While it starts to cool down, why not skip the theme parks and explore some of Florida’s most beautiful natural wonders? These local botanical gardens within driving distance of Orlando feature shady trees, colorful flowers and everything else you need for an Instagram-worthy afternoon adventure.

Harry P. Leu Gardens 1920 North Forest Ave., Orlando FL (407)-246-2620 Estimated driving distance: 14 minutes With over 50 acres of gardens to explore, you’ll never run out of roses, camellias and azaleas to sniff. It might be difficult to see all of the garden’s 12,000 plants in one visit, so it’s definitely worth a second trip. Photo via slowlove/Instagram
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens 633 Osceola Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789, (407) 647-6294 Estimated driving distance: 15 minutes If you fancy any of the architecture featured throughout the Disney masterpiece, ‘Hercules,’ then this museum and the step into ancient Greece it offers is right up your alley. Fifty of Albin Polasek and other sculptor’s works can be found strewn across the beautiful landscape that sits only fifteen minutes from downtown. Photo via jmjlaca/Instagram
Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL, (863)-676-1408 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour 9 minutes Certainly worth visiting for the architecture alone, this little Florida gem can be found hidden away in Lake Wales, Florida. Along with their unique landmark, the ‘Singing Tower,’ visitors can also enjoy bird watching, geocaching and trail hiking. Photo via wanderlust/Instagram
Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens 3755 US-17, Sanford, FL, (407)-323-4450 Estimated driving distance: 30 minutes This little zoo right outside of Orlando has a variety of plants and animals to discover and is a great way to spend a some time outside the city for the day. Photo via findaj/Instagram
Dickson Azalea Park 100 Rosearden Dr, Orlando, FL, (407)-246-2283 Estimated driving distance: 8 minutes One of Orlando’s oldest landmarks, Dickson Azalea Park is a hidden treasure in Winter Park that offers plenty of peace, quiet and most importantly, shade. Photo via taco_palace/Instagram
Central Park Rose Garden W Morse Blvd. Winter Park, FL 32789, (407) 599-3334 Estimated driving distance: 16 minutes Another adjacent pearl of the Orlando area can be found a short horse ride north of downtown Orlando where the Central Park Rose Garden sits neatly tucked away in Winter Park. An oasis surrounded by more oasis, this location should take up one of your days off sooner rather than later. Photo via frankstpics/Instagram
The Florida Botanical Gardens 12520 Ulmerton Rd. Largo, FL 33774, (727) 582-2100 Estimated driving distance: 2 hours With 12 gardens that range in theme from butterfly to cactus, the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo overflow with ways to serenely fill your off days with decompressing nature walks and seating. Three formal gardens also provide the public the opportunity to showcase their event in one of the finest natural settings Florida has to offer. Photo via abbiemtr/Instagram
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens 4700 SW 58th DR, Gainesville, FL 32608, (352) 372-4981 Estimated driving distance: 2 hours With indoor and outdoor venues aplenty and one and a half miles of paved trail, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens provides the Gainesville area with 24 themed gardens. Their primary crowd pleaser is the Chinese royal bamboo and Victoria water lilies. The provided Moonlight Walk is a must see, if lasers and over a thousand luminaries peak your interest. Photo via dvega3/Instagram
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 900 S. Palm Ave. Sarasota, Fl 34236, (941) 366-5731 Estimated driving distance: 2 hours 30 minutes Lush and overwhelmingly full of life, these Sarasota based gardens have provided the scientific world with ample opportunity to further gain ground. Here you can also find an elevated rainforest display that offers visitors the chance to experience what historical figures, like George of the jungle, had to go through on a daily basis. You can also hang around the tropical conservatory or feed the hungry Koi in their natural habitat, the pond. Photo via nikkiandcarson/Instagram
McKee Botanical Gardens 350 US-1, Vero Beach, FL, (772)- 794-0601 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour 47 minutes Revered for its preservation of Old Florida charm combined with beautiful native and exotic plants, McKee Botanical Gardens is a historical masterpiece filled with endless water lilies and palm-paved pathways perfect for a relaxing day in nature. Photo via jessiekatz/instagram
Mead Botanical Garden 1500 S Denning Dr, Winter Park, FL, (407)-599-2800 Estimated driving distance: 12 minutes Nestled in the heart of Winter Park, Mead Botanical Garden offers a variety of flora and fauna to discover in its three areas, which include a butterfly garden, the legacy greenhouse, and a native plants garden. Photo via larsenaudio/Instagram
