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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. Picnics welcome.
Reservations required – email kampong@ntbg.org or call (305) 442-7169
* Water bottle filling stations are now available. Please bring your own reusable water bottle.
Departure: Tuesday through Saturday
Tour Times: Tuesday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Call (305) 442-7169 for reservations.
Tour Duration: Recommended minimum of 1 hr
Ticket Prices:
Adults – $20
Seniors (62 and older) – $15
Students with school ID – $15
Children (4-12 years old) – $5
Children (4 years and younger) – free with paying adult
Active Military – Free
Greeted by a mythical goddess whose head hauntingly appears from the roots of a banyan tree, your visit begins at the entrance gate. 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. View the historical documents and photographs that led to the creation of the Florida Everglades as a national park. 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, November through June.
* Water bottle filling stations are now available. Please bring your own reusable water bottle.
Departure: Guided tours are currently suspended.
Tour Times: 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
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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