Cypress Gardens

Cypress Gardens Was Florida's 1st Tourist Attraction - Visit Central ...

Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven: the historic gardens preserved inside LEGOLAND Florida

Cypress Gardens is a historic Florida attraction in Winter Haven (Polk County) that began as a botanical garden and later became known for large-scale water-ski performances. It is no longer operating as an independent park; the garden landscape is preserved today as Cypress Botanical Gardens inside LEGOLAND® Florida Resort.

What Cypress Gardens is today

LEGOLAND describes the area as the Cypress Botanical Gardens and states that access is included with a LEGOLAND Florida theme park ticket (no extra admission required).

LEGOLAND’s official support guidance also says Cypress Gardens is preserved as one of 14 areas within the resort, and that admission is not available without a LEGOLAND Florida ticket. Florida Resort

Why Cypress Gardens matters historically

Florida’s state archives describe Cypress Gardens as founded in 1936 by Dick and Julie Pope and call it the state’s first theme park. Memory

The same archival record ties Cypress Gardens directly to the public history of water skiing, noting it became known as the “Water Ski Capitol of the World” and describing it as the birthplace of performance water skiing (1941).

That combination—botanical garden + staged water shows—helped Cypress Gardens become a cornerstone of Central Florida’s early visitor economy long before today’s Orlando-area mega-parks defined the region.

National Register of Historic Places status

Cypress Gardens is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service’s National Register digital asset record shows:

• Title: Cypress Gardens
• NRIS ID: 14000152
• Listed: 4/14/2014 (as shown on the 2014 weekly list document and NPS asset metadata)

Florida’s Department of State announced the National Register designation in June 2014 and explicitly names LEGOLAND Florida as the current owner at the time of that announcement. Department of State

What to see in the gardens (verified highlights)

The Banyan Tree (planted in 1939)

LEGOLAND identifies the iconic Banyan tree in the gardens and states it was planted as a seedling in 1939.

The preserved garden landscape

LEGOLAND positions the gardens as a scenic, slower-paced part of a theme-park day and notes access is included with theme park admission.

A timeline you can use without guesswork

• 1936: Florida archives describe Cypress Gardens as founded by Dick and Julie Pope and call it the state’s first theme park. Memory
• 2009: LEGOLAND’s Cypress Botanical Gardens page states the “original Cypress Gardens Florida theme park” closed in 2009.
• 2011: That same LEGOLAND page says the gardens were restored and reopened as part of LEGOLAND Florida Resort in 2011.
• 2014: NPS and Florida’s Department of State document the National Register listing, including the 4/14/2014 listing date and NRIS ID 14000152.

Visiting Cypress Gardens now: access and practical constraints (only what’s documented)

Tickets

• Access to Cypress Botanical Gardens is included with a LEGOLAND Florida theme park ticket.
• LEGOLAND support states you cannot purchase Cypress Gardens-only admission. Florida Resort

Hours and operations

LEGOLAND states that theme park hours vary by day and season, and recommends checking the official opening-hours calendar for the most accurate information.

LEGOLAND also provides typical operating-hour guidance (with variability): often 10:00 AM–5:00 PM on weekdays, with later closes on some weekends, and notes the park is closed on select Wednesdays in some periods—again pointing visitors to the official calendar.

LEGOLAND’s “Know Before You Go” page states that toll and ticket booths open approximately 30 to 45 minutes prior to Theme Park opening.

Location context

LEGOLAND’s official visitor info places the resort at One LEGOLAND Way, Winter Haven, Florida 33884, and describes it as about 45 minutes from Orlando or Tampa.

Accessibility and inclusivity notes (officially stated)

LEGOLAND states that shops, restaurants, show venues, and many ride/attraction queues are ADA accessible for guests using wheelchairs and for guests needing special services, including service animals.

LEGOLAND’s accessibility information also defines service animals (including dogs and miniature horses) and notes they are welcome in most locations, may accompany guests in standard queues up to loading points, but cannot ride attractions due to safety restrictions.

Accuracy flag: conflicting “National Register” year on one resort page

LEGOLAND’s Cypress Botanical Gardens page includes a statement that Cypress Gardens was added to the National Register in 2004.
The National Park Service and Florida Department of State documentation supports a 2014 National Register listing (NRIS 14000152, listed 4/14/2014).