Limited Ticket Sales Available on Monday, May 18

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens - a historic and whimsical 35-acre subtropical estate located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale - is welcoming guests back for a grounds-only reopening on Tuesday, May 19. Guests will enjoy a one-way route among the beauty of the estate’s Garden, which boasts beautiful natural vegetation, a Desert Garden composed of arid plantings, hibiscus garden, and views of the main courtyard planted with tropical vegetation.

Along the route, guests may view migratory birds, year-round birds indigenous to Florida wetland and coastal areas, and manatees that on occasion seek refuge in the estate’s Boathouse Canal. Guests can search for playful monkeys in the trees and a majestic swan in the freshwater lakes.

The entire route is approximately one mile long, but there are multiple exits along the path. It is entirely a self-guided walking experience. Guests will be required to maintain the social distance of six feet between visitors at all times, except for families currently residing in the same dwelling.

“We are pleased to welcome guests back, offering an enjoyable way to experience the Garden’s stunning natural beauty in the fresh air,” said Patrick Shavloske, CEO of Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. “What better way is there to emerge from the seclusion resulting from COVID-19 than a visit to this magical property that has served as an outdoor paradise for 100 years”

Ticket sales will be available on Monday, May 18 at 10 a.m. for May 19 admission. Tickets are $5 for all non-members, and free for members. Daily visits will take place Tuesday–Sunday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., with early access for members and visitors with potential health vulnerabilities from 9–10 a.m. Limited tickets are available at www.bonnethouse.org/about-all/covid-19/, or at the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens Welcome Center.

Guests (except children 2 years old and younger) must wear masks/face coverings at all times. Face coverings and water - in addition to soda, iced tea and ice cream - will be available for purchase in the Welcome Center or Museum Shop.

Bonnet House has limited as many touch surfaces as possible, including a limited number of chairs and benches, and fewer-than-normal restrooms. There are currently no tram tours of the grounds. Arrival and admission will be through the North Entrance off Sunrise Blvd. only. Jogging/running, biking, skating, rollerblading, scootering, skateboarding, picnics and smoking will not be allowed on the property.

Tickets can be purchased online 24 hours in advance of the visit, or at the Welcome Center the day of the visit. Reservations are good for the reserved day only. Tickets and times are not transferrable. Those who miss their visit cannot be readmitted later. Tickets are rain or shine, and non-refundable. Out of an abundance of caution, the Main House remains temporarily closed.

Anyone needing assistance with their reservation should email dianneennis@bonnethouse.org or call 954-563-5393.

For more information about Bonnet House Museum & Gardens’ re-opening, please visit www.bonnethouse.org/about-all/covid-19/.

Celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2020, Bonnet House is a part of Florida’s unique history. It was built in 1920 as the winter retreat of the Birch/Bartlett family, and is a fanciful blend of art, architecture, history and ecology. The 35-acre subtropical estate and historic house museum preserve the natural setting of South Florida, situated on what is one of the last examples of a native barrier island habitat in the region.

About the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens: Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is a 35-acre subtropical estate and historic house museum located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. Bonnet House, Inc. is a nonprofit, 501c3, whose mission is to preserve this unique historic estate of Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett. Through enjoyable and enriching cultural experiences, the Museum connects today’s community to the Bartletts’ architectural, artistic and environmental legacy. Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 and is open for tours Tuesday–Sunday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. For more information, visit www.bonnethouse.org.

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is a partner of the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District’s Consortium, a unique partnership of arts and entertainment organizations in Fort Lauderdale with the express mission of promoting cultural tourism in South Florida.