s most knowledgeable and intuitive Garden guides. Kate’s connection to plants is lifelong, rooted in childhood, shaped through hands-on work in residential landscape installations, and deepened during a decade in the Caribbean working with tropical plants and trees. She later cultivated an eight-acre garden in Southern California before making her home in Vero Beach. It was here that McKee Botanical Garden spoke to her enduring belief in the healing power of nature. Through The Jungle Experience: A Path to Stillness, Kate shares that sensibility, inviting visitors to experience the quiet, restorative beauty of McKee’s historic jungle garden in a deeply personal way.
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July 18 & 19
October 17 & 18
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As McKee celebrates its Centennial, we’re opening our gates wider than ever. On four special Community Days weekends, Indian River County residents are invited to enjoy McKee Botanical Garden for just $5 admission. (ID Required)
From peaceful jungle trails to inspiring exhibitions, these weekends are our way of saying thank you, to the community that saved, supported, and continues to sustain the first, the oldest and the only award-winning cultural landscape in Vero Beach.
2026 Community Days
- July 18 & 19
- October 17 & 18
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Saturday, September 5th 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday, September 6th 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
McKee and Vero Beach Orchid Society Members are invited to preview the exhibition and sale on Saturday at 8:00 am
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McKee Botanical Garden, in partnership with the Vero Beach Orchid Society, is pleased to present an exhibition of exotic, historic and rare orchids as well as special presentations for the collector or enthusiast.
Experience the beauty of orchids at McKee Botanical Garden through a vibrant display show judged by the American Orchid Society, showcasing exceptional orchid displays that celebrate artistry and cultivation. The event brings together Florida craft artisans and acclaimed orchid growers including Krull-Smith, Odom’s Orchids, Francisco Miranda Orchids, Quest Orchids, and Mac Orchids. Visitors can explore a lively marketplace of rare and exotic plants set within McKee’s award-winning jungle landscape, along with engaging speakers, educational lectures, and a hands-on workshop throughout the weekend.
Preschoolers (up to age 4)
- Returning October
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Our beloved early childhood garden programs are sprouting back up. Designed especially for our youngest nature lovers, these hands-on sessions invite children to explore the wonders of science, nature, and the Garden through play, discovery, and creativity. Each week, little explorers will dig into activities that spark curiosity and creativity. Join us as we grow, learn, and play together in the Garden!
Free with Membership or paid Garden Admission
Registration not required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.