Hollis Garden

If you haven’t yet strolled through this beautiful neo-​classical garden, you are missing a treat. Relax and rejuvenate within this tranquil oasis, usually to a background of classical music piped through the grounds to add to the serenity. Hollis Gardens is yet another example of what makes Lakeland a great place to live. Over the years the City has done a wonderful job of fostering art, culture, and green space, especially for a city of its size. Admission is free. Our family has been many times and we always enjoy it; our kids (ages 5 and 9) call it «The Secret Garden».
The Garden has a limestone grotto surrounded by lush ferns and tropicals; a Koi pond; several fountains, and all sorts of alternately shady and sunny turns and corners to explore, all surrounded with cool green trees, exotic flora, and even vegetables. The Gardens slopes down to Lake Mirror. Nice views to be had of The lake, and the Gardens opens out onto the loggia and the Promenade; you can walk all the way around the lake on wide landscaped sidewalks. Lake Mirror and the Promenade etc. were named to the American Planning Association’ «Top Ten Public Spaces» in the U.S. last year. Their website includes reference to Hollis Gardens as part of what makes it so special here. Lots of weddings take place here, and it’s easy to see why once you visit.
After you take in the beautiful garden, head next door to the Garden Bistro restaurant (on the lake side under the Magnolia Building) for great sandwiches and other light fare, or visit Barnett Family Park a little further west of the Gardens.
Note that the Gardens, although City property, were made possible by the significant generosity of several prominent local families and charities including the Hollis family, whose name the Gardens bears.

I have been here twice and can’t believe I have not reviewed it. This place is a little piece of heaven. Those January days when all of the rest of the world is complaining about cold and snow, this is a beautiful place to be. This place is a tropical little world with pretty flowers, landscapes, and picturesqueness all over. It says that pets are not allowed, but we have a small dog and we put him in his little stroller, right outside the grounds is the walking trail on Lake Mirror. Everyone there just chilled, and played with their dog, so why not have him in this little garden in his stroller. he is not setting food. all was well. My mom loved it as she was counting down her days to get back to cold Chicago. This place will make all smile.

Attack of the photographers!
Don’t be fooled, this little garden is probably the size of an acre but there’s many flowers, bushes, and scenery to make it feel much bigger than that. To add to that a-​maze-​ing feeling are stone pathways, steps, and columns. For real just sit on a bench, stare out into the nearby Lake Mirror (or any of the surrounding flowers) and just zen out.
I’m no Botanist but I definitely appreciate natural beauty and this place is definitely beautiful. It’s no surprise then to run into hordes of people with long, lensed cameras or wedding parties posing for pictures. It’s totally open. Anyone can wander in here for free. So it’s very possible for you in your jeans to be caught in the background of these crazed photogs.
It’s a small garden crammed with many natural décor. Luckily after an hour of wandering it’s very easy to waltz over to the nearby lake and walk to the rest of the Lake’s sights as well as nearby Downtown Lakeland.

This is a beautiful, free one-​acre garden in downtown Lakeland on the bank of Lake Mirror. Nice waterfall, koi pond, fountain. Great place for weddings (can reserve 2 – 4 hours for $ 400 or so through the City of Lakeland). Nice for meditation, enjoying Florida flora. I think it’s open 10 to 6, closed Mondays. nearby kids play park with water spout stuff, bistro, reception hall, B&B – and all of downtown. Very worth your time!