Botanical Gardens on Lake Eloise

Cypress Gardens was established as a botanical garden on the shore of Lake Eloise near Winter Haven. Today, Cypress Gardens is a beautifully preserved botanical oasis within LEGOLAND® Florida Resort. This dual character gives the place a clear identity: on the one hand, the gardens are the main attraction; on the other, there is the history of an early entertainment destination in Florida. Its botanical character and park history go hand in hand, but can be seen in different features. Its setting by the lake locates the gardens; its proximity to Winter Haven places them in their regional context.

Distinctive Details from the Early Years

Cypress Gardens opened in 1936 as Florida’s first commercial theme park. Another historical milestone followed just a few years later: the Banyan tree was planted in 1939 and still stands today. Three years separate the opening and the planting. This timeline connects the park’s early history with a specific botanical feature without conflating the two.

The Florida Pool is also one of Cypress Gardens’ distinctive features. It is shaped like the state of Florida. Separate from the Florida Pool at Cypress Gardens, another pool was built for MGM’s Easy to Love. The pool thus combines a striking design motif with a connection to film history. Its shape and the reason it was built tell different parts of the story of the place.

Water Skiing and Entertainment History

Cypress Gardens has local and national significance in entertainment and recreation. A notable chapter is water skiing: the World Championships were held at Cypress Gardens in 1950, with Dick Pope Jr. and Willa McGuire as overall champions. The tournament adds the perspective of a championship event to the history of water ski shows.

Historic water ski shows featured human pyramids, barefoot water skiing, synchronized formations, and daring jumps. Both athletic achievement and staged performances are part of the entertainment history passed down from that time. From 1940 onward, Cypress Gardens also became known for so-called Southern Belles, who walked around the grounds in hoop skirts and posed for photographs. This tradition is another chapter in the park culture of the time.

Another Perspective on the Canals

The nearby Pirate River Quest boat ride offers visitors a special perspective on the historic canals. It complements the botanical and sports history themes with a viewpoint of its own, without implying that the ride follows a route through Cypress Gardens.

What to Plan for Your Visit

Access to Cypress Gardens is included with regular admission to the LEGOLAND® Florida Resort theme park; no additional admission is required. Check the current ticket terms before your visit. You can choose from several areas of interest when planning your trip: the botanical gardens and their Banyan tree, the park’s history and film history, or the water skiing tradition. These aspects give Cypress Gardens its own identity within the resort setting.

Discover more destinations: Polk City, Lakeland, Fort Meade, Mulberry, Lake Wales, Auburndale, Winter Haven, Bartow

For the broader travel overview: Polk.