Visit The Kampong — Miami’s Historic Tropical Garden

The Kampong — National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Miami

Discover The Kampong, a historic tropical garden in Miami, Florida, on the shores of Biscayne Bay. The Kampong forms part of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens network and preserves the Fairchild-Sweeney House, showcasing the plant exploration legacy of David Fairchild. Visitors can choose guided or self-guided tours, attend hands-on workshops, or participate in wellness and art classes set in a botanical landscape.

Tours and self-guided visits

• The Kampong Guided Tour: Docent-led garden tours highlight the historic estate, plant collections, and Fairchild’s contributions to tropical botany. These tours provide context about the property and curated species.
• The Kampong Self-Guided Tour: A self-paced option with a map and estate overview for visitors who prefer independent exploration of fragrant flowers, exotic fruits, and bayside scenery.

Workshops, classes, and hands-on experiences

The Kampong offers a rotating schedule of creative and educational programs located throughout the garden grounds:

• Cyanotype Printing: Transform natural leaves into fabric prints using historic cyanotype techniques. Spaces are limited, so advance booking is advised.
• Community Indigo Dip (Shibori): Participants bring pre-loved garments to revive with natural indigo dye and Shibori resist methods.
• Edible Gardening with UF/IFAS: A practical workshop focused on foodscaping and edible plant selection for South Florida; recommended for ages 12 and up.
• Watercolor Courses: Multi-day classes led by local artist Eileen Seitz emphasize color mixing and painting from garden subjects.
• Yoga: All-levels outdoor yoga sessions led by Sam Reynolds connect movement with the garden setting.
• Forest Bathing: Guided by neuroscientist Karina Del Punta, these 90-minute sessions and Moonrise Forest Bathing experiences use sensory practices grounded in science.

Other specialty offerings include macrophotography, ikebana, functional movement sessions, seasonal themed events, and family-friendly activities.

Why visit The Kampong?

• Historic significance: The Fairchild-Sweeney House and David Fairchild’s plant collections anchor The Kampong’s cultural and botanical importance.
• Botanical diversity: Visitors encounter exotic fruit trees, rare tropical species, and curated collections that reflect global plant exploration.
• Variety of programs: From docent-led interpretation to art workshops and wellness sessions, The Kampong supports learning and creative engagement in an outdoor setting.

Practical details

Visitors should wear closed-toed shoes for garden paths and plan for outdoor conditions. Workshops may have limited capacity; booking in advance secures participation. The Kampong’s programming includes collaborations (for example, edible gardening with UF/IFAS) and features leaders named in programming descriptions.

Experience and conservation

The Kampong combines plant conservation, education, and cultural programming on a historic estate. Whether attending a guided tour, enrolling in a workshop, or exploring independently, visitors encounter a managed tropical collection and interpretive experiences that highlight Miami’s botanical heritage and the work of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens.