Stock Island is just outside of Key West proper, but is really part of Key West, and the botanical gardens here offer some peaceful serenity antidote to the bustle and sensory overload that people love about parts of Old Town, Mallory Square area. It's situated near the Key West Golf Course, and consists of eleven acres of native hardwood hammock. This is a rare find, since undeveloped land is rare, but native hardwood hammock in the Keys is even harder to find. It's maintained by voluteers working with donations, and although US Highway 1 is close by, the volunteers have managed to keep these gardens wonderfully peaceful and full of wildlife, like butterflies, birds, and even turtles or egrets.

Hurricane Georges hit the gardens hard in 1998, and they will take years to fully recover, but this place remains one of the most serene and lovely places in Key West. It's open daily from 8am to sunset. They lock the gates at 8pm, and it's free. But feel free to give a donation if you enjoy your time at the Key West Botanical Gardens