Bayfront Gardens Tour

Volunteer docents lead this 90-minute walking tour through the 66-acre grounds of The Ringling, focusing on the botanical history and landscape architecture of the estate. The route covers Mable Ringling’s historic Rose Garden, established in 1913, which contains hundreds of hybrid tea and floribunda roses arranged in a classic Italian wheel pattern. The walk continues through the estate’s extensive collection of Florida native plants, exotic tropical species, and the massive Banyan trees that line the paths near the waterfront. Guides also share the history of the Secret Garden, where John and Mable Ringling are buried alongside John's sister, Ida Ringling North.