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Located on Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove, Florida, The Kampong contains a fascinating array of tropical fruit cultivars and flowering trees. Named for the Malay or Javanese word for a village or cluster of houses, The Kampong is the former estate of Dr. David Fairchild, the famed botanical explorer who traveled throughout Southeast Asia and other tropical regions collecting exotic plants he introduced to the U.S.
Kampong Planting Heritage collections from Southeast Asia, Central and South Americas, the Caribbean, and other tropical locales create a cornucopia of exotic fruit, including candle fruit, peanut butter fruit, egg fruit, cocoplums, and over 50 varieties of mango. Numerous species of palms, cycads, and flowering trees are studied by scientists from the world over. The Kampong serves as the mainland campus for NTBG’s educational courses, as a living classroom used by universities and colleges for botany and horticulture courses, and is a popular spot for plant enthusiasts of all ages.
Stand dwarfed by an 80-year old baobab tree from Tanzania that weighs almost 50 tons! Delight in the intoxicating fragrance of flowering plants prized by the perfume industry. Marvel at the fascinating fruits and flowering trees from the tropics. Your tour begins when you check in at the estate’s main house; an informational guide with map will be provided. Take your time strolling from the main house to the bay to other notable sites on the property.
* Water bottle filling stations are now available. Please bring your own reusable water bottle.
*Comfortable closed-toed shoes, bug spray and sun protection are highly suggested. Expect a pathless garden with uneven terrain.
Departure: Tuesday through Friday
Tour Times: 9:00 a.m. / 11:30 a.m. / 2:00 p.m.
Advanced reservation and payment is required.
Tour Duration: Garden visitation is limited to 2 hours.
Prices:
• Adults (13 yrs. and above) – $15
• Seniors (ages 62 and above) or students with school ID – $10
• Children 4-12 yrs. – $5
• Children 3 yrs. and under – free when accompanied by adult
• Military Veterans – free
Stroll with your guide through legacy plantings as you hear the story of David Fairchild, why he made this spot his home, and how his plant collections influenced the diets of the American people. Make your way to the museum which once served as Fairchild’s study and laboratory. Enter the Fairchild-Sweeney House and learn how Kay Sweeney saved the property from development after Fairchild’s death. At the conclusion of your guided tour, feel free to meander on your own to The Point on Biscayne Bay and explore the garden further.
Guided tours of The Kampong are offered seasonally, October through June.
* Water bottle filling stations are now available. Please bring your own reusable water bottle.
*Comfortable closed-toed shoes, bug spray and sun protection are suggested.
Departure: Tuesday-Friday
Tour Times: 10:00 am
Tour Duration: 1 hour; option to explore on your own after
Ticket Prices:
Adults – $25
Seniors (62 and older) – $20
Students with school ID – $20
Children (4-12 years old) – $10
Children (4 years and younger) – free with paying adult
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