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446, (561) 495-0233 Estimated driving distance: 2 hours 50 minutes Providing a glimpse into far eastern botanical manipulation, Morikami gives Florida a chance to learn more about the Japanese Culture while providing breathtaking galleries and access to the museum’s surrounding garden called Roji-en: Garden of the Drops of Dew. The museum gives workshops on topics ranging from calligraphy to haikus with exhibits themed around aspects of Japanese culture like Origami. Photo via artisticdesire/Instagram
Nehrling Garden 2267 Hempel Ave Gotha FL 34734-0884, (407) 445-9977 Estimated driving distance: 20 minutes It makes sense to see the old home of Florida’s godfather of botany, Dr. Henry Nehrling, beyond adequately cradled by one of Florida’s best examples of botany.  This garden hosts continued research in the relentless struggle to understand the plant genome that Dr. Nehrling started in the 19 century.   Photo via nolanwilkison_99/Instagram
Palmer’s Garden & Goods 2611 Corrine Dr, Orlando, FL, (407)-896-5951 Estimated driving distance: 14 minutes Make sure to keep on the lookout for this little oasis next time you find yourself driving through Audubon Park. Here, you can find (and purchase) many unique and beautiful plants and garden accessories made to brighten up anyone’s day. Photo via kinzieriehm/Instagram
Sunken Gardens 1825 4th St. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33704, (727) 551-3102 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour 43 minutes Having recently restocked their famous Flamingo flock, Sunken Gardens now has one of the most unique and eye opening exhibits offered to the central Florida area. Flamingo’s aside, the guided tours and various workshops that they provide are still more than enough of a reason to venture down south for this local treat.   Photo via jjorczak16/Instagram
UCF Arboretum 4312 Scorpius St. Orlando, FL (407)-823-3583 Estimated driving distance: 22 minutes One of many creative learning communities at UCF, the Arboretum is a truly unique feature that can be found right on campus. With winding trails lead you through hidden paths around Lake Claire; the Arboretum is the ideal place for a much needed study break. Photo via hannibal_schlecter/Instagram
University of South Florida Botanical Gardens 12210 USF Pine Dr, Tampa, FL 33612, (813) 974-2329 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour Providing both an educational tool for the students as well as being an adequate outreach program to the Tampa area, University of South Florida’s Botanical Gardens houses thousands of animals and plants. With 16 acres at your disposal, the gardens are more than capable of providing you with a day of exploring and learning in Florida’s vibrant greenbelt Photo via USF Botanical Garden/Facebook
Hollis Garden 702 E Orange St., Lakeland, FL (863)-834-2280 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour The neo-classical architectural design of this garden makes it a popular wedding venue, but the precisely manicured trees and picturesque view of Lake Mirror make this the perfect spot for anyone looking for that perfect Instagram shot. Admission is free, just don’t come on Mondays when the garden is closed. Photo via gt07xz/Instagram
Kraft Azalea Garden 1365 Alabama Dr. Winter Park, FL 32789, (407) 599-3334 Estimated driving distance: 30 minutes Sitting on the Shore of Lake Maitland is the most consistently used setting in dreams also known as Kraft Azalea Garden. Framed by overwhelming cypress trees, this 5 acre plot of elegantly floraled land is a more than capable of providing the perfect backdrop for those memory making wedding photos. Photo via ciararoutly/Instagram
Florida Tech Botanical Gardens 150 W University Blvd. Melbourne, FL, (321) 674-8038 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour 19 minutes Winding through Florida Tech’s campus, this natural gem provides the area with a plethora of palm trees that are sure to encourage a leizure of an evening. Photo via oyukeminae/Instagram
Mackay Gardens 900 Mackay Blvd, Lake Alfred, FL 33850, (863) 837-5260 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour Sitting just an hour outside of downtown Orlando, Mackay Gardens with its bike trail and rentable facilities provide the surrounding Central Florida area with a chance to escape to a moment of relaxation and reflection. Photo via evtechie/Instagram
Discovery Gardens 1951 Woodlea Rd. Tavares, FL 32778, (352) 343-4101 Estimated driving distance: 50 minutes This 3 acre plot of land gives Florida 20 separately themed gardens that boast of more than 700 different floral species for visitors to learn about. Experts at the facility are also present to help pass on the “know-how” when approaching your own garden works at home. Photo via David Cote/Facebook
Ormond Beach Memorial Art Museum and Gardens 78 E Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach (386)-676-3347 Estimated driving distance: 1 hour, 4 minutes Designed by a Belgian-trained landscape architect in the 1940s, these gardens are just as much a work of art as the pieces found in the museum they rest beside. With tropical plants and natural ponds, these 2.5 acres offer a respite from the harsh sunlight usually found on the shore. Photo via everydaylovenotes/Instagram