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Cypress Gardens

By , About.com Guide

Cypress Gardens theme park picture Winter Haven Florida photo

Elegant cypress trees line the banks of Lake Eloise at Cypress Gardens.

© Arthur Levine, 2006. Licensed to About.com.

Special Note about Cypress Gardens:

Cypress Gardens closed in September 2009. It reopened as Legoland Florida in late 2011.

The following information is about the closed Cypress Gardens.

Cypress Gardens Location

Winter Haven, Florida. About halfway between Orlando and Tampa, app. 60 minutes from both cities.

Admission Policy:

General admission includes access to all gardens, shows, and scheduled concerts. The adjacent water park requires a separate admission. Combo tickets are available. Discount tickets for seniors (60+) and juniors (3 to 9). Guests under 3 are admitted free. Season passes are available.

Directions to Cypress Gardens:

From Orlando: I-4W to exit 55 (U.S. Hwy 27S). South on U.S. Hwy. 27. Turn right off U.S. Highway 27 at State Road 540/Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Park is 4 miles on the left.

From Tampa: I-4E to Polk Pkwy East. Exit State Road 540E, Winter Lake Road. Follow to the end and turn left on Highway 17. Turn right at State Road 540/Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Park is 3 miles on right.

Hotel Information:

Find Cypress Gardens Hotel Accommodations
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Cypress Gardens Featured Attractions:

  • Extraordinary botanical gardens
  • Famous water ski show

Cypress Gardens Splash Island Water Park:

Splash Island is not included with admission to Cypress Gardens.
Cypress Gardens Splash Island Water Park Photo Gallery

More Cypress Gardens Info:

Cypress Gardens Photo Gallery
Cypress Gardens Coaster and Ride Photo Gallery- Note that Cypress Gardens no longer offers coasters or rides. These photos were taken before the park eliminated them.

Official Web Site:

Cypress Gardens Overview:

Cypress Gardens predates Disney World by many years. Its quaint mix of botanical gardens, Southern belles in hoop skirts, and water ski shows once made the park a Florida must-see. But Disney and other next-generation parks rendered Cypress Gardens a bit too quaint, and by 2003, it closed after years of dwindling attendance.

The owners of Georgia's Wild Adventures came to the rescue, added the "Adventure Park" tagline, and introduced coasters and other amusement park staples into the mix. However, they declared bankruptcy. New owners eliminated the coasters and rides during the 2008 season.

The gardens themselves are truly stunning. Framed by the majestic cypress trees that line the banks of Lake Eloise, the sprawling and immaculate Botanical Gardens are bursting with color. Surprises loom at every bend in the path: A ring of beautiful, yet faintly ominous, banyan trees provides a canopy of shade; impossibly beautiful, flowing flowerbeds converge at a white gazebo and cascade down a hill. The Topiary Trail features oversized whimsical creatures fashioned from hedges and plants. A butterfly conservatory, which sits at the entrance to the lovely, formal Plantation Gardens, offers a hushed sanctuary.

The food is mostly uninspired, typical park fare. Why not add some vegetable gardens to the grounds, and prepare meals using the freshly picked crops? With its old-Florida heritage, perhaps Cypress Gardens should incorporate citrus into some dishes or at least feature citrus drinks.

Had the wrecking ball leveled Cypress Gardens, it would have been a shame. Now that it's been saved, it merits a visit.

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