Mounts Announces Free Summer Admission for Kids

Mounts Botanical Garden (Mounts)invites nature-curious youngsters and families to immerse themselves in a world of wonder with a variety of engaging and fun "green" experiences this summer that inspire learning, creativity and a deep appreciation for the environment. Best of all, Mounts is offering free admission for kids through July with the purchase of an adult admission.

Nestled in the heart of Palm Beach County, Mounts Botanical Garden is more than just a garden; it's a living museum and a natural playground where curiosity blooms. From a Treasure Trek scavenger hunt nature walk and giant green maze, to a colorful butterfly garden, towering Moai, giant animal statuary family and feeding fish and turtles, the garden offers enriching activities designed to connect people of all ages with the beauty and importance of the natural world.

Families have an opportunity to explore winding paths, colorful plant collections and themed gardens that make Mounts a vibrant tropical oasis in the heart of The Palm Beaches. It's the perfect place for both the young and the young at heart to unplug, reconnect with nature and share time together outdoors.

"These experiences aren't just educational, they're memory-making moments," said Executive Director James May. "Whether it's your child's first butterfly sighting or a shared laugh over the quirky shapes of tropical plants, Mounts Botanical Garden offers opportunities to create lasting memories while deepening our connection with the natural world and each other."

Plan a visit today and see why Mounts continues to be a cherished destination for exploration, education and family fun. Adventures in the garden include the following:

Treasure Trek Map - a colorful rhyming guide to all the unique pleasures and secret treasures that can be found on a fun and informative scavenger hunt through the garden

The Giant Green Maze - a living puzzle grows right in the center of the garden. Pruned to resemble a European castle from the outside, the maze is an awesome area of very tall greenery, secret paths and horticultural alcoves tailor-made for a lively imagination.

Giant Animal Statuary Family - life-sized animals crafted from recycled metal located throughout the garden, including three giraffes, two elephants, a hippo and a lion

Towering Moai - three massive sculptures, impressive life-size replicas of the iconic monolithic human figures located on Easter Island, Chile. (You may recall the young rabbit named E.B. in the popular animated movie "Hop," which was set on Easter Island.) Discover the inspiring story of the Easter Island Moai and the Rapa Nui culture and the importance of preserving and protecting both historical treasures and environmental resources.

Mounts Butterfly Garden - home to a collection of colorful plants that provide crucial resources for all stages of a butterfly's life cycle. The year-round flowers provide nectar for adult butterflies, and the plants provide flowers and leaves for the caterpillars to eat. Monarch, atala, zebra longwing and cloudless sulphur are among the species of beautiful butterflies that can be spotted gliding from plant to plant.

Feeding Fishin Lake Orth - This centerpiece in the garden contains many species of colorful fish, turtles and birds, but the collection of koi steal the show, and visitors of all ages relish in the opportunity to feed these beautifully colored fish. The first three koi fish introduced to Lake Orth (Speedy, Buttercup and Sunshine) are still swimming around with more than 70 additional koi enjoying fish food from visitors.

Sensory Backpacks - available to assist visitors with sensory sensitivities. These backpacks are designed to help families feel more prepared and confident to engage during their visit to the garden, adjust to new faces, new activities, bright lights, a range of noise levels and so many other sensory experiences. The backpacks include tools to help children and adults either calm down or stimulate their senses, including noise-cancelling headphones, polarized sunglasses and a variety of fidget devices.

Located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach, Mounts Botanical Garden is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (with last entry at 3 p.m.). Admission is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, college students and military with IDs and free for youth under 17, Mounts members and RAP (reciprocal program) members.​