Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is located at the end of a four-mile scenic drive and nestled in a 40-acre valley edged by the Pacific Ocean. Here you'll find a vast variety of orchids, palms, heliconias, gingers, bromeliads, and other rare and exotic plants. Presently, there are more than 2,000 species.

The valley is a natural greenhouse for tropical species, a tamed jungle with natural paths weaving past streams, waterfalls and a lily pond, then leading down to the pounding sea and the remains of the Onomea Arch.

The garden was developed by a private couple that spent years of backbreaking work clearing the wild and overgrown jungle by hand so as not to destroy or disturb the natural environment. The Garden opened to the public in 1984.

World Botanical Gardens are being developed on 300 acres of agricultural land extending 1.5 miles up the slope of Mauna Kea. The Umauma River forms the northern border of the property. The river feeds Umauma Falls, a triple-tier waterfall that cascades nearly 300 feet through tropical rainforest and is the centerpiece of the gardens.

Hundreds of wild orchids, mango trees, guava, papaya, pineapple, banana, breadfruit and more grow in the gardens. You'll find 100 species of Bromeliads, rainforest nature trails (some wheelchair accessible), a children's maze, Hawaiian medicinal plants, an arboretum and an ethno-botanical garden.

World Botanical Gardens are located off Hwy.19 near the 16-mile marker in Umauma. Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., there is an admission fee.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is on Hwy. 19, north of Hilo. Watch for a sign that says, "Scenic Route 4 Miles Long," turn right, and drive about two miles to the garden entrance. From Kona, follow Hwy. 19 from Waimea and look for the sign about five miles past the towns of Hakalau and Honomu. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, there is an admission fee.